Archive for February, 2011

Transdermal Magnesium Oil and Its Benefits

There are many ways in which medication and minerals and vitamins can be transported into the body. At the end of the day they all have to get into the bloodstream in order to be effective. Many drugs are not fully absorbed into the body correctly for a variety of reasons. One reason is that metabolic enzymes destroy much of the value that these medications and minerals have for the body. Sometimes substances will bypass the liver and enter the blood via the pulmonary system or the skin.

In the case of transdermal medicine, substances such as magnesium oil are applied to the surface of the skin and then diffuse into the strtum corneum. This is where they build up a reservoir and then diffuse through the stratum corneum. This is when the magnesium oil is metabolized and bound to the receptors. Medical or healing substances that are applied are then transported to the subcutaneous fact, the circulatory system and then systemic absorption is achieved.

There was a case of a women who was in tears due to the pain in her hands from arthritis. She also has pain and cramps in her legs and she happens to be a nurse working in a hospital. Someone suggested that she rub some magnesium oil on the painful areas. Within less than five minutes her fingers started moving normally and the pain began to subside. Not much after that her hands were completely normal and the pain stayed away for a considerable period of time.

With regards to the transdermal application of magnesium oil, there are two factors that affect the effectiveness of this, one is the surface area of the skin and the other is the length of time that the magnesium oil is on the skin. Increasing the concentration of the magnesium oil on the skin will increase its effectiveness. By adding more to the surface of the skin,the penetration into the body is also increased.

It takes time for the magnesium to truly penetrate the body. The longer the magnesium oil is on the skin the better it will penetrate into the bloodstream. It might be better to apply the magnesium oil in regular dosages than doing it once in a twenty four hour period. Applying it three times per day every eight hours will probably be much more effective.

Baby skin is much more permeable than adult skin and therefore will better be able to absorb mixtures. Many people often add a magnesium oil mixture to the bath before bathing. Magnesium oil can be used for eye washes, oral and aerosol. This demonstrates just how versatile this mineral is.

Magnesium oil will be very beneficial for people who are in frail care centers and at the stage of their lives when they are nearer to end of life. Many people of this age have all sorts aches and pains. Care givers can use magnesium oil to massage their hands, back and feet. People at this stage of their lives should be able to see their last days out with peace and dignity. It should be important that these people are able to live as comfortably as possible. Furthermore, these people also need to have help in the way of care givers to aid them with their aches and pains.

All people require palliative care at some stage of their lives. This is the relief of pain for people no matter what stage of life they are in. Hospice care on the other hand is for people who are on their way out. For other people who experience pain for whatever reason, magnesium oil represents a good option for pain relief.

Finding A Good Massage Therapist

Sometimes our body needs a tuneup and massage therapy is a great way to treat several types of ailments. Not all therapists are the same however and you might need to check out a few that offer the right treatment for you. There are many services and treatment options to choose from so some research should be done ahead of time before you commit to someone. Where do you begin. You can check your local phone book, yellow pages directory or the internet for services in your area but often a referral is the best way to seek out a good therapist. Talk to your co-workers, friends and family to see if they can recommend someone in your area.

You need to determine what ailments are you dealing with and can a massage therapist help relieve them. You want to make sure your needs are addressed during a session to get the most effective treatment. Sometimes you have to try out a few places before you find someone you are comfortable with. If you do your research and ask the right questions this might eliminate some of the time and energy checking out multiple massage services. You want to develop a relationship with this person who is going to bring you the relief you need. Some questions you should ask yourself:

Do I need therapy to relieve emotional or physical stress?
What areas do I need the therapist to focus on?
Am I suffering from specific or general aches and pains?
What types of massage are offered?
What do they specialize in?
Is the person licensed for this service?
How much do they charge per session?
What types of experience do they have and how long have they been in business?
Can I receive therapy within my time schedule?

To get the most effective and proper treatment, make sure you are working with a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). These are people licensed and properly trained to practice in this industry. They are recognized by extended health plans and treat multiple types of physical ailments.

