Burning Sage During Your Massage Can Help Cleanse Your Energy. Here’s How.
Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, drink lots of water, exercise.
Most of us know the basics of good physical health, but we aren’t always as good about taking care of our emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
People have been burning fragrant herbs for purification, enlightenment, and healing for a long time. Incense burners have been dated back as far as 4500 years ago in Egypt’s 5th Dynasty.
Did you know that burning sage comes with a long list of physical and spiritual benefits? When combined with other healing practices such as meditation and massage, it becomes even more powerful.
What is Sage?
Sage is an evergreen shrub in the mint family. It has a long history that can be traced back to ancient times. The Romans used it to improve digestion and treat ulcers, sore throats, and wounds. The French brewed sage into a tea, which became popular in China and exploded a sage trade.
White sage (Salvia apiana), which is the most common type used in smoke cleansing rituals, is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, and the Native Americans considered it to be a sacred herb.
The practice of burning sage and other medicinal herbs is known as “smudging” among many Native American tribes. There has been increasing pressure for non-Native users to call it “smoke cleansing” to avoid cultural appropriation of a tradition outlawed and practiced in secret until the 1978 American Indian Religious Freedom Act.
What Does Cleansing Energy Mean?
“Energy” comes in many forms. Our bodies are powerhouses that rely on food, drink, and sleep to break down energy in our digestive system and transform it into new, usable sources of energy.
When we talk about positive and negative energies, we’re focusing more on spiritual energy. Everything is in a constant state of vibration, even objects. Some people, like those with empathic traits, are more in tune with this spiritual energy. Other people might just notice that something feels “off” without pinpointing exactly what’s wrong.
Many problems occur when your vibrations aren’t in harmony. For example, your natural energy flow is clouded by personal negativity, such as stress, resentment, anger, frustration, etc. Or you’ve been exposed to a lot of bad energy from the people around you, and it’s affected your energy.
Cleansing energy gives you a reset. It clears away the negative energy affecting your wellbeing and helps realign your chakras so your usual, positive energy can flow again.
Why Would You Burn Sage During Your Massage?
There are different types of massages, such as Swedish massage therapy, Lomi Lomi, hot stone, et cetera.
While each type differs in specific techniques and health goals, massages generally improve circulation, reduce pain, promote relaxation, and boost your mood.
The massage focuses on physically manipulating your body into an optimal state. Of course, this comes with inherent spiritual benefits too, but burning sage simultaneously targets your spiritual energy while the massage therapist works on your body.
Realigning both your physical and spiritual wellbeing is essential to unlocking the benefits of a massage fully.
However, if you’re sensitive to smoke, be sure to communicate this to the massage therapist right away. An alternative method of cleansing energy, such as using crystals or aromatherapy, may be used instead.
Why Do You Want to Cleanse Your Energy?
Accumulating negative energy takes a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health.
Bad energy can cause stress, impacting your immune system, hormone balance, digestive system, and heart. Your sleep quality is poor, and you find yourself in a constant bad mood, which in turn affects those around you.
Burning sage isn’t an instant cure, but it’s a step in the right direction toward self-care and restoring pure, positive energy into your life.
Benefits of Burning Sage During Your Massage
- Purification: Traditionally, sage has been used to purify people and spaces. Medicinal smokes have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, and they also repel insects. Burning sage during your massage creates a safe, sacred place for your body and spirit to heal.
- Dispel Negative Energy: Part of the spiritual healing process requires the negative energy to be removed so it can be replaced with positive energy. As sage dispels the bad energy, your massage therapist works on improving your body’s circulation so your normal energy flow can resume.
- Improve Mood: Your emotional health is an important part of massage therapy. While the therapy itself is a treatment to boost your mood, sage can help you get there faster, making massage therapy more effective.
- Reduce Stress: Sage and massage therapy both reduce stress on their own, but together, they make a bigger impact.
- Boost Cognition: More studies need to be done on sage smoke, but the medicinal compounds of sage extract have been shown to improve brain health and memory.
Sage and massage therapy are alike in that they strive to improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
When combined, they become even more powerful, playing off each other’s strengths. Burning sage creates a safe, purified place and removes the negativity and toxicity you may have brought with you from the outside world.
As the negative energy is alleviated, your body becomes more susceptible to the massage therapist’s efforts to promote health and healing.
Are you ready to experience the benefits of sage smoke cleansing and massage therapy? Contact us to learn more about our services.
Crystal Healing Combined with Massage Therapy: Why Should You Try It?
When you think of massage therapy, you probably conjure a mental image of practiced hands working knots out of tight muscles. Maybe you also think of soothing music, essential oils, and incense.
Do healing crystals also come to mind?
