Posts Tagged ‘fitness’

Back Pain Treatment: Massage Chairs Offer Massage Therapy

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people during the course of their lifetime. You may only be experiencing the early stages of back problems. You owe it to yourself to find treatment options now. The best way is to check with your doctor or chiropractor. They can evaluate your situation and advise you on courses of action to take. Back pain treatments range from surgery to natural remedies. Many treatments include massage therapy. Massage therapy can ease aches and pain while inducing relaxation. Massage therapy is best delivered with a professional, but other options do exist. Massage chairs have been developed to provide an effective arsenal of treatments.

There are many possible causes for back pain, but the most common are from lifting, posture, sitting, pregnancy, stress and injury. More traumatic back pain is usually associated with lifting and injury. Usually a sudden sharp pain is felt and the damage is done immediately. Minor back pain, on the other hand, may result from posture, sitting, stress, or even pregnancy. These pains accumulate over a period of time and result in dull, prolonged aches and pains. These can be cumbersome to live with and cause considerable discomfort. Finding out how to help heal these conditions requires a multi-prong approach.

If you recognize that you are suffering from discomfort associated with back pain, get medical attention. Explain what you feel to your chiropractor and come up with a plan of action. Back pain can be debilitating, so waiting does not cure it. Understanding the causes is an important first step to starting the healing process.

Usually one needs to takes some form of corrective action to start to correct the problem causing the back pain. In the case of minor back pain, changes in sitting position may be required. Posture may require holding your shoulders back and not slouching. Stress may require more resting and decompression time. In any event, your doctor or chiropractor can help set you on the right course for treatment. Then the healing process needs to get established.

Part of the healing process may require massage therapy. Although a professional massage therapist is the preferred method for massage therapy, massage chairs have some particular advantages. Massage chairs offer a tremendous variety of massages. You can receive shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, kneading, chopping, compression, and pressing to mention a few. The premier massage chair brands provide full body massages from your head to your feet. Additionally, perhaps the most important advantage may be in home convenience and 24/7 access. Find out what is right for you.

Consult with your doctor or chiropractor and find the best course of action for your particular condition. Do not just continue to live with the pain. Find relief for your back pain. There are many options available today. You owe it to yourself and your family to get the healing process going. Relieving your discomfort can go a long way to changing your outlook on life. Do not wait find out how you can get relief today.

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Swedish And Ayurvedic Massage-Which One is For You?

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Various influences in massage therapy have cropped up leading to the creation of various methods that differ in techniques but offer the same health benefits. The Swedish and Ayurvedic massage both have different origins and use contrasting styles but contribute a lot to achieve a healthy and relaxed body.

With all the various varieties of massage therapy programs available today, it has become truly hard for individuals to choose which one of them.

The Swedish Massage, which is often called the classic or traditional massage. This is the most common massage therapy method and it is what most individuals ordinarily prefer. The long and flowing strokes characterise this method, and it is ideal for loosening muscles, improving joint flexibility and assisting in better circulation.

The first stroke is known as effleurage, this involves a long gliding stroke from the neck down to the base of the spine or from the shoulder down to the fingertips. It is likewise done on the limbs with all strokes directed toward the heart to aid blood and lymphatic flow. A therapist would ordinarily apply there whole hand or a thumb pad to do this.

Next is petrissage that consists of the gentle lifting of muscles up and away from the bones, then rolling and squeezing them, with a gentle pressure. It generally involves rolling, squeezing, or pressing the muscles to enhance deeper circulation. It increases circulation through eliminating toxins from muscle and nerve tissue.

The third technique friction, is the most forceful one and uses deep circular movements using fingertips. it is applied near bony areas and joints, it relaxes the muscle fiber which in turn enhances flexibility in muscles and joints.

After friction, another technique called tapotement is done. Tapotement is a series of quick forceful movements made by striking or tapping the muscles with the hand. It can be applied with a closed fist, fingertips and the edge of the hand. It releases tension and relieves muscle cramps.

Last of all, a therapist will use vibration or shaking, this would normally entail the pressing of hands on the back or limbs and shaking in a vigorous motion for a few moments. Again this is used to improve circulation and is beneficial to people with low-back pain.

On the other hand, Ayurvedic massage originated from India and its aim is to produce harmony and balance within the person and it helps in the removal of toxins and rejuvenation of the body. It was not practiced publicly until Indian practitioners decided to roam around and give muscle, joint and back massages

Ayurvedic massage is based on a particular system that includes the knowledge of Ayurvedic and Greek systems of medicine which is focused on Ayurvedic doshas and marmas or pressure points. Muslim massage techniques were also adapted in this system.

Ayurvedic massage techniques uses specific oils that suit your dosha and depends on your being. Another one is the Abhyanga-Garshana which comprises of skin brushing followed by an oil massage, Udwarthanam which is a slimming massage that uses herbal powders and the Ayurvedic foot massage which is a deep massage where the therapist uses his feet.

Now with sufficient knowledge on both Swedish and Ayurvedic massage, a person has of course the privilege to choose among the two which best suits his/her style of relaxation. But with both massages having specific techniques, the selecting part can be a little tricky though.

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Get A Job In A Massage Therapy Clinic

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

Massage therapy clinics are setting up shop all over the world. They are like mushrooms that have sprouted out of nowhere. But though one would not know where they come from, one certainly has an idea why. Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

The reason for this is people need a way to relax after a hard days work. This is particularly true for people who live in a city where life runs at a faster pace. Another explanation is the large amount of publicity coming from celebrities. Massage therapy is getting to be the latest fad.

This is the reason, that many people are looking at the massage therapy industry for careers. Although the pay is not profitable enough for a lot of people, but the tips can be pretty astounding particularly if you already have a regular list of clients. If you are one of the people who want to have a job in this business, here are three tips on how to land that job.

1. Get some training

Unlike other professional careers, a degree is not compulsory for you to be able to start your job in a massage therapy clinic. Many of the clinics will not even need you to have a college degree, this especially applies to starting employees. But do not take this to mean that you do not have to make any effort to learn your new career. One of the best ways to easily get a massage therapy job, is to get some training.

Remember that in this job, you will not just knead the shoulder blades and back of your clients in the directions that you want. You will also have to follow certain massage techniques. It is a plus point to know even a little of these techniques before you apply for a job.

2. You should visit massage therapy clinics

One of the best ways to get to know this job is to discover first hand what goes on inside these type of clinics. Visit some of them in your free time. Look at their list of the different types of massage that they are offering and then if you can, observe how they do their massages. Check out the movements of their massages and the products that they use on their clients. While there, ask any quires that you have, because its a sure fact that you will have some.

You can use your observations, quires and your education inside the massage therapy clinics during your job interview. Potential employers are are impressed with potential employees, who show an interest in the job, by making such observations.

3. Try asking the massage therapists

Try asking someone who is already working in massage therapy clinic about their experiences. This way, you should know what to anticipate when you are there on the job. Inquire about the hours that they put in and the tips that they get each day, their salary. You could also ask for their lousiest experiences in this job. This will help you determine if the massage therapy industry is the job that you want to get into.

Do not be afraid to ask. Often, they will be more than happy to help you through their insights. You can even ask them if there are any vacancies in their clinics. If you can, leave your number with them so that they can contact you should a vacancy come up. Remember, most of these clinics will not advertise job openings. They would just rely on referrals.

For further free information on Massage Therapy Benefits try visiting Massage Therapy Tips