Self-Massage – Learn Easy Massage Tips for Muscle Pain Relief

Self-massage is one of the quickest and most affordable solutions to achieve muscle pain relief. The following massage tips are very simple. Anyone can do them. These recommendations can help prevent injuries, improve mobility and alleviate pain.

Although this is safe advice given by a professional registered massage therapist, please discontinue if you experience any pain or consult with your doctor if you have any specific health condition before you try them.

1. Observe and adjust your postural habits: Are your legs crossed when sitting? Do you sit on your wallet? Must you turn your neck to the side to look at your computer screen? Do you do repetitive movements? Do you tend to carry your child on the same side of your body? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you are creating muscle imbalances, which, even though may seem harmless now, are in fact precursors to injuries. Correcting the source is the best way to eliminate pain.

2. Hydrotherapy: To ice or not to ice? That is the question most often asked when it comes to injuries and muscle pain relief. When in doubt, use ice for a maximum of 10 minutes. Ice is normally used to decrease inflammation (an excessive healing reaction that causes pain, redness, swelling and heat), which usually occurs during a sudden accident like an ankle sprain. Heat is only used once there is no more inflammation. Its job is to improve circulation, which promotes healing. It calms the nervous system and decreases chronic muscle tension. 20 minutes is sufficient.

3. Self-massage: Tennis or golf balls are practical tools when you need instant muscle pain relief. You can roll the ball on your neck and shoulder with the palm of the hand to relieve tight neck muscles. By simply placing the ball on the floor you can lay your upper back (the fleshy area between your spine and your shoulder-blade) or your lower back (avoiding the spine) on top of it. Keep your knees bent as you use your legs to control your body rolling over the ball. Another self-massage tip for sciatica is to sit on the ball on a chair using your hands over the armrest for support and pressure control.

4. Stretching: Think of the muscle as an elastic band. It will most likely stretch further and more smoothly when it is warm rather than if it was cold. The same principle applies for a muscle. To stretch tight neck muscles, look straight ahead and bend your neck so that one ear is leaning towards the shoulder on the same side. You may add the weight of your hand and hold for 2 minutes or 30 seconds repeated 4 times. Do the same for the opposite side. This may seem like a long time but it is necessary for muscle memory. Less than 30 seconds is pointless. Another stretch for the hip/buttock and low back area is to sit straightly on a 90 degree angled chair and to cross the right ankle over the left knee or thigh. Place the right hand on the right bent knee and lean forward gradually applying pressure on the knee to increase the stretch. Feel a painless stretch and hold for 2 minutes or 30 seconds repeating 4 times. Do the same for the opposite leg.

Being your own registered massage therapist is more than just giving yourself a massage; it is also about awareness and listening to your body.

Can Massage Benefit Bowel and Bladder Problems? Yes

For over 5 years I have wondered about the potential benefits of massage for bowel & bladder problems. Not just for constipation but for all problems of this nature.

I knew that massage had a well-documented positive aspect on our stress levels and overall well-being. However, research related to bowel & bladder problems was limited. You will certainly find opinion online but I was looking for competent medical research.

We now have that research with the peer-reviewed publication of research from Kristina Lämås, a senior lecturer in the department of nursing at Umeå University, Sweden.

Kristina’s double-blind study involved 60 people with constipation. Half received 15 minutes of abdominal and hand massage a day, five days a week for eight weeks, in addition to prescribed laxatives. The rest received only prescribed laxatives.

The results of the study showed that the group that received abdominal massage used had reduced abdominal pain, increased bowel movements and improved quality of life compared with laxative use alone.
The group also reported that abdominal massage is a pleasant treatment that should be considered in constipation management.

It makes sense that abdominal massage can have benefits for those suffering from constipation. However, could it be useful in the treatment of other bowel & bladder problems?

Certainly, massage has proven itself to be useful in the management of pain or discomfort. It might be worthwhile including a regular massage into your health routine. Especially, as this study shows, massage is a pleasant experience.

