Lypossage esthétiques Internationale, LLC
Official Home Site
What Is Lypossage?
Lypossage Training
Train in Sacramento
Train in San Antonio
Train in Salt Lake
Lypossage Institute
Online Store
The Machine
Microcurrent
Going Green
Before and After
Independent Trainers
FREE TRAINING
Find a Spa
Find A Lypotherapist
Be  A Trainer
Media Links
Lypossage History
Buyer BEWARE
Testimonials
Code of Ethics
Mission Statement
Owner Biographies
Jobs at Lypossage
News From Lypossage
E-Blasts
Class Sign Up
Spa Cert. Program
Lypossage Itinerary
The LypoSlim Wrap
All Product Data
I Want Product Info
Web Registration
Contact Us
Official Website

Published Lypossage History and Research Articles


DOES DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE THERAPY HAVE AN IMPACT ON BODY DIMENSIONS IN THE HIPS AND THIGHS OF WOMEN?

 

By Charles W. Wiltsie, III, LMT, NCTMB

 

 

I was watching the local news one night after work.  There was a story about a plastic surgeon claiming he could reduce body dimension in women with the use of a vacuum cleaner roller-like device.  The video clip pictured a woman about 30 years old lying on a massage-like table.  As she lay there, the plastic surgeon was rolling the device across her buttocks and abdomen.  As he rolled across the targeted areas, I noticed that there seems to be a strong suction pulling her skin into the head.  His claim was that, by using this machine, he could help people lose inches without requiring the subject to diet or exercise.

 

As I watched this report, I had two immediate reactions.  First, I thought this was a ridiculous idea.  This plastic surgeon was feeding on the patients’ vanity and was unconcerned with health.  I felt the same way I do when I see many of my female performing-artist clients have liposuction.  I felt it was contributing to the national inferiority complex American women have about their bodies.  Secondly, I thought this looked a lot like the massage technique known as “skin rolling.”  It’s when I began to ponder my second response that lights began going off in my head.  I knew massage therapy helped with muscle tone, lymphatic drainage, and circulation.  Even though I objected viscerally to this plastic surgeon’s dimension loss program, at the same time I wondered if he was onto something.

 

On a personal note, I had been looking for something to study.  I have the strong belief that for everything studied in the field of traditional medicine, there is a better answer on the holistic side of things.  It has always been rumored that massage therapy could with cellulite.  I wanted to know for sure.  My reason was simple.  The alternative health field has a duty to study everything allopaths study.  It is not because we need to “compete” with them, but because we need to open the door and expose our world, through good research, to everyone.  We need to take the risk and prove that we are wrong—or maybe even right.

 

ABSTRACT

 

This study set out to find if deep tissue massage has an impact on the soft tissue of women between the ages of 35 and 50.  Review of the study results will show that 95% of women who participated in this study had a significant loss of dimension without gaining or losing weight. 

 

ABOUT THIS STUDY

 

This study dealt with the effect of deep tissue massage on the lower trunk and mid-to-upper thighs of women between the ages of 35 and 50.  I picked this part of the body because of its relationship to waste.  In other words, this part of the body has lots of fatty tissue, the lymphatic system, and visceral organs which eliminate waste.  This part of the body also has some of the largest muscles in the body.  Any effect on muscle tone would be clearly measurable, as it would be on the elimination of waste in the organs and the other tissue in the area.

 

The women in this study could not be grossly overweigh and could not be sedentary. They had to be people of steady habits.  They could not have had a baby within three years of the study and could not have any contraindication to deep tissue massage therapy.  Each went through a three-part screening process.  One hundred women were selected.

 

After selection, these study participants committed to 20 minutes of massage 3 times per week for 6 weeks.  They were measured and weighed every session.  At every fourth session, the targeted areas were photographed.  The photographs were of the front, right side, back, and left side of the targeted areas.  Each study participant was measured using the imperial system of measurement (inches).