Although not popularly associated with one another, crystal healing and massage therapy are a powerful combination against negative energy, stress, muscle pain, and other ailments.
What is Crystal Healing?
Crystals are minerals that have atoms in a highly ordered repeating pattern. Most crystals form organically due to geological processes.
Humans have used crystals for thousands of years, dating all the way back to the ancient Sumerians.
In holistic medicine, crystals have powerful healing energy due to their vibration frequencies. They help us release negative energy, rebalance our chakras, and reset the electrical currents and energy flow in our bodies.
How Can Crystal Healing Be Used During a Massage?
Massage therapists rely on natural tools to amplify the healing effect of the ancient techniques on your body. This can include hot stones, Himalayan salt, essential oils, cups, and, of course, crystals.
Using healing crystals before, during, and after a massage helps to amplify the positive effects of the session.
1. Before the Massage
It’s important to prepare the body for a cleanse. Meditation and breathing exercises with crystals will open your chakras to be detoxed and realigned as the body relaxes during the massage.
Grounding crystals associated with the root chakra are best for pre-massage relaxation.
2. During the Massage
Your massage therapist may use crystals in different ways, depending on the massage. The most common uses of crystal healing and massage therapy include:
- Placing a crystal directly on each chakra center to realign the energy flow while the therapist massages your body
- Arranging crystals around your body to cleanse the energy field and prevent negative energy from entering the space
- Massaging high-tension areas with tumbled stones or a crystal massage wand
- Using crystal beads or small tumbled stones and water for a foot and palm massage
3. After the Massage
Using the healing power of crystals after the massage can help to maximize the benefits and prolong your feeling of relaxation and good health.
Just as you did with pre-massage crystal prep work, sit with grounding crystals, close your eyes, and focus on your breath and body. Pay attention to how you feel now that your body is recharged and refreshed and your energy is back into alignment and flowing correctly.
Taking this extra time with grounding crystals helps to fix those alignments into place and attract more positive energy. You’ll enjoy the benefits of your crystal massage longer when you take a moment to notice and appreciate the harmony of your mind, body, and spirit.
What Crystals Are Used During the Massage?
Each crystal has specific healing properties. Some excel at detoxing the body, while others are masters of resetting your energy field or restoring balance.
A massage therapist may use a preselected set of crystals designed to target all of the chakras for total realignment, or s/he may tailor the crystal selection to best serve the client’s specific needs based on mental, emotional, and physical issues.
The crystals most commonly associated with healing and detoxification include:
- Amethyst (Third Eye Chakra): One of the most popular healing and balancing crystals that foster equilibrium.
- Aventurine (Heart Chakra): A stone that is known for promoting mental and emotional healing properties.
- Black Tourmaline (Root Chakra): A powerful healing crystal that absorbs and neutralizes negative energy to cleanse the body.
- Citrine (Solar Plexus Chakra): Also called the “light maker” crystal, promotes positive energy and recharges the energy field.
- Clear Quartz (Crown Chakra): The ultimate healing crystal, highly versatile when it comes to purifying negative energy.
- Hematite (Root Chakra): A grounding crystal that helps to detox the body and make us feel stable and grounded.
- Rose Quartz (Heart Chakra): Known as the crystal of love, rose quartz helps to heal the heart from negativity caused by relationship stress, including romance, friendships, family, and even self-love.
- Sodalite (Throat Chakra): A wonderful anti-stress crystal that excels at promoting calmness and relaxation to restore balance.
- Tiger’s Eye (Sacral Chakra): A stone of protection, good fortune, mental clarity, and focus.
Any one of these crystals can be a powerful healing companion to the skills and expertise of your massage therapist.
It’s always important to have an open conversation and convey any pain, stress, and frustration before the massage begins so your therapist can select the crystal(s) best suited to help you.
All of the crystals on this list are good at healing, but their properties and vibration frequencies work in different ways. You may already know which crystals resonate best with your energy – but if not, that’s okay. Trust your massage therapist to select the right crystals to maximize the healing effect of the massage.
Just as you take care of your vehicle with oil changes and tire rotations, your body also needs regular tune-ups to keep functioning at maximum efficiency.
But we’re more complex than a car. Our ailments often go deeper than the mechanical issues in our muscles, joints, and nerves. Our spiritual energy needs attention, too. This is why combining crystal healing and massage therapy produces such powerful results.
Considering a crystal massage? Give us a call! We’re always happy to answer questions and discuss our services to determine the best type of massage for your individual needs.
What is Aromatherapy and How Does It Benefit Your Massage?
Aromatherapy has a wide list of applications. It’s often used to boost mood, relax and destress, manage pain, and alleviate anxiety and depression, among other uses.
