lynnspirationsmassage.com | Massage and Healilng Arts | Des Moines, Iowa

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Swedish massage uses long flowing strokes, deep kneading, surface friction, light tapping and joint movement. Chair massage is a few minutes of massage to help relieve stress. Foot massage or reflexology is another form of massage.

There are special techniques that can be used to relieve painful trigger points, to relax contracted fascia (the muscles' protective coverings), realign and heal injured tissue, aid lymph drainage or restore the natural balance and flow of energy throughout the body. Some massage therapists used heated stones to increase relaxation during massage.

Your massage therapist will ask you general health questions since there are some conditions for which massage is not appropriate. You may be asked to complete a health and history form. You will be asked to undress completely for Swedish massage, although you may have the option to leave on your underwear. You will be given the privacy to undress and lie on the table, covering with a sheet. You will be covered except for the are being worked on.

A blanket and cushions are offered for comfort. The room will be quiet, often with soft music to help relax. Massage starts with a gentle pressure at first and then may become more firm or deeper as the therapist works on a certain area.

Massage on healthy tissue feels good. The normal response is to slow down, breath deeply and try to relax. Your massage therapist will use gentle but firm pressure, gradually preparing to go deeper.. Always tell your therapist if you feel any discomfort, or if the pressure needs to be stronger or less, so she can adjust the pressure.

When choosing a massage therapist, check their credentials. Make sure they are licensed in the state they are working in. Iowa requires state licensing. Some states do not require licensing but are in the process of changing those requirements.

Also, if the massage therapist belongs to an organization such as the American Massage Therapy Association or a Massage and Bodywork organization, shows that they are actively participating and supporting their occupation. Also, see if they are Nationally Certified in Massage and Bodywork.

Massage is more than just a form of relaxation. It helps you get in touch with your body, taking time to slow down, deep breathe. It also affects your nervous system and pain response. Frequent and regular massage increases and enhances the benefits.

Read about the benefits of massage

Review the ABC'S of massage

That is up to you. Some people schedule 2-3 times a week, some weekly and some monthly. Studies have shown that frequent massage has many health benefits and can be incorporated in your wellness routine.

Reiki sessions vary depending on what you are coming in for. If you would like relaxation, the session starts with you lying on the massage table fully clothed. You may cover with a blanket or not. You can leave your shoes on or take them off. The practitioner will place their hands on or above your body in various positions that cover some of the endocrine organs of your body.

You may not experience anything, or you may feel warmth, tingling, pulsating feeling, emotion, or feel cool. Each experience is unique and varied. Some have had amazing healing results both physical and/or emotional.

Some clients that have had difficulty relaxing completely during a massage, have been able to relax during a Reiki session. The body takes the Reiki energy and uses it where needed. A session usually lasts from 1hour to 1 1/2 hours. Or can be received in a few minutes.

I frequently used Reiki in my regular massages or in Chair massage if client agrees to having it used. Reiki has been used with Hospice clients, in hospitals before surgery, in many areas.

A massage chair is a portable chair that the massage therapist can have in their office or take with them to various locations to do massage. The client is fully clothed but may remove shoes. Your face rests in a head rest and then body is supported by a cushion in front.

You sit on a seat and knees are bent or legs can be in front or at sides of the leg rests. Hands and arms are brought forward resting on the arm rest. The therapist can adjust the chair for comfort. After you are seated comfortably in the chair, the massage therapist will begin to do massage on back, neck and shoulders, sometimes head, then arms and hands. Some will do stretches.

The chair massage can be in short increments of time, or can be done for 1/2 hour. Frequently, chair massage is charged $1.00/minute. Businesses can have 2 hour segments of time and have their employees come and have a 5 to 10 minute massage, allowing each person to have massage. Even that amount of time can make a large difference in how one feels and a benefit for the employer as well. Clients can schedule chair massage in the massage therapist's office as well.

Read more about the use of Labyrinths

Essential oils can be used in massage when mixed with oils. Many every day products have essential oils in them. Tea tree oil, rose oil. Some are duplicated and not "pure" oils. Young Living is very particular about the quality of their oils. They are distilled and closely monitored during harvesting of the plants and the processing.

For my own personal use, I use Young Living Lavender oil as a very relaxing oil, have applied to my feet at night to help me sleep.

There are books that tell what some people use specific oils for. Young Living offers a wide variety of products both oils and nutritional supplements as well.

Look at the YL Essential Oils web site for more information on the oils.

There are two techniques using Young Living Essential Oils. One is the Raindrop Technique, which drops certain oils on the back and light massage is used to spread the oils. The other is VITAFLEX TECHNIQUE, which uses Young Living Essential Oils when doing a type of reflexology/massage to the feet and legs. It spreads the oils and applies them to the reflexology areas of the foot.

Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas on the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflexes properly can help with many health problems in a natural way, a type of preventative maintenance. Reflexology has been used for many years.

Each foot represents half of the body, the left and right foot corresponding to the left and right side of the body. The inside of the foot, the great toe side corresponds with the center of the body *the spine* and the outer side of the foot, corresponds with the outer part of the body, shoulder, hip, etc. An example of reflexology response; if your massage therapist is working with a certain area of your toes, and you have sinus congestion, your nose may start to run. I have had this response as well.

Chakras are energy centers in the body. There are several but seven main ones. The crown chakra is located at the crown of the head, the brow chakra or the Third Eye Chakra is between the eyebrows on the face. The Throat chakra is in the throat area. The Heart Chakra is located in the center of the chest. Solar plexus chakra, is just above the navel area. Navel chakra or sacral plexus located in the lower abdomen. Root or base chakra is at the base of the spine. Each chakra has it's own function and corresponds with a certain body area. You can further research this on the web.