Containdications for Massage

Generally massage is very safe . There are some situations though where it should be avoided. These would include: Anyone with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, infections or infectious disease’s, blood clots of the veins, fevers, colds or flues. Areas of inflammation, skin conditions, or varicose veins should always be avoided. Anyone with the following conditions should only receive massage with written permission from their doctor: Cancer, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, or any cardio-vascular condition.

Massage Chairs

There are 2 kinds of massage chairs. The first kind being those funny looking contraptions you see people sitting and leaning against in offices and airport terminals, while a massage therapist works on their backs.These are actually great inventions, as the therapist can easily transport them, office workers can get short(usually about 10 minutes) treatments, and for the modest, no clothing needs to be removed. Special courses need to be taken to learn how to give a good massage using a massage chair, but well worth it!

The 2nd kind of massage chair would be one of those wonderful, big comfortable chairs that need, roll, vibrate and warm up those tired muscles.Probably not the same as the real thing- but hey- if you can make the investment- wouldn’t it be nice to curl up on your own personal massage chair every evening after a long day a work?

Massage Tables

If your serious about learning and giving massage, there’s 2 important things you need to start. One of course, if you want to work as a proffesional and get payed, you need to attend a  massage school and get certified.The requiremnents in every state are different, some are minimal, some more involved.

The next thing, if your planning to do massage at all, is to invest in a massage table. A good massage table makes it possible to work without staining your own body in the process.

Here are a few things to look for when shopping for a massage table.

1)Make sure it’s adjustable. You want to have it set to the right height, so  you can comfortably lean into the work, using your body weight for pressure, to avoid staining your back.

2) make sure it has a headrest (preferably one that’s adjustable) This way your friend on the massage table doesn’t have to lay face down with their neck turned. This can be hard on the neck and also makes it harder to work on their upper backs.

3) If you plan on transporting it at all, make sure it’s relatively light weight, and you can get a carrying case(or bag) for it.

I also reccomend you put a single mattress pad on the top, under the sheets. This will not only give a little extra padding, but will assure you don’t get any oil on the table- shortening the life of the cover.A good massage table will last you for years (I’ve had mine for about 20!) Happy hunting!

The History of Massage

Massage has been practiced by people of Eastern cultures for over 4,000 years. Ancient Egyptian drawings show people massaging each other’s feet. Ancient Greeks as far back as 300BC used massage as a part of their daily regular routine. Soldiers were given regular massages to ease pain and fatigue during training, as well as before and after tournaments. In Chinese medical literaature the use of massage for healing purposes dates back 4,000 years and it continues to be an important aspect of chinese medicine today.

Swedish massage was first introduced to the United States in the 1850s. By the end of the 19 ^th century, a significant number of American doctors were practicing this technique and the nation’s first massage therapy clinics opened its doors to the public. With the onset of modern technology and prescription drugs, in the early 20th century, the interest and use of massage began to decline. For the next several decades, massage remained dormant and only a few therapists continued to practice. During the 1970s, however, both the general public as well as the medical profession began to take notice again of alternative medicine and mind-body therapies, which thrust massage therapy back into the limelight. Today, the general publics interest in alternative forms of healing continues to grow rapidly.Consequently, there are more than 125,000 massage therapists practicing in the United States and their numbers are growing rapidly to keep up with the more than 80 million massage therapy appointments made every year.

What to expect at your first Massage

At your first massage therapy session, the practitioner will ask you about any symptoms you may have or areas you would like focus on.( ex. lower or upper back, neck and shoulders) They may give you a form to fill out regarding your medical history. The practitioner may also initiate a discussion about what you expect to achieve from the massage session.

The therapist will then leave the room while you undress and lay down on the massage table. A sheet is used as a drape during the session and is moved only to expose the area of the body being worked on. Massage oil or lotion is used to reduce friction between the practitioner’s hands and your skin. The room is kept warm, quiet and free of distractions. The therapist may have soft music playing in the background and frequently asks whether he or she is applying too much or too little pressure.

A massage session can last from 15 to 90 minutes and may include a schedule of follow-up visits, depending on the severity of your situation.

For free instructional videos visit us at massageclips.com

Some popular styles of Massage

• Aromatherapy massage. Fragrant essential oils from plants are added to the massage oil and massaged into the skin in order to enhance the healing and relaxing effects of massage.
• Craniosacral massage: Gentle pressure is applied to the head and spine to correct imbalances and restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in these areas.
• Eselan massage: A massage focusing on long , slow stokes, to create a deep sense of relaxation.
• Lymphatic massage: Light strokes are used to improve the flow of lymph (colorless fluid that helps fight infection and disease and helps remove toxinns) throughout the body. Often used after surgery to reduce swelling.
• Myofascial release: Gentle pressure and body positioning are used to relax and stretch the muscles, fascia (connective tissue), and related structures.
• On-site/chair massage : Popular in offices and other public places, on-site massage therapists use a portable massage chair to give upper body massages to fully-clothed clients. The sessions are usually much shorter than a regular massage.
• Polarity therapy : A form of energy healing, polarity therapists stimulate and balance the flow of energy within the body to enhance health and well-being.
• Reflexology: Thumb and finger pressure is used on the feet and/or hands to stimulate “reflex points” that are believed to stimulate healing energy and blood flow to different parts of the body.
• Rolfing: Deep pressure is applied to the fascia (connective tissue) to stretch it, lengthen it, and make it more flexible. This goal of this technique is to realign the body so that it conserves energy, releases tension, and functions better.
• Shiatsu and Accupressure: Gentle finger and hand pressure are applied to specific points on the body to relieve pain and enhance the flow of energy (known as qi ) through the body’s energy pathways (called meridians). Shiatsu is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
• Sports massage : Usually a vigorous massage, used on athletes and other active individuals, to enhance performance and prevent and treat sports-related injuries.
• Swedish massage: A variety of strokes and pressure techniques used to enhance the flow of blood to the heart, remove waste products from the tissues, stretch ligaments and tendons, and ease physical and emotional tension.
• Trigger point massage: Pressure is applied to “trigger points” (tender areas where the muscles have been damaged) to alleviate muscle spasms and pain.
• For free insructional video clips visit us at massageclips.com
  

