Massage Gold Coast

Posts Tagged ‘massage therapy’

Over the years massage has gained considerable credibility for the health benefits it can provide.

For example, massage increases your circulation, helps to remove toxins from the body and can also increase your energy levels, among many other positive effects.

However there is one primary benefit that trumps all the rest…

“Massage relaxes you!”

Now I know this is an obvious, ‘well-known’ fact, but what is important to understand is that when we are not ‘relaxed’ which for many people is most of the time, we are in fact ‘tense’. When we feel tension in our bodies it is because we have experienced or are experiencing some form of stress either on a physical, mental or emotional level, or all of the above.

If left untreated, stress can be a catalyst for serious illness. So it is vital that tension (on all levels) be alleviated as quickly as possible, allowing a return to a healthy, relaxed and ‘stress-free’ state of being.

Many people are aware that massage is effective in alleviating tension and stress in the ‘physical’ body, but in truth, the effects on quieting the mind and calming the emotions are also equally profound. This is because all levels of the person (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) are interconnected and therefore affected positively by the massage.

In these busy times, it seems that ‘stress’ is a part of everyday life. So now more than ever we need to be pro-active in ‘managing’ our stress levels through a balanced lifestyle i.e. healthy diet, regular exercise and of course regular therapeutic massage.

“Could you use a little more ‘balance’ in your life?”

If you haven’t yet had a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage you are missing out on something really special.

Many years ago when I was first interested in massage and wanted to learn I tried out several different massage styles as a client, to see which one I liked best.

I tried Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai, Chinese and a few others but it wasn’t until I had a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage that I was truly inspired to become a massage therapist.

The massage itself was like the waves of the ocean running up and down the length of my body, washing away all my tension and stress. It was both relaxing and also nice and deep (I love a good strong massage) where I needed it most.

The surprising thing about the Lomi Lomi was that it felt like it contained all the other styles I had tried within it, but used with a continuous flow that seemed to put me in a trance-like state. I was hooked and soon embarked on many years of learning with many different teachers. I became a specialist in this style of massage because my clients absolutely loved it because it was giving them what they needed, whether that be relaxation, relief from pain and stress or just total bliss.

The great thing about this style of massage is that it is flexible and can be adapted to suit whatever you need. If you like a nice, soft, relaxing massage, no problem. The Lomi Lomi is perfect for that. On the other hand, if you love a really thorough, deep massage workout, then I guarantee that I can go as deep as you like, no matter how big or how tense you are.

There’s nothing worse than wanting to get a decent massage (one that you can actually ‘feel’) and then hop off the table disappointed and feeling like you need to go and get another massage somewhere else. I guarantee that you won’t feel that way when you hop off my table but if you do, then you won’t pay a cent.

Anyway, I thought you might like to see a short demo of me performing a Lomi Lomi massage on my partner James. It’s a really beautiful massage and over the last 15 years, I’d say that 8 out of every 10 of my clients have said that it’s the best massage they’ve ever had. Enjoy!

Massage - Ancient Art in Modern Hands
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Patty_Mooney]Patty Mooney

Touch is one of the highest expressions of love, and love is our purpose for living. What we strive for in life is emotional comfort (serenity, relaxation). Massage can be cathartic in this regard. When the body is relaxed, the mind can let go. As the mind opens, self-awareness begins.

Massage is a valuable tool in learning about yourself. It is a means of obtaining love and comfort, feeling your own skin through another person’s hands, balancing and relaxing your body, loving yourself.

Massage can be a brief yet powerful vacation. It soothes the nerves, makes aching muscles feel better and gets the blood flowing. A massage can wake you up, or put you to sleep.

Massage is a way to gain happiness through healthiness. Allow yourself to concentrate more on the pleasures of receiving massage rather than on anxieties — the mind chatter that could become obsessive, if you let it.

What to Expect

No two massages are alike. Each is as unique as the person who gives it. When you seek a massage, know what kind you want. Massage is simply a variety of strokes and pressures. Swedish massage employs any combination of oils (creams are acceptable, too, but require repeated application); in it, one kneads the body like bread, using “petrissage,” and uses long, firm strokes called “effleurage.” Shiatsu, jin shin jiutsu, reflexology and acupressure are zone therapies concentrating pressure or energy on various points along your body’s “meridians”. Rolfers give a deep massage reaching behind muscles for joints, bone origins and cartilage (i.e., that between the ribs and up the nasal cavity) sometimes leaving bruises. The desired effect after ten sessions is a structural realignment of your body.

You have a right to expect what feels best for you. This is where communication comes in. Know where your pains are (if you have any) and describe them to your practitioner. S/he can easily modify a general body massage to fit your needs.

Where to Get a Massage

A quick glance through the yellow pages will tell you where to find a massage. Look for massage schools and therapeutic massage services. A school may offer massage on their premises (by students or instructors) or can refer you to graduates with private practices. If you wish, the practitioner can come to your home. Certain health clubs employ massage therapists who specialize in half-hour “slap-down” rubs after your workout.

A good, thorough session lasts from forty-five minutes to one hour or longer, and costs $30 to $50 and up. Some establishments offer a sauna, Jacuzzi and/or steam bath; most facilities have showers.

It is important to feel comfortable with the massage therapist. Any feelings of discomfort from the beginning will only increase during the session and you will not enjoy the massage. Better to walk the yellow pages again than submit yourself to someone you cannot trust. Remember that massage uniquely is an art expression. The giver must be clear about why s/he does what s/he does; this becomes evident in her “handiwork.”

The massage environment — preferably a small, warm, darkened room — is also important. You will not be able to relax if you can hear someone working out with weights in the next room. If possible, there should be complete silence or meditative music that allows the mind to relax.

Self Massage

In case you are in need of healing touch and no one is readily available to help you, try self-massage. This can entail a “spot” rub, such as the feet, hands, head, face, back, neck; or a full-body massage. It’s as simple as applying your favorite lotion or oil to your body, really getting into the warmth and healing energy of your hands and varying the pressure. Experiment with your technique. Try pinching, kneading, rolling the skin between thumb and fingers and patting. Locate “trigger” points, where muscle attaches to bone, and rub deeply in a clockwise direction. You might be surprised at how relaxing just five minutes of self-massage can feel. Of course, your self-massage can last as long as you desire.

The more you learn of yourself through massage and/or self-massage, the better you will feel, the more self-confidence you may exude in the outside world.

Patty Mooney has been writing since the age of 16. Her favorite topics include women’s issues, homelessness, homeless veterans, the arts, cinema, biographies, nature and video production. Her work has appeared in many publications around the world, including the Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Reader, Create Magazine, Post Magazine, Women’s Sports & Fitness, Yoga Journal and others. You can read her blog, “A Diary Left Open” at http://www.sandiegovideoproduction.blogspot.com Her business site is http://www.crystalpyramid.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patty_Mooney http://EzineArticles.com/?Massage—Ancient-Art-in-Modern-Hands&id=2140075