Home Deep Tissue Massage Massage Therapy Massage Technique Massage School Privacy

About

has been a member since , and has created 25 posts from scratch and commented on posts.

Yahoo Messenger is
AOL Messenger is
Jabber Messenger is

's Bio

's Websites

This Author's Website is

's Recent Articles

Strange Spa Treatments

published Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011 at 8:11 pm by admin

The line that divides genius from insanity is indeed a very fine line. Spa treatments, in its desire to provide people with new and effective methods, has also come up with some very strange results that can be genius or madness, depending on who's looking. Here are some of the funny, if not downright mad spa treatments that spas have come up with.

Nightingale Facial

It would be great if the facial is referring to that great nurse, but this spa treatment refers to Nightingale poo. Yes, your face would get rubbed by bird excrement. According to the proponents of this facial, there's a substance in Nightingale poo that would make your skin glow.

Fish Exfoliation

Being fish food always have had negative connotations in the movies, but for this spa treatment, it's all good. Leave it to the "doctor fish", a small species of carp to eat away the dead skin cells from your body. The treatment goes like this: you sit in a pool with all of these fish in it. These little aquatic exfoliants would then feed on the dead skin. The downside: it can be very ticklish.

Gold Facial

Glow like gold--literally--with this facial. By applying strips of 24-karat gold on your skin, it is believed that your skin would be moisturized and your wrinkles lessened. This facial gives a new meaning to looking and feeling like a million bucks.

Horseback Reiki

Reiki is the application of ki or life energy on the body's pressure points to promote body harmony and balance. But this treatment claims that through reiki on horseback, the reiki treatment would be more effective. Surely, they would have appreciated this back when the Wild, Wild, West was still in full saddle.

Sake and Wine Bath

You've got to hand it to the Japanese for being innovative. This spa treatment is found at the Hakone hot springs in Japan. You would get to soak in a hot bath of sake or wine during their stay. But it's not just about being drunk: the amino acids in the alcohol are said to have moisturizing properties.

Choco Facial

Since chocolates are praised for their anti-oxidizing properties, chocolate facial spas claim that applying chocolate directly on your face can make your skin absorb those anti-oxidants. This, spas say, leaves the skin rejuvenated and looking younger.

Caviar Foot Spa

You may not be high-class enough to appreciate the taste caviar, but the promoters of the Caviar foot spa says that your feet would at least feel rich. According to these spas, fish eggs contain marine collagen that gives nutrients lacking in the skin.

And there are lots more strange spa treatments out there. You can find facial for your buttocks and being massaged by snakes. During these occasions, you really have to be amazed at the human imagination. But do these spa treatments really work? There's no guarantee. They may be interesting, but you shouldn't just take the spa operators' word for it. These new treatments are maybe more for the experience rather than for an actual treatment.

Tags:
Posted in Health Spas | No Comments »

Spa Treatment Hazards

published Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 2:57 pm by admin

Spas are places of pampering and luxury, but they can also be seats for a number of health hazards. It's best that you're aware of these dangers to protect yourself better. Nothing can ruin your spa treatment experience like an immediate visit to the doctor afterwards.

Infection
One major concern about spas is the possibility of infection. Since the spa environment is usually warm and moist, it becomes a good breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. The risk becomes especially high in saunas, hot tubs, and communal treatment pools. Though spas do their best to keep these pools sanitized, it's not possible to get rid of all the bacteria. What you should do to prevent possible infection is to not swallow any of the liquid from the pools, and wash yourself thoroughly before and after each session.

You should also watch out for open wounds or skin irritations. If you have these, you should avoid getting into spas to prevent possible infection.

Worsened Pre-existing Conditions
The heat and moisture in the spa can also bring about problems for people with existing medical conditions. The steam and temperature in the sauna can cause asthmatics to breathe harder and suffer an attack. Hot baths also cause people with cardiac problems and hypertension to have spikes in blood pressure. It is best for people with current ailments to inform spa employees of their condition so that they could be warned against spa treatments that may trigger a negative response.

