Understanding | Massage Therapy

We've all heard of massage and many of us have even experienced it, in one form or another. By a masseuse who happened to be an amature, loved one or professional. If the person knew what they were doing, you came away feeling like a million bucks. But what is massage, really!

Massage or massage therapy as it has come to be known in our time, began with the ancient Egyptians, then the Greeks and finally the Romans. Yes these ancient cultures used massage therapy for both healing and pleasure. The science of massage therapy had also spread to other early cultures such as India, China and Japan. The last three went further by integrating it to form an integral part of their systems of medicine and healing.

Massage is the organized form of touch. It is performed by the hands, elbows and forearms gliding over the skin and applying pressure to the underlying muscles by a system of movements. These movements involve stroking, rubbing, pressing and kneading. Massage is not a panacea, but can greatly aid in the normal functions of the body and restore balance as well.

How Massage Works

Massage works by the body responding to the various touch techniques given to it. These touch techniques causes the body to engage in there normal functions. Massage itself, acts like a natural stimuli for the body to respond with positive effects in many different ways. Some of these therapeutic effects are, stimulating the circulation of the blood and lymph, loosening of muscular tension, toning and firming the muscles.

When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone. The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles. Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions.

Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Because the appearance of the skin, is usually a good indicator of a persons inner condition. In reference to muscles, massage therapy has a good effect on the fibrous tissue surrounding the joints.

The effects of massage upon the autonomic nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin, signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. When a person is relaxed, abdominal breathing becomes more natural. I can assure you, your abdominal organs appreciate this. It's quite clear that the nervous system plays a crucial role in massage therapy. It's also responsible for the vascular system, since it controls it. A decrease in efficient drainage and supply of blood, is caused by a reduction of vascular.

Massage works by reducing stress, managing the body's waste products, fostering normal bodily functions, providing a sense of well being and boosting mental health.

The Logic of Massage

The gradual development of massage therapy into a full blown art and science can be determined as only logical. When we fall, bruise or sustain any sort of physical injury, we usually tend to touch it. Even if that act produces no form of healing solution, or does it? Touch in itself is very comforting to us. It reassures us, make us feel loved and accepted. Whenever someone is in pain, we tend to want to hug, hold or touch that person in someway. Somehow sensing that the very act of physical contact will contribute to the overall holistic health of the person. Guess what? You are correct in that assumption.

Studies have shown that, touching among other comforting and intimate contact, does assist in the overall recovery and health of a person. Whether that person is in need of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing or comfort. In looking at the big picture, I see massage therapy continuing to play an important role in human history for a long time to come. What are you waiting for, join the minions.

Understanding Massage Therapy

We've all heard of massage and many of us have even experienced it, in one form or another. By a masseuse who happened to be an amature, loved one or professional. If the person knew what they were doing, you came away feeling like a million bucks. But what is massage, really!

Massage or massage therapy as it has come to be known in our time, began with the ancient Egyptians, then the Greeks and finally the Romans. Yes these ancient cultures used massage therapy for both healing and pleasure. The science of massage therapy had also spread to other early cultures such as India, China and Japan. The last three went further by integrating it to form an integral part of their systems of medicine and healing.

Massage is the organized form of touch. It is performed by the hands, elbows and forearms gliding over the skin and applying pressure to the underlying muscles by a system of movements. These movements involve stroking, rubbing, pressing and kneading. Massage is not a panacea, but can greatly aid in the normal functions of the body and restore balance as well.

How Massage Works

Massage works by the body responding to the various touch techniques given to it. These touch techniques causes the body to engage in there normal functions. Massage itself, acts like a natural stimuli for the body to respond with positive effects in many different ways. Some of these therapeutic effects are, stimulating the circulation of the blood and lymph, loosening of muscular tension, toning and firming the muscles.

When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone. The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles. Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions.

Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Because the appearance of the skin, is usually a good indicator of a persons inner condition. In reference to muscles, massage therapy has a good effect on the fibrous tissue surrounding the joints.

The effects of massage upon the autonomic nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin, signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. When a person is relaxed, abdominal breathing becomes more natural. I can assure you, your abdominal organs appreciate this. It's quite clear that the nervous system plays a crucial role in massage therapy. It's also responsible for the vascular system, since it controls it. A decrease in efficient drainage and supply of blood, is caused by a reduction of vascular.

Massage works by reducing stress, managing the body's waste products, fostering normal bodily functions, providing a sense of well being and boosting mental health.

The Logic of Massage

The gradual development of massage therapy into a full blown art and science can be determined as only logical. When we fall, bruise or sustain any sort of physical injury, we usually tend to touch it. Even if that act produces no form of healing solution, or does it? Touch in itself is very comforting to us. It reassures us, make us feel loved and accepted. Whenever someone is in pain, we tend to want to hug, hold or touch that person in someway. Somehow sensing that the very act of physical contact will contribute to the overall holistic health of the person. Guess what? You are correct in that assumption.

Studies have shown that, touching among other comforting and intimate contact, does assist in the overall recovery and health of a person. Whether that person is in need of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing or comfort. In looking at the big picture, I see massage therapy continuing to play an important role in human history for a long time to come. What are you waiting for, join the minions.

Alternative Health Supplements

Your health is your most valuable asset, and must be protected. Alternative health supplements can help you do this. Made from herbs and other natural components, these supplements have enabled millions of users to rejuvenate their health and quality of life.

