Tips for Enjoying Your Massage

The following article was written by Anitra Brown on About.com. One of our therapists, Lora Vance discovered it and thought it had so much great info, she wanted to pass it along!

A massage is supposed to be a soothing, relaxing experience. So why do so many people arrive at 1:30 for a 1:30 massage? You should be in your robe already! And if you arrive late, in a frenzied state, you might as well have not come. Get there early is the most important tip for enjoying your massage. But there are plenty more. (Hint -- don't eat a big sausage sub right before you get there, and be sure to speak up if you don't like the pressure.

Here are some tips adapted from the American Massage Therapy Association to help you enjoy your massage.

* Be receptive. Don't eat just before a massage session.

* Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

* If you don't want to remove all your clothing, discuss it with the therapist.

Wear what you will be comfortable in that will allow the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

* Good communication is very important. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know what you want from the massage. During the massage session, Speak up if you have any feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, room temperature, music volume, or lighting.

* Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general you should do whatever you feel like, and the massage therapist will follow your lead.

* Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize this is happening, remind yourself to breath.

* Try not to tighten up during the massage. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

* If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more "body-centered" and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

* If anything happens during the massage that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

* If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

* Drink extra water after a massage.

* Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session or needs some "re-entry" time.

Remember, massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.

The Massage & Esthetics Studio

www.TheMassageStudio.com

480-874-8000

Stress from debt really can be a pain in the neck!

In the business section of The Arizona Republic today there was an article entitled "Health poll: Stress from debt really can be a pain in the neck". It goes on to say, in part:

"The stress from deepening debt is becoming a major pain in the neck- and the back and the head and the stomach- for millions of Americans. When people are dealing with mountains of debt, they're more likely to report health problems, according to an Associated Press AOL Health poll." Read the full story here.

Even if you are not suffering through a major event, such as a foreclosure, even small amount of stress over a prolonged period of time can take its toll on your body. Your body's immune system can become compromised, resulting in feelings of fatigue and increased sickness. Tension builds up in your muscles, reducing your body's circulation and its ability to deliver nutrition to tissues and remove waste products.

If the added stress continues untreated, it has been linked to more serious ailments, such as ulcers, severe depression, even heart attacks. People often suffer from an inability to concentrate and have trouble sleeping.

What can you do to avoid this fate? Start taking steps to reduce your stress levels. When you are under high levels of stress it is easy to fall into poor eating habits and collapsing on the couch at the end of a long day. Make it a point to eat more nutritious meals, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a walk after dinner. It will improve your body's ability to deal with the increased stress levels.

Practice breathing exercises. When you feel yourself getting anxious, slow your breathing. Take a deep, slow breath in, hold it for a second, then slowly let it out. Try to increase the number of seconds it takes you to inhale and to exhale.

Get a massage. Massage can help relieve muscle tension and anxiety, it helps boost immune function, can help you sleep better, calms your mind and induces feelings of well-being. The effects of receiving a massage are cumulative when received at least once a month. Not only will you be better equipped to deal with the stress in your life, you won't end up with the added stress of health problems down the road. So, go ahead and get a massage- it's good for you!

Margo Zelenski
The Massage & Esthetics Studio
480-874-8000
www.TheMassageStudio.com