Learn How To Use Stress Before It Uses You
Wednesday, July 06, 2016, 03:00 PM
Stress can help us stay alive and deal with basic threats, but long-term stressors can have a negative impact on our health. It’s important to learn how to handle your stress and maintain your well-being. The key is having the resources and support system to manage it.
Massages For Pressure Points On Feet
It began with Chinese medicine
Few things feel better than a massage, and few forms of massage feel as good as a foot massage! Some ancient practices and a growing body of medical research even suggest that massaging specific pressure points on your feet can heal conditions affecting entirely different parts of your body.
The belief that putting pressure on certain areas of your feet can heal ailments elsewhere is called reflexology. It stems from traditional Chinese medicine. The idea is that energy, called chi, flows through the body along particular pathways, or meridians, says Denis Merkas, an acupuncturist and massage therapist who co-founded Melt: Massage for Couples with his wife, Emma. When theres a problem in the body, were usually talking about blockages of chi.
also show that foot massage can help reduce pain after breast surgery.
Further studies show that reflexology can reduce anxiety in people about to undergo medical testing or hospitalization.
Here are Merkass instructions for a foot massage that can lower anxiety.
Entrepreneurs In Holistic Health Care
Monday, August 30, 2021, 12:50 PM
NHPC members are passionate about advancing the industry and finding new ways to support the health and well-being of people in their communities. Whether it’s a product, a service, or education, our members are innovating in the health care landscape. We recently spoke with three members to learn more about their inspirational experiences as entrepreneurs.
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Massage Therapy To Relax The Hands
Here are several moves that will relieve the strain from pounding the keyboard all day.
- Stretch your hands and fingers out. Rub each finger from the base to the tip, gently pulling and twisting each finger as you go.
- Next, rest your left hand, palm upward, on your lap. Squeeze the fleshy part of your palm between your right thumb and index finger, moving from your wrist to the base of your thumb.
- Now squeeze that web between your left index finger and thumb several times, looking for any tender points.
- Then rub the entire palm with your right thumb, applying firm pressure and using gliding strokes from the wrist to the base of each finger.
- Repeat this process on your right hand.
“Massaging the hands is not only great for the hands but can help to relieve headaches as well,” Grust says. The hands, like the feet, contain reflexology points that correspond to the entire body, including the head, neck, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and sinuses.
How Do You Massage Tmj In Your Mouth
With non-latex gloves our trained staff will glove up and relax the muscles attached to the joint, as well as the gums and drain your sinuses. Typically the therapist will use one to two fingers inside the mouth while the other fingers are working on the outside of the mouth, cheek and jaw. But dont worry, your entire massage wont be spent on just your face and mouth. Your therapist will assess your needs and target those areas as well. During this massage the therapist may also work on the neck, scalp, shoulders and head as needed for your symptoms.
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Shiatsu Vs Acupressure Vs Swedish Massage
Acupressure is a type of touch therapy which follows the same principles as Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. Both acupuncture and acupressure focus on the stimulation of certain points located all over the body called acupressure points or pressure points. Acupressure uses finger pressure while acupuncture uses needles on these specific points.
Sometimes shiatsu is referred to as acupressure or acupressure massage, but depending on who you ask, Shiatsu is its own unique form of massage therapy. For more clarification, this Shiatsu massage definition is helpful: Shiatsu is a manipulative therapy developed in Japan which incorporates techniques of anma , acupressure, stretching and Western massage.
Theres no doubt that acupressure and Shiatsu massage both focus on acupressure points and encouraging healthy energy flow in the body, but many shiatsu practitioners put more of an emphasis on the bodys meridian lines than on pressure points. What are meridian lines? In TCM, meridian lines are considered to be pathways are channels in the body that carry energy and each of the twelve major meridians corresponds to a specific internal organ.
It definitely depends on your goals and your massage therapist, but Shiatsu Japanese massage is often considered more therapeutic while a Swedish massage is considered to be a more relaxing massage option. A Swedish massage with light to firm pressure will include long, smooth strokes as well as some kneading and tapping.
Seeking Holistic Health Care For Diabetes
Wednesday, December 01, 2021, 11:00 AM
To learn more about diabetes and holistic health care, we spoke with Candace Pichonsky, Holistic Health Practitioner for 15 years and Practice Competency Manager at the NHPC. As a diabetic, Candace sheds light on what both holistic practitioners and diabetic clients should know before giving or receiving treatment.
