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Body massage treatment or therapy has an extensive history in the culture of the world. In the present day, the people use different types of massage therapy as health-related purposes or just for relaxation. In addition, massage therapy also considered as an alternative medicine in some countries around the world. Whether the purpose it is, massage therapy is now a popular body massages action among the people all over the world especially in the United States.

It has found from National Health Interview on 2007 Survey that a projected 18 million adults of U.S. and over half million of children had received body massage therapy in 2006. There are several reasons found for body massage. The reasons are health-related functions such as pain relief, recover sports injuries, reduce pressure, enhance relaxation, remove depression and anxiety as well as assist to general wellness.

There are contradictions between scientists regarding the effectiveness of massage therapy as the scientific support or evidence on massage therapy is inadequate.

However, it has already proved that massage is useful for the body. In a review of thirteen clinical trials on 2008, the evidence found that massage might be effective for chronic low-back pain. There are several theories available about how this therapy may influence the body. As example, the “gate control theory” recommends that massage may give stimulation and it supports to block pain signal to send to the brain. Another theory suggests that massage might stimulate the release of specific chemicals in the body. This therapy also has few major risks if it is used inappropriately and provided by a newbie or non-trained massage professional. You should inform your health care provider about any alternative or complementary practices you use. Provide them a complete picture of what you perform to handle your health. It will support to ensure safe and coordinated care.

The people engaged with Massage therapy work in an array of settings, including hospitals, private business, nursing homes, resort and sport and fitness centers. Some massage professional also go to patients’ residence or workplaces. The therapists generally ask new patients about symptoms and medical record. Generally, they perform an evaluation with touch that helps to trace painful or tense spots as well as helps to determine how much pressure should to apply. In general, the patient lies on a table, with loose clothing or undressed with covered through except the massaging area. The therapist or massage professional may use lotion or special oil to reduce resistance on the skin. Sometimes, people receive massage therapy while sitting in a chair. A massage session may be brief, may last an hour or even longer that depends on requirements.

Aroma therapy natural glow
Through Aroma therapy can increase not only your face Noor, but also can get rid of many diseases. Basil, Rose, Jassmeen including using natural plant oil is used in the therapy. These all natural plant oil mixes with the base oil is made and the body is massaged, the body and the Psychological Fijiolawjikal effects on both levels.

Becomes Relax
If You Want to be a little tension in and Relax Aroma Therapy is the Best Ssulhyusne. Relax This is your pressure points go.

Face becomes something special
Facial massage cream, which is usually done, he just seems to glow just a few days, while this therapy for a long time remains on the skin glow. Oil originating from dead cells via the facial is over and the new cells are formed. The pressure point massage of the face value is, which makes skin glow from within Mee. This facial is given to the nine step, the skin stain – stains, lifeless skin, wrinkles, blackish, dark circles and you are with problems, including Neakhre – Neakhre have seen. That glow on your face seems longer.

Ozone therapy Head massage
Head massage therapy is provided in the ozone, which increases blood flow in the head. Hair roots get nutrition which hair falls out, be white, get rid of problems, including Russians. As well as hair from chemical damage and Peulrjoashne relief. Headache, nervousness, etc. are off disease. This therapy for skin Jhualsi Ckane and proves most beneficial.

Mark Steeraac away
Post pregnancy after the women’s skin is hanging and the problem is many like Steeraac Mark. The therapy can be found through correcting the problem, as well as reduce abdominal fat can be frozen. It is provided with steam therapy.

Foot and Hand Massage
The palm of the hands and soles of the feet in therapy pressure points are pressed, the relevant parts of the body prop. The feet, hands and knees feel pain is quite Relax, as well as sleep is not coming off an illness and you can sleep comfortably.

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The facial massage therapy you receive from a therapeutic massage spa gives you not just beauty benefits but will also improve your health. You should, therefore, never think that facial massage therapy is inferior to reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or pregnancy massage therapy. The good news is that you can ask for any or all of these massage therapy modalities from a professional therapeutic massage spa in Beaverton if you are a resident of Washington County, Clackamas, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Portland, Tualatin, Sherwood or Vancouver WA.

