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Tag: Massage

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Healing Massage Therapies

Massage is an Important Part of an Integrative Wellness Program

There are many reasons to book a healing massage today. Massage is often thought of as pampering, but the therapeutic benefits cannot be denied. Studies show that massage reduces pain, improves sleep, aids patients in getting through cancer treatments, increases motion and flexibility, helps to avoid colds and flus, often alleviates headache, and can ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Stress Reduction with Healing Massage

Massage not only lowers your stress level, it reduces cortisol levels. Cortisol is hormone that can reek havoc on your body if you are constantly stressed. Elevated cortisol can lead to blood sugar issues, weight gain, suppression of the immune system, stomach and intestinal problems, and heart disease.

Freeing the mind and recharging the body with healing massage
Freeing the Mind and Recharging the Body with Healing Massage

Massage Therapy for Pain Management

Recent studies indicate that massage is strongly indicated for pain management. More than eighty percent of doctor visits are for chronic and acute pain complaints. Massage is often an important part of an integrative pain management program.

How Does Massage Combat Illness?

It has been proven that regular massage boosts the immune system. Swedish massage studies have shown an increase in white blood cells that combat illnesses such as colds and flus. Studies have also indicate that massage can significantly increase natural killer cells that fight early stages of breast cancer.

Massage therapists that are properly licensed and trained can be relied on to develop a massage therapy plan to meet individual needs and can coordinate work with doctors, acupuncturists, and other health professionals. Many modalities are often combined to treat conditions and may include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, structural integration, joint mobilization, and myofascial release.

The AMTA and other professional organizations list qualified massage therapists in your area.

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Massage: Best Treatment for Back Pain

deep tissue massage for back pain
Massage for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common ailments among Americans.

It is estimated that nearly 85 percent of our population experiences back pain some time in their lives. It is also the most frequent cause of limited activity in people under the age of 45. Those that prefer not to use standard medical treatments, such as pharmaceuticals, find that massage therapy is the best treatment for this painful condition. Massage modalities that are effective treatments for back pain include deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and structural integration.

Deep Tissue Massage

This modality is very effective for contracted muscle groups. The treatment includes slow and deep movements that concentrate on the areas of pain. Adhesions are broken up, circulation is increased, and stiff and sore muscles are released.

Neuromuscular Therapy

This therapy, also known as trigger point therapy,  addresses tight muscle with restricted blood flow, myofascial trigger points that cause referred pain, and nerve entrapment. The massage therapist applies varying pressure with fingers, knuckles, or the elbow to eliminate chronic pain, increase blood flow, and increase range of motion.

Myofascial Release

This is an effective technique using gentle sustained pressure to remove soft tissue restrictions, help eliminate pain, and restore function. The massage therapist assists the client with body mechanics, movement, and postural awareness.

Structural Integration

This type of bodywork focuses on the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, blood vessels, organs and nerves. When fascia becomes bunched and tightened, it tends to pull our muscles and bones out of alignment, causing pain and fatigue. Structural integration is used to lengthen and soften tissue, align the body in gravity, and restore functional ease.

Each of these modalities is effective for treatment of chronic and acute back pain, and they are often combined in a session as part of an integrative massage.

Note: The ABMP is a great resource for locating a massage therapist that has achieved proper certification and/or licensing requirements and follows a code of ethics.

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Massage Types: Don’t Know What to Ask For?

Don’t know what massage type to ask for when booking your appointment?

Massage types that you will commonly see:

  • deep tissue
  • Swedish
  • neuromuscular therapy
  • structural integration
  • myofascial release
  • sports
  • integrative

Sports Massage

If you are an athlete, runner, or just like to participate in sports, you may want to consider a deep tissue or sports massage. Deep tissue works with specific muscle groups to release chronic tension and often pain. Sports massage is used to assess issues, aiding in rehabilitation and better performance. Sports therapy can include a variety of modalities that are valuable to the recovery, repair and healing processes.

Structural Integration

Are you having trouble moving with ease or feeling out of balance? Structural integration works with the fascia (connective tissue) that surrounds muscle, organs, and nerves. This connective tissue can become bound up and less elastic over time. As it becomes shorter and more dense, it can cause posture and movement issues. This can result in discomfort and fatigue. As you go through a series of structural integration sessions, you will notice feeling more in alignment with gravity and ease of movement.

