| If you live a busy lifestyle, massage therapy can | | | | temperatures are placed on the body according |
| be extremely beneficial in alleviating the day to | | | | to the individuals needs and when used with |
| day stresses that we all encounter from time to | | | | massage, can provide excellent benefits that are |
| time. Massage therapy aids mental relaxation as | | | | not possible through normal massage. Typically, |
| well as reducing the symptoms of back and neck | | | | the heated stones allow for a much deeper |
| pain. | | | | massage while the cold stones are used to |
| Countless people enjoy receiving a massage on a | | | | reduce inflammation and to decrease blood from |
| regular basis because it relieves tenderness and | | | | swollen areas. The practice of using hot and cold |
| revitalizes your body and mind leaving you feeling | | | | stones together has been long practiced and can |
| refreshed and relaxed. Additionally, massage | | | | improve the circulatory system while assisting the |
| therapy can improve your immune system; | | | | body with self-healing. |
| reduce headache pain, increase joint & muscle | | | | Sports Massage |
| mobility and aid in the healing of injuries. | | | | A sports massage can often be quite strenuous |
| Many people claim that massage therapy relieves | | | | and is intended to prevent and relieve injuries and |
| these problems where traditional medicine does | | | | conditions that are linked with sport and exercise. |
| not work. Naturally, you should always talk to | | | | Typically, a sports massage is conducted before, |
| your doctor about alternative therapy options like | | | | during, or after vigorous exercise however a |
| massage before proceeding. | | | | sports massage can also be beneficial for more |
| Massage is used to treat a wide variety of | | | | passive exercise like walking. A sports massage is |
| complaints including: | | | | designed to increase endurance and performance, |
| 1. Muscular aches and pains | | | | to minimize the possibility of injury. If you do |
| 2. Headaches & migraines | | | | suffer an injury, a sports massage will help reduce |
| 3. Sleep disorders - insomnia | | | | your recovery time. |
| 4. Nervous tension - anxiety | | | | Pregnancy Massage |
| 5. Depression - sadness | | | | Specially trained practitioners generally use a |
| 6. Arthritis | | | | combination of Swedish and Remedial techniques |
| 7. Eating disorders | | | | to aid and reduce tension and pain associated with |
| 8. Sports injuries | | | | pregnancy. A great deal of care must be taken |
| 9. Numerous other complaints | | | | and should only be practiced by a qualified |
| There are many different types of massage and | | | | professional however it is widely believed that |
| each one tends to focus on specific parts of the | | | | regular massage throughout the pregnancy can |
| body. | | | | reduce labor time and assist in the return to |
| For example: | | | | optimum fitness after birth. |
| Deep Tissue Massage | | | | There are many more 'styles' of massage |
| Deep tissue massage, as the name suggests, | | | | including Swedish massage for relaxation, |
| targets the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It is | | | | Cranio-Sacral massage that focuses on your neck, |
| intended to penetrate the deep sections of thick | | | | head, and spine, as well as acupressure, |
| muscles, releasing toxins and tension. You may | | | | reflexology, Reiki, and Shiatsu techniques. |
| experience some soreness after a deep tissue | | | | A professional masseuse will commonly practice |
| massage but this usually disappears after a day | | | | two or more of these. |
| or two. | | | | Massage sessions typically take 30 minutes to an |
| Stone Therapy - thermotherapy | | | | hour, depending on the whether you are receiving |
| Stone therapy massage makes use of both hot | | | | a massage that is targeting a specific area or |
| and cold stones in order to bring about a feeling | | | | whether you are getting a whole body massage. |
| of deep relaxation and wellbeing. The hot stones | | | | It is always a good idea to do a little research to |
| are customarily volcanic rocks like basalt and cold | | | | find out which massage technique best suits your |
| stones are typically marble or similar. The stones, | | | | particular needs. If in doubt, consult your medical |
| which are heated or chilled to varying | | | | practitioner or a qualified massage therapist. |