Clare Maxwell-Hudson, owner of The Clare Maxwell-Hudson School of Massage in London and author of six bestselling books on massage, writes on the many benefits of facial massage therapy. Beauty wise, she says facial massage erases tension that can make a face look drawn. With facial massage, she says, “the face opens like a flower. We break through the barriers, allowing the real and inner beauty that we all possess to shine through.”

The relaxation brought by facial massage has more than beauty benefits, though. Maxwell-Hudson points out that massage clients often consciously or unconsciously resist relaxation during a massage session. They are less defensive during facial massage, though, and this conscious or unconscious resistance is more readily surrendered. The client is, therefore, able to maximize the session.

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Maxwell-Hudson adds that facial massage benefits not just the face but also the entire body by providing the brain with sensory information that it then disseminates all over the body. This occurs because the sense of sight, hearing, smell and taste are mainly located in the head and face. Touching the face also sends sensory information to the brain. The brain, in turn, processes information from the senses and translates these for the circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system and musculo-skeletal system.

The soothing effects of facial massage can translate into pain relief. Maxwell-Hudson had a client who was in constant pain after going through several surgeries due to a broken kneecap. Facial massage relieved her pain.

Maxwell-Hudson also tells of clients who have gained mental strength as well as creative insights from facial massage. One of her clients was having a difficult time deciding on whether or not to undergo a certain surgery. Facial massage therapy gave him the courage to decide in favour of the operation.

Another client of Maxwell-Hudson was a painter and theater set designer who asked for facial massage therapy whenever her creativity and imagination felt blocked. The client declared that facial massage resulted in clear images in her mind.

Still another client was a businessman who claimed that after worrying over a business problem for weeks, the solution just popped into his mind during a facial massage session when he was not even thinking about the problem.

According to Maxwell-Hudson, the facial massage technique she recommends combines strong strokes with a very light touch. The strong staccato strokes should be used in the early part of the facial massage in order to release tension from the face. The lighter touch, on the other hand, then further relaxes the face.

There are several types of facial massage styles taught in The Clare Maxwell-Hudson School of Massage. These include basic facial massage, facial reflexology, facial acupressure, muscle energizing facial massage and the Vodder manual lymph drainage of the face.

Get facial massage therapy from a reputable therapeutic massage spa and enjoy how beautiful it makes you feel while relieving your aches and pains and stimulating your creativity. You may also enjoy reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or pregnancy massage therapy from that therapeutic massage spa in Beaverton.

Massage therapy manipulates the soft tissues of the body to normalize the tissue. Besides helping you relax, soothing sore muscles, reducing some kinds of swelling, and improving general well-being, massage therapy of one sort or another may also help with hypertension, burns, chronic pain (including from arthritis, backaches, and migraines), rashes and other skin conditions, addictions, depression, stress and labour pain and asthma. It can also alleviate depression and boost self-esteem in people with eating disorders; improve growth and development in premature babies; reduce pain and water retention in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS); raise blood sugar levels in kids with diabetes; and possibly even boost immune function in people with HIV or cancer.

Thus basically Massage therapy is used:

To reduce stress and pain

To aid recovery from medical or surgical procedures

To provide relaxation

To soothe tired and sore muscles

To increase circulation of blood and flow of lymph in the body

Massage if not done properly can however cause lot of damage. Hence massage is always to be done by a qualified therapist. A qualified therapist not only knows all about the human body, how it works, and what can go wrong with it, but also tells you when massage is inappropriate or dangerous. A specialist massage therapists is not only trained in rubbing you the right way and kneading out the kinks, but also has an understanding of the muscle and nerve complexities that make the body tick. If you may have a serious or chronic illness, never use massage without first consulting your Doctor. You should also generally avoid using massage on inflamed, burned, or otherwise injured areas. And because massage works by promoting blood flow, it can potentially spread certain problems throughout your body. You should almost always avoid massage therapy if you have an infection, cancer, swelling (edema), or a blood clot (except under the supervision of a highly skilled physician). People with high blood pressure, an enlarged liver or spleen, or peptic ulcers should also avoid abdominal massages. And pregnant women should stick to well-trained, professional massage therapists who are familiar with pregnancy massage.