Massage

Swedish

Are you struggling with tension and looking for some relaxation? Swedish is a combination of long and kneading strokes designed to relieve muscle tension and promote deep relaxation. It also increases circulation and may help after an injury.

Neuromuscular Therapy

Do you have a repetitive movement injury? Are you having issues with circulation, nerve compression, or posture? Neuromuscular therapy is used to treat chronic pain that involves both the muscular and nervous systems. Another name for this is trigger point therapy. This type of body work is often combined with other modalities to treat the underlying causes of pain.

Integrative Massage

This type of work involves the application of several specific techniques that target the specific needs of the client. The session is designed for the client and the best therapeutic results. Often the massage professional will use Swedish techniques to alleviate stress, deep tissue to address areas of tension, structural integration to create better alignment, and neuromuscular therapy to treat trigger points. If you want an appointment designed to meet a variety of needs, ask for integrative therapy.

These are some of the more frequently used techniques. There are also mind-body techniques that can help to ease pain and depression. These include Reiki, EFT, Healing Touch, meditation, and biofeedback… to name a few. When booking an appointment it’s always a good idea to call your massage therapist or local center to discuss therapy options.

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Healing Touch

Are you feeling out of balance emotionally, physically, spiritually? Try Healing Touch!

Living Arts Wellness is now offering Healing Touch Energy- Based Healing.

Kristi Buss, CMT uses light touch on or above the body to clear, balance and strengthen the human energy system. the goal of Healing Touch is to restore harmony to the energy system, placing the client in a position to self heal on many levels including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

Healing Touch is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association and the National Certification Board for Massage and Bodywork, and is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

For more information about the power of Healing Touch, please visit www.healingtouchprogram.com.

Call 970.472.0995 to book your session or book online atwww.livingartswellness.com.

Book today and receive a $10 discount on your session.

 
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Pregnancy Massage at Living Arts Wellness

prenatal

Prenatal (pregnancy) massage can be beneficial for both mom and baby. It often helps to relieve many of the discomforts experienced during pregnancy, enhance sleep, and even boost the immune system. Massage for pregnant women may also reduce joint stress and increase blood and lymphatic circulation.

During a pregnancy massage, clients are bolstered with soft, supportive cushions to alleviate pressure on the low back, abdomen and pelvis. At the end of the second during the third trimester, moms often prefer a side-lying position with a bolster placed under the top leg and hip for support.

Massage during pregnancy often helps to alleviate headaches, reduce stress and anxiety, eliminate low back and leg pain, and promote restful sleep.

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Massage Therapy Benefits and Fun Facts

Benefits of Massage

  • Alleviates low back pain and improves range of motion
  • Assists with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers
  • Enhances immunity by stimulating lymphatic flow
  • Stretches weak, tight and atrophied muscles
  • Assists athletes with preparing for and recovering from strenuous activities and competitions
  • Improves the condition of the skin, which is the body’s largest organ
  • Increases joint movement and flexibility
  • Helps to lessen depression and anxiety
  • Assists in reducing scar tissue
  • Reduces post surgery swelling
  • Relaxes tired and overused muscles
  • Relieves migraines
  • And, so much more!
Massage Facts
  • One hour of massage is equal to 7 – 8 hours of sleep for the body
  • There are nearly 5 million touch receptors in our skin
  • Touch is the first sense to develop in humans
  • Massage therapy is the third most commonly used form of alternative medicine in the United States
  • Stress is responsible for nearly 90 percent of dis-ease
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Deep tissue massage concentrates on the deep layers of muscle and fascia

Deep Tissue Massage…

Reduces Chronic Pain

Improves Blood Pressure

Breaks Up Scar Tissue

Rehabilitates Injured Muscles

Because deep tissue massage increases the flow of blood through the body, it helps reduce the inflammation that causes pain, and it can also help alleviate muscle tension that is often a cause or side effect of chronic pain by loosening the tight muscle fibers.