In the present fast-paced world, problems like high blood pressure, stress and tension occur at a very early age. As an aftermath of these, one not only faces physical strain but also loss in terms of beauty and performance. Alternative health supplements offer a natural way of keeping all these ailments at bay, in an extremely easy manner. Harnessing the therapeutic qualities of herbs and natural extracts, these supplements come in form of pills, capsules, syrups or powders and offer simple, healthy therapy.

The concept of shedding those extra pounds by simply popping a pill, or looking younger by simply drinking a syrup, has revolutionized the medicinal world. Health-conscious people are buying these supplements in large numbers. With no time to indulge in traditional therapies, these supplements are becoming an ideal option for people yearning for a healthier life style.

Alternative health supplements are available in varying compositions for different applications, age groups and sexes. Though there is evidence that they are harmless, it is still wise to consult a doctor before you take them. Some of the advantages of alternative supplements include their effectiveness, natural ingredients, lack of side effects and ease of use.

These supplements are largely sold over the Internet. Products sold online come with various discount offers and schemes to lure customers. Giving unprecedented impetus to the medicinal world, these supplements are increasingly become a part of everyday life.

Alternative Medicine - New Way to Lose Weight

Weight loss is one of the big topics-no pun intended-on the late night television circuit. While flipping through the channels after 11p.m., you are likely to come across several advertisements for weight loss pills and diet supplements, each promising to assist you drop those unwanted pounds and remove stubborn belly fat once and for all.

Let's face it, if these pills really worked, America wouldn't be the top overweight country in the world.

There are types of alternative medicine, which can help with weight loss, however, and with great results. While no alternative medicine is a magic solution, practicing these principles can help you become more limber, feel more energetic, and the end result-or side effect if you will, is weight loss.

Take yoga for example. The low impact stretching involved with yoga will help you feel less stressed, and as a result less likely to over eat as a result of depression or anger. Acupuncture has exact pressure points in the ear which help reduce cravings, and detoxifying teas and herbs can help you feel healthier, and the side effect would be thinking twice before deciding that you want to "pollute" yourself again with oily and fatty foods. In this regard, alternative medicine is wonderful for loosing weight.

The majority alternative medicines for weight loss come in the form of detoxifying teas, energy supplements, and vitamins. The exercise and diet plans are the basis, as they should be, for safe and effective long-term weight loss. There is no magic potion to lose weight. In fact dropping pounds and keeping them off requires regular daily exercise and a change in eating habits, period.

However, to get you ready for weight loss, here are some alternative medicine detoxifying teas and interesting supplements.

Take turmeric, ginger, and lemon-about a half teaspoon each and the juice of half a lemon, and boil it all in 2 cups of water. Drink every morning as a detoxifier before you start your diet.

All diets should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, and buying a juicer is a great way to make a habit out of eating healthy. Please see your doctor before starting any kind of diet plan.

Visit your local food co op or herbalist, they can get you set up with all sorts of alternative teas and nutrition advice, and can refer you to a good homeopathic doctor who will evaluate you as to what your individual nutrition needs are.

Bovine and shark cartilage are two dietary supplements to hit the alternative market. Both have been used for years outside of the United States and Britain, but now are big business in the health food stores.

The most popular form of alternative medicine for weight loss isn't really medicine at all, rather behavior modification through hypnosis. Hypnosis doesn't make you rely on will power, that's one of the reasons it's so popular.

How hypnosis works is that it examines what is subconsciously holding you to the thinking and eating habits that keep you overweight. Hypnotists believe that if the root cause of the obesity can be alleviated, the patient will naturally begin to lose weight. It is actually a very efficient form of alternative medicine, and overall can cost much less than trips to day spas and expensive over the counter weight loss pills. Through hypnosis you can let go of fears that keep you from eating healthy, and begin to allow a positive energy flow through you, causing you to want to stick to the new way of eating and exercising.

The Benefits Of Drinking Herbal Teas

Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits as well as being tasty to drink! Some of my favorite teas are chamomile tea, jasmine tea and ginger tea. Each of these has a distinctive taste as well as health benefit.

Skincare Tips for "All Skin Types"

These all around tips are for everyone! It doesn't matter if you
have oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, normal skin or even sensitive skin; all of these tips will work for you.

To minimize wrinkles, sleep on your back. When you sleep on your back, the effect of gravity on your skin is minimal. Besides, when your face is pressed against a pillow, you wake up to more puffiness.

Do Not go outside without sunscreen, even if it is for a short period of time, or on a cloudy day. This is absolute Best thing that you can possibly do to prevent wrinkles.

If your skin has a tendency to break out or get bumps, it could be your detergent. Try using with no dyes or perfumes.

No matter what your skin type is, the best cleanser is one that is water-soluble. For it to be truly water soluble, it should be able to be removed easily by splashing, and not wiped off with a wash cloth. Wash clothes can cause irritation to the skin. It should not leave a greasy residue, nor cause any irritation or dryness, nor burn your eyes.

To refresh your face after a long day, spritz some mineral water on it. You can also use a light spritz to set your makeup.

Warm skin absorbs ingredients in your products better. Make sure that your skin isn't cold. If so, apply a warm towel to your face.

If you use an alpha hydroxy acid, let it dry thoroughly before applying moisturizer. This will maximize the effectiveness of the AHA.

Be careful not to use an exfoliant or scrub to often. It can lead to irritation. For dry skin, 1-2 times per week is enough. For oily skin, 2-3 times per week is enouh.

All makeup lasts longer and looks better if you apply it to slightly moist skin. Dry patches alter the distribution of pigment. Before applying foundation, mist your face with water and pat with a tissue. You want it to be be slightly damp, not drenched.

My final and I feel most important tip:
What you do today to take care of your skin will determine how young and healthy it will look five and ten years from now.