A Massage Minute
Posted on 29 July 2010 | No responses
“If you wish to converse with me, define your terms.” Voltaire probably wasn’t talking about massage when he said this, but in massage, as in all things, good communication is the first step to having a positive experience. Too often we assume people know what we’re talking about. Too often we’re wrong.
Fields of expertise come with their own terminology that practitioners tend to use differently than everyone else. Massage is no different. Quite possibly the most commonly used and most commonly miscommunicated terminology in massage is deep tissue/ therapeutic massage versus relaxation massage.
Relaxation massage is probably the most straight forward. As far as massage therapists, are concerned a relaxation massage is a massage with the intent of relaxing and de-stressing with a focus on general wellness. While a relaxation massage will not be focused on a specific problem, this doesn’t mean relaxation massage is without therapeutic benefits; all massage is therapeutic in one way or another. With relaxation the focus is on general wellness as opposed to a specific complaint, and the massage therapist will likely use a lighter touch.
Deep tissue and therapeutic are slightly thornier issues, partly because it can be hard to get massage therapist to agree on exactly what these two terms mean. Too often they are used synonymously, although they mean slightly different things.
Strictly speaking, massage is the manipulation of soft tissue. Where relaxation massage will focus on whole body relaxation, therapeutic massage is likely to have a more narrow focus. Whether the complaint is lower back pain, shoulder pain, or any other of the million aches and pains the body can have, a therapeutic massage will focus on something. This doesn’t necessarily mean the therapist will use heavy pressure. Sometimes the lightest touch is the most appropriate.
When most people use the term therapeutic massage, what they’re really thinking of is deep tissue. Deep tissue massage is therapeutic work with the specific intent of working on the deeper structures of the body. Anatomically speaking the term “deep” means more towards the center of the body. In other words, muscles are deep to the skin and some muscles are deep to other muscles. Therefore, deep tissue doesn’t necessarily mean painful or heavy pressure, it just means working on muscles more towards the center of the body
When receiving a massage it pays to talk to your therapist about exactly what you’re expecting from your service. Whether you just want to relax and enjoy the overall good feelings of a relaxing massage, or you’re looking for a therapist who can really get into the deeper muscles, good communication is the key to a receiving a good massage.
Ask Our Esthetician
Posted on 1 July 2010 | No responses
Q: I have wrinkles on my forehead and in between my eyebrows. I have heard that the only way to get rid of them is to do botox. I really hate needles first of all and second I do not like the idea of injecting poison into my muscles. Is there any alternative or am I just stuck with these awful lines?
A: You are in luck! There are actually healthier alternatives to reducing expression lines. One alternative is using micro current. This technology works on the nerves and muscle cells to increase tonicity by speeding up the rate at which the body produces its own muscle protein. It is also known to stimulate collagen and elastin, increase circulation and help products penetrate deeper into the skin. We have an at home micro current device that can be used everyday to help prevent and correct problems that develop as we age. The device is called NuFace and can be purchased in our store for $379.
There is also another safe and affective technology that helps with wrinkles. LED (light Emitting Diode) sends light energy to the skin cells and then your body naturally turns the light energy to cell energy; encouraging the skin to corrects itself. This energy has an effect on the skin that can help with many different types of skin concerns such as: acne, rosacea, enlarged pores, wrinkles, discolorations/age spots, and redness in the skin. LED treatments are cumulative and do require maintenance once skin rejuvenation is complete. We also sell an at home LED that can be used everyday from the convenience of your home and is yours to keep for maintenance treatments. The LED device is called New-U and it sells for $299.
There are also topical products that contain peptides that can help with expression lines. Peptides are chains of amino acids that basically act as messengers to cells. These peptides communicate to the cells the way our bodies own natural peptides would do. As we age and as our bodies become exposed to the environment and stressors, our cells do not communicate the way they once did. There are several different types of peptides and each of them sends a different message to different cells. There are products that contain peptides that communicate to the cells to create more collagen in certain areas of the dermis. Some products have more than one peptide and can carry out several different tasks. Line Ease and Smooth Surface Instant Line Filler are two great products for expression lines.
Here I have listed three different and safe ways to decrease the look of expression lines. All of them work well alone, however, when all three are combined is when you will see the most dramatic results in less time. Each treatment compliments the others. All of these treatments are totally safe and have more long term affects on the skin than injections. Also, other areas of the face are improved instead of just one specific area like with botox.