 

There were five measurements taken.  Measurement 1 was at the navel.  Measurement 2 was halfway between the navel and the proximal head of the greater trochanter. Measurement 3 was at the proximal head of the greater trochanter. Measurement 4 was half the distance from the proximal head of the greater trochanter and the suprapatella on the right on and left thigh.  Measurement 5 was one-quarter the distance from the proximal head of the greater trochanter and the suprapatella on the right and left thigh.  These landmarks were identified using palpation.  The controller was the “weigh-in” each session. If the study participant’s weight went up or down more than half to 1 pound, an explanation was required.  Also, the participant would note when she menstruated, or any other changes during the study period: including diarrhea, constipation, etc.  The massage techniques used during the study were picked to stimulate circulation, and affect the lymphatic system.  These techniques were performed at specific times during the study period and were done the same way on each study participant.  The techniques used were tapotement, deep kneading, skin rolling, and effleurage.

 

RESULTS

 

The results of the study were significant.  In reporting my results, however, there needs to be some qualification.  First, these results are averages.  Some women had changes more significant than the averages, and some women less significant.   Secondly, 5% of the study participants actually went up in dimension.  It should also be noted that for the purposes of this report, I have rounded the numbers up to the nearest ¼ inch.  Thirdly, I am not noting here what age groups seemed to go up or down more or less, and I did no follow-up after the study period was over.  Fourth, since the initial study was complete, I have continued studying women of different age groups and for different lengths of time.  The results of these new groups are similar, but not exactly the same.  Finally, here I am simply presenting the results of the study.  I kept the study simple.  I can report my findings, but cannot explain physiologically what happened.  I believe that in the field of alternative health that, while we need to do studies, it is important to do our studies simply.  So much of what we do is intuitive and that aspect must be left out when we report our findings. 

 

Average loss of dimension for all 100 women:

  • Measurement 1: ¾ inches
  • Measurement 2: 1 ¼ inches
  • Measurement 3: ¾ inches

Right leg:

  • Measurement 4: 1 ½ inches
  • Measurement 5: ½ inch

Left leg:

  • Measurement 4: 1 ¼ inches
  • Measurement 5: ½ inch

 

Also, each study participant maintained her weight for the duration of the study—95% of study participants did not go up or down in weight more than 1 pound.

CONCLUSION

 

My conclusion is simply that nearly 95% of the study participants lost dimension in the targeted areas.  The “why” is a subjective conclusion.   Subjectively, I think the people in this study lost dimension because the massage techniques used worked favorably on lymphatic drainage, muscle tone, and circulation. 

 

 

WHY DO A STUDY?

 

The question for massage therapists is: “Why do a study?”  For this study, I had no grant money of any kind.  I was all my own time, my own film, and my own lat nights on the computer figuring out numbers and drawing conclusions.  Why do it?  It’s likely that anyone who initiates a study will have their results challenged, or their methods questioned.  But, in the end, who cares?  If my study is criticized or refuted, it does not matter.  What matters is that if a study is refuted or its methods challenged, it is done so with more studies and research.  Each of us initiating research helps the cause of alternative health.  Each time one of us publishes a paper, it helps the mission which is to forward the cause of real health.

 

During my study, many of the participants were upset with the look of their bodies.  Many were on the brink of liposuction.  These were healthy, fit women worried about their thighs and the size of their buttocks.  By the end of the study, these people were pleased with the results.  But let’s face it.  While these women lost dimension, they didn’t look that much different.  What they noticed was how they felt having been massaged.  They felt better.  Many of them began visiting chiropractors, naturopaths, and other massage therapists.  Not one went for liposuction.  They were beginning to get it, and each time one of us publishes a paper, a few more people “get it,” understanding the benefits associated with alternative modalities Charles W. Wiltsie III is a Connecticut state licensed massage therapist and is nationally certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork.  He is an approved Category A provider of Continuing Education by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Wiltsie has been published in various newspapers, and has been covered nationally and locally for his marathon massages to help charity.  For more information, Wiltsie can be reached at 888.346.1156 or emailed at Lypossage@aol.com

 

 

 

PUBLISHED:

MASSAGE & BODYWORK, February/March 1999

 


Another Paper on the Research That Lead to Lypossage 

 

DOES DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE HAVE AN IMPACT ON DIMENSION IN THE HIPS AND THIGHS?