There are many different specialized massage techniques commonly used. These include:

Swedish massage

Rolfing

Heller work

Shiatsu Combinations of these techniques are also used.
 

Massage therapists move the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and the membrane, called fascia that surrounds the muscles. This is done to promote the flow of blood and lymph. It also serves to relieve tension, stimulate nerves, and keep the muscles elastic and easy to move. Massage also moves the blood and increases its oxygen capacity. Massage can both soothe and stimulate the nervous system. Different techniques are chosen to achieve different effects. Massage can also speed recovery from the fatigue that often follows exercise. This is why many athletes use massage as part of their training plan. Oils are commonly used to make the therapists hands move more easily across the skin. The massage is usually done on a padded massage table. The person’s body is covered with a sheet or a blanket. Only the part that is actively being worked on is exposed at any given time. The person needs to take off only those clothes he or she feels comfortable removing. However this also depends on the kind of massage a person is doing. For example, shiatsu massage can be done through the patient’s clothing. Swedish massage, one of the most common, involves hands directly on skin, usually with a lubricant so the body’s soft tissue can be manipulated.

Another type of massage you can ask about is trigger-point therapy, in which the massage therapist works with specific points on the body that are said to restrict a person’s energy levels. When visiting a massage therapist, you should feel free to ask him or her what massage techniques they use. A massage will generally last for one hour. Massage therapists may combine different techniques. Any type of massage therapy will include pressing, stroking, or kneading the muscles of the body. Although some massage strokes may be somewhat uncomfortable, a person having a massage should generally feel good. If pain or discomfort persists, the massage can be stopped.

Follow the following tips to make the best of a massage:

Comfort is the key word. Be sure that you feel comfortable with your therapist. You should feel free and relaxed when the therapist is massaging you.

Let the therapist know what you want. If your main goal is to relax, or is it to relieve a specific injury or pain, tell that to him and ask him for advice as to which type of massage will be best. How heavy or light should the pressure be?

Ask the therapist to avoid sensitive areas. There is no need to be shy or embarrassed about it.

Take off only the clothes you feel comfortable taking off. Massage therapists must respect your boundaries, such if you want to wear underwear during a massage

Prepare to relax. Take a nice shower and relax yourself. Please avoid eating a heavy meal right before a massage.

Speak up if something hurts or tickles. Sometimes a massage can cause temporary discomfort, especially if it involves working on sore, damaged, or tense areas. You may even feel sore in these areas for a day or two after a massage. So it is advisable to stop massage immediately and tell this to the therapist.

Speak up if you’re sensitive to the aroma of the oil or just can’t stand the music in the

Article by Pete Webber

When most people think of massage, facial massage rarely comes to mind, but your face is like your body when it comes to working muscles. Similar to other massage techniques, facial massage therapy helps to promote relaxation and relieve tension. It also increases circulation to help restore energy to your face and your body. Have you ever noticed that your skin looks more pale and puffy in the morning than it did the night before? This is the result of less blood flow to the face and a facial massage is the perfect solution for getting your blood flowing again to restore its healthy glow.

Facial massage therapy – if done on a regular basis – helps to reduce the signs of aging by tightening and lifting the muscles in the face. It also reduces the fine lines and wrinkles that appear as we age, making the procedure that much more popular. The skin on your face can appear dull from a buildup of dead skin cells and dirt… a facial massage exfoliates the skin and returns it to its natural glow.

If a facial massage lasts too long, it can result in stretched muscles, so your therapist will limit it to about 20 minutes. People with sensitive skin cannot handle excess amounts of pressure, as it can result in irritation or damage to the skin. Most massage therapists apply massage oil or lotions to the face prior to the facial massage to lubricate it and reduce friction. This is done after an inspection of your skin to determine if it is oily or dry; some clients with oily skin may need little or no lubricant.

