Posts Tagged ‘sports’

Are There Benefits To A Painful Massage?

July 2nd, 2010

As the owner and operator of several massage and wellness centers in Tucson, Arizona I am frequently asked many questions about different treatment modalities. Should I feel like this? What is the best treatment for _____. And many others.

The most frequently asked question is, “Does it or should it hurt?”

There is a belief out there that massage should hurt because without the pain there aren’t any therapeutic benefits. There is a contrary belief out there that suggests massage should never hurt and if you are sore after a massage it is the result of a bad therapist. It is my professional conclusion that both of these premises are extreme and therefore false.

Let’s start by defining what “hurt” really means.

A massage therapists’ primary objective is to help alleviate soft tissue problems. This can be an uncomfortable process for many reasons. One important consideration to always look at is if there is already damage to the area in question. Or is there a chronic repetitive movement pattern that is simply over working and fatiguing the muscles causing pain.

It doesn’t matter what the problem is. Any discomfort or “hurt” experienced by the client should be easily breathed through during the therapeutic process.

For example, on a pain scale of 1-10 (ten being excruciating) the “hurt” or pain that you feel from the massage should never be more then a 7 or 8. You should be able to take a deep breath and relax with the pressure helping the muscle to also relax and release the spasm. If you find yourself tensing, or unable to take a breath then the pressure is too much and you should ask the therapist to lighten up if they have not already done so.

Another common question is should people be sore after their massage. Quick answer is sometimes. It is important to note that the soreness should not be acute pain, but more like the discomfort from a good work out or a hard day’s work.

When you get a deep tissue massage, the therapist is separating muscle layers, milking metabolic waste out from between the layers and sometimes breaking up adhesions or scar tissue. These types of sessions may leave you sore, but then after 1-2 days (on rare occasions 3 days) you should feel great and that problem area should feel much better. You may see that you have an increase in your range of motion, reduction of pain or increased muscle stamina, depending of course on what the problem was in the first place.

Massage therapy is like dancing on the edge of the good pain and the bad at times, it is a very thin line.

If you live in Tucson, Arizona visit Peaceful Spirit and discover how massage will improve your health and over all well-being. There you will discover the many benefits of therapeutic massage.

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Activities That Could Somehow Better Up Your Mood

June 13th, 2010

While people with serious conditions such as depression or anxiety require the aid of a doctor and sometimes medications, there are ways for those of us with mild mood problems to mitigate the negative feelings we have. Here are a few all-natural ways to improve your moods.

Religious Services: A study has shown that attending religious services can have a positive effect on mood. Those who entered the services feeling low came out in a better mood, and the effect was even more pronounced in people who attended services regularly. The study didn’t compare the different types of services; all services were found to have the same positive effects on mood.

Looking at Family Photos: Take a look at some old photo albums and not only will you remember the good times of the past, but you’ll be in a better mood as well. Many of us also have hours of home video from the old days that can help put us in a better mood.

Saying “Thank You:” We’ve all heard countless times that we should count our blessings. It’s an old proverb for a reason: saying thanks helps us appreciate the good that other people do for us. And getting a smile in return is an even better mood-booster.

Clean Your Living Space: When our environments are cluttered and disorganized, we feel the same way about our lives. It can be hard to get a hold on things when you’re constantly dealing with the clutter, so do yourself a favor and straighten things out.

Get Out in the Sun: Most of us have heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This condition affects us during the winter months when there’s little sunlight and our moods deteriorate as a result. Get as much sun as you can if you find that your moods are affected by the winter months. There are also some forms of light therapy that can be helpful if used correctly.

Exercising: It may not be what you want to hear, but exercising is always a great way to improve mood. Being active causes our bodies to produce the hormone called endorphin – the substance that’s responsible “runner’s high.” Exercising boosts our moods by causing our brains to release this pleasure hormone.

Drink Some Herbal Tea: More than just a way to warm up on a cold night, a cup of chamomile tea can also impart mood-enhancing benefits that relax your nerves. Try adding some lavender, jasmine, or passionflower for a little extra something to help you relax.

