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Archive for the ‘Massage Therapy’ Category

Massage Therapy can help to improve digestion by increasing peristalsis (this is the involuntary contraction of the muscles that helps food to move along the intestine).

By increasing peristalsis, massage therapy can help to reduce constipation.

If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a regular programme of massage therapy could be particularly effective in helping to reduce pain caused by constipation and cramps.

Massage Therapy also encourages the release of enzymes which help to break down food. This not only makes it easier to digest, but also increases the absorption of nutrients. Improved absorption of nutrients can have a positive effect on all the sytems of the body.

Immunity

The lymph system carries lymph (milky fluid containing waste products which may include bacteria, viruses, and toxins) around the body. The system helps to destroy waste products and remove them from the body via a system of ducts and vessels.

Massage Therapy helps to encourage circulation and drainage in the lymph system, helping it to work more efficiently to remove waste and toxins from the body. This is particularly beneficial if you are trying to fight an infection.

Circulation

The techniques used in Massage Therapy will improve your circulation by speeding up the movement of blood around your veins and arteries. Your Massage Therapist will sometimes apply techniques with more pressure when moving towards the heart. This increased pressure can help the heart to pump blood more efficiently around the body.

Blood carries oxygen and nutrients that are needed throughout your body. Oxygen and nutrients provide you with energy and help to repair and regenerate cells. Your circulatory system also works with your lymphatic system to remove waste from the body.

While traditional massage therapy is conducted at a therapist’s office or a spa/salon, chair massage therapy can be administered at just about any time or any place, making it a convenient option for people who always seem to be on the go. That is just one reason that chair massages are becoming increasingly popular and are being offered at malls, offices, trade shows, private social events and just about anywhere else where there are people looking for affordable relief from stress and tension.

So how does a chair massage differ for a traditional massage? Aside from the fact that it is done away from the salon, it is a bit shorter than a normal massage but provides the same relaxing benefits. Using a specially designed massage chair, a trained therapist addresses the key areas of stress – neck, back, shoulders and arms – to wipe away the stress of the day. Another reason for its popularity is the fact that in addition to being offered at a traditional massage salon, they are being administered in massage stores, stand-alone kiosks and businesses practically everywhere.

So what are the benefits of a chair massage? First, it is done over the clothing; some people feel uncomfortable with traditional massage techniques that require you to get completely undressed. With the chair massage taking place out in the open, one can avoid the awkwardness they might experience in a salon. Secondly, because the massage is done out in the open, a person can see exactly what it entails by observing others.

It appears that an increasing number of companies (many Fortune 500) are offering massage therapy – in the form of a sitting massage – as a perk for their employees. They have found that a chair massage has a very positive effect on production and morale. Anyone who works knows that one of the main sources of stress in our everyday life comes from our place of employment. This stress costs employers millions – if not billions – of dollars each year in the form of lower productivity, higher healthcare costs and higher instances of absenteeism and disability.

Workplace fatigue is rampant across our country, especially in the past year. We all recognize the signs: stiff neck, tight shoulders, and sore wrists. These symptoms are worsened if the ergonomics of their workstation is not in balance, which is frequently the case. All of these symptoms affect an employee’s productivity by decreasing energy, impeding blood flow and aggravating the effects of mental fogginess and carpal tunnel.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of a sitting massage to employers.

• It works for anyone… anywhere.
• The results are immediate… provides instant gratification..
• You can add chair massage therapy to enhance your existing benefits package.
• The program requires no start-up or overhead expenses.

So why do employees love getting a chair massage at work?

• Makes them feel important to their employer.
• Relieves tired muscles and tension brought on by stress in the workplace.
• Fights the effects of prolonged sitting and repetitive work.
• Makes them feel instantly energized and motivated.

Full body massage is generally used for the relaxation of soft tissues of a person that helps him to relax or prepare for a muscular action. It is largely used as a tension or stress reliever. It is a kind of an art and surely be done with proper technique and tools. Some of the basic and important techniques are discussed in here. The most important thing is the mood that must be set up for a good massage. Normal room temperature with candle lights or some dim light with some fragrance in the room must help in setting the mood. Slow music may be better. The person should be using some fluffy towels and must cover up the person if modesty is required. Oil should be used as it provides smoothness. The oil should be scented as it provides a refreshing feeling to both as the massage is in progress.

After removing the clothes of your subject let him lie on his stomach with a towel covering his buttocks for privacy (if required). After having a reasonable amount of oil (almost quarter size dollop of oil) in your hands start with the neck of the subject. The strokes must be gentle and on both sides of the neck up to his temple. Then the shoulders and neck both are stroked gently in upward direction. The neck and shoulder join must not be neglected as it’s an important spot for the tension release. Left and right shoulder blades are rubbed along the edge and around the shoulder in circular motion. Use the oil as required for smoothness as the massage goes on.

Rub the spine of the subject gently in circular outward motion. Then go back to the shoulders by way of the sides of the body, kneading slowly and gently up to his armpits. Repeat the process in opposite direction and pay attention to any spot you have missed. Run your hand from the shoulder to the palms of the subject and back. Rub the triceps gently with the fingers reaching his biceps. Skim lightly over the elbow, and then rub the bottom portion of their arms in small circles. Lifting up the hand, knead the palm and then up each finger. Repeat this for the other hand too.

Lower back is the area where most of the people store their stress. Apply more pressure to this area with your thumbs and fingers in outward circular motion. Continue the massage reaching down to his buttocks. The sides of the body from the back of the hip to the top of legs should not be neglected as massage goes on. Begin with the tops of the legs, first one and then the other. With soothing circles, give full body massage on the back of his thigh, skimming lightly over the backs of his knees and then to their claves, working up and down slowly to their feet. Using your fingertips, lightly rub from the middle to the outside of the pectoral muscles, going from the bottom of the ribs to the collarbone. Finish at the neck, kneading each side gently, and rubbing lightly with your thumb along the jawbone to just below the ear and back.