In addition to increasing circulation and fighting the signs of the aging process, facial massage therapy also improves the texture and tone of your skin, while moisturizing it and eliminating any appearance of redness. The occurrence rate of blemishes and breakout can also be reduced via facial massage therapy.

The first step in your facial massage is the exfoliation process, which is done by cleansing and scrubbing the skin, followed by the application of massage lotion or oil (if needed). Whatever lubricant is used will be absorbed into the skin during the massage session, and your therapist will softly manipulate the various areas of your face for a different result.

Let’s talk about the various benefits that are provided by the different areas of the face during your facial massage.

Reduction of the appearance of horizontal wrinkles and lines: forehead and nose.Unclogging of pores and reduction of blemishes: nostrils.Prevention of wrinkles and sagging muscles: mouth and cheeks.Reduction the appearance of bags under your eyes: the area around the eyes.Prevention of sagging skin and increased muscle tone: chin and neckMassaging to stimulate other body parts: ears.So remember… whenever you feel a certain amount of stress from everyday life or your body starts to ache, and you feel like you could use a good massage, think about your face. Just like in your body, stress and fatigue can show up in your face; the best remedy is a facial massage to take the stress out of your face and make you feel like a brand new person.

Holistic body massage therapy promotes wellness by balancing the body, mind and spirit. You can learn to do some body massage strokes on your loved ones at home and then get the full deal from professional body massage therapists at reputable massage therapy spas in Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Trinity and Clearwater, FL.

Sara Thomas and Lucy Lidell share their home massage tips in the article “Holistic Massage” at PositiveHealth.com. Sara Thomas is the president of the Massage Training Institute in London, the author of Massage for Common Ailments from Gaia Books, and co-author of The Book of Massage from Ebury Press. Lucy Lidell is a massage therapist and healer trained in various massage and body therapy modalities, healing, dreamwork and yoga, and specializes in helping clients work through emotional problems. She is the author of The Sensual Body from Unwin Hyman, and is co-author of The Book of Massage and The Book of Yoga from Ebury Press.

According to Thomas and Lidell, holistic massage has profound emotional and spiritual effects, creating trust and optimism and nurturing self-acceptance and body awareness. When receiving massage, one is able to let go and reach a deeper connection with one’s self. The authors believe that massage can even create a state of expanded awareness and consciousness. They, therefore, recommend learning basic massage strokes for use in the home as a complement to professional massage therapy sessions.

For headache, smooth soothing strokes can be made on the forehead down to the muscles of the jaw. The fingers can make small circles on the temples. The finger pads can also be used to massage the scalp. This will help release tension and pain. Tension can be released by massaging the back of the neck and the shoulders.

When someone has neck aches and shoulder aches, the muscles at the top of the shoulders can be squeezed with the hands, from the neck outwards. The base of the skull can be pressed with the thumbs and the back of the neck can be kneaded and stroked. The areas between shoulder blades on both sides of the spine can also be massaged with circular strokes of the thumbs.

For backache, the muscles on both sides of the spine can be massaged with long smooth strokes. The palms can then make circular strokes outward from the spine and then over the sacrum or the base of the spine. For particularly tense areas, the thumbs can be used to make smaller circles with deeper pressure.

For leg ache, the long smooth strokes can be made from the ankles toward the tops of the thighs and down, with more pressure on the upward strokes and lighter pressure on the downward strokes. Rhythmic strokes can then be used, alternating your hands on each leg. This will break up and drain lactic acid built up from strenuous activity.

For leg cramps, assist the person in stretching the leg. Knead the cramped muscles to loosen them and release tension. Once the person is able to stand, assist him or her in walking. This will help restore proper blood circulation to the leg.

For menstrual cramps, the palms can make slow circular strokes over the sacrum and the lower back. This may be complemented with slow light strokes over the lower abdomen.

It’s good to exchange body massage services with your loved ones at home, but getting full body massage from professional massage therapists is still the best thing you can do for yourself. Professional body massage therapists offer Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy and sports massage therapy at body massage therapy spas in Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Trinity and Clearwater, FL. Surrender your body, mind and spirit to a blissful holistic experience.