A Massage Minute
Posted on 4 June 2010 | No responses
Over the last couple of years The Massage Minute has talked frequently about what massage is good for, yet very little on “how” or “why” massage works. As a recipient of massage it may not seem important to know why massage works, but with all the misinformation available on the web, it never hurts to understand the basics.
There are two main ways massage can affect the human body; mechanically and reflexively. Mechanically being the direct physical effect of soft tissue manipulation. Reflexive being effects rendered at points distant from the physical location of work through the nervous system.
The primary mechanical effect of massage is increased circulation. By rubbing the body a massage therapist aids in the movement of blood and lymph which in turn helps with delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. This also helps remove byproducts of cellular respiration like carbon dioxide and lactic acid that are stored in muscle tissue. Massage also helps muscles and soft tissue to soften which can remove pressure from blood vessels and nerves, alleviating pain and congestion.
Reflexively, massage also has several benefits. Possibly the most direct reflex effect of massage in the initiation of the relaxation response in which blood pressure, respiratory rate, and the production of stress hormones decrease while endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, and serotonin, the body’s feel good hormone, increase. It is also possible that massage may relieve some pain associated with organs that share neurologic pain pathways with muscles, soft tissue, and bones.
While anyone can enjoy massage without knowing how it works, understanding the mechanisms behind massage can help clients to make responsible decisions about their care.
You Asked Our Esthetician
Posted on 4 June 2010 | No responses
Q: My foundation has sunscreen in it, so does that mean that I do not have to wear sunscreen when I am wearing makeup?
A: Actually when sunscreens are mixed with foundations it makes the SPF lower and less effective. I would look at makeup with SPF as just an added bonus and not rely on it for your sun protection. Sunscreen breaks down in two hours of sunlight- so always reapply your sunscreen every two hours when in the sun for an extended period of time. If you are just going out in the sun periodically throughout the day you should be fine with one application in the morning.
A Massage Minute
Posted on 1 May 2010 | No responses
Tension is a fact of life. With the possible exception of Matthew McConaughey, no matter what we try the human body will always have some level of muscular tension. What we can hope to do is limit the level of tension in our bodies on a daily basis, and the pain caused by that tension. Stretching is not only one of the most effective means of combating tension but one of the most natural.
All of us know how to stretch. Everyone has had a long luxurious stretch first thing in the morning or after sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long. Most may not know just how beneficial stretching is. Not only does stretching help with reducing tension it increases your range of motion, enhances muscle coordination, increases circulation, and leads to increased energy levels.
Most everyone who comes for a massage wants relief of tension in one muscle or region of the body. This is one of the primary effects of massage; relief of tension. However, if the client doesn’t do anything at home to maintain the relief experienced from massage the same pain patterns are likely to return. A good stretching routine is a great place to start.
You Asked Our Esthetician
Posted on 1 May 2010 | No responses
Q: My mother has absolutely beautiful skin and I was just wondering if that means that I will age well also.
A: Well that all depends on the lifestyle that your mother lives and if your lifestyle is similar to hers. First of all, aging is 20% genetic and 80% sun damage/lifestyle. If your mother has stayed out of the sun for the majority of life and you have spent a lot of time sunbathing than most likely you will not age as well as her. So look at your mother’s lifestyle and see how it adds up to the lifestyle that you live. If you have spent more time in the sun than your mother than start working on reversing some of the damage that UV rays can cause. Add a treatment with Vitamin C and E to your daily regimen. These two anti-oxidants work great to combat environmental damage. Also, start getting regular facials so that your esthetician can help you with your specific skin concerns.
A Massage Minute
Posted on 1 April 2010 | No responses
No matter what you’re doing everyone has their own idea of what good means. Whether it’s a nice meal, a vacation, or a day off we all have our own version of what the best is. The same holds true for massage. A massage therapist may think the best massage is effectively releasing even the most tight and deep muscles. While a client may think a nice, soft, relaxing massage is the best thing under the sun. With these sometimes widely different ideas about what good means, communication can be one of the most important tools in receiving your best massage.
Two of the most important things to communicate to your massage therapist are whether you’re looking for a relaxing or therapeutic massage, and what depth of pressure you can tolerate.
In every profession practitioners have their own terminology they use differently than the general public; it’s no different with massage therapist. When massage therapist think therapeutic massage, it usually means deeper pressure with a solid focus on a specific area of discomfort. Sometimes that may mean spending the entire session on one part of the body. Deep tissue usually means the same thing. To massage therapist, relaxation usually means softer and less focused massage. While Swedish massage is a therapeutic technique most people will think of Swedish massage when they think of relaxation.
