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The positive impact that stress management has on your health is well worth the effort! Many people depend on massage therapy to work out their aches and pains and to bring them to a state of relaxation. During this Covid-19 era there has been a heightened sense of anxiety and stress and a lack of ability to continue our normal routines of self care that we desire and that we need. As we've discussed in past articles, there are multiple ways to self-massage to calm muscle tension. Although nothing compares to the hands and skills of  a professional body-worker, some relief can be found through self-massage care. As you break out the tennis balls and foam rollers to work out your knots, don't neglect the importance that mindful relaxation has on your health. The benefits are bountiful and lasting! Some mistakenly understand the pursuit of relaxation practices, including massage therapy, to be only a thing of luxury, something that is decadent, a treat to be h...

Hands are amazing tools for us to use, but when they hurt, we're miserable! Do you ever get achy tired hands? Most people are using computers and phones frequently, which is adding to the problem of over-use syndrome. As we tap away on our keyboards and texting, our small muscles and joints in the fingers, wrists and forearms start to become grumpy.  Just being alive for more than 40 years, can come with it's own set of issues regarding over use.  Without specific therapeutic exercises and stretches done on a regular basis, this achy tired feeling can become a painful sensation that doesn't seem to want to go away.  If this is happening to you, consider a "hot bath" of sorts for your hands to soak in. I can remember in my teen years back in the 1980's an elderly lady that I knew who loved to regularly play the piano at her church. One day I was at her home and saw her dipping her hand into a container of  liquid and pulling her hand out covered in a f...

Myofascial release is becoming more known as people are experiencing the benefits of receiving this treatment.  'Myo' refers to muscle and 'fascia' refers to the material covering the muscle, so myofascial release is the process of loosening the tightness of the tissue. As you can see in the image below, the fascia surrounds the muscle fibers and also attaches itself in between the fibers.  This covering protects the muscle and keeps it in it's place. Fascia is throughout the entire body from head to toe. When there is tension due to daily activities, injury or emotional strain, the body's response is to send extra fascia tissue to the area to help support it. This tissue is sticky and referred to as an adhesion, which allows it to stick to the area in need. The less hydrated the system is, the more sticky the adhesions becomes. Eventually this leads to the feeling of having knots as the adhesions collect and become clumped together in stickiness. ...

Women in Asia, Russia & Europe have been utilizing the rejuvenating results of facial cupping for generations. Unlike traditional cupping, facial cupping uses small cups to vacuum and lift the facial tissue, helping lymphatic drainage. This technique eliminates buildup of wastes and fluids in the face and neck. It is a very gentle treatment and normally does not leave the typical cupping discoloration that you will see with the larger cups used for the rest of the body. The lymphatic system is important because it rids the body of toxins, waste & other unwanted materials at the cellular level.  The most valuable aspect of having a healthy functioning lymph system is that it transports lymph, a fluid containing infection fighting white blood cells, to the entire body. As the system slows down or is blocked and is not draining well, swelling occurs known as lymphedema. There is no pump in this system, such as the heart, to move lymph fluid throughout our bodies. It'...

Although the practice of cupping has been around for many years, it gained popularity during the summer Olympics and has continued to grow as word gets out that it works! What is cupping? Using glass, plastic or silicon cups placed strategically on the body a vacuum is created by using either a pump, by manually pressing or the traditional way of inserting a cotton ball set on fire into the cup and quickly removing it and placing the cup on the body.  Each of these techniques serve differently to treat a varying array of ailments, but all of them work on the principal of creating a vacuum which  pulls up the skin and the fluids beneath.  Does it work? There has been thousands of years of documented evidence through clinical and historical research that cupping is safe and effective. You would be hard-pressed to find western scientific studies, due to the nature of cupping. In a truly scientific study, you need a placebo and preferably the gold standard ...

Tammara Giving A Kid's Chair Massage Short answer, absolutely! At our massage practice we often work with children who are very active in sports and experiencing aches and pains or the parents are being proactive to prevent aches and pains by bringing them in for some body work. We ask that the parents stay in the room with us and sign a waiver for minors. It is always a blast to work with kids. Some of the younger ones squirm and giggle when first experiencing a release of tension from their tight little muscle. It can sometime feel ticklish until we figure out just the right amount of pressure that works for them. The teens and preteens usually melt into the table and tell us that they want to come everyday! Don't we all? Similar to adults, children experience tight muscles, knots, aches and pains with the only difference being that they recover quicker from pulls and strains than us older types do. Some of the Benefits  Immunity Boost: Massage is beneficial at ...