Massage therapy can incorporate aromatherapy as an enhancement to the session. Since the two easily work together to intensify each other’s benefits, aromatherapy massage has become a common practice.
If you’re wondering what aromatherapy massage is and whether you should give it a try, read on to learn about the process and benefits.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy uses essential oils diffused into the air and/or absorbed into the skin to promote particular health benefits.
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from particular plants’ flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit.
There are generally few risks involved with aromatherapy in humans, although certain essential oils are toxic to dogs and cats. If you’re planning to use aromatherapy at home and have a fur baby, contact your veterinarian to confirm which essential oils are safe.
For humans, the biggest concern is sensitivity to essential oil, which may lead to skin irritation or an allergic reaction. So, if you’re getting a prenatal massage, be sure to get medical advice from your doctor before exposing your body to essential oils. Also, tell your massage therapist before the session begins if you have a history of allergic reactions, skin sensitivities, or other health concerns related to essential oils.
How Does Aromatherapy Work in the Body?
Aromatherapy stimulates smell receptors that send positive messages through the nervous system and into the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that regulates emotions, behaviors, and memories.
When applied directly to the skin, some of the plant chemicals are absorbed, in addition to the fragrance effects.
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that improves both physical and emotional health. Different essential oils evoke different reactions.
The most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy include:
- Bergamot: Reduces stress and improves skin conditions such as eczema
- Cedarwood: Aids in sleep and stress, as well as inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, kidney problems, and skin issues
- Chamomile: Improves mood and promotes relaxation
- Eucalyptus: Relieves cold symptoms and stimulates the mind
- Ginger: Improves mood and libido
- Jasmine: Helps with depression, libido, and childbirth
- Lavender: Relieves stress
- Lemon: Improves mood and aids in digestion, headaches, and other physical ailments
- Orange: Reduces anxiety, improves mood, and increases energy
- Peppermint: Boosts energy and aids digestion
- Rose: Reduces anxiety and improves overall mood
- Sandalwood: Improves focus and calms the nerves
- Tea Tree: Boosts immunity and helps to fight infections
- Ylang-Ylang: Alleviates headaches and nausea
What Happens During an Aromatherapy Massage?
An aromatherapy massage is a Swedish massage therapy. It incorporates essential oils into the massage oil or lotion used when lymph nodes and deep tissues are massaged, alleviating tension, pain, and stress.
An aromatherapy massage may also include diffusing essential oils into the air to be inhaled throughout the session.
Almost every spa and massage clinic offers aromatherapy. However, the treatment, customized blends, and quality of the essential oils will vary.
1. Pre-Massage
Your massage therapist will ask you questions to determine the right blend of essential oils for your aromatherapy massage. For example, if you booked a massage to reduce stress and have some relaxation time, you’ll want a different aromatherapy blend than for dealing with chronic pain.
Depending on your needs, an essential oil blend may be put into a diffuser to maximize the benefits of aromatherapy massage.
Once the massage oil is selected and any health concerns are addressed, the massage therapist leaves the room so you can undress and position yourself on the massage table.
2. During the Massage Session
Even if your therapist isn’t using a diffuser, you’ll likely notice the aroma of essential oils in the massage oil itself once the therapist begins. If you experience any pain, skin irritation, or nausea, let your massage therapist know immediately.
3. Post-Massage
After the massage session, let your therapist know how the essential oil blend worked for you. Did it have the desired effect, or did you not really notice any change?
Based on your needs and health goals, your massage therapist may recommend essential oils and special blends that you can use at home between massage appointments.
What are the Benefits of an Aromatherapy Massage?
Individually, both aromatherapy and massages have a long list of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Studies on aromatherapy have demonstrated benefits for:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mood
- Nausea
- Pain
- Sleep
- Stress
When combined with the powerful relaxation and maintenance benefits of different types of massages, the two holistic practices complement each other to boost their overall effectiveness.
You can expect to achieve a greater level of relaxation, mood enhancement, pain relief, et cetera by adding aromatherapy into your massage therapy.
There are very few risks or downsides to aromatherapy massage. A knowledgeable and skilled massage therapist will customize the right blend to suit your specific needs and health goals. You can even add CBD oil to your aromatherapy massage for yet another boost.
Ready to give it a try? Please contact us to schedule an appointment for an aromatherapy massage.
Top Benefits of Massage Therapy for Young Athletes
Student-athletes may have the benefits of youth on their side, but that doesn’t mean they are protected from sports-related injuries, pain, and discomfort.
The increasingly competitive nature of youth sports paired with long seasons and intense conditioning and training can leave young athletes vulnerable to muscle tension and injury.
Much like their adult counterparts, youth athletes can find relief, protection, and improvement through massage therapy.
