There are spas and then there is the massage spa. If what you seek is a real body massage â and I mean serious massage therapy in Clearwater, FL â then I recommend the latter. Only a real massage spa could offer a variety of massage options, including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and sports massage given by professional massage therapists.
I suppose you would want the same even if you were in Oldsmar, FL or Safety Harbor, FL or Trinity, FL. Everyone gets tired out and stressed, after all. Those bodily aches and pains are just begging for attention. Massage therapy is just what you need, whether you are in Clearwater, FL or in neighboring locations.
Regular Body Massage Therapy Sessions
Body massage has been proven to be therapeutic not just for stress relief and the alleviation of muscle pain. It can be an effective therapy for tension headaches, as well, including recurring tension headaches. It increases circulation and lowers the blood pressure while also improving overall body posture. Oh and did I say that its very relaxing effect leaves you looking blissfully at your most beautiful?
The long-term physiological and psychological benefits of body massage can only be experienced through multiple massage therapy sessions, though, whether in Clearwater, FL or in any other location. If one session alone can make you feel great, imagination how much better youâll be feeling with regular sessions?
Whatever your needs, professionally trained and experienced massage therapists can design a custom-made program just for you. They will know exactly what kind of body massage would be most effective for your body condition. Having body massage sessions scheduled beforehand ensures that you make time for it in your life. Just knowing about it is also in itself a relaxing idea, like the promise of a special treat for yourself.
Another benefit of scheduling regular body massage therapy sessions is that you could probably get a package deal from the massage spa, saving you money.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage got its name from its place of origin, which is Stockholm, Sweden. Today, it is considered the most popular type of massage around the world.
Swedish massage is recommended for general body relaxation. With lotion to minimize friction while stimulating the skin, long gliding strokes are used along the muscles, following the path of blood circulation toward the heart. Circular pressure is then applied with the palm and the hands, along with kneading techniques, tapping, bending and stretching. This results in increased levels of blood oxygen, a decrease in muscle toxins, improved blood circulation, better flexibility and the dissipation of tension.
Deep Tissue Massage
Whereas Swedish massage strokes follow the length of the muscle, deep tissue massage strokes are done across the grain of the muscle. Deep finger pressure is exerted directly on tight muscle knots, slowly releasing chronic muscle tension. Although it can be painful and can actually leave soreness for several days, the long term effects of deep tissue massage include reduced muscle inflammation, relaxation and pain relief. It is also known to be effective in eliminating scar tissue.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is necessary for athletes and the exact type of massage given by massage therapists is usually geared toward the specific sport of the person and whatever body part needs the most attention. The specific benefits of sports massage include improved flexibility and endurance, better performance, less fatigue and the prevention of injuries.
One need not be a professional athlete to enjoy the benefits of sports massage, though. Any sports enthusiast or even a beginner in any sport will definitely be better prepared with it.
With all these massage options available in a massage spa, wouldnât you want to find one for a massage therapy session right here in Clearwater, FL?
Mothers are the best massage therapists for their own babies. The home is the baby’s very own massage spa. Here are some body massage therapy techniques for baby’s torso that mothers in Oldsmar, Trinity, Safety Harbor and Clearwater FL can learn and apply very easily. These are done with the baby’s torso unclothed in a warm room without draughts.
The most basic stroke for baby’s chest and back is called the open book. The mother puts her palms together with the thumbs near her and the pinky fingers on the baby’s side. The pinky fingers are placed on the baby’s skin and the palms are opened with the pinky fingers moving away from each other while the thumbs remain together. The opening movement continues until the thumbs of the mother are flush against the baby’s skin. The thumbs then separate and move away from each other, also sliding against the baby’s skin.
Mothers can start a massage session by using the open book stroke on the baby’s chest, by the ribcage. Her palms should end up smoothing the baby’s torso under the arms.
She should repeat the open book stroke on the chest, but with the palms moving up to the baby’s collar bones to his shoulders and down the tops of his arms.
The mother should then position her hand diagonally on her baby’s chest with her fingers pointing to one shoulder. She should smooth up her palm until it passes under her baby’s chin to the crease of the neck. She should then use her other hand to do the same toward her baby’s other shoulder.
Moving down the lower torso, the mother should draw an arch with the balls of two fingertips from the top of her baby’s right thigh upwards following the underside of his ribcage and down to the top of his left thigh. This direction is complementary to baby’s digestive system.
The stroke called “scooping the sand” describes the motion of the mother seeming to scoop sand out of her baby’s tummy under his ribcage. This is done five times with each of the mother’s hands. It is repeated with the mother’s other hand holding up the baby’s legs.
A variation of the arch follows, this time using all the balls on the fingertips of one of the mother’s hands. She traces a rainbow from the top of her baby’s right thigh upwards to a point below his belly button and down to the top of the left thigh. She then sweeps her fingers back through the same route to the right. The full cycle is done five times, with the mother taking care not to rub her baby’s skin in an irritating manner.
