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Wellness

Self-Massage Techniques to do at Home

Massage therapy has been around for centuries and has been discussed in the ancient texts of many languages, including Chinese, Indian, Greek and Egyptian. While the exact roots of massage therapy are not known, it is known that getting regular massages can be very beneficial for those who receive them. Massage can treat everything from aches, pains and digestive issues to insomnia and more, which everyone experiences at some point in their lives.

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5 Reasons to Get a Massage This Summer

While many people think of massage as a treat for special occasions, the truth is that regular massage can be extremely beneficial, especially during the summer months. Here are five reasons why you should consider getting a massage this summer:

  1. Aches, Pains, Sprains and Strains – Regular massage helps soften and relax injured or overused muscles. Muscles being used more frequently can lead to aches and pains. Regular massage increases circulation and oxygenation, which helps the muscles heal more quickly. Massage also releases endorphins from the brain that are natural painkillers.
  2. Improved Mood / Mental Attitude – The added stress of having the kids in the house, all day, every day, during the summer months can lead to anger and frustration. Getting a massage will help the mind and body relax. Studies confirm that regular massage can be beneficial for stress. Massages increase the feel good hormones known as serotonin and dopamine, while reducing the stress hormone known as cortisol. This leads to an improved mental state.
  3. Decreases Joint Swelling – The increased amount of heat and humidity can frequently cause swelling of the joints, particularly the knees and ankles. Massage helps to decrease the static accumulation of fluids in the joints by increasing circulation. Lymphatic massage is especially good at this because it pushes fluids through the body, releases toxins in the cells and keeps things flowing to reduce swelling.
  4. Increases Immunity – With all the added activity and fatigue from running around, summer colds can be common. Regular massage increases circulation in the body and oxygenation of the cells. This can help bolster the body’s immune system, allowing it to heal faster by increasing the amount of lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight off disease and infection.
  5. Lowers Blood Pressure – Regular massages can be very beneficial to the circulatory system and a person’s blood pressure. Because massage is so relaxing, it can help lower blood pressure, while also decreasing the risk of stroke or a heart attack. When stress increases, so too does the blood pressure. As mentioned before, massage is a great way to decrease stress levels.

This list represents the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why massage can be beneficial to everybody during the summer months. So whether you’re suffering from aches and pains, high blood pressure, a summer cold or joint swelling, finding a massage therapist might be exactly what the doctor ordered. If nothing else, you get a few minutes of relaxation and no worries. Who can’t use that?

Why Try Massage?

Massage is both therapeutic and relaxing, it is something that everyone should try at least once. The catch is, once you try it once, you are sure to be coming back for more. Massage is extremely beneficial for the body and can help you in many ways. There are a plethora of reasons as to why you should get a massage, but here are the top seven reasons why you need to try massage therapy. continue reading »

5 Reasons to Massage Tired Feet

We are constantly on our feet. Walking, driving, biking, hiking, you name it and we need our two feet to do it. Conversely, our feet are the least taken care of part of our body. Think about it. When’s the last time you gave your feet a good and proper pampering? I bet it has been a while. Take a look at these five reasons to give your feet more tender-loving care and you’ll find yourself treating your feet to a massage multiple times a month. continue reading »

7 Reasons to Get Massage After Surgery

Massage therapy for rehabilitation after surgery has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Massage can foster healing within the body after it has experienced the trauma of surgery. It is known to bring back essential nutrients and blood to the areas operated on in surgery. Perhaps most importantly, receiving massage after surgery can decrease the buildup of scar tissue. These are just a few of the reasons why massage can be so integral to your body after going through surgical procedures. Check out this list of seven no-brainer reasons to get massage after surgery! continue reading »

The Five Seasons of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has origins dating back thousands of years. While modern medicine has paved the way for new treatments and preventative measures in health care, millions of men and women continue to practice TCM. If you’re interested in trying it, though, you’ll first need to familiarize yourself with the five seasons of TCM and the organs that they target.

Spring

When speaking in the context of TCM, the spring season is associated with new life and beginnings. It is a time for a cleansing toxins from your body and negative energy from your mind, which is why it focuses on the liver and gallbladder. You can cleanse your liver and gallbladder by eating more grapefruit, beets, carrots, green tea, and leafy green vegetables. continue reading »

Top 5 Reasons to Consider Massage Therapy

physio-1778029_640Lowers Stress Levels

Feeling overly stressed about your job, relationships, finances, or health? If so, you may want to consider massage therapy. This treatment has been shown to have an almost immediate benefit on stress levels, relieving stress and anxiety while encouraging greater relaxation.

Improves Muscle Recovery

Another common reason why people seek massage therapy is to improve muscle recovery. When you lift weights or perform other high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises, it creates small tears in muscle fiber, which is essentially why you feel sore afterwards. When the muscle is massaged, it stimulates blood flow to the region, allowing it to heal in less time. And when your muscle tissue heals in less time, you can get back in the gym rather than sitting around the house. continue reading »

Can Massage Therapy Offer Relief of Regional Pain Syndrome?

171-can-massage-therapy-offer-relief-of-regional-pain-syndromeRegional pain syndrome, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a chronic disease that’s characterized by long-lasting severe pain, swelling, and discoloration of the skin. In some cases, it may only affect a limb, but roughly a third of people who suffer from this disease report symptoms throughout their body. Whether you suffer from localized symptoms or whole-body symptoms, you can find relief through massage therapy.

Causes of Regional Pain Syndrome

Doctors and medical experts continue to debate over what exactly causes regional pain syndrome. With that said, the general belief is that it’s a type of central nervous system that’s often triggered by surgeries and/or injuries. continue reading »

What is Pressure Point Massage Therapy?

There are dozens of different types of massage therapy, each of which has its own purpose and unique characteristics. However, among the most effective forms of massage therapy for pain relief is pressure point. Whether you suffer from occasional or chronic pain, you should consider pressure point massage therapy. It’s a safe and effective way to relieve pain while improving circulation throughout the body. continue reading »

What is a Pinched Nerve and How Do I Treat it?

167-what-is-a-pinched-nerve-and-how-do-i-treat-itA pinched nerve is one of the most common types of back problems. It’s characterized by the compression of one or more nerves running from the brain down through the spinal cord. These nerves play an important role in our body’s function, so when one becomes compressed, it can affect our normal movements. Many people who suffer from pinched nerves experience pain, limited mobility, tingling “pins-and-needles” feeling, and in some cases numbness. continue reading »