April is stress awareness month. Common Effects of Stress A lot of common symptoms that are blamed on illness, such as headaches, insomnia, and fatigue, are actually caused by stress. It is important to be aware of how stress is effecting your health, because left unchecked it can lead to worse problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes according to the Mayo Clinic. Our mood and behavior can also be negatively effected by stress. Anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability and sadness just to name a few, can make life miserable. Act Now to Manage Stress Now that you know how bad stress can be to your health and overall wellness, it's time to reap the benefits of managing your stress by setting up your strategic plan for success! Exercise regularly : 30-60 mins of physical activity everyday will help you mentally and physically handle stressful situations. It can literally change the chemistry in your brain to make you feel ...

Anxiety is the worst! Everyone suffers from occasional anxiety, but anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America according to the ADDA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). The sad thing is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but less than 40% of sufferers seek help. Don't contribute to that statistical fact! Therapy and medications can be incredibly helpful, but don't discount the alternative treatments that are available. Most people know that massage is know to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and generally give the mind and body an overall sense of wellness, but there are also some specific foods that are surprising helpful as well. Anxiety is caused in part by an imbalance of neurotransmitters. These are chemical messengers that play a role in mood regulation. Eating anxiety fighting foods can help lower the severity of anxious feelings by balancing the chemistry in your body. Red Wine - No more than 2 glasses a day!  Dark ...

Did you even wonder what you Should or Should Not  Eat and Drink Before and After a Massage? Here are some Guidelines for your next massage: DO: At least 1 1/2 hours before your massage, eat a light meal that is easy to digest, such as fruit, soup, and non-carbonated drinks with natural sugars.  A good snack before your massage is a banana and a hand full of raw almonds. Drink lots of water after your massage.  Add an extra glass or two above the amount of water that you normally drink.  This helps flush out toxins.  Increase your water consumption for the next 24 hours after your massage. A good meal for after your massage is a vegetarian meal, such as steamed or lightly stir-fried vegetables with pasta or rice. DO NOT: Before your massage, avoid eating a heavy meal.  You will feel tired and lethargic if you do. Avoid alcohol before and after massage.  Also avoid drinking caffeine after your massage.  Alcohol and...

Prenatal Massage Prenatal massage being done in a side-lying position Prenatal (pregnancy) massage is customized for the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes leading up to childbirth.  This massage will enhance the functions of joints and muscles, improve circulation and general body tone, and relieve physical and mental fatigue. This gentle massage can ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, and help the mother-to-be prepare for labor.   Massages can be scheduled from the first trimester through childbirth.  A massage session typically lasts for 60 minutes.  The first trimester, you can still lay face up, face down or in a side-lying position.  Specialty pillows are used to make women in all stages of pregnancy comfortable.  During the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, a prenatal massage should only be given in a massage chair or in a side-lying position. Benefits of Pregnancy Massage: Reduces s...

Doesn't this look like fun?!?  Chair Massages Poolside Having a drink of your choice while getting a chair massage - RELAXING!  Is this what you thought chair massage was? Chair massage is an easy way to obtain important health benefits.   As little as 15 minutes of chair massage a week has been proven to lower stress, reduce muscle tension, rejuvenate the mind and body, and increase focus. Workplace Massage Benefits - Good for business Increases focus and mental alertness Reduces stress-induced illnesses Reduces absenteeism Reduces injury Increases productivity Increases energy GREAT way to show associates APPRECIATION and Increase MORALE Chair massage can be also be used for: Bridal and Wedding Parties Parties - Birthday, Anniversaries Conventions/Conferences/Trade Shows Golf Tournaments/Sporting Events Health Fairs As you can see, chair massage is not only FUN and RELAXING; it is also good for your health, both for your b...

The Benefits of Lavender The Most Versatile of all Essential Oils 1)  Fragrance is calming, relaxing and balancing - both physically and emotionally Rub 2 - 3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms then inhale the scent to calm the mind Rub on your feet, temples, wrists Use in a diffuser 2)  Cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations To stop bleeding, clean wounds and kill bacteria 3)  Sleep aid Rub a drop of lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow Use in a diffuser 4) Insect bite / Bee sting To stop itching and reduce swelling 5) Minor burns To decrease pain, redness and swelling 6) Eczema / Dermatitis Mix several drops of lavender oil with  coconut oil and use topically on eczema and dermatitis. 7) Nausea or motion sickness Place a drop of lavender oil on end of tongue, around the navel or behind the ears. 8) Dry or chapped skin and chapped or sunburned lips 9) Dandruff Rub a few dr...

Pitaya - What is this "Superfood"? Last week I stopped at Jamba Juice and saw their new featured item, the Island Pitaya Bowl .  I asked the sever, "What is pitaya?" He responded the new Superfruit, i.e. Acai.  He offered me a taste since he said it doesn't taste like acai, with its chocolaty flavor. I came home and did a little research on pitaya and this is what I learned.