Author: Jason Brain

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How I Became a Massage Therapist: A Comedy in 3 Acts

Where do I begin?  Deep down, I always knew I wanted to be a therapist of some sort, and only until the time was right did I take the leap to start my bodywork journey to become a licensed massage therapist about 3 years ago. 

ACT I
As someone who is ceaselessly interested in every dimension of everything, I’ve done a lot of different jobs in my life.  From my 1st job in high school selling Daily News subscriptions door-to-door to a litany of others (in no particular order): weekly open mic host & producer; Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf barista; marketing and beyond for an active daylighting company; karaoke host; camp counselor; spoken word artist and published poet; executive director for a small non-profit organization; and a few more I’ll leave to your imagination.
ACT II
But there at the end, balancing weekly open mic and karaoke nights on top of the non-profit job during the weekday/weekends (that was going nowhere), with a growing family to boot, I was at a crossroads of life and career aspirations.

One night at my local dive bar, I ran into one of my favorite karaoke singers and caught up with her.  She mentioned she was a massage therapist … and I had so many questions to ask her.  Truth be told, I looked into massage therapy soon after graduating from CSU Northridge, but the thought of additional student debt was not very enticing at the time.

Amanda informed me she was ten years into her massage career, had her own mobile massage business with other therapist contractors, was making good money, and couldn’t have been happier with her work.  I knew right then and there I had some research to do.
ACT III
I scheduled a walk through that very week at National Holistic Institute, figured out the financial aid, discussed the class schedules they had available and the only one that worked for me happened to include both weeknights of my shows.  Not only that, but the group I would join started their semester that week, so I had to sign up then or wait another 6 months to start. 

After a little reflection, the decision was clear.  I ended my open mic at the Coffee Bean after 10 years, told the karaoke company I could no longer host, and was starting classes at NHI the next week.  It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 

I worked at the non-profit until I passed my licensing exam and was working at Equinox Spa and building my mobile massage business before I graduated from school.  After getting my massage wheels going, I eventually brought back my open mic, now at my favorite dive bar on Tuesday nights; and while I’ve moved to OC, the show goes on with a new host.

I still bring massage to LA on the weekends and have been reaching out to more areas of the OC, and if it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, let’s schedule your next massage and change that!

Lots more to get excited about this year!  Stay tuned.
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Cheers 2018, Bring On 2019

Blink and it’s already 2019. I hope you had a great year in 2018 and are looking forward to a wonderful new year.  In case the months ahead do turn stressful, or painful, or you are interested in making the resolution of “more self care” this next year, I’m not far when you’re in need of a dose of massage therapy.

Below you will find a quick recap of some of the new additions to my massage therapy practice in 2018, and here’s (cheers) to many more exciting adventures in bodywork this next year!

Rockblades (IASTM Tools) by Rocktape

IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation)
Yes, it a mouthful, but you know what, it’s a mind-full also. I took an IASTM certification class this December on the use of scraping tools, including the ones pictured, for myofascial therapies and it’s still creating new wrinkles in my brain. The principles focus on neuro-sensory functioning and fascial health, and involves varying pressures depending on the goal (from “feathering” to “chopping”). I’ve already begun including the tools into my bodywork sessions and am excited to continue gaining more IASTM experience.

My Massage Studio

1 Year Studio Anniversary
In August, I celebrated the one year anniversary of my studio space in Encino, CA; or as I like to think of it, my very own zen den on Ventura Boulevard. If you haven’t seen it, consider shaking it up and scheduling a future session there!  It’s been a pleasure sharing it with fellow NHI graduate and massage therapist, Josh King.

Hypervolt by Hyperice

Hypervolt by Hyperice
In case you haven’t heard from me about this device … I am in love with this thing. Since Spring, the Hypervolt has helped immensely when I want to address deeper tissue and need to warm up more superficial muscles. It’s amazing what some high powered vibration can do to muscles and the nervous system in a short amount of time.

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About Foam Rolling and Self Myofascial Release (SMR)

It’s like giving yourself a massage on the comfort of your own floor

If you haven’t seen a foam roller before, essentially it’s a foam cylindric/spherical tool that is great for compression and kneading of muscle.  Foam rollers can be used as a great warm up and cool down for activity or for battling chronic pain from muscle tension.

The idea is to use your bodyweight to lie on the roller and target areas of tension and pain.  The compression of your muscle and fascia over extended periods of time signals the brain to release those muscles and allows for more bloodflow through the tissue (and beyond).

I’ll be carrying my foam roller(s) with me throughout the month of October in case you’re interested in a short tutorial in person next time we work together.  As you can see in the photo above, I have a few tools of the roller trade I use to keep myself in tip-top massage shape.  And yes, there’s more tools where those came from.  I’m kind of a self-care junkie.

Lastly, here’s a great little article with information on some ways to access certain areas of the body using a foam roller, courtesy of Men’s Journal.  Click on the link to read.

If you want to try foam rolling and don’t know where to begin, let me know.  Shoot me a call, text, or email if you have any questions.  Happy to help.  Have a great week!  Would love to see you again soon.

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What Does “Deep Tissue” Really Mean?

The body is incredibly complex and harmoniously balanced.  It’s quite remarkable when you get down to the cellular level how deep the body and its systems go.  When it comes to the muskulo-skeletal system, the layers are just as delicate and refined, and not just something to dig an elbow as deep as possible into.

So, what is deep tissue massage?  Deep tissue is a massage modality that focuses on releasing knots and tension (and beyond) in deeper layers of muscle within the body, beneath the superficial muscles. Knowledge of the muscle directions, layers, and tendon attachments is required to properly access the deeper problem areas.

When deep tissue is required it’s a therapists patience, not physical force, that allows for access into these layers; whether it’s all the warming and softening of the superficial layers, or the slow easing through those layers en route to the deeper muscle tissue below; the key is not force, but focus.

A therapist must know how to sink into and through muscle layers to reach the deeper muscles and fascia and properly manipulate the problem area. This is most easily done with ‘sharper tools,’ i.e. knuckles, forearms, and elbows (oh my).

All in all, “Deep Tissue” is really just a therapists best-marketing-friend because EVERYONE wants deep tissue massage. But know that a therapist who promotes “no pain, no gain” deep tissue massage may leave you in a worse state than when you arrived for your session. The goal is not to cause more muscle contraction; it’s to release chronic and acute tension, and re-educate the muscle fibers. C’mon now!

Hope this gives you a better idea of deep tissue massage. Find out more about the art and science of massage therapy at my website, www.brainbodymassage.com, and let’s book your next session soon.

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