 

A Study Done By Charles W. Wiltsie III, LMT, NCTMB

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Does deep tissue massage have an impact on the hips and thighs?  It is common knowledge that massage therapy helps with circulation, muscle tone, and lymphatic drainage.  It is also known that people with Lymphoedema are positively affected with Complex Physical Therapy (CPT) and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).  Lymphoedema is defined as “a chronic condition with no known cure,” that, “can have profound physical and psychological impact on affected patients…Lymphoedema is swelling, usually in the extremity, which may result from an accumulation of interstitial fluid caused by impaired lymphatic drainage.”[i]

 

There is much documentation that indicates massage positively influences Lymphoedema.  One of the therapeutic approaches to this is a “combination of compression, exercise and if possible, massage.”[ii]

 

These types of approaches are part of CPT.  CPT is “a technique of manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging and specific physical therapy exercises.”[iii]  In the article, “Using Massage in the Relief of Lymphoedema,” it is stated that “massage is one of the cornerstones of treatment”[iv] for Lymphoedema.  Another study done at Slade Hospital in Oxford, England showed the “effect of massage as a stimulus to lymph flow[…] local massage significantly enhanced clearance.”[v]  With this information, it seemed reasonable to try to discover the exact effects of deep tissue massage techniques on healthy female participants.

 

The intention was to influence muscle tone, circulation, and lymphatic drainage through deep tissue massage techniques that were specific to target areas.  These areas would demonstrate, or not demonstrate, that these techniques reduce dimension.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The target areas were the lower trunk and mid to upper.  These parts of the body were picked because of their relationship to waste.  In other words, these parts of the body have a lot of fatty tissue, lymphatic system, and visceral organs that eliminate waste.  In addition, these parts of the body also have some of the larges muscles in the body.  Any effect on the muscle tone in these parts of the body would be clearly measurable, as would the effects it has on the elimination of waste in the organs and other tissue in these parts.

 

The women in this study were between the ages of 35 and 50.  They could not be grossly overweight and could not be sedentary.

They had to be people of steady habits.  They could not have had a baby within three years of the study and could not have any contraindication to deep tissue massage therapy.  Each went through a three-part screening process.  One hundred women were selected.


After selection, the study participants committed to 20 minutes of massage 3 times per week for 6 weeks.  Every fourth session, the targeted areas on the study participants were photographed.  The photographs were of the front, the right side, the back, and the left side of the targeted areas.  The study participants were weighed and measured every session.  The imperial system of measurement (inches) was used for the following five measurement points:

 

  • Measurement 1 was at the navel.
  • Measurement 2 was halfway between the navel and the proximal head of the greater trochanter.
  • Measurement 3 was at the proximal head of the greater trochanter.
  • Measurement 4 was half the distance from the proximal head of the greater trochanter and the suprapatella on the right on and left thigh.
  • Measurement 5 was one-quarter the distance from the proximal head of the greater trochanter and the suprapatella on the right and left thigh.

 

The controller was the “weigh-in” at each session.  If the study participant’s weight went up or down more than half to 1 pound, an explanation was required.  Also, the participant would note when she had her period or any other changes: such as diarrhea, or constipation.

 

These massage techniques were picked because they improve muscle tone, stimulate circulation, and affect the lymphatic system.  These techniques were performed at specific times during the study period and were done the same way on each study participant.

 

 

RESULTS

 

Ninety-five percent of the study participants lost dimension in the targeted areas.  Five percent of the study participants increased dimension rather than decreased.  For the purposes of this paper, the result numbers are rounded up to the nearest quarter inch.  The following table shows the average inches lost at each measurement point by the 100 study participants. Eighty-six percent of the study participants lost a total of 5 or more inches.  The following graph shows the total inches lost by the study participants.

 



Each study participant maintained her weight for the duration of the study.  Ninety-five percent of the study participants did not go up or down in weight more than one pound.

 

Since the completion of the initial study, other studies have been done with a variety of age groups and study periods.  The results of these new studies are similar to the initial study, and therefore reinforce the findings of the initial study.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Deep tissue massage does have an impact on the hips and thighs.  More importantly, deep tissue massage had an impact on the attitudes of the women in the study.  At the beginning, many of the women were upset with the look of their bodies and were considering liposuction.  By the end of the study, these particular women were pleased with the results.  What the women noticed was how massage made them feel.  They felt better.  Many of them began visiting chiropractors, naturopaths, and other massage therapists.  None of these women went for liposuction.  Each time on of us publishes a paper a few more people will understand the benefits associated with alternative modalities.