What are the benefits of massage therapy for young athletes?
For athletes of any age, the benefits of massage therapy can be viewed in three ways: relief from injury, muscle conditioning, and reduced stress. Let’s further break down each benefit.
Injury and Pain Management
If your child is suffering from a muscle-related injury, massage therapy can aid in the healing process. Increased circulation and decreased muscle tension can expedite the healing process, relieving pain and allowing them to return to the field or court quicker.
Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion
When practiced regularly, massage therapy can help enhance their athletic performance and may even decrease the likelihood that they’ll suffer from common muscle-related injuries, like sprains and strains.
That’s because regular massage therapy can decrease muscle tension while also increasing flexibility and range of motion.
Decreased stress and anxiety
The benefits of massage therapy for young athletes aren’t limited to on-the-field growth and enhancement, however. Young athletes can also experience the same benefits of massage therapy as adults, including decreased anxiety. This can be a valuable benefit for athletes that are often under pressure both on and off the field.
Do massages improve athletic performance?
Because regular massage therapy can result in more flexibility, an increased range of motion, and less muscle pain and tension massage therapy can directly improve athletic performance.
Massage therapy may also improve healing and, since it provides improved flexibility, expedite injury recovery or prevent injuries from occurring in the first place.
What type of massage is best for young athletes?
Young athletes who turn to massage therapy as part of their conditioning or as a form of injury management will likely find the most value in a deep tissue massage. This type of massage focuses on the musculoskeletal system and is the number one choice for treating sports-related injuries or concerns.
Keep in mind, however, that massage services vary, and you may find that the massage therapist of your choice offers a sports-specific massage service designed specifically with athletes in mind.
If you’re not sure which option is best, always contact the massage center for more details. A good massage therapist will be able to field your questions and guide you and your child towards the best service option.
How often should an athlete get a massage?
Like adult athletes, young athletes benefit from regular massage therapy scheduled weekly or biweekly. This is particularly true during the sports season or while engaging in intense training and conditioning.
By scheduling weekly or biweekly massages, student-athletes are more likely to reach peak performance while also decreasing the risk of injuries that occur due to tight muscles, a lack of flexibility, or a limited range of motion.
How do you prepare your child for a sports massage?
For some adults, their first massage can be somewhat anxiety-inducing, especially if they don’t know what to expect. Young athletes can have a similar reaction to their first massage, causing them to become anxious or unsure about what to expect.
Preparing your child for their first sports massage can ease their anxiety and make the experience more effective and enjoyable.
Before your child goes for their first massage, walk them through the process and tell them what to expect. If you’re not sure, consider contacting the massage therapist who will administer the massage. They should be more than happy to speak to you and your child about what to expect.
In addition, it’s also a good idea to remind your child that they are in control of their body and that they have the power to control the experience by informing the therapist of any boundaries they may have both before and during the massage.
Finally, though not always required, many parents choose to stay in the room during the massage to provide an additional layer of comfort for their child.
There are many reasons why you may want to consider incorporating massage therapy into your child’s sports conditioning. Not only can massage therapy provide relief from sport-related injuries, but it can also improve flexibility and range of motion, leading to improved performance on the field.
Not sure if massage therapy is right for your child or have other questions regarding the benefits of massage for young athletes? Contact us below so we can answer your questions and schedule your athlete’s first session.
What Is ‘Energy Work’ In Regards to Massage Therapy?
Are you someone who holds a lot of tension inside you? Maybe you don’t even realize it until a physical or emotional part of you gives you some indication that something isn’t right.
You may be struggling with personal issues, career troubles, or anything life otherwise throws at you.
This doesn’t mean you have to go at it alone, though. Therapists are always a good option for healing – but what if the healing you require is more spiritual in nature? You want to be given the ability to heal, and let go of what is holding you back.
If you’re looking for somewhere to help take that negative energy away, Massage Now is the place for you. We provide services to soothe, relax, and heal you. One of the services we offer is “energy work.”
Now, you may be wondering, what is energy work? We're here to explain and guide you toward becoming a better and healthier you.
What Is Energy Work in Terms of Massage?
Energy healing has often been seen as a new and somewhat unexplained theory. Fortunately, the technique is so simple that it’s been used as an effective bodywork method for centuries.
Energy work can be described as promoting, restoring, and maintaining health and wellness by supporting the body’s spiritual needs. It uses positive energy to promote healing in your body, heart, mind, and spirit.
There is a flow of energy that exists in your body through various currents and energy fields around the body (the aura). When the currents become disrupted, the flow is blocked. If allowed to continue for long periods of time, this blockage can create discomfort and even disease within the body.