All About Massage and Its Benefits

Every day of our lives we are faced with different stresses, from diverse forms and from various circumstances. A strain from hard day’s work, in school, in our homes and up to our relationships with other people is really considered a total stress. Some of us may have learned to deal with it but there are also some who unfortunately failed to manage it. However, there can be times too that we just take it for granted without even knowing how stress affects the whole of us, especially our health. Each of our body systems for all we know, is slowly disturbed by these stresses causing or aggravating then some of the chronic serious diseases that we least expect.

So, how do we manage it then? One good technique and is widely used stress management from all walks of life is the massage. Massage therapy has been proven and tested to relax and relieve our body and mind from all the anxieties and worries we experience in life even just for a few hours of the session. In addition, it is at the same time frequently used in alleviating pain and in mending injuries, especially in sports. Furthermore, digging up to how it really works for our health, the use of a message has indeed helped in improving problems with high blood pressure, muscle spasms, cramps and atrophy and in some cases, increasing the number of cancer fighting cells in our body by stimulating flow of our lymphatic system.

In a broader sense, massage therapists do the procedures like pressing, rubbing and manipulating the muscles and some soft tissues in the parts of our body. They usually use their fingers and hands, and in some, their elbows, forearms and even their feet in performing the different body strokes and movements. The term massage covers various methods and ways in order to serve us its purpose well. Some examples of this therapy include acupressure, shiatsu, Thai, deep tissue and Swedish massage which vary in some ways. Moreover, the use of some equipments also aid in this relaxing procedure and new trends now encompass massage chairs aside from having to use oils and rocks. There are many available massage chairs to choose in the market today such as robotic massage chairs and the Panasonic massage chairs. These two are of good benefit most especially in neck and back pains. These are indeed stress busters.

The power of massage therapy has been beneficial for years now. Aside from it, this is one of the most readily available and easily performed techniques to reduce stress and keep us relaxed. However, upon doing this practice, it should be taken careful consideration as there are cases in which a massage is highly contraindicated. Right knowledge and the proper skills and expertise must go together in performing massage to provide its therapeutic effect well. The healing power that this therapy has is considered by many a great alternative measure in undertaking the harmful results of our everyday hassles in life.

Why Human Touch Is Much Like Self-Massage?

How do we show ourselves and each other that we really love and care for one another? It is known as touch and the art of touch is self-massage. Studies show that without self-massage or massage, we humans will become ill; for babies they will lose weight, have a hard time growing up healthy, and will have a hard time developing healthy relationships with themselves and others. This touch can be from a loving caring parent, taker, sibling or any other person who is looking after the baby. As adults, without the tender caring touch, the body’s immune systems become compromised and we will also become ill, depressed, confused and the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies start to break down.

Self-massage or massage is not just a touch; it is a way of showing love, caring, healing, and appreciation for yourself and others. A lot of us think that when we use the word “touch” it means sexual, but that is far from the truth. Without self-massage or massage we cannot become the healthy, happy and loving human being we should be. Self-massage or massage is touch with a healing twist to it. For many humans without family, friends, or partners, there is always a way of having the greatest healing art of touch and this is though self-massage or massage. When we give our own self a massage, the body, mind and soul take a big breath of fresh air, helping to maintain, and prevent illness.
Learning self-massage or, as a partner, or just a friend, giving massage, what great gift to give someone you love or really care for!

All it takes is to learn some simple techniques that can be used on oneself or shared with someone you care for. This is also a wonderful way to get to know your own body. If self-massage or massage feels good to you, you will let a friend, family or partner know just how good it made you feel and they might want to try it too!

Here are the five major techniques that to first learn how to do safely. Effleurage (long strokes); Kneading (lifting, squeezing, along with rolling); Vibration (quick movement of skin); Friction (pressure on skin) and last but not least, Fanning (gentle, soft finishing stroke). Once you have learned, practiced, and experienced these strokes you can share, teach and pass on this life changing gift of touch; “Self-Massage!”

