Get A Massage Early And Often

I think that it is safe to say that professional massage has reached mainstream status. As of last year's statistics, 37% of people in the United States have received a professional massage. The real question to ask is not whether you should get one, but what one can do for you?

When you think of getting a massage, the last thing that should be on your mind is stress. In fact it should be just the opposite. 45% of people who received a massage did so specifically to reduce stress in their life. People sometimes get the idea that massage is self indulgent or only for the wealthy to relieve their perceived stress and tension. Yet, with stress at epidemic proportions in today's lifestyle, this therapy is neither self indulgent nor just the domain of the rich and famous. Look over your life and chances are you will see times that are more stressful than others. Maybe you have end of month reports to get out. Do the holidays stress you out? Are there times when your hormones make life miserable? Massage can be a great way to head these off.

30% of those who got a massage did so to rehab a physical injury. Many of these were referred by their doctor. Both traditional and alternative medical practitioners know that massage therapists are well skilled in relieving pain and restoring flexibility. When first starting out, it is often good to have a massage once a week. This frequency allows the tissue to change and improve without overworking the area. Typically the sooner a muscle issue is addressed the quicker this improvement will occur. Putting it off can limit improvement and or lengthen the time it takes to achieve. As changes occur the frequency can decrease.

More than just rehab, massage can also support your sports activity levels. 66% of massage clients also sought relief for muscle stiffness and soreness. It is a fine line between performing at your optimal level and pushing just a bit beyond. Instead of laying off after a particularly challenging training session, massage can allow you to maintain that higher level and see faster improvement. Generally massage as you prepare for an event works best on a weekly or every other week timing. The harder the training the closer together the massages should be.

One of the most telling statistics is satisfaction. Of the people who have had massages, 75% were very satisfied (8 or higher on a scale of 1-10). It is no surprise then that 70% of people get massages to maintain the benefits they have already discovered. Relaxation and restoration are great reasons for getting a massage. Schedule a monthly massage to maintain your improved posture, you good health and as an encouragement to strive toward your next health goal. You will be in very good company!

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Massage Therapy - Great for Tension Headaches!

There are not many experiences that feel better than a massage with a professional massage therapist! And because of the growing awareness of massage as a registered health care profession, more than likely you probably are already aware of some of the amazing health benefits. Some of these exceptionally helpful benefits include relief from:

• anxiety and depression
• back, leg and neck pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• edema
• insomnia
• athletic injury
• asthma
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• fibromyalgia
• and of course, headaches!

And if you suffer from headaches, you might agree that a massage can do wonders for this type of pain, especially when it's caused by tension. A tension headache (aka tension-type headache) is the most common type of headache, and can start in your shoulders, the back of your neck, behind your eyes, or even in other muscle groups in your body. Tension headaches can appear occasionally, or frequently - even daily. The severity of these types of headaches will vary, and is usually throbbing and present in the front, top, or sides of your head. These types of headaches are usually on both sides of your head, and do not affect your vision, balance or strength. The causes of tension headaches can be any or a variety of the following:

• stress, depression or anxiety
• sleep issues
• poor posture
• poor diet
• vision problems
• teeth grinding
• overexertion

Massage therapy is excellent for treating tension headaches when they are connected to muscular issues, which most tension headaches are. The muscles usually involved with tension headaches may include your trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, and scalenes (i.e. neck and shoulder muscles), or possibly your temporalis muscle (used for chewing and covering most of your temporal bone on the side of your head), or even your orbicularis oculi muscle (whose action is to close your eye, and is very easy to massage).

Massage is excellent for pain and discomfort associated with tension-type headaches. By applying professional massage techniques such as pressure, movement, and stretching, your therapist helps to relax your muscles and make you more comfortable. For tension headaches, they may need to do more deep-tissue massage, which further helps improve circulation and reduces the pain and tension in your muscles. The improved circulation helps reduce inflammation, which often occurs in muscles that are irritated and causing you pain. Massage can also help to release endorphins, the 'feel good' chemicals in your brain that lower stress levels and help you relax.

If you are experiencing frequent headaches and are concerned, see your doctor to rule out a more serious condition. Once determined that your headaches are likely to be muscle-related, seeking out the help of a registered massage therapist is the next smart step to take.