Hazards to Pregnancy
Heat is still the issue for pregnant women. This increase in body temperature can be dangerous for the infant. Chemicals used in spas can also be toxic for pregnant women. Light facials should be fine, but pregnant women should stay away from spa treatments that involve the use of heavy chemicals such as bleaching, exfoliation, and aromatherapy. But this doesn't mean expecting moms are banned from spas. Spas usually have treatments specially created to cater to pregnant women. But even so, one should take care.

Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions are also some of the possible hazards in spas. You should ask about the oils and lotions that they use in treatments to determine if you may possibly allergic to them. This is true also for the essential oils used in aromatherapy. Some spas also use food items, like chocolate and caviar, for their treatments, so people with allergies to these food would be at risk. You should stay away from treatments which you know you have an allergy to. You should also inform the spa of your existing allergies so that they can use alternative materials for the treatment. Properly communicating your existing allergies is essential if you don't want to suffer an allergic attack later on.
Hazards may be the last things that you'll associate with spas, but the truth is that spas do present some dangers. But as with most hazards, avoiding them is easy once you know what they are. So, keep these in mind. This ensures that your spa treatment stays relaxing, and on the safe side.

Posted in Health Spas | No Comments »

Prenatal Massage

published Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 12:52 am by admin

Pregnancy is a period of many changes, both physical and emotional. One way pregnant women can cope with all these changes is through prenatal massage. A hit among pregnant women, prenatal massage helps women feel relaxed, have less pain and sore areas, and experience an easier pregnancy.

prenatal massage

Prenatal massage is different from other massages in the sense that it targets pregnant women and the conditions that they encounter. Here are some conditions that prenatal massage improves:

Improved mood and disposition during pregnancy is easier attained. Mood swings and hormonal changes are considered normal during pregnancy, and prenatal massage helps ease and control these changes. Studies show that massage help increase dopamine and serotonin which improves the general mood and outlook. The stress hormone cortisol is also reduced through prenatal massage.

Swelling of the joints is also reduced since the massage helps blood circulation. Due to the increased weight of the uterus, the blood vessels are overworked leading to poor blood supply. When circulation is improved through prenatal massage, the swelling is also lessened.

Body pain is also addressed by prenatal massage. Back and leg pains can be expected due to the added weight of the baby. Through massage, these parts of the body can be relaxed and the pain from them lessened. Any stressed muscle or joint can be stimulated to become flexible and relaxed through a massage.

Due to improved blood circulation and reduced stress, prenatal massage also helps control blood pressure during pregnancy. For women at risk (not yet diagnosed) for Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, prenatal massage can allow them to keep their blood pressure rates in check.

Of course, there are counterindications to prenatal massage. Women who have diabetes, preeclempsia, abdominal pain, water and bloody discharge, and high blood pressure are generally advised against undergoing prenatal massage. The reason is that any massage or stimulation to the body can cause the conditions to worsen and endanger the mother and child. If you have the conditions mentioned above, better consult your doctor first before engaging in prenatal massage. Your physician should know best as to whether a prenatal massage is helpful or detrimental to your condition.

If you plan to get a prenatal massage, most spas and massage centers offer this service. Health providers and physical therapists can also offer prenatal massage. Just be sure that you check for the necessary certification and that the massage procedure is explained to you clearly. Be sure to communicate with the therapist any excessive pain, especially if it's within the area of the uterus and pelvis. To be safe, you can ask your doctor for recommendations on where you get your prenatal massage.

Though generally considered a blessed event. pregnancy can still be a stressful time for women. Due to all the physical and emotional changes that the infant brings to the woman's body, pregnancy can also be a tough time for women. A good way for women to deal with all these events would be to get a prenatal massage. A prenatal massage helps a woman feel relaxed, refreshed, and at ease. This leads to the uplifting of the mood and spirits, which also leads to better health for both the mother and child.

Tags:
Posted in Prenatal Massage | No Comments »

Benefits of Infant Massage

published Sunday, October 31st, 2010 at 10:17 pm by admin

There are several advantages to doing infant massage. Massaging your child brings about relaxation, gives an opportunity for bonding, and studies show that it's advantageous for the child's growth and development. And the best thing about is that you can massage your baby yourself.

Relaxation

If we get relaxed from a massage, a baby is no different. When a baby is relaxed and free from stress, it improves the baby's mood, making him or her easier to handle. Aside from that, absence and reduction of stress is good for overall health. Since relaxation also improves blood circulation, the child also benefits from better immune response and digestion. Even if not for all of those, you're giving the baby a good and pleasant time with a simple massage.