The mother then walks her fingers horizontally just above her baby’s belly button from right to left, then slides her fingers back to the right. This is done five times.
Finally, he mother puts her thumbs together and spreads both pals like a bird in flight. She should place her thumbs in the middle of her baby’s stomach with her fingers curved around his waist. Her thumbs should be just on top of her baby’s belly button. She should then slowly separate her thumbs and move them away from each other toward her baby’s sides.
Mothers can be the massage therapists for their babies but self-massage is not as relaxing. Mothers deserve to be pampered, too. They can go get Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or sports massage therapy from any reputable massage spa in Oldsmar, Trinity, Safety Harbor and Clearwater FL. They will emerge refreshed and rejuvenated enough to be their best with their babies again.
Natural health and natural beauty are the catch phrases these days. People want to take care of themselves to live longer and more productive lives, and to enjoy the best quality of life by feeling good and looking good. Well, the massage spa is your best resource if you want body massage therapy along with beauty treatments in Clearwater, FL. You can have easy access to it, too, even from Oldsmar, Safety Harbor or Trinity, FL.
Professional massage therapists in a massage spa are trained to give Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and sports massage. In addition to that, beauty estheticians in a massage spa can give you facials and other skin and beauty treatments.
Massage
Massage has been proven to be very therapeutic in the prevention and treatment of various illnesses. In fact, it is now part of many mainstream medical regimens. Whether you are in the best of health and just want to maintain it, or you have certain conditions you want to treat, massage can only be beneficial to you.
Swedish massage is preferred by many because it is considered to be the gentlest and most relaxing style of massage. Those who cannot tolerate hard massage will love this.
Deep tissue massage is preferred by those who are experiencing nagging muscle pains, usually at the shoulders and the back. The therapist digs deep into the muscles to find knots of tension. Each of these knots are focused on until they are released. A regular regimen of deep tissue massage can free you even from long-term chronic pain.
Sports massage helps athletes and fitness buffs prepare their bodies for events and workouts, enable them to recover faster afterwards, and help them resolve any injury.
Massage may be therapeutic but it also affects your looks. Relief from any pain, or even just relief from tension and stress, will inevitably bring a glow to your countenance. You will radiate wellbeing and peace, and nothing can be more attractive than that.
Facials
Facials are intended to clean, exfoliate and nourish the skin, resulting in a clear, smooth and moisturized complexion. It is also very relaxing and has the effect of boosted self-confidence.
Skin cleansing is done with special creams according to skin type. Steam is directed toward the face to prepare the skin for exfoliation. Blackheads and whiteheads are extracted, followed by an anti-bacterial treatment. The skin is then massaged to stimulate facial muscles and improve skin tone and facial contours. Relaxation follows with a mask appropriate to the skin type.
Acne facials focus more on extractions and the application of an anti-acne medication mask. On the other hand, a mini facial does not include extractions. An age defense facial has the addition of vitamin C in the treatment. A collagen facial has added collagen treatments. There is also an oxygen facial where pure oxygen is misted on the face.
A facial should be done only once a month since the skin regenerates every four to six weeks. Those with acne may do it every two weeks only at the start of treatment and could taper off when the problem is resolved.
Make the Massage Spa a Part of Your Lifestyle
The massage spa should be a requisite part of your lifestyle if you intend to remain in top health and to always look your best naturally. You feel pampered and always emerge ready to face the coming days with renewed vigor and vitality. It’s like immersing yourself in the fountain of youth every time. This is one investment that you need and you want for yourself. You definitely deserve it.
The basic foundation of good health is a strong immune system. You can strengthen your immune system with body massage therapy inClearwater, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and Trinity, FL. There are professional massage therapists to help you in well-appointed and reputable massage spas.
Scientific studies have established the beneficial effects of massage in boosting immunity. The most dramatic results can be seen in studies done among HIV positive patients.
As HIV worsens, the patients’ CD4+ cells decline. These are the immune system’s helper cells. HIV attaches itself to the CD4+ cells so that when CD4+ cells multiply to fight infection, HIV multiplies, too, and disarms the CD4+ cells. Immunity is, therefore compromised. The normal range of CD4+ cell counts should be 500 to 1,600 or an average of 1,000 per cubic millimeter of blood. In AIDS cases, the CD4+ count falls below 200.
Another helper cell of the immune system is the CD8+ cell or suppressor cell. There should be one CD8+ cell for every 1-2 CD4+ cells. In HIV patients, this ration decreases, too, as more helper cells are depleted.
Studies have, therefore, used cellular measures as the gauge for the effectiveness of massage in strengthening immunity. A study by Ironson et al in 1996 was participated in by 29 adult male HIV patients divided into two groups. The first group was given 45-minute massages from Monday to Friday for one month. The second group had no massage. After the month-long treatment, the massage group showed an increase in CD8+ cells, as well as in natural killer (NK) cells which are also crucial in fighting diseases.