When you address the imbalance in your body and the root of the problem, you can release the blockage and your health will return. The body, heart, mind, and spirit are all connected, and each one influences one another. If there is an imbalance in one, chances are that issues will appear in another. Emotional problems in the body can lead to physical problems and vice versa.
Energy work is a valuable tool to achieve good health, and can function as:
- Preventative maintenance
- A holistic approach to addressing imbalance or disease
- Complimentary for allopathic medical care
What Is an Energy Healing Massage?
By using both hands-on and hands-off healing techniques, massage therapists are able to manipulate the natural energies in your body with the intention to create stability and restore emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
This technique can be viewed as a healing session, as it does more than just provide physical relief.
Healing sessions often:
1. Free Up Your Mind
You fill your mind up with negative thoughts throughout your life. Though they are not always an accurate reflection of yourself, they continue to stay with you. Energy healing in massage helps loosen the roots of those stories within you, giving you more room in your mind for positive thoughts.
2. Address the Emotional Body
While traditional massage therapists focus on just the physical body and healing the pain that exists there, many forget about the inner pain. Physical wounds can also be accompanied by emotional wounds. Through energy work, those emotional wounds become a priority and begin to heal.
3. Tune Into You On a Deeper Level
Regular massages create a bond through only physical touch. When using energy healing, you're able to connect with your massage therapist through intuition. This requires the energy healer to locate pain that must be felt rather than seen.
4. Work with Greater, More Divine Healing Power
An energy healing massage works toward healing all aspects of you, not just through physical and emotional relief, but also by getting you in touch with your spiritual needs. This can allow you to be aided by the Divine toward a transcendent experience.
5. See Yourself with Greater Clarity
When you undergo an energy healing massage and release what is no longer any good for you, you are able to see yourself with a new perspective and engage fully in positive self-care.
There are many forms of energy work and healing, and they include:
- Reiki
- Jin Shin
- High self-resonance therapy
- Crystal healing
- Pranic healing
- Homeopathy
- Shamanic healing
- Color healing
Can a Massage Therapist Feel Your Energy?
Yes, a massage therapist can feel your energy when giving you a massage.
Clients release energy throughout the massage. You store your emotions, memories, and thoughts inside you, and massage allows them to come up and be released.
That is why massage therapists may feel fatigued when working on clients. It is not because of the overall physicality of the job – it is because they are trying to process the energy flow from their clients.
Can a Massage Affect the Energy in Your Body?
Yes, a massage can affect the energy in your body.
For example, when you’re feeling down or have negative thoughts, it can put a burden on your body. Massages help release that built-up tension, which will make you feel lighter.
If you’re someone who wants to make a change in your physical and mental health, you have come to the right place.
At Massage now, we can help you massage your way toward a stress-free and healthier life for your mind, body, and soul.
Contact us to get started today.
Independently Owned Massage Therapy Studio vs. Spa: What’s Better?
Are you someone who is looking to get a massage? Maybe you have a lot on your plate, and the stress is interfering with your day-to-day life. Or you’re an active person with a busy schedule with nowhere to plan for relaxing and taking a break.
Well, it’s about time you do something about it. When choosing where to go, the options can seem endless. There’s a spa.
Or, you could try your hands on an independently owned massage therapy studio instead.
And what better studio to choose in Pennsylvania than Massage Now? Not only do we have therapeutic massage services that soothe, relax, and heal, but we make sure that each body is taken care of.
If you’re still stuck on which to choose, keep reading to help make your final decision.
Massage Now founder Christine Mooney and massage therapist Cait Wunner
What Is an Independently Owned Massage Therapy Studio?
You know when you visit a new place, and they have their own coffee shops or hair salons that aren’t what you have or are used to seeing? They have their own trademark, unlike the popular brands and businesses you see all over the place.
Essentially, that is what it means to be independently owned and operated. You are the owner of that store. You don’t have to adhere to anyone else because it’s your small business, and you’re not below anyone else. You get to manage your daily tasks and operations of the business through yourself without having any influence through an outside person who may have an ownership or financial interest.
This is the same for independently owned massage therapy studios. You are not part of a bigger corporation of studios and therefore can make or do what fits best with you.
There are many different types of massages you can get, but at an independently owned studio can include:
- Deep tissue massage
- Swedish massage
- Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage
- Himalayan salt massage
- Foot massage
- Hot stone massage
- Oncology comfort massage
- Pregnancy massage
- CBD massage
- Sinus and face massage
- Upper body massage
What Is a Spa?
If you’re someone who enjoys luxury every now and then, going to a spa can feel like that. Though, it wasn’t always that way.
In fact, for centuries, a spa referred to a location where people would go to enjoy healing, medicinal baths in mineral spring water or seawater.
However, spas today focus on various beauty and wellness treatments to ensure you feel and look great.