Possibly the most important thing you can communicate with your massage therapist is depth of pressure. No two people have the same definition of what deep means. Some people will flinch at the lightest touch, while others can spend fifty minutes with an elbow in their spine. A good therapist will ask you to let them know if they are using too much pressure. Please let them know if the massage hurts. And remember, a good massage does not have to hurt!
By communicating effectively with your therapist you can insure you receive the massage you want.
You Asked Our Esthetician
Posted on 1 April 2010 | No responses
Q: An esthetician told me that it was good to change up your products seasonally; now that it is going into spring I was wondering what would be some changes that I should make to my skin care regimen.
A: Well without seeing your skin it is hard to tell what exactly you need, but here are some general changes that you may want to make. First of all, your moisturizer usually needs to be a bit lighter going into the warm/humid weather. During the winter months the dry air zaps your skin of moisture therefore you need heavier crèmes that time of year. We also tend to be outside longer during the spring and summer months so you should also up the SPF you wear to a 30 if you were not already wearing it. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) describes the amount of time that you can be in the sun without getting burned. For example, if you wear a SPF 15 you can be in the sun 15 times longer than you could without any type of sunscreen on. That is why during the winter when you are just going to your car and from building to building your SPF 15 is usually enough to protect you for the whole day. By increasing the SPF to 30 you give yourself some extra protection on those days that you spend a little more time outside. That being said, when you are doing outdoor activities that involve long periods of time in the sun your must reapply every two hours. This is because sunscreen breaks down after being exposed to the sun for a cumulative two hours. You could also add some type of vitamin C serum to your daily regimen. Vitamin C is great at combating the damaging free-radicals that we get from our environment especially when we are in the sun. On top of that Vitamin C will increase the efficacy of the sunscreen. All anti-oxidants do this so shop for a sunscreen that already contains anti-oxidants. Hope this helps and specific skin concerns go to www.FACESBeautyBoutique.com and take the Skin Care Quiz. An esthetician will then email you specific recommendations for your skin. Hope this helps and have a wonderful day!
A Massage Minute
Posted on 2 March 2010 | No responses
Among spa treatments some of the most luxurious are heated massages like hot stone or Lava Shell…if nothing else heat just feels nice. But, aside from relaxation is heat worth the extra cost.
When used responsibly heated massage can add quite a bit to your typical massage session. When heat is applied to tissue several physiological changes occur. First and foremost is increased blood flow; all the capillaries in the area will dilate allowing more blood into the area. This results in increased tissue metabolism in the area, as well as an increased influx of oxygen and other nutrients needed by the muscle. All this conspires to allow the muscle all the elements it needs to heal.
Equally important is the ability of heat to help soft tissue relax. When working with a sore or injured muscle a massage therapist is working with far more than just the muscle in question. Between the skin and muscle are layers of adipose (fat) tissue, the fascia or soft tissue that wraps the muscles, holding them together, and the deeper the muscle the more muscles above it. Fortunately, not only will the heat transfer to deeper muscles affecting them directly, all the other soft tissue will loosen, making it easier for your therapist to work effectively and less painfully with deeper tissue.
There are of course times when heat is inappropriate. Heat is primarily intended for use with chronic pain, or after the first twenty four to forty eight hours. In acute injuries application of heat can make swelling worse, and impede the healing process. There are a few other conditions such as pregnancy, copd, and blood clots, to name a few where heat should be avoided.
By being open and honest about your medical history, you and your therapist can best decide when heat is the proper choice for your service.
You Asked Our Esthetician
Posted on 1 March 2010 | No responses
Q: I have noticed that I have more wrinkles on one side of my face than the other. Do you know why this could be?
A: There could be several reasons for this. One reason could be that the side of your face that has more wrinkles is exposed to the sun more than the other. For example, when you are driving in your car and only one side of your face is constantly being exposed to the sun. Another reason that comes to mind is how you sleep. When we sleep on our sides we press our skin into the pillow and when you do that night after night your skin can start keep that shape. The same way expression lines will start to hold their shape after years of movement. If you feel that these are things that you do then try to make sure you are wearing your sunscreen everyday even if you do not think that you will be in the sun at all. If you’re sleeping habits do consist of side sleeping try sleeping on your back or at least switch sides if possible. Also, make sure you wear your moisturizer to bed every night, because when your skin in dry it will hold shape even more than when it is hydrated.