Article by Massage Envy – Arboretum

How convenient and luxurious is it to be able to get a full body massage therapy session in a shopping center? Well, you can indeed get a relaxing and therapeutic massage at the Arboretum Shopping Center in Charlotte NC. Just how lucky can you be?

The Arboretum Shopping Center has more than 90 specialty stores, shops and dining establishments. Located among these is a body massage spa where you can get Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy and sports massage therapy. If you happen to be pregnant, they have pregnancy massage therapy, as well. You can finish a day of shopping with your choice of therapeutic massage right there in the middle of all the action in Charlotte NC.

While the Arboretum Shopping Center is located at Providence Road and Highway 51 in Charlotte, it is named after the North Carolina Arboretum which is actually located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way in Asheville, inside the Pisqah National Forest’s Bent Creek Experimental Forest.

An arboretum is a facility where a large variety of trees, shrubs and other woody plants are cultivated and exhibited for scientific, educational and ornamental purposes. The North Carolina Arboretum is also a botanical garden, though, and goes beyond trees, shrubs and woody plants to include all other plant varieties, as well.

Historically, in 1898, the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted wanted to build an arboretum at the Biltmore Estate – a chateau-style mansion also in Asheville. Olmstead was hired by the Estate owner, George Washington Vanderbilt II, to design its grounds. Olmsted’s arboretum was not to be, though.

In 1986, the Arboretum was established as a facility of the University of North Carolina. In 1989, it was officially named as the North Carolina Arboretum.

Although still undergoing continuous development even as it is already open to the public, the 434 acre facility has 65 acres of cultivated gardens, among these the Quilt Garden, Heritage Garden, Stream Garden, Canopy Walk, Plants of Promise Garden, Cliff & Betty Dickinson Holly Garden, National Native Azalea Collection and Plant Professional Landscape Garden.

There are more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails for visitors to enjoy, ranging from easy to moderate and difficult.

The collection of trees includes 59 year old Metasequoias planted in 1950. Measuring over 100 feet or 30 meters tall, these trees are reportedly the tallest Metasequoias in the south.

The North Carolina Arboretum also takes pride in its bonsai collection. Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing trees in pots and keeping them dwarfed by the careful pruning of roots and stems which also creates aesthetic shapes that give the illusion of great age.

A huge donation of bonsai plants from Mr. and Mrs. George Staples in 1992 started the Arboretum’s collection which now numbers about a hundred on display, with more then a hundred others in development stages. The collection has Asian trees including the Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants including the willow leaf fig, and American tress including the limber pine and bald cypress.

Indeed, a visit to the North Carolina Arboretum is enriching, refreshing and calming. It is quite appropriate for a shopping center named after the Arboretum to also provide a place for serene rest and relaxation amid the hustle and bustle of city life. So take a break from your shopping spree and fit in a body massage therapy session at the Arboretum Shopping Center at Charlotte NC. Spread the wellness spirit, too, by giving away massage gift cards to your shopping buddies from Charlotte NC. You could even set a group date to enjoy a massage all together after one of your exhausting shopping sessions.

Article by Massage Envy Clearwater

The basic foundation of good health is a strong immune system. You can strengthen your immune system with body massage therapy in Clearwater, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and Trinity, FL. There are professional massage therapists to help you in well-appointed and reputable massage spas.

Scientific studies have established the beneficial effects of massage in boosting immunity. The most dramatic results can be seen in studies done among HIV positive patients.

As HIV worsens, the patients’ CD4+ cells decline. These are the immune system’s helper cells. HIV attaches itself to the CD4+ cells so that when CD4+ cells multiply to fight infection, HIV multiplies, too, and disarms the CD4+ cells. Immunity is, therefore compromised. The normal range of CD4+ cell counts should be 500 to 1,600 or an average of 1,000 per cubic millimeter of blood. In AIDS cases, the CD4+ count falls below 200.

Another helper cell of the immune system is the CD8+ cell or suppressor cell. There should be one CD8+ cell for every 1-2 CD4+ cells. In HIV patients, this ration decreases, too, as more helper cells are depleted.