Why Massage ?

Massage feels great! It’s also known to support healing, boost energy, reduce recovery time after an injury, ease pain, enhance relaxation, thus reducing stress and anxiety, relieve depression and enhance well-being. Massage relaxes the muscles and improves blood circulation thus soothing away the aches and pains of stiff and sore muscles. In fact, studies have found that massage relieves chronic back pain more effectively than other treatments (including acupuncture and conventional medical care for this condition) and, in many cases, costs less than other treatments for this common health problem.

Massage benefits those that are very active, as well as those that are very inactive. For individuals that are active in sports or working out, massage, by increasing the flow of blood and lymph, will help keep the muscles free of excessive buildup of lactic acid. For individuals that are unable to exercise, massage is especially helpful because the lymphatic system needs movement for it to flow – thus if your inactive, your bodies natural ability to remove toxins is comprimised.This is why it’s especially important for bedridden patients to receive massage on a regular basis.

Massage benefits both the young and old. The elderly can find it especially helpful for easing away aching muscles. Mothers and their newborns can also benefit from massage. Mothers who massage their infants often feel less depressed and have better emotional bonds with their babies. Newborns who receive massage from their mothers also tend to cry less, and are more active, alert, and sociable. Premature babies who receive massage therapy have been shown to gain weight faster than preemies who do not receive this type of therapy. Infants who receive massage regularly may also sleep better, be less gassy or colicky, and have better body awareness as well as more regular digestion.

So, Massage feels great. But it’s also great for you. Have you had your massage lately?

http://massageclips.com/

Taking charge of our health

The interest in alternative forms of healing and disease prevention is rising rapidly, to say the least. The reasons are clear; rising costs of health insurance and health care for one. The other reason seems to be the growing awareness of the limitations of regular allopathic medicine. People are beginning to see that there is more to the equation of improving and maintaining good health than taking drugs to suppress symptoms often brought on by poor habits of living- such as unhealthy diets, minimal exercise and too much stress. We’re seeing the need for healthier living as well as forms of alternative healing that don’t involve drugs that further tax and toxify the body. As a personal caregiver (as well as massage therapist) I see clients all the time that seem to think nothing of the fact that they have a half dozen or more prescription drugs that they’re taking. Most only suppressing symptoms (many being side effects of the drugs themselves!) and doing nothing to help them actually get healthier.

So where do we begin? Well , we can start by taking the steps we all hear about: Improve our diet and get more regular exercise. Those are the basics. Then- I would suggest start looking into and trying the different forms of alternative health and healing. Regular massage would be number 1 on the list here.If you can get a massage once a week or every other week this could do wonders to help you stay relaxed and healthy. I hope you’ll look at my last post for a list of the healing benefits of massage. Also you can find free instructional videos on our website at http://massageclips.com/

Health benefits of massage

Better health through massage? I’m a firm believer that massage, as well as related techniques that are often included in a massage therapy session, can have a very positive effect on our health. We’ll be discussing these techniques, such as accupressure, Reiki, energy healing, as well as general massage techniques later. For now lets look at the health benefits of massage in general.

1) Massage relieves stress, anxiety and muscular tension and pain.

2) Massage improves the circulation of blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the different organs, systems and tissues

3) Massage stimulates the circulation of the lymphatic system- thus helping to release toxins (remember to drink plenty of water after a massage!)

4) Massage can help lower blood pressure

5) Massage enhances flexibility, mobility and joint range of motion

6) Massage reduces scars and adhesions

7) Massage boosts the immune system

Massage reduces fatigue (emotional and physical)

9) Massage can relieve depression

10) Massage helps with pain management in cases such as arthritis and sciatica

For some great free instructional massage videos, come visit us at massageclips.com

Massage Therapy- Thoughts, Tips, Techniques

Why Massage??

I’ve often heard people say they thought of massage as a luxury- and done well , it is a luxurious experience. (It feels wonderful!) But it also has many important benefits to you health. For example, did you know that the health authorities are now saying that 80% to 90% of disease is stress related? – Getting regular massages from a good massage therapist can do wonders to relieve stress by teaching your body (the easy way) to let go and relax. If it’s possible to get a massage on a regular basis , you’ll find yourself relaxing more and more- it’s true- most of us need practice to really learn how to relax, but what a great way to learn.

In the next posts, I’ll share more about the benefits of massage therapy. Then some tips and techniques. To view our free video clips on massage visit our website at http://massageclips.com/