 

WHY DO A STUDY?

 

When I did this study, I had no grant money of any kind.  It was my own time, my own Polaroid film, and my own late nights on the computer figuring out numbers and drawing conclusions.  Why do it?  It is likely each of us who does a study will have our results challenged or our methods questioned.  If my results are challenged or my methods questioned, it doesn’t matter.  What matters is that if a study’s results are challenged, that they are done so with more studies and research.  Each of us who does research helps the cause of alternative health.  Each time one of us publishes a paper, we help our mission, which is to forward the cause of real health.

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

[1]  Tunkel, Richard S. MD & Lachmann, Elisabeth MD.  Lymphoedema of the Limb, An Overview of Treatment Options.  Postgraduate Medicine/Lymphoedema, Volume 104/No 4, October 1998, pg. 131

2  Mortimer, PS.  Therapy Approaches to Lymphoedema. Angiology, January 1997; 48 (1): 87-91.

3  Boris M., Weindorf S., Lasinski B., Boris G.  Lymphoedema Reduction by Noninvasive Complex Lymphoedema Therapy.  Oncology (Huntington), September 1994; 8(9): 95-106.

4  Kirshbaum, M. Using Massage in the Relief of Lymphoedema.  Professional Nurse, January 1996; 11(4): 230-2.

5 Mortimer, P.S.; Simmonds, R.; Resvani, M.; Robbins, M.; Hopewell, J.W.; Ryan, T.J.  The Measurement of Skin Lymph Flow by Isotope Clearance—Reliability, Reproducibility, Injection Dynamics, and the Effect of Massage.  J Invest Dermatol, December 1990; 95(6): 677-82.

 

OTHER READINGS:

 

[1]  Franzeck, U.K.; Spiegel, I.; Fischer, M.; Bortzler, C.; Stahel, H.U.; Bollinger, A.  Combines Physical Therapy for Lymphoedema Evaluated by Fluorescence Microlymphography and Lymph Capillary Pressure Measurements.  Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

2  Casley- Smith, J.R.  Treatment of Lymphoedema by Complex Physical Therapy, With and Without Oral and Topical Benzopyrones: What Should Therapist and Patients Expect?  Lymphology, June 1996; 29(2): 76-82.

3   Eliska, O.; Elixkova, M.  Are Peripheral Lymphatics Damaged by High Pressure Manual Massage?  Lymphology March 1995; 28(1): 21-30.

4  Morgan, R.G.; Casley-Smith J.R.; Mason, M.R.  Complex Physical Therapy for Lymphoedematous Arm.  J Hard Surg (Br), August 1992; 17(4): 437-41.

5  Casley-Smith, J.R.  Modern Treatment of Lymphoedema.  I. Complex Physical Therapy: The First 200 Australian Limbs.  Australas J. Dermatol, 1992; 33(2): 61-68.


The History of Lypossage™

By Charles W. Wiltsie III

 

Originally published in Massage & Bodywork Magazine, June/July 2003.
Copyright 2003. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.



From the germ of an idea in 1998, Lypossage is now an internationally known name and massage therapy modality with more than a half dozen trainers, and practitioners that number more than 1,000, in the United States, Canada and Australia.

The February/March 1999 issue of Massage & Bodywork included an article about my research, "Deep Tissue Massage: Does Massage Therapy Have An Impact on Body Dimensions in the Hips and Thighs of Women?" I did this study because I was curious about whether or not complex physical therapy (CPT) for Lymphoedema would work on healthy women. In other words, would a protocol similar to CPT help a healthy woman lose dimension without losing weight? I also wanted to use this opportunity to draw positive attention to massage therapy and encourage others to do research. I felt that any solid research, even if challenged, would be good for massage therapy. This investigation might add to the rising prestige of the profession as a legitimate, integrated part of the health services landscape.

The Study
A group of 100 women, ages 35 to 50, were selected for the study based on their healthy lifestyle habits, meaning they could not be obese or sedentary. Women who had given birth within three years of the study and those with contraindications to deep tissue massage were excluded. Each woman committed to 20 minutes of deep tissue massage, three times a week for six weeks.