Physical and Cognitive Development

As mentioned, there are studies that show infant massage can help your child develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Due to constant tactile touch, motor development is improved, and so is the skin condition. Because of the nurturing aspect of massages, children who enjoyed massages during infancy showed notable mental development. Massage also helps infants feel safe and secure in their new surroundings, which is good for the child's mind to wander and develop.

Bonding

Massaging and touching the baby form an important moment for bonding. As touch can transcend words, the massage is also an important tool for communication. The massage session becomes an avenue for the parent and child to share a few moments to connect and communicate. This helps the baby be assured and for parents to enjoy fully the quick, passing moments of their child's infancy. This makes the massage emotionally rewarding for both the parents and child.

It would seem that performing the massage is left to the mother by default, but fathers and other members of the family can do infant massage as well. Not only can the infant massage be a good bonding moment between mother and child, it could also be an excellent bonding opportunity for all members of the family.

Pain Relief

Infant massage therapists also note that massaging a child can ease the pain as well, if not better, than medication. Of course, the effectiveness may vary depending on the medical condition, but through the reassuring touch of a massage, a child usually calms down and show signs of relaxation. This doesn't mean you should forego medical consultation, but you can use massage as a form of first aid for a baby's cries of pain. Giving relief to pain, even temporary, is no less valuable than the actual medical cure itself. Aside from calming the baby, it may even be more beneficial for calming the frantic parent as well.

These are the many benefits of infant massage. Taking the time to massage your newborn child bring lots of advantages, not only for the child, but to all of the family as well. There are several centers that teach how to do infant massage, and it won't hurt for you to try them.

Tags:
Posted in Infant Massage | No Comments »

Myofascial Release Massage

published Monday, October 25th, 2010 at 2:00 pm by admin

One alternative for pain management and stress release is through myofascial release massage. This massage focuses on the fascia, or the connecting tissues that protects and supports the different tissues and organs in the body, including the muscles. According to theory, muscle pain is due to overstretched, twisted, and stressed fascia in the body. This can be due to trauma, injury, fatigue, and other medical conditions that affect the nerves and muscles.

Myofascial Release Massage

How it works
The same with every other massage, myofascial release massage aims to relax the body through physical stimulation through the use of hands, knuckles, and elbows. The target of myofascial release is the relaxation and elongation fascia through the application of pressure. The idea is that through the constant application of pressure, the fascial tissues would become relaxed and elongated, leading to pain and stress alleviation. This results to more flexibility, freedom of movement, and unwinding of the fascial tissues. This what is meant by the word "release".

The sessions usually last for an hour or more. During this period, your massage therapist would continuously work on the fascial tissues to get the desired effect. The session could be light or intense, depending on whether the treatment applied is direct or indirect myofascial release. Usually, the massage is done without the use of oils, lotions, and powder. This is to allow the therapist to have a better feel for the fascia for better targeting and manipulation.

Where to get the treatment
The good thing is that getting myofascial release massage is easy. Most spas and massage centers offer it as one of their services. You can also get it from physical therapists as they also offer it as one their treatments. As with all massages, competent therapists should have completed the necessary training and education to offer the massage.

You also have to note that this massage can involve some physical pain. The explanation is that the action of relaxing fascial tissues would be met with resistance from the body. But as the session goes, you can expect the body to adapt to the treatment performed and eventually relax. One can also expect some numbing of the muscles after the massage is over, but this would last for only a few minutes. .

Does it work?
If you're looking for solid medical evidence, unfortunately, there's none. The best are just anecdotal evidence. Some studies noted that people reported pain and stress relief after treatment. Other studies noted improved circulation and a more relaxed physique. Though not considered a medical cure, myofascial release is an effective method of pain management and relief.

If you're after pain relief from sore muscles, and a relaxing massage, myofascial release massage is a good option. It's effect on the body as a relaxing procedure has some merits, and it does work for many. Just do remember that it still cannot beat standard medical treatment when it comes to an effective treatment. But for relaxation purposes, myofascial release massage is as good, if not better, than any other massage out there.

Tags: ,
Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »