Tag Archives: massage

Use Acupressure to Fight Fatigue

I don’t know about you, but I tend to hit a mid-afternoon slump every day. Around two or three o’clock in the afternoon, I start to feel very tired and out of energy. If I have the time, I’ll indulge in a little nap… but I don’t have time to nap every day! If you need to fight fatigue, try acupressure! In short, acupressure uses pressure (rather than needles, like acupuncture) to release natural painkillers called endorphins. It may also help block the transmission of pain signals through your nerves. Studies from the University of Michigan are now showing that … Continue reading →

Massage for Pets

Don’t laugh — pets have stress too. Dogs and cats can suffer from anxiety and phobias just like people do! And pets are sensitive to their owner’s emotions; your stress could be making your dog or cat feel unsettled and unnerved. Your body, your dog’s body, your cat’s body — they all work best through balance. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and everything you do helps to maintain or disrupt that balance. Massage is a great way to encourage balance in the body. Everything is connected — muscles, bones, blood, skin. A massage can improve circulation, relieve pain, reduce swelling, … Continue reading →

Massage Precautions

If you are planning to give a massage to a friend or loved one, keep these precautions in mind: Pain is NOT gain. If someone says you are using too much pressure or kneading too hard, ease off. Give your partner the opportunity to give you feedback during the massage. Ask them: “Is this okay? Too hard? Too light?” Trust them to be honest. Keep the massage location at a comfortably warm temperature. Be sure to keep your partner covered by a sheet or towel — except for the body part you are currently working on. If your partner is … Continue reading →

Massage At Home

Want to treat a friend or loved one to a massage? If you can’t afford a professional, you can always give the massage yourself! Set up your space: Clear a space on the floor or a rectangular kitchen table. Pick a spot that is physically comfortable for the person giving the massage — the table may be great if you are tall enough, but you may need to use the floor if you are shorter. A table massage can be given standing, but a floor massage should be given kneeling. Pad your massage space with a few blankets or a … Continue reading →

How To Give A Good Massage

You don’t have to be a professional to give a friend or loved one a massage! Use different strokes: stroking using the whole hand, kneading, firm strokes with the thumb or ball of the hand, and feathery fingertip touches. Do what feels good to you; it will usually feel good to someone else, too. Don’t give a massage when you’re feeling angry or upset — your emotional state can leave your partner feeling equally distressed. Warm your hands up! Cold hands can be an unexpected or unpleasant shock to your partner. Warm up the oil or lotion. Don’t apply it … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Massage

If you think that massage is just for self-indulgent, spoiled people… think again! There are many important health benefits to massage — it can help you maintain physical and mental well-being. Massage can calm the nervous system. The rhythmic stroking of your muscles is very soothing, and helps your body relax and slow down. Considering the fast-paced way we live our lives… slowing down is a good thing. Massage can help lower your blood pressure. Massage promotes deeper breathing. Massage improves circulation, so your body delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells more efficiently. Massage stimulates your lymphatic system — your … Continue reading →

Keep Yourself Fit: Get a Massage

A massage benefits your health, physically and mentally. A massage sounds so decadent and luxurious that it is often associated with pampering the rich and the famous. However, the fitness benefits of massage are so profound that even health insurance companies are getting involved to help cover the bills. If you have ever been injured, massage can help you heal your body because it smoothes the flow of the body’s fluids and helps muscles to relax. Massage can decrease the tension in muscles that are sore from a workout or that have lost vitality after being bound up in a … Continue reading →

It’s Date Night!

Date night gives couples something to look forward to, a chance to spend some time together and enjoy each other’s company without being weighed down by the demands of life. It’s a great way to reconnect and to simply have fun. If you’re trying to be careful with money, or if you just don’t have very much money at the moment, planning a great date night can be a challenge. Get creative and try some of these tips for inspiration. Rent a Great Movie Is there a movie that the two of you watched together in the past? Maybe you … Continue reading →

Massage for Mother’s Day: A Great Gift Idea

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A massage is a great Mother’s Day gift for the woman who enjoys it or who may have always wanted to try it out, but has never had the opportunity. Massage dates back to the time of the Ancient Greeks and has seen a renaissance in modern day America. So what is all the fuss about? More than just a glorified back rub, a massage provides you with some great physiological benefits including relaxing tense and sore muscles, increasing blood and oxygen flow to the massaged areas and frankly, it feels good. You spend 30, 45 or 60 minutes on … Continue reading →

What is Thai Yoga?

Though I’ve heard it called Thai Yoga, the type of body work I am referring to is also called Traditional Thai Massage or Thailand Medical Massage. Thai Yoga is an ancient art that combines massage, stretching, acupressure, twisting, relaxation, and meditation. It has roots in traditional Yoga and Buddhist spiritual practices. I have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a Traditional Thai Massage, and also got the opportunity to observe some moves recently. Like the idea of qi in acupuncture and acupressure, Thai Yoga believes that the body is filled with Prana, or life energy. Prana … Continue reading →