Fantastic Health Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy massage is massage therapy specifically tailored for the expectant mother's needs. It is also called pre-natal massage. It helps to keep the foetus and the mother healthy.

Pregnancy massage has been found to reduce stress, decrease swelling in the arms and legs, and relieve aches and pains in muscles and joints.

It's a popular complementary therapy during pregnancy for back pain, when choices for pain relief, such as medication, are often limited.

Not only can massage be physically beneficial, but the human touch can be comforting and provide emotional support during pregnancy.

Massage therapy has been found to reduce anxiety and depression.

How is pregnancy massage different from regular massage?
The mother's body must be properly positioned and supported during the massage, using pillows and padding. Proper positioning ensures comfort and safety for the mother and baby.

Also, some massage techniques, such as deep tissue work, cannot be used. Certain areas of the body should be avoided during pregnancy.

Who do I go to for pregnancy massage?
Look for a massage therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage.

That means that the therapist has had specialized training in pregnancy massage, and knows what is safe for the mother and baby.

Precautions
Many massage therapists do not recommend massage in the first trimester.

Also, women with certain health conditions may not be able to have pregnancy massage.

It's best to consult your doctor and a certified pregnancy massage therapist.

7 Amazing ways to relax with a massage

A massage can relax your muscles—or wrack your nerves if you don't know what to expect. We asked Iris Burman, director of Educating Hands School of Massage in Miami to break down the different types of rubdowns.

SWEDISH
Five distinct styles of long, flowing strokes: effleurgae (a light touch), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic stroking), friction (compression), and vibration. It's one of the most relaxing techniques around.

DEEP TISSUE
"Swedish with oomph," Burman explains. A therapist will search for knots, stiffness, and pockets of tension below the surface. Because some people experience residual discomfort and soreness from the intense kneading (it can be majorly painful), Burman suggests stretching or taking a salt bath after your treatment.

SPORTS MASSAGE
The techniques used are similar to Swedish, but with an added focus on compressing, stretching, and spreading the muscles. Sports is particularly effective before an event, or after intense physical exertion.

REFLEXOLOGY
This technique is centered around target points in the hands and feet, which are based on a theory of energy pathways that cause discomfort in other part of the body. There are no oils or creams used.

SHIATSU
A therapist uses thumb pressure on specific points of the body in a continuous rhythmic sequence. The treatment is done on a low massage table or on the floor, and—a bonus for those uncomfortable with nudity—it's not necessary to undress.

THAI
A therapist will massage and stretch the body in what they call "assisted yoga." It's especially helpful in improving flexibility. And you get to keep your clothes on.

HOT STONE
Therapists use heated smooth stones to apply pressure and warm the muscles. Often, the stones will be coated in scented oil and used to massage the body.

source: allure

Boost kids' health with massage

TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine (TCM) paediatric massage, or xiao er tui na, has only benefits for children and no side effects, said Ms Tan Kiat Hwee, a TCM physician at Ren Hai Clinic.

The 47-year-old has over 16 years of experience in paediatrics, and sees nine to 10 kids a day.

my paper gets Ms Tan to share her insights.

What type of illness is best treated with this massage?

It can treat quite a wide range of sicknesses, such as fever, a poor digestive system, a weak respiratory system and colic problems.

What are the benefits of TCM paediatric massage for children?

Besides treating illnesses, it can also help strengthen a child's immune system and aid in his development.

The massage is known to enhance a child's brain development and encourage greater memory capacity and creativity.

When is the best time to do it?

From birth to about 12 years old. However, it is most effective before the age of seven, because this is the time when the body is still developing.

The massage should be performed once a week or fortnightly, with each session lasting about 20 to 30 minutes. Health benefits should be visible within six months.

Can I learn where the acupuncture points are and massage my child myself?

It is not advisable, because its effectiveness depends on applying the right amount of pressure, the speed of application, and the time spent on each pressure point.

A practitioner needs to be aware of all these and have a holistic knowledge of the principles behind them.

source: health.asiaone

Surprising Health Benefits Of Massage And Exercise For Breast Cancers

Massage and exercise are both popular ways people stay healthy, but this year they are joining forces to help the fight against breast cancer in a nontraditional way.

Tips For A Better Massage

When getting a massage, consider this advice from the AMTA:

1. Communicate with your massage therapist. Give accurate health information and let the therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage. Tell your massage therapist what you prefer in the way of lotions and oils and whether you have any allergies.

2. Remember to breathe normally. Breathing helps facilitate relaxation.

3. Drink extra water after your massage.

4. Don't get up too quickly and do allow for some quiet time after your massage session. If you're dizzy or light-headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

Massage and Breast Cancer
A growing body of research shows that massage can have serious health benefits for many people-including those battling breast cancer.

In a Mayo Clinic study published in the August 2009 Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, breast cancer patients receiving massage therapy reported a reduction in fatigue, creating a general feeling of wellness and an improvement in sleep quality and their ability to think clearly. A study at the Touch Research Institute showed that levels of "natural killer" cells and lymphocytes that help to battle cancerous tumors increased among breast cancer patients who received a massage three times a week.

"Massage therapy can often help alleviate pain and fatigue, which can make a huge difference in the overall feeling of wellness for those overcoming breast cancer," said Judy Stahl, national president of the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA). "As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know the difference massage can make when going through such a difficult experience."

Walk To Defeat Cancer
Many people walk to keep themselves fit, but this year, thousands across the country are making their steps count for others in the fight to end breast cancer-and enjoying massage as a reward.