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The Benefits of Couples Massage

Have you ever thought about getting a massage with your significant other? If you haven't, you should definitely consider the idea. Couple's massages are very popular right now and offered at different spas. Receiving a relaxing massage while having your partner by your side can be a wonderful experience that you will never forget about. Here are some of the benefits of couple's massages that you should know about.

Save Money

One of the greatest benefits of getting a massage with your significant other is that you will save some money. Many spas offer discounts to couples who book their massages together. For instance, if the typical cost of a one-hour massage is $70, you may only have to pay $110 to get a massage with your partner. It definitely is a wise idea to book this spa treatment together.

Bonding

Getting a massage together will give the two of you a chance to bond and get closer. There is nothing more romantic than talking to your loved one while receiving a relaxing massage. As a professional is giving you a massage, you can catch up with your partner and ask how he has been. This is especially beneficial for couples who work long hours and do not always get to see each other.

Ease Nerves

If you have not gotten a massage before, you might feel a little nervous. The idea of taking off your clothes and being touched by a complete stranger can make anyone uneasy. If you have your significant other by your side, you will not feel so nervous. Having him right next to you will make you feel a lot more comfortable. If you feel a little nervous before the massage, talk to your partner about it.

Share in Relaxation

The only thing more relaxing and pleasing than getting a massage is sharing it with someone you love. You can spread the relaxation with your significant other and feel very good about it. You will be happy knowing that the massage will help ease his tension and make him feel less stressed out.

Romance

Getting a massage with your partner can be very romantic, especially if you are on a weekend getaway. After the two of you get done with a massage, you can go back to your hotel room and rekindle your romance. There are some spas that offer extras during a massage including chocolate, wine and roses, which can make the atmosphere even more romantic. Make sure to take advantage of these extras.

As you can see, it is completely worth it to get a massage with your partner. During the massage, you can relax and bond with one another. Do not wait any longer to experience these great benefits and book your couples massage today. At the end of the session, you will feel like a million bucks and feel closer to your significant other. Whether you book a massage on vacation or at a spa a few minutes away from your home, you will enjoy yourself.

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Day Spa Massage Services

A day spa usually offers several types of services to its customers according to their needs and preferences. Many of the services that are offered by these establishments are focused on improving the beauty and relaxed state of the customer. There are many different ways to achieve beauty and relaxation, but the most effective is being in a relaxed and comfortable state of mind. To achieve this, the customer can initially have a massage done before anything else. There are different types of massages around the world that can work wonders and the more popular and effective ones are usually available in the facility.

One of the more popular kinds of massage therapy that can be offered in a day spa is the Swedish massage. This kind involves longer and smoother strokes of the hands with the use of either a kind of oil or lotion. The lubricant is necessary to prevent friction, making the strokes smoother and less uncomfortable. The therapist will also use a kneading and circular motion to promote the wellbeing and relaxation of the individual. Basically, it is a gentle and soothing therapy that can invoke a sense of calm and relaxation in the individual. Many people prefer this relaxing massage over others because they can sleep and have the rest that they crave. In many cases, the oil or lotion that is used by the therapist may be aromatherapy to help the person be more relaxed and stress free for the duration of the service.

Another popular form of this service is the hot stone massage. This type involves the use of several smooth and flat stones that are heated to the correct temperature and then placed in strategic places over the person's body. These warm, flat stones are expected to help loosen tight and stressed muscles as well as help to even out the centers of energy of the body. The day spa therapists will combine another form of massage with the application of the hot stones in order to achieve the best possible results for the customer. The stones can also be moved around as well as held in the hand of the therapist and used during the actual massage for better results. Many customers find the heat from the stones comforting and very relaxing.
Shiatsu is the type of therapy that utilizes the fingers of the masseuse to improve the blood flow of the customer. Firm but relaxing pressure is used on pressure points all over the body. There is no need to use any form of lubricant for this kind of therapy.

Deep tissue massage is focused on penetrating through the body to reach the affected muscles and tissues of the customer. To do this, the therapist utilizes shorter movements and even against-the-grain strokes for friction therapy. This particular massage is effective for individuals who suffer from chronic pain, constantly tight muscles, or may be recovering from injuries as well as problems with one's posture.

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