Benefits of Using Stationary Massage Tables

Stationary Massage Tables, ones which are not moved around or carried around like portable ones, have some distinct advantages that portable massage tables don’t have. However, not all massage therapists can work with stationary tables. Space is the deciding factor when it comes to choosing a particular type of massage table. If you have a spare room in your home that will only be used for your massage therapy practice, or if you are renting space in an office suite, spa, or health center where your table doesn’t have to be put away every night then a stationary table would be a good investment.

These tables can cost more than portable tables, sometimes a lot more, but they are a better investment because usually they will last longer. There are some other advantages that these types of tables have too, if you can afford them. Some of the biggest advantages of stationary tables are:

Sturdier Construction

Because these tables are not made to be light or portable they are generally made of sturdier materials and can hold more weight. They are also usually more comfortable for clients. With a stationary table you won’t have to worry about your clients being uncomfortable. Stationary tables are usually made of wood with heavy duty upholstery for comfort. Your clients can really stretch out and get comfortable on these tables.

Longer Lasting

Because Stationary Massage Tables are built from sturdier materials than most portable tables they last much longer than portable tables last. Even though you may pay more up front for a stationary table over time the cost will be minimal because you won’t have to replace that table for a long time. Spending the start up money that you have on stationary tables is a good investment because they will hold their value over a long period of time. You can even resell them when you have the funds to get new tables.

Easier To Store

Because they don’t get folded up and put away Stationary Massage Tables are easy to store. Throw an old sheet or blanket over them to make sure that no dust gets into the table and to prevent the upholstery from fading and the table will be fine. You can push it out of the way if it’s sitting in a room of your home that you use after you’re done with massages as long as it’s covered so that it doesn’t get any dings or nicks.

Various Techniques of Massages for Children

When using various techniques of massages for children it is wise to use an essential oil. Children with chronic inflammation can benefit from the oils as they have anti-inflammatory properties in them. These essential oils can reduce the chronic inflammation and may even get rid of them altogether.

Major illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, etc., have been known to be the root cause of these major illnesses.

When using essential oils on a child you can have the child inhale the oils, apply them onto the child as you massage him or her. A great place to rub the essential oils is in the feet as this area will carry the oils throughout the entire body. You can even find essential oils that are ingestible. Make sure you read the label carefully so you know if it is to be used internally. If the oil is only to be used externally- do not ingest it.

One of the various techniques of massages for children includes Swedish massage. When performing this type of massage on your child, you will use soothing, tapping and kneading strokes. By using these techniques on the entire body you will relieve muscle tension and loosen sore joints.

There are five basic strokes you can use when massaging your child. They are:

Strokes
Petrissage where you will lightly grab and lift the certain area.
Friction where you will use your thumbs and fingertips to work deep circles into the thickest part of your child’s muscles.
Tapotement which is chopping, beating and tapping strokes on your child.
Lastly you will use vibration where your fingers are pressed or flattened very firmly on your child’s muscle and then you shake the area rapidly just for a few seconds.

Another one of the various techniques of massages for children include neuromuscular massage. This is a form of DTM or deep tissue massage that is applied to your child’s individual muscles. Neuromuscular massage is used to help increase blood flow, reduce pain and release pressure on nerves that are caused by injuries to muscles and other soft tissue. You will release trigger points in your child when using this type of massage technique. This type of massage will also get rid of intense knots of tense muscles that can also refer pain to other parts of your child’s body. For example, if you relieve a tense trigger point in your child’s back, your child may no longer have or have reduced pain in his or her leg.

Another type of various techniques of massages for children includes deep tissue massage. When performing deep tissue massage you will help to get rid of the tension in your child’s muscles. You will use slow strokes, direct pressure or friction movements that go across the grain of your child’s muscles. You will use your fingers, thumbs and even your elbows to apply the pressure that is needed to get rid of your child’s tension.

