General Relaxation

In a recent study, Swedish massage techniques were found to reduce levels of anxiety in the participants.

The areas identified for measurement during the study included blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and body temperature. In addition, the participants’ anxiety levels were measured before and after each massage therapy stage. One group received Swedish massage of the neck, back and chest, while the other group experienced massage of the legs, arms and hands and the face.

Results of the research revealed women in both massage groups exhibited a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in the first stage. However, only those in the back, neck and chest massage group showed a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure. In measuring the average body temperature, those who showed a significant drop were the ones who received the leg, arm and face massage group. Pulse and respiratory rates decreased significantly among the women in both massage groups.

The authors of the study said “It can be concluded that massage therapy was useful for decreasing the vital signs associated with anxiety in healthy women.”

If you suffer from occasional or ongoing anxiety, consider including regular massage as part of your wellness program. For an experienced, skilled massager therapist, call Jodi for an appointment at 701-238-8257. She has been practicing since 2008 and has many wonderful reviews.

Swedish massage therapy is the most well-known and widely practiced type of therapeutic massage—and for good reason. This type of massage focuses on muscle relaxation, targeting superficial muscles (rather than the connective tissues targeted in deep-tissue massage) and increasing blood circulation.

Wondering if you should try a Swedish massage? Check out some of the benefits below to learn why a Swedish massage might be a great choice for you.

Pain management. If you have a condition like sciatica or osteoarthritis and are suffering from chronic pain as a result, Swedish massage can be an effective method for managing that pain in a natural way. Notify your massage therapist about your pain points so they can target those areas and use a stroking motion to improve local circulation and reduce muscle tension.

Increased blood flow. Your Swedish Massage Therapist should use effleurage – a long, stroking motion in the direction of blood flow towards the heart – in order to open up your blood vessels and increase your blood flow. Increased blood flow means that your muscles are getting more nutrients and oxygen and that your body is removing toxins more efficiently.

 Rehabilitation for muscle injuries. Your Therapist should also rely on kneading and friction to address any existing injuries, such as adhesions (which occur when muscle tissues fuse together). Many people say that this technique, which relaxes layers of muscle, makes it feel as if the Massage Therapist is “working out the kinks.”

Increased flexibility. When your muscles are more relaxed, you’re able to experience a wider range of motion. A combination of Swedish massage and regular stretching is a great way for anyone to stave off workout-related injuries and get the most out of their periods of exercise.

Reduced stress. Swedish massages are meant to maximize relaxation—you’ll be on a massage table, in a peaceful environment, with a professional spending an extended time (between 60 – 120 minutes) giving you a massage. The combination of the hands-on attention and the environment should relax you, lowering the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Lowering your stress level offers a surprising number of additional benefits, including reducing or eliminating tension headaches, giving you more energy, and allowing you to get a better night’s sleep.

Improved immune system. One other great benefit of reducing your stress with a Swedish massage is that the lower cortisol levels allow your immune system to grow stronger, meaning that you’re less likely to get sick and can spend more time doing the things you enjoy.

Swedish massage is a great way to treat yourself—but it’s also a lot more than that. The physical and mental health benefits of a Swedish massage make it a great option for those new to massage or someone looking to a complete massage experience. Interested in Swedish massage? Call Jodi for an appointment at 701-238-8257.

There is nothing like a Massage to relax and revitalize your body at the same time. Whether you choose to have a massage to manage stress, for healing purposes or just as a way to elevate your day, you want that feeling of relaxation to continue. There are ways to extend the effects of your massage so that it lasts for hours, even days, after you leave the massage table.

Reduce your Stress
One of the most common reasons people partake in a massage is to try and peel away the tension caused by stress. While Massage Therapy takes that away and helps relax your body, you can maintain that relaxation by learning to reduce the strain that stress has on your body. Take the time to learn breathing techniques and how to let go of tension in your body.

Take Care of Your Body
Maintaining the wellness you feel after a massage can be made easier when you care for your body. A healthy body and lifestyle will help you extend that feeling of well-being throughout the week. To stay healthy, relaxed and revitalized, make sure you:

–Hydrate. Your muscles, brain and organs all need to stay hydrated to function properly. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially after your massage. Massage Therapy tends to release lactic acid stored in your muscles, which needs to be flushed out of your body after your appointment. Drinking water can reduce soreness after a massage by quickly filtering out those toxins released.

–Nourish. Eat fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods that are high in nutrients. Give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to function at its highest level. This will help your muscles repair, plus give your body the tools it needs to combat stress and tension.

–Exercise. Exercise and massage go hand-in-hand. Both invigorate your body and help keep your muscles active. Exercise helps relieve tension, just like massage. Also, exercising releases endorphins which is fantastic for relieving stress.

While you can extend the feeling of health and relaxation that a massage gives, it will not last forever. Give your body the gift of regularly scheduled Massage Therapy. Allow yourself to stay on a regular schedule to relieve that extra tension as needed and give you something to look forward to. If this makes sense to you, call Jodi at Inner Focus Massage at 701-238-8257.

Your massage therapist sees many clients with varying needs. To assure the best possible massage experience you should try to get comfortable with your own goals and comfort levels. Here are several tips to help you get the best massage experience:

• Outline your goals. What are you hoping to achieve through massage therapy? The more we know about your hopes and expectations, the better your experience will be.

