10 Key Benefits of Therapeutic Massageby Dorian Bodnariuc 5/13/2012 Massage is a manual or mechanical procedure applied to the skin and the deep tissue layers, for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy can be part of complex treatments of disorders, and injury rehabilitation and along with physiotherapy can reduce pathological sequelae of certain diseases. The benefits of massage are numerous, but in this article we will list only 10 of them. 1. Massage improves blood and lymph circulation Massage helps to activate circulation, the mechanical manipulation on the body, literally pumps the blood and lymph improving its movement. The lymphatic system acts as a carrier of waste in our body. Poor lymph circulation, or poor blood circulation, can be restored to normal operating levels by massage. 2. Massage stimulates and soothes the nervous and endocrine systems If vigorously executed in a lively pace, massage will have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. By applying stimulating massage procedures, we encourage an optimal operation of the psychomotor functions. Slow, gentle, and soothing massage maneuvers are particularly effective against excessive straining, mental tensions, pain, anxiety and stress. The relaxation effect and the removal of fatigue are obtained by relaxing the nervous and endocrine systems, balancing the levels ... |
10 Tips For A Great Massageby Dorian Bodnariuc 5/13/2012 10 simple ways to perform a successful massage 1. Remove your jewelry, watch and trim your nails, your partner wouldn’t like to be scratched. 2. Create a pleasant environment. Light scented candles use relaxing music and change the linen with a color that makes you feel good. 3. Use essential oil. Massage oils are great because they allow hands to glide more easily on the skin, but also because of their scents, which have relaxation properties and set off the mood. The essential oils recommended as effective in combating stress are lavender, eucalyptus, jasmine, etc.. 4. Be prepared with towels. A towel is placed under the receiver’s neck; Another one is placed under the knees when sitting on the back; Another towel or a blanket is used to cover the parts that are not massaged. 5. Warm up your hands. Cold hands are not a pleasant experience. It is recommended to wash your hands with warm water before the massage and rub hands together to warm them. 6. Adopt a ... |
Acupoint Massage Therapy: The Benefitsby C M Leong 5/13/2012 Only a handful of people realize that the tension-releasing effects of this traditional Chinese practice is rooted in a long history of treating various ailments. Massage therapy is actually an accepted mode of healing in Eastern cultures for centuries now. And the fact that it is still around, being practiced more than ever in even the most remote countries, should tell contemporary society something - maybe the awesome staying power it has displayed so far indicates there is something worth studying in massage therapy. After all, it is easy, soothing and inexpensive, with a whole host of interesting benefits. This procedure is a greatly effective treatment for those experiencing a lot of physical discomfort. It is actually pretty common for patients to succumb to massage therapy if they want to relieve their pain. Even in the most modern hospitals, their physical therapy treatment for patients looking to rehabilitate their injuries consists mainly of massage-type processes. As adults grow even older, blood pressure becomes a lot difficult to manage. Regular massages can help with this as well. Research has shown that massage therapy may have a hand in reducing hypertension, which is a common problem among older folk. The fact that massages ... |
Treating Muscle Spasms and Crampsby Fran Kehoe 5/13/2012 Defining the Problem Whenever a muscle or even small fibres of the muscle contract without you consciously making it happen, it is known as a muscle spasm. When the muscle or fibres that have contracted sustain this contraction, the spasm becomes a fully-fledged cramp. Muscle spasms and cramps vary in intensity from person to person and from situation to situation. Therefore, while you may get a minor twitch another person may be suffering from a spasm that is so intense that it leaves a bruise. Muscle spasms and cramps can affect any muscle in the body, including voluntary and involuntary muscles. This means that apart from skeletal muscles i.e. voluntary muscles, other involuntary muscles such as blood vessels, bowels, uterus, urinary tract and bronchial tree can also be affected. Even though any muscle in the body can suffer, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons there are three that are said to be most susceptible to this problem. These are the ... |
Relax - It’s Time for a Massageby Tameera S Kemp 5/13/2012 If there’s ever a sure-fire way for me to relax my mind, body and soul, a massage always does the trick. After a long, hard day at work, especially if I’ve been sitting in front of my computer for long stretches of time, I find a relaxing massage helps loosen tight muscles, relieves the tension in my shoulders and just allows me to let go of all my concerns. While my practitioner rubs the worries off my body, her sure hands make me aware of each muscle and patch of skin that I seem to have been forgotten in the days rush. This awareness allows my mind to focus on the pleasure of being unwound, keeping it in a serene and utterly relaxed state and living in the moment. After a 60-minute massage, my body feels alive and at the same time serene - paradoxically woken up and at the same time wanting nothing but to stay in a state of rest. This beautiful balance between rest and activity is precisely what I aim to experience every time I go for a massage. Now this isn’t just a personal experience, though I may describe it in words. Many people experience the same relaxing feeling brought on by massage. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that massage is extremely therapeutic, not just to relieve stress, but also for other ailments or disturbances that don’t always have a single corresponding treatment. People experiencing lower back pains, anxiety, circulatory problems, insomnia, headaches ... |