Therapeutic Massage Overview

Therapeutic massage has the ability to make people feel relaxed and relieved after a session. The origins of massage can be dated back to 2700 BC where it was discovered to be used in several ancient cultures. The Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, Greeks and Indians all were documented using this type of massage. Hippocrates was also noted as writing about its benefits in the 5th century. Even with this rich history, not many people nowadays understand the beneficial effects of this process. It is used for healing, pain relief or control and helps each person’s overall wellness.

Therapeutic massages can be done in various ways. For instance, a deep tissue massage can highly alleviate the pain in several areas of the body, boost a person’s immune system, strengthen weak muscles, improve circulation, lessen depression, relieve tension and increase flexibility. There are also various other benefits associated with therapeutic massage but all can be summed up to increasing energy and eliminating fatigue.

There are a number of different methods within therapeutic massage, These methods or techniques include point pressure, kneading, distributed pressure, fixed pressure and moving pressure just to name a few. Professional massage therapists often use their hands, forearms, elbows, feet and knees to administer a massage. They may also use a special device or machine to assist during a massage session. Devices are commonly small hand held machines which provide percussion on various areas of the body and help to give a deeper tissue massage. Machine-assisted therapeutic massages are usually faster than manual massages and will cause less fatigue for the massage therapist.

It is most commonly known as a natural method of pain relief. During a massage endorphins are released which act as a pain killing agent. Endorphins are essentially a powerful natural drug which dulls pain and relaxes the mind. Additionally, therapeutic massage is able to loosen tight muscles by improving blood circulation throughout the body.

The lymph system is also positively affected in this massage. The lymph system is what feeds the cells of the body with nutrients and rids it of waste products. When a person experiences tight, aching and sore muscles this is often because the lymph system is starved of nutrients and oxygen. Essentially, this tightness in the muscles prevents the lymph system from working properly. It helps to dilate blood vessels which loosen muscles. This results in the lymph system restoring itself and successfully resuming the passing of nutrients and elimination of waste.

Healing is one very popular result of therapeutic massage and is a very common practice today amongst athletes and similarly physical individuals. Sore, injured and weak muscles will have a very negative effect in the long run on the body and it is important to continuously take care of and relieve the stress in these areas. Therapeutic massage is used to help relieve the pain encountered by physically active individuals. Overall, therapeutic massage is an old and ancient concept but is a beneficial need in this day and age.

The Benefits of Massage Loungers

The massage lounger, or the automatic massage chair as it is also known, represents a very accessible and convenient way for body massage. This product just provides amazing stress relief, improving the blood circulation and relaxing your muscles successfully. It is an amazing and easy way to get a quality massage in the coziness of your home. Why go out and pay for massage services when you can just enjoy them in the privacy of your personal home? You will also be able to save a great deal of money by using an automatic massage chair.

The massage loungers work using a number of electrical gears and motors. These pieces are used to massage the chair occupier. The automatic chairs usually come with a number of settings that you can enable or disable. These settings include speed, intensity or different massage presets. You can find chairs that have more options, but these are usually much more expensive. The price often times determines the quality when it comes to these products. There is no reason to go out and buy the most expensive one, customers have reported that the basic chairs do a great job and offer high satisfaction. If you want your massage chair to feature vibrations in localized spots and vibration intensities, then you need to buy a more expensive one.

The automatic massage chairs is a great way to relieve tension and stress. Everyone wants a device that can successfully relax them when they get home from a stressful day at work. This massage chair is the perfect solution for your problems, thanks to its amazing features and benefits. By using it you will not only be far more relaxed than you used to be, but you will also help to brighten your mood and improve your immune system.

Our lives are becoming more and more agitated. We work for longer hours than we used to and are much more open to distractions, thanks to the mobile phone technology. We can now be contacted at any time, no matter the place, no matter if we’re home or at work. Family, friends and coworkers will most certainly distract us during the day, reducing our stress managing ability lower and lower as fatigue starts to set in. Sometimes, we also find that sleep isn’t enough to fill our batteries for the next day. In such cases, the automatic massage chair is highly recommended.