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5 Best Massage Therapies in Todays Massage Chairs

May 5th, 2010

For centuries man has had to deal with pain relief. Many different massage techniques have evolved through time. Some follow stick traditions while others are interpreted more loosely. The key is to find the right health therapy to target particular issues you may have. These massage techniques have ways of relieving your discomfort and pain depending on where it resides. Here are the 5 best massage therapies for overall relief.

Junetsu Massage: The Junetsu is a variation of kneading massage. Typical kneading action in a recliner is working side to side. Usually this is done in a horizontal plain while seated. Junetsu is a technique using small circles. These circular motions are then used with firm pressure to penetrate deeply. The literal translation of Junetsu is ultra-fine kneading. This is technique is perfect for getting out those knots in your back. It penetrates deeply into the muscle tissue or reverberates through to the bones.

Finger Press Massage: The finger press or rolling massage is and up and down movement. The finger press targets the spine. The massage rollers move up and down the spine. As it moves, it relieves the built up pressure on the cervical disks. The cervical disks can compress. The finger press massage applies firm pressure which releases the pressure as it is gently stretched. Different widths can be set depending on your body type with the rolling massage.

Deep Tissue Massage: Many massage therapies target the superficial layers of the muscles. Deep tissue massage targets deeply into the muscles. Deep tissue is used to break down scar tissue and reduce crystallization of tendons and muscles. Deep tissue stretches and elongates the muscles to restore their elasticity. Massage chairs have developed programs that start more superficially and then start to penetrate more deeply to relieve sore aching muscles.

Reflexology Massage: Reflexology uses certain areas of the feet and hands to help to relax major body organs. When the body comes under stress, it mobilizes the hands and feet for action. The major organs support the hands and feet. Reflexology massage seeks to reverse the tension to relieve it and the major organs. The Sanyo massage chair has incorporated the use of reflexology points to stimulate relaxation in the major organs. The Sanyo chair uses an air compression system to gentle squeeze the feet and then has reflexology nodes to induce full body relaxation.

Sports Massage: Sports massage is a combination of the use of long flowing strokes like the Swedish massage technique and the acupressure points of the Shiatsu massage technique. Sports massage is designed for athletes who perform vigorous exercise. Many massage chairs already have the technology to perform sports massage and simply developed software programs to deliver them. The sports massage helps to reduce soreness and increase healing of muscles.

Here are the top 5 health therapies to help relieve your ailments. Many of these techniques have been honed through time, while others are derivatives of the main ones. The key is targeting your areas for relief and finding the right health therapies. The massage therapy needs to be performed to relieve discomfort and bring relaxation. Many massage therapies are effectively performed in the best massage chair recliner brands.

Get massage therapy on a continuous basis with the Best Massage Chairs for massage therapy. These recliners deliver effective massage therapy for your well being and to relieve your aches and pains. Check out our library of Massage Chair Reviews for your perusal.

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Shiatsu Massage Has Many Benefits For You

April 23rd, 2010

Shiatsu is one of the oldest forms of massage therapy. Although, it is a distinctly Japanese massage therapy, its roots can be traced back to China. The basis of shiatsu is using acupressure points. Shiatsu views the body holistically. According to these principles, energy is thought to flow through the body. This massage therapy detects blockages of energy flow and seeks to release these blockages in the body.

There are some similarities between shiatsu and acupressure. The difference mainly lies in the placement of the massage. Acupressure is mainly performed over the acu-pressure point. In the case of shiatsu, the massage will extend over a greater range and extend beyond just the acupoints.

Shiatsu also involves the stretching and manipulating of different muscles and soft tissue areas. The typical movements in shiatsu massage are using increasing pressure in a rhythmic pattern. Holding pressure is also used with the hands and a gradual pressure release.

When the body comes under pressure, it can start a chain of events which leads to muscle stiffness and tension. In ancient Oriental medicine, there is strong believf in a life force which circulates through the body. Many natural treatments are used to restore the balance of this energy in the body.

Practitioners of shiatsu are able to locate blockages of energy in the body. They then concentrate on releasing this energy to restore balance. When the energy is upset, it is believed that it is the cause of a variety of health-related problems. Shiatsu is designed to bring the body back into balance and restore health.

Shiatsu uses a compression or holding massage. This is simply using the hands to hold around a given muscle or part of the body. Hands provide both touch and warm. This gentle squeeze it is done to initiate the healing process in the body.

