Lauren's Corner

When was the last time you treated yourself to a massage?

If its been over a month, I would say its been too long. Personally, I get a massage one or two times per month - which isn't often enough. The type of massage I get is a Deep Tissue Massage - which does wonders for working out the knots and tension in my neck, back and shoulders. My massage therapist finds knots that I didn't even know were there. I will talk more about the different types of popular massages that are offered at most Spas later in the article.

There is so much more to a massage than just getting to relax and unwind for an hour.

Massage also:

- Increases your circulation
- Lowers your blood pressure
- Improves recovery time from injury
- Helps you sleep better
- Increases your concentration
- Relieves migraine pain

Those are just a few of the benefits...

More and more studies are being done on the benefits of massage therapy. Dr. Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute (TRI) of the University of Miami School of Medicine - "Studies show that massage helps boost a person's immunity: As stress levels drop and mood improves, theres a chain reaction that strengthens the ability of the immune system to resist everything from cancer to the common cold. Reduction in stress hormones leads to enhanced immunity function." It's so important to make sure that your body's immune and lymphatic systems are healthy. Your immune system is what helps you fight off infections and heal injuries. The lymphatic system carries a colorless fluid called "lymph" throughout all parts of your body and circulates around your body tissues. The lymphatic system is a major component of your immune system. One of main roles of the lymphatic system is to defend the body against disease by producing lymphocytes, which are immune cells. When you get a massage, these systems are stimulated and improves the flow of blood and lymph fluid which in turn helps your body fight off any infection.

Massage Therapy is also making its way into hospitals and clinics. Massage is currently the most common nontraditional therapy used in U.S. Hospitals, according to an American Hospital Association survey in 2003. The most common uses for massage in hospitals: Helping patients cope with pain and stress, and as a therapeutic service for cancer and maternity patients. It has been found that massage activates the body's own healing system. Sandy Matthews, a massage therapist at Memorial Hermann/HBU Wellness Center's Garden Spa in Houston, says that physicians frequently recommend massage to their patients with breast cancer. Swedish researchers reported that just 20 minutes of massage on 5 separate occasions subdued the nausea associated with chemotherapy. A different study showed that using essential oils like Chamomile and Lavender during massage encouraged a deep and restorative night's sleep. More and more people are trying out massage therapy as an alternative form of care or therapy. Just like going to a Chiropractor or taking Yoga to loosen up your tight and over used muscles,especially in your back and neck, I feel that Massage fits right in with those other choices as well. I feel that too many American's are too quick to taking pain pills and prescription drugs when it comes to something that ails them. If you've never had the pleasure of a massage, you would be surprised at how wonderful your entire body feels when you get up from the massage table.

There are so many different types of massage out there, but I think the most popular and the ones you will see offered at most Spas are going to be; Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Shiatsu, Hot Stone Massage, Sports Massage and at more and more places you will find a Pregnancy/Prenatal Massage on the menu.

SWEDISH MASSAGE

This is the most common type of massage. If you've never had a massage before, I would suggest starting with a Swedish Massage. This type of massage is considered to be very gentle and relaxing, using kneading and circular movements on the superficial layers of your skin with either massage oil or lotion.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

A deep tissue massage focuses on the deeper layers of your muscle tissue. The pressure will be more with a deep tissue than with a Swedish Massage. Before your Massage Therapist begins, he/she should ask you "How do you like your pressure?" Then of course you will say what you prefer. You should let the therapist use a deeper pressure so your knots and tension will be worked out better. But you should never be in pain during a deep tissue massage - although, it may feel a little uncomfortable. Of course, during your massage you can feel free to tell your therapist to adjust the pressure to make it more comfortable for you. A deep tissue massage is also great for releasing toxins that are built up in your muscles and to get your blood and oxygen flowing better. If you decide to choose this type of massage, make sure you drink plenty of water afterwards to help eliminate the toxins and also to prevent any soreness.

SHIATSU

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage and can also be referred to as Acupressure. (This is not to be confused with acupuncture, which involves the use of needles.) For a Shiatsu massage, the therapist applies pressure with their fingers and palms to different parts of the body to help improve the flow of energy in the body and also to regain balance in the body. The Japanese believe that the energy in the body (called the qi or chi) circulates along channels called meridians. When your chi is flowing freely, your body will feel strong and energized and you will also flush away toxins.

HOT STONE MASSAGE

The name pretty much explains this one. During a Hot Stone massage, the therapist will place smooth, hot stones along different points of your back, shoulders and sometimes in the palms of your hands for you to hold. The heat of the stones helps loosen up tight muscles more easily. The therapist will use massage oil or lotion and use the smooth stones to massage your back. Hot Stone massages are extremely relaxing and will leave your muscles feeling loosened and energized.

SPORTS MASSAGE

A Sports Massage is great if you have an active lifestyle, play sports or just like to work out a lot. This type of massage isn't aimed at relaxation but for preventing injuries and improving flexibility and performance. There may also be some stretching involved in a sports massage.

PREGNANCY/PRENATAL MASSAGE

Pregnancy massages are gaining more and more popularity among expecting mothers. If you get a Prenatal massage, its is very important that you make sure the therapist is a certified pregnancy massage therapist. You do not want a regular massage therapist because a pregnancy massage therapist has been trained to modify massage techniques and also to position and support a pregnant woman's body. This is important for the comfort as well as safety for not only the mother but the baby as well. A Pregnancy massage will relieve swelling, reduce stress, relieve aches and pains and reduce pressure and stress on your joints.

Spas and massage treatments are getting so popular that you can choose from places to go all over the world! People create their vacations around massages and other spa treatments and services like body wraps, facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures plus some of these spas will incorporate Yoga and Pilates, meditation and even cleansing into a spa package. You can choose from Day Spas, Destination Spas and Resort Spas. Some tips would be to research the Spa that you are planning to visit and make sure you will get what you want out of the whole experience. Spa packages can be pretty pricey so you want to be sure you get what you are looking for. Also, when booking an appointment for a massage feel free to ask questions to find out who the best massage therapist might be. The receptionist working at the front desk should be able to tell you a little something about their therapists and also who is the most popular and gets the most bookings. You may be at the most beautiful Spa in the world, but your therapist is what will make the difference between a so-so massage and the most amazing massage you've ever had!

I hope after reading this article you will want to go out and find a spa and get a massage. I can't even describe how wonderful they feel and how beneficial they are for your whole body! You have to experience it for yourself. I believe that massage fits right in with a healthy diet and exercise - all of these things will help you feel your best from the inside out! If you don't know where to begin to look for a spa, maybe you would like to check out SpaFinder.com Here you can learn more about the different types of Spas and massages, do a Spa Search, browse through their Spa Guide and even find out about Spa Events all over the world!

Have a Healthy Day!