Some of the treatment’s spas provide include:
- Pedicure and foot massages
- Hot stone massages
- Pampering facial
- Scalp massage and deep conditioning treatment
- Mud mask
- Acupressure
- Exfoliation
- Body wraps
There are also different spas to best determine what’s best for your wellness and beauty goals:
- Day Spas: These are spas that don’t involve traveling or staying the night. They have an abundance of accommodations and services ranging from saunas to facials.
- Destination Spas: Many destination spas give an immersive experience as well as fitness activities and healthy living. This is for a spa getaway.
- Medical Spa: These can be supervised by a doctor. Botox and laser resurfacing take place at this type of spa.
- Resort and Hotel Spas: This is for traveling with your family or business and wants to relax, or if you’re indulging or just want to be in the great outdoors.
- Mineral and Thermal Spring Spas: Mineral and thermal springs spas use mineral-rich waters, seawater, seaweed, and other natural elements from the ocean for their treatments to provide therapeutic benefits.
Differences Between Massage Therapy Studios and Spas
When you think of massage studios and spas, you probably believe they are the same. Although they do provide some of the same treatments, there are some significant differences between them.
Spa therapy can refer to water treatment, such as a hot tub or sauna. It can also refer to wellness treatments being used as well as holistic or yoga-style classes.
Massage therapy is one of those treatments being used at the spa. There are many techniques for massages. And, they all cater to your body and tap into your mind and intuition.
While spa and massage therapy are both relaxing, spas are more for the moment, while massage therapy studios help better you for the long term.
Benefits of Using an Independently Owned Massage Therapy Studio
If you’re still on the fence about whether a spa or independently owned massage therapy studio is the right choice for you, here are some benefits to consider to make it easier:
- No Waiting: All you have to worry about is booking an appointment and we’ll do the rest.
- No Upselling of Products: Unlike most spas that try to upsell their products being used on you, that isn’t the case here.
- More Personal Feel: Spas can sometimes feel out of touch and not as inviting. With us, you’re taken care of the moment you walk in until you leave.
As you can see, choosing an independently owned and operated massage therapy studio is the way to go. You want people who will take care of your needs and make you a top priority.
At Massage Now, we make sure that happens.
To book an appointment contact us today!
Top 4 Massage Techniques For Anxiety
Massage therapy is often closely associated with pain relief, and many clients seek massage services to deal with occasional or chronic muscle pain or injury. However, the benefits of massage therapy extend well beyond your physical well-being.
For centuries, massage therapy has also been a vital tool in helping individuals find a path to mental and emotional wellness.
Despite being a fundamentally physical practice, massage therapy can reduce or even eliminate stress and anxiety, both of which can make daily life difficult.
Anxiety, particularly over a long period, can decrease your quality of life and lead to painful and chronic physical and mental health problems, like tension, muscle pain, and depression.
Massage therapy can help you control your anxiety while also offering an additional layer of treatment for any physical health problems associated with anxiety.
What is anxiety?
We all worry from time to time, and fears about current or future events can leave even the most steadfast mind reeling in the middle of the night.
Often associated with our innate “fight or flight” response, these feelings can be vital to our survival, helping us evaluate circumstances and make decisions that keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy.
Unfortunately, for some people, those fears and worries are constant and intense, and these feelings can cause everyday situations to become unbearable.
Living in a constant state of anxiety can negatively affect your emotional, mental, and physical health. People who suffer from chronic anxiety are at a greater risk for depression, panic attacks, high blood pressure, digestive issues, insomnia or other disruptive sleep patterns, and physical aches and pains.
These health issues can further exacerbate anxiety and directly impact your ability to engage in everyday activities, whether it’s working, parenting, or spending time with friends and family.
What type of massage is best for anxiety
Many types of massage therapy can assist in anxiety management. One reason is the atmosphere most commonly associated with massage therapy.
In general, massage therapists do their best to ensure that the environment cultivates calmness and relaxation, free from the everyday noises and distractions that can quickly induce or exacerbate anxiety.
They allow you to disconnect with the world and reconnect with yourself, to be present in the moment and in that moment reach total relaxation.
Massages also promote healing, improve circulation, improve sleep, and lower blood pressure. Combined, these effects can positively impact your mood and mind, allowing you to let go of some of the stressors that invade your mind throughout the day.
If you’re considering massage therapy for anxiety management, the following massage therapy techniques are worth considering:
1. Swedish Massage
Many first-time clients are most familiar with Swedish massage therapy. This technique employs gentle strokes that are aimed at relaxing muscles and releasing tension in the body. This type of massage is an excellent option if you are new to massage therapy and are looking for a gentle yet effective experience that caters to the mind and body.