The 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day® is a series of 15 walks nationwide where participants commit to walk 60 miles over the course of three days to raise money to help Susan G. Komen for the Cure® accomplish its promise to end breast cancer forever. And at the end of the long days of walking, participants are treated to complimentary massages courtesy of event presenting sponsor Energizer.

At the Energizer Live it Up! Lounge, walkers can enjoy a free 10-minute chair massage to help them relax and recharge for another day of walking. All massage services are donated by professional members of the AMTA. "By providing massage, we're not only helping these walkers relax and relieve their tired and aching muscles, but also helping them recharge so they can maintain their spirit throughout their 60-mile journey," said Stahl.

source: napsnet

Strong Reasons Why You Need to Get a Body Massage

For the next few weeks I have the pleasure of turning over the Monday blog post to one of my Look Great at the Lake Boot Camp clients and my massage therapist, Amanda Mazzocchi. Amanda is the owner of Restore Therapuetic Massage in Eden Prairie, MN.

There are countless health benefits to receiving therapeutic massage, both preventative and curative. Since you, like me, are boot-campers, I will narrow the focus and explain how therapeutic massage can help people who work out regularly and vigorously. I’ve chosen three—all with a common theme of keeping injury from interfering with your fitness results. These will be presented as a three-part series.

Today, I will focus on the fact that massage is very effective in treating overuse syndromes—reducing and preventing injury.

Muscles are built through a process of tearing down and rebuilding stronger than before. When a person is weight training, they are literally creating microscopic tears in a muscle. This is why at the end of a set, they can’t lift any more, and why the next day they feel soreness. The result of this exercise is that the body naturally repairs and rebuilds the muscle, making it stronger than it was before—bodybuilding in a nutshell.

Muscle Fibers Rebuilt Bigger and Stronger

Though this is a natural and very positive occurrence, there are times in any training program where the repair might not be keeping pace with the tearing down. The result: pain from overuse.

Massage is very restorative to muscles in this cycle. Tight and strained muscles have very poor blood flow, and the metabolic waste and lactic acid from the tearing-down process remain in the tissue, causing soreness. Massage greatly increases blood flow, literally flushing out the waste products and bringing in a new blood supply which carries the oxygen and nutrition the muscle needs to help it repair itself.

Massage helps to keep the symptoms from increasing and ultimately creating an overuse injury that would require a period of rest - thus, interfering with fitness results!

Sports Massage is a critical part of any athletic or fitness training program. It is, however, important to distinguish sports and therapeutic massage from a relaxation massage or spa treatment. In order to receive maximum training benefit, the therapist must have an extensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, and injury in order to bring about improvement, rather than simply relaxation.

And, to clear up a common misconception, sports massage doesn’t have to be painful—it has to be specific (i.e. working each muscle from origin to insertion, rather than just rubbing over a body part). While strained muscles can be tender, the client is always “in the driver’s seat” as it relates to pain and pressure. Massage is not a matter of “no pain, no gain”—it is very definitely possible to receive massage that is too deep. You should always feel much better after your massage, not sore! While receiving massage, always feel free to ask your therapist for more or less pressure. Again, finding a knowledgeable and experienced therapist is the key.

Whether with my practice or another source, I strongly encourage you to
experience how effective therapeutic massage can be!

source: chaskaherald

Popular Indian Head Massage Is Simple, Safe and Highly Beneficial

Complimentary Therapy Workshops available in Greens Norton, just north of Towcester from Saturday 17th October 2009.

Learn this extremely popular Indian Head Massage therapy, which is simple, safe and highly beneficial, allowing you to deeply relax, unwind and ease tension. It’s soothing, comforting and rebalances your energy flow to produce a feeling of peace and tranquility.

The workshops are designed to provide the trainee with hands on practice. Whilst the workshops are not aligned to mainstream qualifications, they are designed for those seeking to understand and experience the benefits of massage and how to use them in everyday life to promote calmness and peace of mind, relaxation, stress reduction, achieve a sense of completeness and well-being, and much more.

The workshops are a good starting point for those of you wishing to study complimentary therapies further or learn new and useful skills to use in everyday life situations.

Other Complimentary Therapy workshops available:

* Stress Management and Massage,
* Holistic Hands and Arms,
* Natural Face Lift Massage,
* Foot Therapy and Gently Pregnancy back massage for Parents’-to-be.

All the workshops will be run on Saturday mornings. For more information please contact:
Annukka Barrett – Holistic Massage Therapies Telephone: 0782 5742 413. Email contact@holisticmassage.uk.com, www.holisticmassage.uk.com

Background information on Tutor and Holistic Massage Therapies for your peace of mind:

Local Complimentary and Massage Therapist Annukka Barrett is a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) the UK & Ireland’s leading and largest independent professional association representing 20,000 complementary therapists.

Established in 1962, the FHT is a not-for-profit organisation that by setting industry standards has ensured best practice for the benefit and safety of both therapist and client.

FHT Members are qualified to Department of Education standards with either NVQ Practitioner Level qualifications, University degrees or equivalent. All FHT practitioners are required to undertake continuing professional development, adhere to the association’s Code of Conduct and Professional Practice and hold comprehensive medical malpractice and public liability insurance.

The Department of Health funded Voluntary Regulator for complementary therapists recognised by the FHT is the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) www.cnhc.co.uk . The standards set by the CNHC, and the governing bodies for individual therapies, such as the Aromatherapy Council, The Reflexology Forum, and The General Council for Massage Therapies ensure the excellence and competence of therapists on the national register, and are in place to protect the public.

All members of the FHT meet the standards required by the CNHC.