Shiatsu has modernized with the times. Traditional shiatsu is very specific in its application. Many modern practitioners also include other types of movements such as vibration, grasping, and shaking. These have been integrated with many of the traditional practices.

There are many massage techniques which are being discover in many remote villages. More and more of these massage techniques are being brought to light. Shiatsu massage is commonly practiced throughout the world. We shall see how other massage techniques continue to be integrated with others.

Shiatsu is been commonly used by massage practitioners around the world. It has become an alternative form of therapy under traditional medicine. It is fairly common to find shiatsu as one of the specialties of masseuses in different parts of the world.

Technology is also having an impact on shiatsu massage therapy. Massage chairs are being programmed to perform different aspects of shiatsu massage. These shiatsu massage chairs can perform many of the same elements of shiatsu. The mechanical replication of hand movements is quite extraordinary.

Shiatsu massage is quite an invigorating massage to obtain. You will definitely understand major relationships in your body. The tenseness and tightness of muscles will be found out quickly. The treatment to those areas to unblock energy is central to shiatsu philosophy. There are many subtle elements constituting shiatsu massage therapy.

The amazing variety of subtle relationships that combine to make shiatsu massage is very interesting. The use of acupressure points and soothing major muscle groups provides for a very effective in relieving massage. The popularity of shiatsu is a testament to its restorative potential.

Find out more information regarding Shiatsu Massage Chairs and a wide range of articles. Try a Shiatsu massage chair to soothe and relieve the tension in your body. Omega brings you the best quality and the strongest massage for years of trouble-free enjoyment.

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Work Life Balance And Yoga

February 18th, 2010

Work Existence Harmony and Yoga exercises

After a upturn of attention during the consciousness-conscious ’60s, yoga began to fallout of favour. Exercisers evidently lost patience with the exercise, which offers slow but constant results, and turned towards the fast pace and quick shape-up associated with aerobic exercise. Now yoga exercises is back-less mystical than within the past, less reminiscent of gurus in pretzel positions, and a lot more appealing than ever to individuals who’re thinking about working out rather than working towards some non secular goal.

When you step out of the metaphysical environment, yoga exercises is a excellent stretch and overall flexibility program. Yoga is increasingly becoming used by those who are having a trouble in controlling their work and personal existence. A tense working environment plus a hectic plan has a telling effect on the personal lifestyles from the modern day executives and so they tend to be turning to yoga exercises in order to bring about a serenity of their thoughts and to adopt a perfect work-life balance.

Also, many disgruntled athletes, weight coaches and cardiovascular dancers complain that rather than reducing the tension in their lives, their exercise regimes add a lot more.

Individuals rush to work out every single day at lunch, pressure themselves to keep up and then hurried to work. Certainly, it does some thing great for them, but it’s simply another stress. Yoga is much less competitive, less stressful, and above all gives a great feeling associated with being.

Indeed, the actual healing aspect associated with yoga exercises is a key to it’s renewed popularity. The strained knees, aching backs as well as neck aches and pains generated by the push for health and fitness and the stress of making it in a competitive world have inspired a packaged set of a book and audio cassettes. A few orthopedic surgeons, chiropractic specialists as well as neurologists have become referring patients to specific yogis throughout treatment.

Developing interest in the mind-body connection is fueling a major comeback of the ancient practice, boosted by research indicating it can decrease stress as well as blood pressure, improve work performance, even slow results of aging.

Several methods are now being taught in mainstream private hospitals and companies; books about them are brisk sellers as well as discussion groups have sprung up on the internet.

Even the Army has an interest – it’s asked the National Academy of Sciences to review yoga and other modern techniques that may enhance soldiers’ efficiency.

Details differ, but a common theme is relaxing the body whilst maintaining the thoughts alert and targeted – on an object, sound, breath or physique movement. If your thoughts wanders – and it usually does – you gently bring it back and begin once again

Stress-related problems take into account Sixty Percent to 90percent of U.S. physician trips, and mind/body methods often are more efficient, and cost-effective, than medicines or surgical treatment. For example, 34percent of infertile patients get pregnant within 6 months, 70percent of insomniacs turn out to be normal sleepers and doctor visits for pain are reduced 36percent.

Want to find out more about The Power of Now, then visit John Stevenson’s site on Body & Soul.

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