2. Deep Tissue Massage
Also referred to as a sports massage, a deep tissue massage is popular for clients who experience muscle pain or chronic tension. During this type of massage, your therapist will apply rub and stroke muscles using various amounts of pressure to provide relief. You may want to consider this type of massage if your anxiety results in muscle pain or tension.
3. CBD Massage
Typically, a CBD massage takes on many characteristics common to a Swedish massage but with CBD oil. CBD is derived from the hemp plant and can enhance relaxation, decrease anxiety, help reduce inflammation, and offer relief from chronic pain. A CBD massage can be a healing experience for many clients and is a good option if you’re looking for a new spin on traditional massage therapy.
4. Lomi Lomi Massage:
Rooted in ancient Hawaiian tradition, the Lomi Lomi massage is as much of a physical experience as it is spiritual. During this type of massage, your therapist will use sound and rhythmic motions to relax the body and mind.
This massage is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and can be a great choice if you are suffering from any of the effects of anxiety, including depression, panic attacks, muscle pain, and general tension. A Lomi Lomi massage is also a wise choice if you want to elevate your experience to nourish the mind and soul.
Anxiety can be difficult to overcome, but massage therapy can help you reclaim your life. If you’re suffering from the emotional, mental, and physical effects of anxiety, contact us today, and we can help you find the best massage service to meet your needs and help you find relief.
Did You Ever Consider The Benefits of Massage Therapy For Grief?
The loss of a loved one or an unexpected change in life, like the loss of a job or home, is difficult to handle at any point in life. And the grief that accompanies that experience can impact every part of your life, including your personal, social, professional, and physical wellbeing.
Coping with grief can be challenging, especially since the path towards healing can look so different for each person. Although there’s no single solution to managing grief, massage therapy, which has physical, emotional, and mental benefits, can help.
What is grief?
Grief is the intense and often overwhelming response to the loss. Most frequently, grief is associated with the loss of a loved one—expected or unexpected—but it can also manifest after losing something an individual deeply values, like a job, a home, a relationship, or physical capability (i.e., disability).
The process of grieving looks different for everyone, but those going through it commonly experience a variety of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, or even a sense of relief if the loss followed a prolonged battle with a terminal illness.
Frequently, we discuss grieving that happens in stages, starting with shock and denial and then moving through pain and guilt, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, many individuals experience various stages of grief in tandem or volley back and forth throughout the mourning process.
Similarly, though there are “stages” associated with grief, the amount of time it takes someone to move through their grief can vary tremendously; some may grieve for months while others may travel their path for a year or more.
When we think about grief, we often think in terms of emotional responses. That’s a reasonable definition, as grief is primarily emotionally driven; however, those emotions and the grieving process can also lead to physical manifestations of grief.
Grief can leave the body in a constant state of “fight or flight”, increases stress hormones, and ultimately has negative consequences on the body and mind. Further, studies have shown that those experiencing grief may be at an increased risk of heart issues, anxiety, digestive issues (e.g., nausea and IBS), back pain, joint pain, headaches, and tension that leads to muscle pain and stiffness. Grief can also lead to sleep problems, including both fatigue and insomnia.
Each of these symptoms can make coping with grief and resuming “normal” activities more challenging. Over time, the physical effects of grief can also lead to or contribute to health problems, like those mentioned above.
Can massages help with grief?
Yes— massage therapy can help with grief. However, the physical pain associated with grief can make it harder to feel better, making it harder to maintain a positive outlook and move forward in a healthy and meaningful way.
Massage therapy can alleviate many of the physical pains directly and indirectly associated with grief, making it a suitable way to cope with your emotions and practice self-care.
Is a specific type of massage better to help with grief?
Because grief affects everyone differently, there's no single answer to "which type of massage is best for grief?" Instead, the best massage therapy for you is the one that aims to address the symptoms you're experiencing.
Some massage techniques are better at helping you cope with the emotional and mental effects of grief, including anxiety and depression while making it easier to reach a peaceful and mindful state of existence.
If you're seeking a massage therapy that will help cope with those symptoms, or you want one that aims to provide physical as well as emotional and spiritual healing, a Lomi Lomi massage may be a wise choice. Similarly, a reflexology massage, which can help clear blocked energy, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep, may also be worth considering.
On the other hand, if you’re experiencing increased muscle pain and tension, a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, or upper body massage may be a better option. Your therapist will use varying degrees of pressure and movement during these sessions to address targeted or full-body muscle pain.
Another great option that we recommend to our clients is our signature massage, which incorporates reflexology techniques with upper body and Himalayan Salt Stone massage therapies. Combined, these techniques can provide relief from the physical and emotional symptoms of grief.