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Massage For Stress & Anxiety
| Everyone experiences some occasional stress from time to time. However, chronic anxiety and stress can have some serious consequences on your physical and mental health. Headaches, irritability, breathing and sleeping problems, fatigue and muscle aches are among the most common symptoms of chronic stress and anxiety. Massage has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, thereby contributing to overall physical and mental well being.Our Relaxation & Stress Relief treatments promote increased body awareness with light to moderate pressure techniques and guided breathing to help you cope with and prevent the physical and emotional symptoms of chronic stress and anxiety. |
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What Yoga Teachers Need To Know About Eating Disorders
Wednesday, February 06, 2019, 02:55 PM
In February, advocacy groups work diligently to raise awareness of eating disorders for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Yoga is often recommended for people who have dealt with an eating disorder as a tool to promote positive body image. As a yoga teacher, awareness of how you speak about the physical body as well as how you portray it is important to offer a supportive and inclusive experience.
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Benefits Of Therapeutic Massage
Massage therapy can help the body relax, which in turn can help you let go of anxious and fearful thoughts. Massage can relieve muscle pain and tension, improve circulation, and increase flexibility. As a relaxation technique, massage therapy can work to help manage the fight-or-flight response, or stress reaction, that is typically overactive among people with anxiety disorders.
The fight-or-flight reaction is responsible for causing fearful thoughts and reactions that often far outweigh any actual threat in the environment. For example, people with agoraphobia often fear having a panic attack in a large crowd or a confined area where it would feel embarrassing or be difficult to escape.
The fight-or-flight reaction commonly leads to uncomfortable physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, accelerated heart rate, excessive sweating, and chest pain. Massage therapy can have an opposing effect on the body by eliciting the relaxation response, reducing tension, lowering heart rate, and generally making a person feel calmer.
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Lower tension and more feelings of calm
How Swedish Massage Reduces Stress Anxiety
The strokes and pressure your Swedish massage therapist applies serves to relax muscles, relieving built-up tension. If you are feeling a bit run down or you are experiencing a mild form of depression, a Swedish massage will relax your entire body and give you more energy, freeing your mind and allowing you to release the stress and anxiety in your mind and body.
Some ways that Swedish massage works to help reduce stress include:
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Keep In Mind Before You Start
With all of these exercises, remember, you never want to cause yourself pain — but you do want to reach the area that is tender, because that is where the tension is. Always stretch the muscle out after massaging the area.
“If these moves do not ease your pain, contact your doctor to rule out any underlying medical problem,” says massage therapist Dale Grust. “Never substitute self-massage for proper medical treatment.”
And enjoy.
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Holistic Ways To Support Your Mental Health
Wednesday, November 01, 2017, 03:00 PM
Mental health issues continue to be a growing concern in Canada. However, there is a growing movement to promote awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health problems. Various holistic practices can be used with other medical and therapeutic treatment plans to support those suffering from mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
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Can Massage Help With Anxiety And Depression
Massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissues to promote relaxation, improve function, and decrease pain. It has been used for thousands of years to improve the state of the mind, body, and soul.
Today, massage is frequently used to promote feelings of relaxation and to decrease stress or anxiety, as well as treat chronic pain or injuries. In fact, there is a variety of evidence and research studies supporting the use of massage in improving depression and anxiety symptoms. This is widely attributed to massage therapy and its ability to decrease levels of cortisol throughout the body and increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is your rest and digest system. It is the opposite of your fight-or-flight system, which is activated during the stress response. By calming your fight-or-flight system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, you are able to fully relax and put aside your worries, thoughts, and fears.
Interestingly, experts claim that these symptom-reducing effects associated with massage actually last long after your massage session has ended. Further, massage can help improve your sleep which can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health.
Riders We Have Worked With:
Here at Summit weve had the opportunity to work with a few professional moto athletes, like off-road racer Skyler Howes.
I did the Float tank, massage and cupping and feel like a new person. It was so nice to go in to relax and clear the mind and recover the body.
The staff is really nice and personable, 10/10. Feeling recovered and ready. Thank you for tuning me up!
And Enduro and Desert racer Josh Knight.
I completed my second session today at @summitspaandfloat. This has really been my first experience with massage therapy and its been really good and very different from what I expected.
Honestly I always assumed massage therapy was more focused on pleasure and relaxation, however after completing a few sessions Ive learned that there are far more healthy and athletic benefits to receiving consistent massage therapy.
Ill describe it as a pleasant discomfort, for me it feels like working out. I experience some temporary discomfort, however I know that its doing a lot of good.