Studies have, therefore, used cellular measures as the gauge for the effectiveness of massage in strengthening immunity. A study by Ironson et al in 1996 was participated in by 29 adult male HIV patients divided into two groups. The first group was given 45-minute massages from Monday to Friday for one month. The second group had no massage. After the month-long treatment, the massage group showed an increase in CD8+ cells, as well as in natural killer (NK) cells which are also crucial in fighting diseases.

A following study by Diego et al was participated in by 24 adolescent HIV patients. This time, the study covered three months. The massage group was given 20-minute chair massage sessions twice a week for those three months. The second group was given 20-minute relaxation therapy sessions twice a week for the same three months. After the treatment period, the massage group alone had increased CD4+ cells, improved CD4+-to-CD8+ ratio, and increased NK cells.

In 2000, a study by Birk et al showed that the frequency of massage is a major factor for producing positive outcomes in terms of immune boosting. Birk et al only gave their participants once a week massage sessions and showed no effects on immune system cell measures.

More positive results were shown by the study conducted by Shor-Posner et al among 24 HIV positive children aged two to eight years old in the Dominican Republic, with blood samples flown to a Miami laboratory for testing. The massage group was given 20-minute massage sessions twice a week for three months. The control group was given friendly visits by a nurse or therapist for 20 minutes twice a week for the same three months. After the treatment period, the massage group’s CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts increased while those of the control group decreased.

It is encouraging to note that massage could now be used as a weapon in fighting HIV, especially among children. It can be a very important weapon especially in areas that cannot afford expensive medication.

If massage can help the ravaged immune system of those afflicted with HIV, think of how much it can improve the health of those who do not have HIV.

Do yourself and your health a favor by strengthening your immune system. You can choose from a wide variety of body massage therapy services, including deep tissue massage, sports massage and Swedish massage, given by qualified massage therapists in the massage spas of Clearwater, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and Trinity, FL. This is one prescription you’ll definitely enjoy.

Article by Massage Envy Arboretum

To live long, healthy and happy lives, we need to build good lifestyle habits. Jen Bondeson lists some of them in her article in the Summer 2009 online issue of Massage Envy Magazine. The magazine adds body massage therapy as an important habit to put on your list. People in Arboretum and Charlotte NC can easily do this.

Bondeson identifies five tasks that she believes you should include in your daily habits in order to achieve and mainatain your best health status for the long term.

Proper Diet

Bondeson advises eating the right kinds of food at the right time. This means not skipping breakfast and eating it at the start of your day. She considers this the most important meal of all since it provides you with instant energy while revving up your metabolism and enabling you to burn more calories.

All other meals should be properly monitored, as well, Bondeson says. She advises using the natural color of food as your guide. This is because food of various colors represents different vitamins and nutrients. Meals should, therefore, be colorful, with more colors meaning a wider mix of nutrients and vitamins.

Bondeson also cites the recommendation of the American Dietetic Association to choose more nutritious sweet potatoes over white potatoes and deep-green romaine lettuce over iceberg lettuce.

Proper Exercise

Bondeson refers to the findings of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that 70 percent of adults in the United States do not get active enough to reap health benefits. She quotes the American Heart Association spokesman, Richard A. Stein, M.D., saying, “Exercise is one of the best things you can do to live longer and better.” Stein explains that exercising vigorously for 30 to 40 minutes three to five days a week can increase and extend energy throughout one’s day, decrease weight, improve quality of sleep, lower the risk of heart attacks and depression, and raise self-esteem.

No Smoking

Once again, Bondeson refers to the findings of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that 440,000 premature deaths each year are caused by smoking. She also quotes Dr. Stein as saying, “The benefits of stopping smoking are extraordinary. Simply put, you’ll add years to your life.”

More Laughter

Laughter is not only the best medicine but is also the best preventive medicine, it seems. Bondeson recommends integrating more laughter into each day because it increases the flow of blood to the heart and the amount of oxugen in the blood while lowering blood pressure. She cites a study of cardiologists from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore saying that “a strong sense of humor may even help protect you against a heart attack.”