A following study by Diego et al was participated in by 24 adolescent HIV patients. This time, the study covered three months. The massage group was given 20-minute chair massage sessions twice a week for those three months. The second group was given 20-minute relaxation therapy sessions twice a week for the same three months. After the treatment period, the massage group alone had increased CD4+ cells, improved CD4+-to-CD8+ ratio, and increased NK cells.
In 2000, a study by Birk et al showed that the frequency of massage is a major factor for producing positive outcomes in terms of immune boosting. Birk et al only gave their participants once a week massage sessions and showed no effects on immune system cell measures.
More positive results were shown by the study conducted by Shor-Posner et al among 24 HIV positive children aged two to eight years old in the Dominican Republic, with blood samples flown to a Miami laboratory for testing. The massage group was given 20-minute massage sessions twice a week for three months. The control group was given friendly visits by a nurse or therapist for 20 minutes twice a week for the same three months. After the treatment period, the massage group’s CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts increased while those of the control group decreased.
It is encouraging to note that massage could now be used as a weapon in fighting HIV, especially among children. It can be a very important weapon especially in areas that cannot afford expensive medication.
If massage can help the ravaged immune system of those afflicted with HIV, think of how much it can improve the health of those who do not have HIV.
Do yourself and your health a favor by strengthening your immune system. You can choose from a wide variety of body massage therapy services, including deep tissue massage, sports massage and Swedish massage, given by qualified massage therapists in the massage spas ofClearwater, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and Trinity, FL. This is one prescription you’ll definitely enjoy.
Body massage therapy from a reputable massage clinic in Clearwater, FL can enhance your skin care regimen. You can get massage and spa services from professional massage therapists and facial therapists. These services can be availed of even by residents of Oldsmar, Safety Harbor and Trinity, FL.
The Fall 2008 online issue of Massage Envy Magazine states that stress-relieving massage also benefits the skin. It quotes dermatologist Valori Treloar, M.D. saying, âStress worsens many skin conditions, so the anti-stress benefits are not surprising.â
The online magazine adds that massage removes toxins and improves circulation, resulting in healthier skin. Increased blood flow corresponds to better delivery of nutrients and more efficient flushing away of waste products, giving a rosy warm glow to the skin. Dermatologist Amy Newburger, M.D. says, âMassage promotes the health of the skin by getting more blood circulation into areas of the skin where they might not be getting the appropriate amount of blood circulation.â
Massage works well with the right skin care regimen. Murad Inc. has been a leader in the skin care industry for the last twenty years and founder Howard Murad, M.D. is an associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. Murad Inc. has partnered with the Massage Envy chain of massage clinics to deliver facial treatments in some of its locations. This was announced in the Fall 2009 issue of Massage Envy Magazine online.
According to Dr. Murad, there are four steps to healthy skin. These are first, to cleanse and tone; second, to treat and repair; third, to moisturize and protect; and fourth, to treat the entire body.
“Focus on cleaning skin in the evening to remove dirt that has accumulated throughout the day,” Dr. Murad advises. He recommends using a toner to finish the cleansing routine and get the skin ready for a moisturizer.
Author Stephanie Thurrott writes in the Fall 2008 online issue of Massage Envy Magazine that skin cleansing needs change according to the weather. In winter, the skin becomes dry and flaky while in summer, sweat proteins may clog pores if not properly washed off.
After cleansing and toning, Dr. Murad recommends treatment and repair according to the condition of the skin. He urges those with acne problems to try products with retinol, and those with wrinkle problems to try anti-aging products. Thurrott says creams and lotions with alpha hydroxyl acids are also effective exfoliants that can clear pores. They make the skin more sensitive to the sun, though.
Moisturizing and protection comprise the third step of Dr. Muradâs regimen. He suggests a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15. In Thurrottâs article dermatologist DâAnne Kleinsmith, M.D. of Bloomfield Dermatology Associates says, âI prefer that women use a moisturizer with a sunscreen rather than relying on their makeup to contain a sunscreen. When you apply makeup, youâre not going to apply a very heavy layer of the product, so the sunscreen coverage will not be adequate.â
The fourth step of Dr. Muradâs skin care regimen involves taking care of the entire body system through a healthy diet and lifestyle. He says, âTake an inclusive approach to health that addresses your needs topically through skin care, internally through diet and supplements, and emotionally through self-care in the form of massage, facials, meditation and interpersonal connection.”
So enjoy the benefits of Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy and sports massage therapy from professional massage therapists for your body and your skin. Accompany your body massage therapy with a facial from the same massage clinic and spa in Clearwater, FL to round off your health and beauty routine. If youâre lucky, it will be the massage clinic that offers Murad spa facials.
