Tag Archives: massage

Have You Ever Gotten a Sports Massage?

You don’t need to be a pro athlete to get one, but you do need to have the tolerance of one to appreciate the vigorous kneading, pummeling, poking and forceful pushing that comes with a traditional sports massage. I got my first sports massage a few weeks after completing my first marathon. I would have loved to get one directly after running 26.2 miles, but the line for the massage tent was longer than the race route itself (at least it looked that way), so I opted for a warm shower instead. If you’ve ever had a sports massage, then … Continue reading →

Are Your Muscles Sore?

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Have you ever rolled over in the morning and felt so stiff you could hardly reach the alarm clock? It’s a pretty common phenomenon we’ve all experienced after a particularly arduous physical workout whether it was helping a friend move or taking the kids out for an extended day at the water park or just pushing that extra set in the gym. It’s called delayed muscle soreness and for many it’s a huge turn off from exercising. After all, if they feel worse after doing it – why would they do it? If you understand what causes sore muscles, you … Continue reading →

Massage for Infants

A friend of mine has been teaching infant massage classes in Cape Fear, North Carolina. Massage is beneficial at just about any age, but can have some special benefits for an infant. The benefits of infant massage include: A stronger bond between parent and child. Ideally, you want to find fifteen minutes every day to massage your baby. But if you can only find time once a week, you’ll both still benefit from the time together. Longer, deeper sleep for the baby (which means more restful nights for the parents, too). Relieve discomfort from gas, colic, and constipation. Massage can … Continue reading →

Massage for Cancer Patients

There is a common misconception that massage is NOT safe for cancer patients. Despite a total lack of evidence, many people believe that massage can spread cancer cells around the body. There is no evidence that this is true. In fact, massage can be very beneficial for cancer patients! Reducing side effects. Studies have shown that massage (manipulation of muscles and other soft tissues) can reduce pain, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer patients. Improving patient well-being. Cancer isn’t just difficult physically — it can be emotionally traumatic as well. Massage can help improve a cancer patient’s state of mind … Continue reading →

Want A Facial Massage? Ask A Robot

Like something out of a science fiction movie or the Jetsons, robots have now been called into service to give facial massages. Researchers in Japan have developed a robot that was specifically designed to give a therapeutic facial massage to patients in hospitals and spas across the country. The creators, located at Tokyo’s Waseda University hope to see the robot employed first for patients with jaw-related medical problems and then later for beauty and relaxation massages for the general public. The robot was also developed with Japan’s Asahi University. The robot, dubbed the WAO-1 robot, or the Waseda Asahi Oral … Continue reading →

Relaxation For Your Personality Type

We’re all different. And we all relax in different ways! Lately, I’ve been having trouble getting my mind to shut up when I’m ready for bed. Sometimes I distract myself with television; other times I try a relatively simple (but effective) visualization technique: fully visualize (using all your senses) at least one thing for each color of the rainbow. A strawberry. An orange. A banana. A handful of blueberries. Leafy green spinach. A juicy purple plum. Food is easy because it quickly engages all five senses. Not enough to shut your brain down? Try three things for each color. Some … Continue reading →

Grand Central Spa

If I had a dime for each time my mother would stop her mealtime preparation and ask me, my three brothers and our respective friends milling about her kitchen: “What do you think this place is… Grand Central Station?” I’d be a very rich person. Even if you have never stepped foot in the city’s iconic mass transit terminal you know that it is not a place commuters come for rest and relaxation… or is it? In a move that that can only be described as oxymoronic, the Big Apple’s landmark train station is hosting a Spa Experience. From October … Continue reading →

Hand Holding and Mental Health

The scientists have finally given us conclusive proof of what we all pretty much knew. Holding hands reduces stress. Researchers at the University of Virginia studied couples who described themselves as “happily married” and found, not surprisingly, that the simply act of touching is a very potent stress-relieving activity. The women in the study were given mild electric shocks at known intervals and scrutinized to determine the effects of the stress and whether the comforting presence of a significant other had any affect on the level of stress experienced. Using electrodes to measure numerous bodily functions such as heart and … Continue reading →

Why Should You Treat Yourself to a Massage?

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We’re counting it down towards the end of the school year and Mother’s Day. For the former, it’s just 2 weeks from today and my daughter graduates kindergarten. For the latter, we have just three days left and if you haven’t already figured out what you’re doing for Mom or for yourself for this Mother’s Day – let me offer you a suggestion: treat yourself or your mom to a massage. Massage A massage may not be for everyone and I’ve known plenty of people who are uncomfortable with the idea of a body massage. There are many types of … Continue reading →

Oscar Glam: The Million Dollar Massage

With just a few hours until Hollywood’s biggest party kicks off, many of tonight’s Oscar nominees have segued from the relaxation portion of the day to the “I-wonder-if-I’ll win-and-if-I-do-will-they-cut-me-off-during-my-acceptance-speech” part. I for one am not feeling bad for any one of them. PUH-LEEZE! Do you know how many of those nominees and their celebrity friends have spent the week getting the star treatment at super-secret spas? I’m talking about $500 facials and $1 million massages. A million dollar massage?! No, it’s not a misprint. According to InStyle magazine, Hearts on Fire, known for its perfectly cut diamonds, has partnered with … Continue reading →