Enough Sleep

Bondeson says the National Institutes of Health requirement for adults is an average of eight hours of sleep every night. She points out that this is also very critical to your health and recommends that you sleep early in order to have adequate rest.

Regular Massage

Massage Envy Magazine adds regular massage to the list because it not only relieves stress but also lowers blood pressure, increases circulation and reduces pain from a variety of conditions. If you are able to have daily massage sessions, you would be very fortunate indeed. A weekly or monthly schedule would also be very beneficial if this is more practical for you.

Therapeutic massage comes in various styles. You can avail of Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy or pregnancy massage therapy from reputable body massage clinics. You may also purchase body massage gift cards from these massage clinics in Arboretum and Charlotte NC. Make it a regular part of your healthy lifestyle.

I recently pampered myself by going for a hot stone massage.

Hot stone massage is quite different from other types of massage. There is not as much hands-on therapy but the results are very similar to a full body massage.

Before the process began, the massage therapist asked whether I had any old injuries or sore spots on my body that she should be aware of. She also asked if I was very sensitive about having my feet touched. Another question was whether I wanted my face massaged, which I answered yes to.

The massage room I was guided into was dimly lit with unscented candles and indirect lighting. Soft, eastern-style yoga music played in the background. I was instructed to undress and lie on my stomach on a message table when I was ready.

The massage therapist then left the room. The mattress cover was heated and the blankets on top of me were cozy and warm. I was left alone for a few minutes and given a chance to absorb the ambiance.

When she returned, the first thing she did was explain that the treatment would be a completely silent experience except for the music and a couple of instructions she would give to me over the next hour. I was welcome to ask any questions I had of her at any time, if I so wished.

The silence was so wonderful because I work in an extremely busy atmosphere with constant noise around me. I didn’t plan on asking any questions if I could help it and disturbing the silence!

She folded the blankets back to my waist and started by applying warm, unscented oil with her hands to my back and neck. Then she took two stones out of an electric heating container, similar to a large crock-pot. She had already explained the small fieldstones (oval, flat, smooth stones) she would be applying directly to my skin were ones she could hold without burning herself or me. If I found them too hot for my skin I was to let her know.

She began massaging me with the hot stones. She started on the top of my spine, and using a circular motion, she crossed back and forth all the way down my spine to my waist. She repeated the motion. After replacing the cool stones with hotter ones, she continued the circular motions on my neck and shoulders and other parts of my back.

The next thing she did was cover my back up once again with the blanket after removing any excess oil with a towel. She then placed larger, much hotter stones all the way down my spine. The thickness of the blanket protected my skin and she used oven mitts to remove them from the heating container.

Then she uncovered one of my legs and starting at the top of the thigh, she applied oil all the way down my leg to the soul of my foot. Then she once again used the hot stones to massage my leg after which she removed the excess oil with a towel. She repeated the same process on my other leg.

After removing the large stones still on my spine, she asked me to roll over on the massage table. I think she had to wake me first from that feeling of dreamlike rest!

Once again I was lying comfortably under the warm blankets. She folded the blanket to above my breasts and placed large, hot stones all the way down my breastbone to the top of the pubic area. They felt so good! This time she started by oiling first one leg and then the other and finished with the small hot stone treatment.

My shoulders, arms, and hands were next. For some reason, me having my hands massaged by someone is probably the most relaxing experience on my whole body! After massaging with the hot stones, she placed a stone in each hand and then closed my hands around them.

The massage therapist did my face last. It felt so relaxing as she pulled all the tension out of my neck and shoulders. Then she removed the hot stones from my breatbone and finally the small stones in my hands. I was allowed to rest for awhile and instructed to get up when I was ready.

It took another 10 minutes or so before I could bring myself to get off of the table and head back to reality.

I’d certainly recommend this type of massage to anyone!

For more information on massage, check out the link to the author’s other articles on massage.

1. http://www.bukisa.com/articles/284577_6-ways-to-prepare-to-give-the-gift-of-massage

2. http://www.bukisa.com/articles/284576_what-to-expect-when-you-get-your-first-massage