Over time, it can help break up and may erase scar tissue and can be an effective treatment for injured muscles.

deep tissue
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Salt Glow With Sea Salt and Essential Oils

salt glow

A salt glow combining sea salt and essential oils can leave your skin feeling soft, fragrant and renewed!
 
We have three exfoliating, relaxing, and detoxifying options:
 

UPLIFTING SCRUB:  Regenerate, stimulate lymphatic flow, and tone your pores…

Rosemary Verbenon – Traditionally used for cellular regeneration, wrinkled, aging, burned, scarred or sundamaged skin, the treatment of oily skin and scalp, and dandruff. French authorities say that it can help balance the nervous system, support the liver and gall bladder, that it is an endocrine regulator, and useful for respiratory infections.

Peppermint – Traditionally used for stimulating lymphatic flow, cooling in low dilutions, warming in high dilutions. Mentally, it clears the brain, helps concentration, is a restorative in cases of mental fatigue, and is a mental stimulant.

Lemongrass – Traditionally considered an excellent overall physical tonic. An effective skin toner that can open pores. It is said to boost the parasympathetic nervous system which hastens recovery from illness. The essential oil is stimulating and invigorating, It is helpful for treating symptoms of jet lag, clearing the head and relieving fatigue.

DETOXIFYING SCRUB:  Eliminate toxins and smooth your skin…

Ravensara – Traditionally used for cases of edema, it stimulates the drainage of toxins. Recommended as an immune stimulant. Ravensara is used as both a tonic for the nerves, and as a remedy for physical, nervous and mental fatigue. Strongly antiviral. There is no more useful essential oil for combating the flu. 

Palma Rosa – Traditionally, Palma Rosa is very effective in blends for treating various skin conditions as it helps balance production of sebum, thus being useful for both extremely dry and oily skin. A strongly anti-infectious oil, as well as being anti-fungal. It is said to aid in the release of anger and grief.

Patchouli – Traditionally used to tone and tighten the skin, and is used in many anti-wrinkle products. Regulates oily skin and dandruff. It is known to be useful in combating cellulite. Patchouli is an effective anti-inflammatory for the skin, helpful in healing cracked or inflamed skin, acne, dermatitis, and eczema.

CALMING SCRUB:  Relieve stress, restore your skin tone, and balance your spirit… 

Roman Chamomile – Traditionally used for its sedative and pain-relieving properties. Wonderfully calming and stress-relieving. Useful for combating menstrual cramps. Effective for insomnia and headaches brought about by stress and tension. Helpful for inflamed joints and muscle and joint pain.

Rose Geranium – Traditionally used for bruises, cuts, ulcers, broken capillaries, dermatitis, and its anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed to balance sebum (making it the oil of choice for combination skin) and to keep the skin smooth and  supple. Thought to bring an overall sense of balance when used in aromatherapy. Used to alleviate problems with menopause and menstruation. 

High Altitude Bulgarian Lavender – Traditionally used for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and, possibly, anti-viral properties. Lavender functions as an adaptogen, aiding in restoring the body and the spirit to balance. This particular variety of lavender has a heady, floral aroma, with much less of the bright green and camphorous smell of lesser-quality varieties.

$75 for a 60 minute treatment
Combine with oxygenated sauna for $110

 

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Essential Oil Massage For Detoxification

palo santo
Palo Santo (Sacred Wood Tree) Essential Oil is a natural purifier and promotes deep immunity, especially during cold and flu season. It is a perfect additive to massage oil and has many benefits including immune boosting, promotion of healthy inflammatory response in the joints and muscles and skiing regeneration. It is also calming and grounding. Consider requesting it in your next warm oil massage to reduce stress and enhance spirituality. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TMJ and Massage Therapy

If you’re experiencing TMJ symptoms (such as jaw stiffness, pain, soreness, clicking, and popping), you may want to consider massage therapy. Studies have tested massage’s effects on TMJ pain and have shown that receiving work on the lateral pterygoid muscle (involved in opening the jaw) helps ease pain, reduce joint clicking, and allows better mouth-opening. Acupuncture and biofeedback therapy also show to be promising treatments for TMJ issues.

 

 

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