Target areas were five points between the lower trunk and mid to upper thighs. These parts of the body were chosen because of their relationship to waste elimination. In other words, these parts have a lot of fatty tissue, channels and nodes, and visceral organs that eliminate waste. In addition, they also contain some of the largest muscles in the body. Any effect on the muscle tone in these parts of the body can be clearly measured as can the effects on the elimination of waste from the organs and the other tissue in these parts.

Every fourth session, the targeted areas were photographed using front, right side, back and left side views of the specific areas. The study participants were weighed and measured at each session.

Weigh-in at each session was the control factor. If the study participant's weight fluctuated by more than one half to one pound, the contributing causes were documented. Also, the participant noted when she had her menstrual cycle or any other physical event, such as diarrhea or constipation, that could impact a weight change.

The massage techniques used in the study protocol were tapotement, deep kneading, skin rolling and effleurage, so chosen because they improve muscle tone, stimulate circulation and affect the lymphatic system. These techniques were utilized at specific times during the study period and applied in the same manner to each study participant.

Results
The results of the study are considered significant, although there are some limitations to be discussed. First, these results are averages. The changes noted for some of these women ranged from more significant than average to less significant. Second, 5 percent of the study participants actually went up in dimension. It should also be noted that for the purposes of this report, I have rounded the numbers up to the nearest inch. Third, the study did not provide documentation regarding variation of age groups and there was no follow-up done after the study period. However, each study participant maintained her weight for the duration of the study.

I concluded that 86 percent of the women lost dimension without losing weight. Specifically, the women lost about 5 inches in five target areas between the navel and the mid-thigh.

The response to these results was amazing. I had more than 1,000 queries from all over the globe asking what this new modality was called, where the treatment could be received and where classes are held if one wanted to learn how to do it.

I was floored by the amount of attention, but I did not have any interest in creating a new protocol. In fact, I had just completed my research in late 1998, having worked on 100 women over one year's time. The research was also at my expense, and I was exhausted. I had accomplished my goal: A paper was published on an interesting topic. At the same time, I was torn. Once I began responding to inquiries from people inside the spa industry, I began to see the commercial application of my research. After a few months of brainstorming, and with the help of some prominent people inside the spa industry, I finally named my protocol and began the process of writing manuals and procedures.

The Beginning
Lypossage really came into being after the research was published. Peggy Wynne Borgman, owner of Preston Wynne Spa in Saratoga, Calif., was one of the first 1,000 who responded. There were other inquiries from companies such as Aveda and Elizabeth Arden, but Borgman seemed the most genuine, affable, knowledgeable and straightforward. After several e-mail correspondences and telephone conversations, she suggested I create a marketable "body contouring" program for the day spa industry. She also interviewed me for her book Four Seasons of Inner and Outer Beauty, Rituals and Recipes for Well-Being Throughout the Year. Her chapter on body contouring was almost exclusively about Lypossage.

Borgman is a prominent figure in the day spa world. She's the founder of an award-winning spa and is active nationally, through consulting, trade organizations and writing for trade magazines. This new contact encouraged me to begin the process of creating a company whose core would be anti-aging and body contouring -- something I didn't know about before I met her. One of the best pieces of advice she gave me was to go to as many spa industry trade shows as possible and read every trade journal I could find about the spa business. She suggested I do this right away. In a sense, I gave myself an intensive crash course on the subjects of body and skin care as well as body contouring. Because I was a massage therapist who was entrenched in the health services market, I knew very little about the personal care business. In fact, my general feeling, at the time, was like many massage therapists: I thought people who worked in the spa industry were subordinate to those who practiced in health services. Part of my self-education helped me re-think my prejudices.

The first trade show I attended was the beginning of my love for the personal care business. It was a convention in Atlantic City, N.J. I had attended and was familiar with massage therapy conventions, most of which were small with an emphasis on health and the "body, mind, spirit connection," carrying strong esoteric undertones. I was not prepared for the spectacle of an Atlantic City spa show.