• Let us know what you are comfortable with.We want you to be relaxed when you are here. If something makes you uncomfortable, let us know so we can resolve the issue.
• Point out pain areas. If you are in pain, please let us know before you begin a session. We want to help you relieve areas of tension and pain—not cause more by working on a sensitive area.

• Hydrate. Drinking plenty of water can increase the benefits of your massage; hydrate both before and after your sessions.

• Creating a relaxing environment. What will make you the most relaxed? Let us know if the room is too warm or cool for your comfort, or if you would like the music louder or softer. Everything is customizable to your specific need.

• Refrain from eating. It is best not to eat anything heavy before or directly after your massage. Try to schedule massages at a time you can refrain from eating an hour before and an hour after your session.

• Be on time for your appointment.Get the most out of your session by arriving on time so that we can ensure you and other clients get the attention you deserve.

• Talk or don’t talk; it’s your choice. Many clients enjoy conversing with their therapist during their session, while others prefer to relax and be quiet. It is perfectly okay to do either. But if you wish to be quiet and simply enjoy the massage, know that your therapist will not be offended by your silence.

• Aromatherapy lotion preferences.Aromatherapy lotions are used to help enhance the massage experience. If you have any aversions to any specific aromatherapies or essential oils please let your therapist know.

• Try to relax your muscles and mind before and during your massage. The more you can let go of the tension in your body, the greater the effect your massage will have on the body.

Nothing sounds better on a cold winter day than a warm, stone fireplace. However, sitting in front of a fireplace will not give you the same benefits as a therapeutic massage. During the colder months combine the benefits of your regular massage with the healing heat of hot stones to get the best of both worlds.

What Is a Hot Stone Massage?

Just as it sounds, a hot stone massage uses perfectly heated stones with a therapeutic massage. These smooth stones are heated and retain the heat due to their high mineral content. The massage therapist strategically uses the heat and structure of the stones to massage trigger points and sore muscle areas to warm the soft tissue for a more potent effect on the outcome of your massage. Not only does this heat feel wonderful on a cold winter’s day, it has some amazing advantages.

• Pain Relief. We all know heat is used for muscle soreness. The heat helps relax muscles and tendons, allowing them to become less stiff and more pliable. This is a perfect strategy before beginning a deep tissue massage that can be painful if the muscles are too tight and strained. With relaxed muscles, your therapist can penetrate more deeply in your massage to help relieve sore muscles.
• Circulation. Poor circulation in your extremities can lead to stiff muscles and lactic acid build up. Hot stones help improve circulation by opening up the blood vessels and allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your muscles. Improved circulation releases toxins, assisting in improved self-healing. The therapist places the stones strategically to help improve the circulatory system to your problem areas. Additionally, improved circulation helps with lymphatic drainage and cell renewal.
• Reduced stress. Although there are many physical benefits of massage, relieving stress is one of the most beneficial both for the mind and body. Considering that the majority of the American population experiences the physical symptoms of stress – this is incredibly powerful. With the addition of hot stones, you are combining the relaxing effects of heat with the generally relaxing effects of massage. This improved relaxation washes away stress symptoms, lowers blood pressure, reduces fatigue symptoms and re-energizes the mind and spirit.

Hot stones can be combined with Swedish or deep-tissue massage for accelerated benefits. Although anyone can enjoy the warmth and healing factors that hot stone massages offer, those with sore muscles or deep tissue pain will especially appreciate the added benefits of heat.

Nothing sounds better on a cold winter day than a warm, stone fireplace. However, sitting in front of a fireplace will not give you the same benefits as a therapeutic massage. During the colder months combine the benefits of your regular massage with the healing heat of hot stones to get the best of both worlds.

It’s no secret that Massage Therapy can seriously enhance your quality of life and health, making it an important part of your wellness routine. Here are eight tips to make sure you leave each massage session completely recharged and rejuvenated:

Don’t eat right before your session. The American Massage Therapy Association discourages eating immediately before your massage. Give yourself time to digest your last meal before your massage.

Be on time.You deserve to relax for every minute of a full session, so make sure you are on time for your appointment. This ensures the Massage Therapist has time to discuss the goals for your session and perform the full treatment without delaying other guests.

Talk to your Massage Therapist. Before each session, you have an opportunity to talk to your Massage Therapist about your goals for your massage. Make the most of this time by explaining what you are trying to achieve through massage, whether it is pain relief, improved sleep or better performance.

Relax and breathe. During your massage, make sure to take even, regular breathes and relax as much as possible. The more you can relax your body and mind while breathing at a regular pace, the better results you will get from your massage session.

Communicate with your Therapist. Don’t be afraid to tell your Massage Therapist if you feel uncomfortable or if a movement or pressure is causing you pain. Your massage shouldn’t be something you have to endure – it should be something you enjoy! Let your Massage Therapist know if anything isn’t to your liking.

Stay hydrated.You may have heard that drinking plenty of water after your massage session is important. However, research has shown that staying hydrated before your session is just as vital. Your connective tissues or fascia are more pliant when properly hydrated, making your massage more productive.

Discuss any soreness with your Therapist. After your session, make sure to discuss any changes or soreness in your body with your Massage Therapist.

Skip the massage if you’re sick.Massage Therapy may make symptoms worse, plus you don’t want to share your illness with others. It may be best to reschedule for when you are feeling better.

To make an appointment with Jodi, call 701-238-8257