Sciatica and Massage: What It Can and Can’t Do, and When to See a Doctor

Quick answer. Sciatica is nerve pain. It is a symptom of an underlying problem, usually a disc or nerve compression in the low back, and it must be diagnosed and managed by a physician. Massage does not relieve nerve compression, reduce nerve inflammation, or treat sciatica. What it can do, with a diagnosis and your […]

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Massage: What It Can and Can’t Do

Quick answer. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is compression of the nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and the first rib. It is a medical condition, diagnosed and managed by a physician, and massage does not relieve that compression or heal TOS. What hands-on work can do, with a diagnosis and your doctor’s clearance, is ease […]

Tendonitis and Massage: The Muscular Side, and Why Timing Matters

Quick answer. Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon from repetitive strain. It is a medical matter, and massage does not reduce the inflammation or heal the tendon. An acutely inflamed tendon should rest and be seen by a doctor, and it is never worked directly. What hands-on work can do, once the acute phase has […]

A Client’s TOS Recovery Story: Daniel’s Experience with the Iler Method

A client’s story. Daniel Plastino came to the Iler Method® as a client, recovering from surgery for a rare and serious form of thoracic outlet syndrome. He shared his experience of the recovery and the muscular work that supported it. His story is a clear example of the honest role of massage with a condition […]

Spinal Stenosis and Massage: Easing the Muscular Tension, With Your Doctor

Quick answer. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerves. It is a medical condition, diagnosed and managed by a physician, and massage does not change the narrowing, relieve nerve pressure, or reverse the condition. What hands-on work can do, with your doctor’s clearance, is ease the tight […]

Repetitive Strain Injury and Massage: Releasing the Overloaded Muscles

Quick answer. A repetitive strain injury is what builds up when the same motion loads the same muscles over and over- typing, using a mouse, using a tool, a sports movement- until the tissue is chronically overworked, tight, and painful. That muscular overload is squarely what Iler Method® work addresses. Where an RSI involves nerve […]

Chronic Pain and Massage: Working the Whole Pattern, Not Just the Spot

Quick answer. A lot of chronic pain has a muscular pattern behind it. Muscles that have been overloaded and compensating for years, developing trigger points that ache and refer pain elsewhere. That muscular side is what Iler Method® work addresses, following the whole pattern rather than chasing the sore spot. Chronic pain can also have […]

Work at Iler Method: For Austin Massage Therapists

For therapists. If you are a licensed massage therapist in Austin who wants to do focused, clinical work rather than one-off relaxation sessions and learn a structured method built around real pain patterns, the Iler Method® practice may be a place worth joining. This is not a weekend course. It is an invitation to work […]

Interested in Mindfulness and Meditation? A Beginner’s Guide

Healing the mind is just as important as healing the body. Incorporating strategies from different disciplines can help lead to a healthy and balanced life. If you have ever been interested in practicing mindfulness and meditation, this post is for you. Australian artist Xavier Rudd’s song “Follow the Sun” is a beautiful meditation on this […]

The Myth of Ergonomics: Why Moving in More Directions Beats the Perfect Desk

Quick answer. Sitting or standing at a computer all day is not what the body is built for. The problem is not your chair, and no perfect ergonomic setup fixes it. The problem is that a desk keeps you facing forward for hours. The fix is not a better posture. It is a greater variety […]