Reflexology - What It Is and How to Do It on Yourselfby Erik Jacobson 5/13/2012 Reflexology is a very common practice in the east, especially in Asia. It comes from the ancient Chinese healing notes and is used in a wide variety of ways to improve overall health and well being in people of all ages. I will let you know a little bit more about it, why it’s important to you and how you can practice the ancient art of reflexology on yourself to improve your health. Reflexology is a type of massage that is designed to get your body’s chi or energy flowing in an efficient and effortless manner. It focuses on pressure points that are located in the hands and feet. It is done with either the knuckles or stones or tools pushing on the pressure points to get the stagnant chi flowing again and bring the body’s natural homeostasis to a balanced flow. The body has 5 meridian lines on each side stemming from the brain to the tips of the fingers and down to the tips of the toes on each side of the body. The meridian lines cannot be seen on an x-ray, but they exist and are very real. Your body’s chi or energy flows through these meridian lines giving you life sustenance and energy for everyday functioning. The meridian lines connect to the different organs of the body, heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, stomach, bladder, liver, small and large intestines, eyes, ears, testes, ovaries. Each different part of the body has a specific connection on the meridian ... |
Oils For Massage - What Can You Get From Them?by Fausto De Costa 12/22/2011 There are dozens of types of massage oils that can be used, and each of them can deliver different sensual and pleasurable experiences. But why do you need oil when massaging? Is it necessary? What can you get from it? Massage oil is being used because this will lubricate the body of a customer, and will allow the hands of a masseur to move freely. This will smoothen the skin of the customer, and will prevent unpleasant experience that can be caused by rough or dry portions of the skin. So basically, massage oils are being used to make a massage easier, pleasurable, and more sensual. Oil will also help your skin to feel softer and smoother. When the skin absorbs the oil, it will act is a hydrating substance that will make your skin softer. Aside from this, massaging is associated with stretching of the skin, which can be painful or unpleasant for a person. With the help of a massage oil, you will be able to minimize stretching or will make it less painful ... |
Reflexology and Its Benefitsby Cheryl R Johnson 12/22/2011 Reflexology is much more than just a good foot massage! It’s an ancient healing art. Reflexology has been in use for many centuries in diverse areas such as Egypt, India, Japan, China and Europe. It involves the manipulation of the feet by applying pressure to many of the 7,000 nerve endings. It is soothing, relaxing, and especially appropriate for people who may be reluctant to try traditional massage as it is non-intrusive, requiring only the socks and shoes to be removed. It is especially helpful to anyone who spends long hours on their feet, pregnant women who cannot lie on their stomach, anyone too shy to remove clothing, or those who just love having their feet rubbed! What is a reflexology session like? You will lie on a massage table or special chair designed for reflexolgy and your Reflexologist will apply pressure to different parts of your feet, using thumb and finger pressure. You will help determine the amount of pressure, depending on the sensitivity of your feet. Tender areas will not be avoided as it is important to stimulate all the points. As you relax, tenderness will fade. Beyond relaxation, reflexology has been shown to improve circulation, helping to remove waste products such as lactic acid and stress hormones. This reduces muscle tension and soreness, decreasing healing times for injuries. It also boosts immune function, improves skin tone through increased circulation, and can even help your ability to concentrate. The more reflexology you receive, the more you will notice the benefits. It is important ... |