The first thing I noticed was the booth where the massage therapists were working. It was full of highly energetic practitioners, dressed up with a kind of "techno-trance" music playing as they worked, laughing and having fun. This was a type of therapist I had never seen before. They had the same qualifications as those in health services but chose the spa industry. They were concerned with health, but from a different point of view.

As I walked deeper into the convention hall, I saw displays and demonstrations of all types: Body wraps, facials, salt glows and other exfoliations, massage machines, body contouring machines, muds, breast treatments, neck treatments -- everything was done with flair. The classes were high energy too, concentrating on everything from permanent make-up to "how-to-grow-your-business." I now knew I needed to create a business plan. I needed to find out if there was interest in my new, and as yet un-named, modality. I went to more trade shows: Montreal, San Jose, Calif., and Philadelphia. I read magazines like Day Spa, American Spa, Les Nouvelles Esthetiques and Spa Management.

Finally, I was ready to name my protocol and start with a business plan. It was also the beginning of the shrinking of my massage therapy practice. All of the trips to trade shows and the research itself were now taking a financial toll, but I continued to believe this was the direction I should go.


The Big Plan
This is how my business development progressed:

- Name the protocol. I asked my family to help me with the name. My daughter came up with "Reduce Your Caboose." It definitely gives the idea but not a good marketable trademark. After a few weeks of fooling around with words, I merged "lymph" and "lipid" into one word, "lypo." Because the technique is manual, I added the word "massage." Hence, a new name, "Lypossage," for which I received a trademark.

- Write the documentation. I wrote and compiled the protocol and instruction manuals.

- Create a logo. With help from a graphic artist and people in the spa industry, several different Lypossage logos were created. It took a while to settle on one.

- Create interest within the spa industry. This is done through word of mouth and press releases. If there is interest, someone from the magazine will call and inquire further. In the case of Lypossage, the first magazine to publish anything was Day Spa. In fact, a couple of pieces were published that included Lypossage in related body contouring topics. The reason for pursuing this was to see if there was interest inside the trade to learn more. This exposure resulted in additional articles in American Spa, Nails and Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, to name a few. Because the response was good, it was time to move to the next step.

- Create more interest. I was an ambassador through word of mouth, trade shows, networking, speaking engagements and query follow-ups with people who expressed interest in training in Lypossage. More importantly, I needed to find a flagship location, a prominent place from which the new modality could be launched and people trained. This happened when I taught Lypossage in California. It turned out to be a financial loss, but now Lypossage had its first customers and group of practitioners.

- Spread the word. Eventually the next step was to advertise while simultaneously sending out press releases to find new Lypossage practitioners. Lypossage was now advertised in Spa Management magazine, with full-page ads for one year and an expensive mass mailing that didn't work. Lypossage joined the Day Spa Association, became a Category A Continuing Education Course toward national certification and created an informational website. Wow, now the money was really beginning to go. The time to write manuals, edit them, teach classes that were losing money, pay for advertising, graphic artists and a webmaster was extensive, plus I had to rent a larger place so I could have enough room to teach when I wasn't traveling. Expenses such as hotels, plane fare, rental cars and food were costing more money, not to mention my massage practice revenues had dropped to almost zero. When I finally hired massage therapists to cover for me, it became another financial loss. But, I have a tough mind and continued to think the idea was worth pursuing. So, as interest increased from the massage therapists, I proceeded with the next step.

- Create an infrastructure. I realized now was a good time to create an infrastructure of trainers and trainer/distributors. These people would train massage therapists in various assigned regions of the United States and, eventually, the world. Workshops for trainers and practitioners began at our Connecticut headquarters. It seemed like a good idea to have trainers who knew their own markets, who could train new practitioners and manage and help them to succeed. But the trainers would not succeed without the proper tools. These tools included marketing materials such as signage, brochures, manuals, instructional video tapes, embroidered polo shirts, embroidered shoulder bags, Lypossage floor footprints, Lypossage Turkish bath towels and bathrobes and other items that would help Lypossage become a household name. The next step was now evident.

- Launch a line of body products. There needed to be a line of goods that could be sold to practitioners that were concentric to the Lypossage treatments. These products could be sold over and over again to practitioners who would, in turn, sell these products to their Lypossage clients. In all about 50 products evolved, including Warming Contour Crème, Daily Tone and Firm Gel.

