Craniosacral Massage - The Benefits

Craniosacral massage is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of the craniosacral system.

It is a form of healing therapy, we look at the benefits of craniosacral massage and examine the benefits of it in more detail.

What is the Craniosacral System?

The Craniosacral system is a physiological system like the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and provides the physical environment in which the brain and spinal cord develop and function.

The membranes and cerebrospinal fluid of the craniosacral system surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Craniosacral Massage therapy deals with the bones of the head, spinal column, sacrum and the underlying structures.

This type of massage employs a very light touch and uses specifically designed techniques to release restrictions and compression in these areas.

Craniosacral Massage - How Does it Work?

Craniosacral massage taps into the inherent wisdom of the body which allows it to heal itself where possible.

The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body. Craniosacral massage therapists use a very light, soft touch to monitor this rhythm and pinpoint sources of obstruction and stress in the body.

Once located the therapist will assist the natural movement and release of the restriction to help the body self correct.

Craniosacral massage therapy can be used to treat childhood conditions such as poor sleep, restlessness, colic and ear infections.

It is a gentle and non-invasive therapy and can be used to treat babies while they are asleep.

Craniosacral Massage - Is it safe for Everyone?

Craniocascral massage is safe if performed for the right condition.

As with most massage treatments there are some medical conditions that are contra indicated and craniosacral massage should not be recommended.

These include conditions where a variation and/or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability.

Acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other pre-existing severe bleeding disorders are examples of conditions that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes.

It is advisable to consult your medical practitioner before embarking on a course of treatment.

Craniosacral Massage - What are the Benefits?

Due to its influence on the functioning of the central nervous system, craniosacral massage benefits the body in a number of ways.

It is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease and alleviate a wide range of specific medical conditions including:

o Chronic back and neck pain

o Headache

o Tension

o Migraine

o Autism

o Chronic Fatigue

o Post traumatic stress disorder

o Emotional difficulties

Craniosacral massage has also proved effective in treating stress related dysfunctions and various sensory disorders. 

What Happens during a Session?

As with most massage treatment, craniosacral massage usually takes place in a quiet, private setting.
During the massage you will remain fully clothed and it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing. Most people choose to remove their shoes.

You will be asked to recline on a massage couch or treatment table. The practitioner sits or stands and
will move around between the client's head, torso and feet.

Some therapists may use a light organic oil to facilitate the massage.

Finding a qualified therapist

To get the best results from a craniosacral massage, seek out a suitably trained and qualified therapist who you feel comfortable with.

     By Kelly Price

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/275274


Thank you for reading this article :)

Aromatherapy Massage and Massage Oils

Aromatherapy, as the name suggests, means treating the body using scents. Throw in massage to that and you have a healing treatment that stimulates the senses - touch, smell and even sight and hearing (when the setting is right and you have added mood lighting and relaxing music). With this modality, essential oils are used to massage so as to heal and promote wellness. Aromatherapy has been proven to improve one's health, cognitive function and mood. An important aspect of the aromatherapy massage is the oils that are used. These essential oils can heal, kill bacteria, cure skin problems, invigorate the senses and relieve pain.

This is a holistic treatment program that lets you enjoy the smell of essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, rose and lemon. Drops of these oils are applied and rubbed into the skin, added to the bath water, or "burned" in such a way that it fills the entire room. As you inhale these pleasant scents, your nervous system and brain are stimulated and rejuvenated.

The oils used for aromatherapy massage are actually taken from botanical materials - flowers, trees, fruits, leaves, bark, etc. There are around 150 of these oils and these can be used by themselves or blended with other oils. Eucalyptus, bergamot, basil, jasmine, sandalwood and ylang ylang are just some of these. It is important that these oils are all-natural, oils that are synthetic will not be as effective. These essential oils contain chemical components such as ketones, esters, alcohols, terpenes and aldehydes that have health benefits to the body.

     By Cristi Enache

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3028239


Thank you for reading this article :)

What Is Chair Massage?