Why You Should Consider Massageby Ken Wyandot 12/22/2011 Getting a good massage is probably one of the many things that you wish to experience since this comes with really positive effects other than the good feeling it provides. It is fun to get a good massage because you can have your joints and muscles stretched and worked out. Massage is one great way for you to have a relaxed feeling and a great way to relieve those sore joints and muscles. There are many advantages that massage provides to adults; but the new mommies may not know that they can offer the same advantages to their infants too. For the babies, the baby massage can help with their digestion and also improve their immune system and assist in relieving colic pains, congestion as well as teething. A baby massage is a wonderful way to help relax the baby. When giving your baby a massage at bedtime, this will provide him or her with a deep and quality sleep since this can calm down the nervous system. Hence, when the baby is sound asleep, the mommy can sleep well too. Moreover, when mommies provide their infants with a massage, they can have a good bonding and spend quality time together. Daddies are also encouraged to provide a good massage to their children for the same reason. With the advancement of technology, there are now new ways that people can enjoy massage wherein they don’t have to go the spa and spend money just to have a massage. Now, individuals can purchases ... |
How Massage Helps in Improving Body Building Performanceby Marion Mccants 12/22/2011 If you are an athlete or a body builder, a massage chair can be quite handy for you to have. Since body building causes strain on your body, a relaxing massage is quite a relief. Massage has been known to help improve a body builder’s performance. Body builders and athletes try to avoid getting an injury. Massage therapy can help build better muscle mass and help prevent injuries. The following are benefits of massage therapy to a body builder: 1. Improves range of motion of joints and extremities - When you’re working out, your muscles will undergo constant stretching and contracting. Though this can help increase muscle mass and develop its shape, it also tightens the muscles and reduces its elasticity. Also, this places your muscles in constant wear and tear that can create scar tissues. This is quite normal for a body builder. However, tight muscles can increase the chances of injury to occur and will also cause muscle pain. Massage therapy helps soothe your muscles by stretching them sideways. This motion can help decrease tension on your muscles, thus relieving muscle pain. Also, it can help break down scar tissues caused by previous training or injuries, thus increasing mobility. 2. Improves muscle tone and blood circulation to muscle tissues - Blood carries nutrients to different tissues in the body. If you’re a body builder, it is important that your muscles get enough nutrients for muscle repair and development. Massage therapy can help improve blood flow to your muscle tissues. This can provide ... |
Discover the Ancient Art of Brazilian Toe Massageby Erik R Johnson 12/22/2011 Just what is Brazilian toe massage? You may have heard of this technique and wondered what masseuses are doing to people’s toes down in Brazil. This type of bodywork is more than just a weird way of messing around with someone’s toes, though. Brazilian toe massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on pressure points and helps to relieve stress and tension that has built up in the body. If you’ve never experienced it, you should definitely try it and see what all the fuss is about. Many people believe that Brazilian toe massage works on the same principles as acupuncture, enhancing energy flow in depleted organs and releasing surplus energy that is trapped within other organs. Acupuncture causes a natural alteration of one’s physical, mental and emotional state, just as Brazilian toe massage does. Instead of inserting needles into the skin at certain pressure points, though, the toe massage technique revolves around six energy meridians at the ends of the toes that intertwine with all the organs of the body. Massage therapists who practice Brazilian toe massage can release chi, or positive energy, by holding the toes and influencing the body’s energy meridians, which connect with the spleen, liver, stomach, bladder, gall bladder and kidney. Having a Brazilian toe massage is a comfortable and relaxing experience. You simply close your eyes and lie on a massage table with your toes exposed to the masseuse. He or she then holds the tips of the central toes between his or her ... |
5 Self-Massage Techniques for Achy Feetby David X Pratt 12/22/2011 One of the best things to do between massage therapy treatments is to treat your own feet to a treatment. This is easy to do, costs nothing but a wee bit of your time (10 minutes or more if you’d like), and can help you feel both calmer and more energized. Many of my clients in Millersburg, Ohio like to do this routine first thing in the morning and find that it helps get them going for a busy day. Other folks find it a calming way to end a long day on their feet. Either way, you’ll be happy to took the following steps: 1. Drop Everything Else This is perhaps the most important step. Give yourself permission to have a break from hurry and worry, the past and the future, and (shriek!) turn off your cell phone. Simply follow through on this step and you will benefit enormously from whatever your foot massage session turns out to be. Begin by just sitting and experiencing that your body is breathing for a few breaths. 2. Mobilize the Ankle Remove your socks, and give them a short soak in warm water. (Depending on the feet in question, soap may also be necessary.) You can add epsom salts to your tub if you’d like. Next, prop one foot on the opposite thigh and use both hands to move the whole foot in circles 5-10 times both clockwise and counterclockwise, then flex and extend the foot 5-10 times each way. 3. Soleful Kneading In the same position, take ... |
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