Everything was in place to help the Lypossage brand name become the "trendy" new body contouring experience. This was encouraged by interest from consumer publications. For example, consumer demand began to increase in the United States when a small article was written about Lypossage in Hers Muscle and Fitness magazine and through an interview with Teen magazine. In Australia, there was another small, favorable article in Good Medicine magazine and most recently, another series of articles written in the Dutch publication Estheticienne, Vakblad Voor Schoonheidsverzorging En Cosmetica.

The Unknown
By August of 2001, Lypossage had evolved from an idea to a recognizable spa modality. It had about 1,000 practitioners, two dozen trainers, a Lypossage product line, Lypossage marketing material, a marketing plan, a public relations campaign and a product distribution system ready to take off. It had a trainer's manual that was nearly 260 pages in length, along with new continuing education course offerings in spa etiquette, ethics, advanced spa training and practice building. Lypossage had been in a dozen trade shows from Las Vegas to Florida, up to New York, Toronto and Montreal and now owned its own trade show booth. And I had faith that, even though I had lost tens of thousands of dollars creating and proliferating this new idea, it would take hold. With the efforts of so many new practitioners, I knew there would also be a lot of local and national advertising and press releases. One of the key components of Lypossage training is to teach massage therapists to become expert at practice building and the local practitioners were excellent at doing that. These Lypossage practitioners became expert at public relations. Many of them were covered by local TV news channels, radio, magazines and newspapers. In short, the collective effort made Lypossage grow at a stellar rate. All this happened in three years and continues to draw attention from large companies.

On September 12, 2001 just after the terrorist attacks, after meditating I returned to teach my class. I had a couple of students. One was a woman with a child at New York University, another a fire fighter from Detroit. I thought to myself about all the money I had invested. My quiet practice no longer existed. My class size had reduced from its normal 20-plus students to just two. I thought of the expansion of my business space to accommodate the volume of people I trained and now: Poof.

Business has never been the same, but it isn't bad, and it is coming back. A lot has changed for Lypossage. We have consolidated our line of mechanizing material and simplified our distribution of products. We have continued to market Lypossage, which is, I'm happy to say, very successful and continuing to draw positive attention. When I began to teach the class again I was reminded by one of the students who remained, that even in hard times people want to be healthy and there is always high fashion, even during war. Lypossage has grown and contracted and grown again. Yet even with the spectacular growth rate of a good idea, you never know. Lypossage is now a permanent part of massage therapy and the health and spa industries. With strong name recognition among consumers, Lypossage now receives more than 300 consumer inquiries a month, and this grows exponentially by 10 percent each month. Just as Afghani women wore make-up under their veils in their quiet rebellion, I guess some American women are doing the same, not letting the world get in the way of their good health and high fashion.

Charles W. Wiltsie III can be reached through Pro-Actif Spa Systems International, LLC, Middletown, CT 860/346.1156, www.lypossage.net or lypossage@aol.com.


Lypossage Results by Measurement Dimension Loss/Location
At the end of a six-week period, 86 percent of Lypossage study participants lost a total of 5 or more inches. The body points were identified using palpation.

Since the completion of the initial study in 1998, other studies have been done with a variety of age groups and study periods. The results of these new studies are similar to the initial study and reinforce the original study.

 

 

 

A FINAL NOTE:

 

It should also be noted that this research was done for the sake of research.  It didn’t matter how it turned out as long as the research would stand up to scrutiny.  Since 1999 the research has successfully endured with thousands of new and happy clients receiving Lypossage™ treatments each year in the United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil and around the world.


Contact Us to Order Lypossage Products, Become a Lypossage Practitioner or Find a Therapist in Your Area.

Home |  Before and After |  Approved Products | Training Info |  Find a Therapist |  Contact Us


 

 

Search Terms
lypossage.com,estheticians,massage therapist,beauty school,massage school,spa,day spa,therapy,CIDESCO international congress,lypossage,health care professionals,RESHAPE,fat,body contouring,anti aging,body sculpting,pictures before and after,charles wiltsie,before and after,LIPOSUCTION,legs,cellulite,neck,breasts,CERTIFIED LYPOSSAGE PRACTITIONER