Chair massage is a short massage, anywhere from five to 30 minutes, done through the clothing. It typically focuses on key tension areas in the back, neck, shoulders and arms. A professional practitioner performs it in a specially designed ergonomic massage chair. They were originally referred to by its creator, David Palmer, as "on-site massage" since the massage chairs were portable and were usually brought into a workplace. However, this kind of onsite massage service is now more commonly referred to as simply "chair massage" and sometimes as "seated massage".

They are performed in all kinds of environments. Most people know about the service as a corporate massage service, although probably only half of all of them are done in the workplace. Retail chair massage, either done in massage stores or as stand alone massage booths or massage kiosks is becoming increasingly common.

One of the benefits of them is that it takes a service that is typically done behind closed doors and makes it visible to the public. Because it is done out in the open, people getting them know exactly what to expect. They can see who is doing the massage and what they are doing.

Another benefit of chair massage is that it is done over the clothing. Many people feel uncomfortable getting undressed for traditional massage that is done on a table. With seated massage, people can avoid the discomfort and awkwardness that they may feel having to disrobe.

The sessions are usually shorter than traditional massage making it very convenient for anyone to fit into their schedule. And because the sessions are shorter, the cost for a chair massage is relatively low. These benefits make chair massage a safe, convenient and affordable. It's no wonder that more people are introduced to massage through chair massage than through any other massage technique.

      By Eric G Brown

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/825566


Thank you for reading this article :)

Lymphatic Massage - The Benefits

Lymphatic massage or lymph drainage massage is a technique used to help increase lymph flow.
Increased lymph flow removes harmful substances from the tissues and increases immune function.

Lymphatic massage can be useful in cases of edema, sports injury or for people experiencing a sluggish immune system or those suffering from a lack of energy.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in your body's ability heal from injury and ward off disease. 

It is essential to the body's drainage system for cleansing and filtering out toxins and bacteria.

Problems With The Lymphatic System

Aches, pains, soreness and flu like symptoms could all be caused by congested lymph pathways.

The Benefits of Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic massage can help to unblock the lymph system by manually cleansing the lymph system in a clockwise fashion.

Performing lymphatic massage correctly can stimulate the opening of the initial lymphatic and increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20 times.

Because lymph cleanses nearly every cell in your body the negative effects of chronic lymph blockages include but are not limited to:

o Frequent cold and flu infections

o Joint pain

o Headache and migraine

o Menstrual cramps

o Arthritis

o Loss of appetite

o Fatigue

o Mood irregularities

o Depression

o Acne

o Cellulite

What is Lymphatic Massage?

The use of massage as a healing therapy dates back centuries.
Lymphatic massage was developed in the 1930s and is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the body's lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.

Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins.

A strong immune system makes you feel balanced, happy and whole.

As with most massage, it is vital to drink lots of water after a lymphatic massage to flush away toxins that have been released.

Lymphatic Massage - What can it be used for?

Lymphatic massage has been used for years to enhance the quality of the skin.

o Lymphatic massage aids the increase of lymph flow. When the lymph is flowing as it should, cells are bathed in fresh fluid making the skin look fresh and alive.

Lymphatic massage is also useful for people with sports injuries.

o When applied after neuromuscular massage, lymphatic massage helps to clear the tissue of debris and reduce the minor edema that can occur after deep tissue massage.

o Repeated lymphatic massage whilst healing from a sports injury can help to enhance the tissue regeneration process by keeping the tissue as healthy as possible.

It is thought that lymphatic massage can also help the scarring process by enhancing circulation and immunity.

o Increased lymph flow around the scar stimulates damaged lymph vessels to heal.

o Increased lymph flow draws away toxins improving the health of the tissues.

Another common use of lymph drainage massage is in breast cancer cases.

o Women who have had axillary lymph nodes removed sometimes develop edema in their arm. As long as there is only minor swelling, then a massage therapist with a good knowledge of contraindication and some specific techniques can do a great amount of good.

Lymphatic Massage - Is it Safe?

For the most part lymphatic massage is safe. However as with all massage therapies there are some contra indications. For lymphatic massage specifically, these include acute inflammation, malignant tumors, thrombosis and major heart problems.

To get the best results from a lymphatic massage, seek out a suitably trained and qualified therapist.

      By Kelly Price

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/283527

Thank you for reading this article :)