Today I had a full massage therapy treatment including cupping as well as a 60 minute float. The cupping treatment is really interesting and provides an inverted massage by pulling up on the muscles. There are many different benefits to the cupping treatment including increased range of the musclesIm excited to find new ways to improve my riding and take care of my body.
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Final Thoughts: Getting Started
In conclusion, massage is a great way to relax and help relieve pain, tension, and stress. Whether youre a beginner or have been massaging for years, its important to remember the basics and use the correct techniques. Start with the five basic massage movements and use self-massage techniques to help ease stress and pain. Remember to use safety tips and always be aware of your partners comfort.
Massage is a great way to show someone you care and help them feel better. With the right techniques and a little practice, you can give a great massage that your partner will enjoy.
While you can always get started at home, why not consider booking your massage with us today? Well walk you through what to expect, your level of comfort, and your goals for the future all at your own pace!
Additionally, feel free to take a look at our resources on the Science Behind Massage while you wait!
Craniosacral Therapy For Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
Thursday, October 25, 2018, 03:20 PM
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle and non-invasive practice that involves the whole body. The practitioner is specially trained to work with the spine, skull, cranial sutures, and fascia to detect disturbances in the cranial sacral rhythm. From infants to seniors, craniosacral therapy has proven to be beneficial for a variety of issues, including: infant latching in breastfeeding, learning disabilities , autism, migraines, TMJ, insomnia, and depression.
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How To Have A Holistic Summer With Your Kids
Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 11:55 AM
With a little imagination and patience, you can experience a mindful summer with your children and teach them skills that will support them long-term. When we think of self-care or holistic health, we often think of going for a massage, attending a yoga class, or taking time away from the hectic demands of every day life. While these are amazing ways for adults to care for their well-being, they are not practical ways for children to experience holistic health benefits.
Energy Flow Technique :
This exercise promotes the flow of therapeutic energy from the feet to the rest of the body in an upward motion.
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Alternatives For Sports Recovery This Season
Saturday, July 25, 2020, 02:30 PM
Sports are an important part of many people’s lives. Whether in an elementary gym class or a professional sports league, most people have played a sport. For those who do play sports, it almost seems that getting injured is inevitable. Here are three alternative ways to prevent and help alleviate sports-related injuries.
The Beginners Guide To Massage: The 5 Movements You Need To Know
Giving a massage is an amazing way to show someone you care and to help them relax and feel better. Massage therapy is a form of healing that has been used for centuries to provide relief from pain, stress, and tension. Whether youre new to massage or an experienced massage therapist, there are some basic techniques that you can use to give a great massage.
In this PRESS guide, well cover the five basic massage movements, what to consider before massaging someone, the easy massage moves you can do for others and yourself, and self-massage techniques for relieving stress, pain, and discomfort. Well also cover some safety tips to keep in mind when giving a massage. Well start by discussing the five basic massage movements and how to use them. The five basic massage movements are effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration. Well discuss each of these in more detail in the following sections. Once you understand the basics of massage, you can begin to experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you and the person you are massaging. Massage is a great way to show someone you care and to help relieve pain, stress, and tension. With the right techniques, you can give a great massage and help someone feel better.
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Is Shiatsu Massage Painful
Shiatsu is generally not painful. It provides specific and firm pressure. However, there may be areas where the practitioner will apply more pressure.
It is typical for people to experience delayed onset muscle soreness for 2448 hours after the session. According to some experts, DOMS may result from microscopic tears in the muscle fibers that can occur during exercise, and that this soreness is due to the healing process.
Patient Recruitment And Follow
We evaluated 667 potential participants for eligibility using a multi-step screening process: 69 were eligible and randomized . Among those not randomized, 79.9% were ineligible at some point in the screening process, with the majority found ineligible by the GAD screener or the telephone screen . The eligibility status of all 86 persons who refused to continue the screening process was unknown. Thirty-four persons were never screened for eligibility because the recruitment period had ended. One participant was excluded after randomization, but before receiving treatment, after we learned this individualâs anxiety may have been caused by a recently diagnosed serious health condition.
Participant Trial Flow
Our analysis included 68 participants randomized to therapeutic massage , thermotherapy , or the relaxing room . Follow-up rates were 85% and 94% at 12 and 26-weeks, respectively, and were similar across groups. These numbers include four persons later discovered to have had PHQ scores exceeding our inclusion threshold of 14 by 1 to 3 points .
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