If you’re experiencing the side effects of grief, it’s essential that you work with friends, family, and trusted medical professionals to determine how best to move forward. You should also seek out opportunities that allow you to practice self-care. Massage therapy is an excellent way to do just that.
For those experiencing grief, the benefits of massage therapy can treat many of the physical manifestations of grief, including muscle pain and anxiety.
Top 10 Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
If asked to name a popular massage treatment, chances are “Swedish massage” would be a top contender. As common as it may be, the Swedish massage is a powerful force for relaxation and pain relief.
The benefits of Swedish massage therapy are many, making it the perfect massage service for improving your overall health or targeting specific areas of concern.
What is the purpose of a Swedish massage?
During your Swedish massage, your therapist will use their hands, forearms, and elbows to knead and stroke your muscles to induce relaxation, stimulate your nerve endings and circulation, and ease the tension or stress you may be carrying.
The Swedish massage is typically a full-body massage that includes your back, arms, legs, hands, and feet. However, the gentle yet targeted nature of the Swedish massage makes it effective at treating various muscular, circulatory, and musculoskeletal injuries or conditions. As such, your therapist can curtail your experience to meet your unique needs.
How often should you get a Swedish massage?
How frequently you get a Swedish massage depends on the benefits you hope to receive. A Swedish massage is a great way to pamper yourself or get relief from the stressors of everyday life. If that’s the case, you should book it as often as you’d like.
If you’re turning to Swedish massage therapy as a way to address a specific issue you may be experiencing, then it’s a good idea to book one every two to four weeks. That schedule will allow you to experience the cumulative benefits of massage therapy.
Is a Swedish Massage good for you?
A Swedish massage, like other forms of massage therapy, can be an excellent addition to your self-care efforts or pain management plan. The benefits are many, making this a massage technique that can provide both immediate and long-term benefits.
10 Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
1. Improves circulation
The pressure and techniques applied during massage work to encourage blood movement in and around congested areas. The same is true of lymphatic fluid, which can build up and disrupt body functions or create swelling and inflammation. This improved circulation not only improves your overall wellbeing but also leads to the many benefits listed below.
2. Aids in pain management
Pain can stem from several factors, including inflammation and muscle spasms or contractions. During a Swedish massage, your therapist will work to relax your muscles, which can reduce or eliminate painful muscle spasms. The increased circulation can also lead to reduced inflammation and further alleviate pain from short-term issues and chronic conditions like arthritis.
3. Improves range of motion and flexibility
During a massage, muscles relax and become “softer” while lymphatic fluid that could cause edema is flushed away. For many clients, this can lead to an improved range of motion. This is especially true for the shoulder region, which is frequently vulnerable to injuries that restrict the range of motion.
4. Promotes relaxation
The entire massage experience is crafted to support relaxation and an enhanced feeling of calm. The massage techniques employed can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and ease tensions. But the environment, which typically includes soft music, dim lights, and calming essential oils, can also promote relaxation.
5. Improves sleep
Stress, anxiety, and pain can make it hard to fall asleep, and once you’re sleeping, it could disrupt or decrease the quality of sleep you do get. A massage can reduce pain and anxiety, which will improve sleep. It can also promote serotonin production, which can promote relaxation.
6. Aids in stress management
Day to day life can be stressful, but you’re encouraged to truly enjoy the moment during your massage session, including the time leading up to, during, and after the massage. During your session, however, the techniques used by your therapist will make it easier to release tension.
7. Improves posture
When your muscles are constantly tight or constricted, proper posture can be painful and challenging to achieve. However, since a Swedish massage will relax muscles and improve range of motion, you may find that your posture improves after a series of regular sessions.
8. Supports immunity
Regular massages can flush out toxins and increase blood flow to promote white blood cell activity. Combined with reduced stress and increased relaxation, this can strengthen your immune system and help you fight off or avoid colds, viruses, and illnesses.
9. Rehabilitates muscle injuries
Because your massage therapist can adapt the massage to suit your needs, it's a great tool to promote targeted muscle relaxation and improve blood circulation. As such, a Swedish massage can be an excellent addition to your muscle rehabilitation efforts.
10. Reduce headaches and migraines
Stress and muscle tension can directly affect the muscles in your face, neck, and scalp. This can create the perfect storm for prolonged or chronic headaches. Swedish massage therapy focuses on those very muscle groups, reducing stress and providing relief from headaches and even migraines.
Whether you are new to the massage scene or you’ve been practicing this type of self-care for years, the Swedish massage provides a reliable and flexible experience with many benefits.
A single session can help you relax, decompress, and feel more energized, but there’s also plenty of reasons to schedule a regular Swedish massage. Doing so can help you cope with long-term or chronic injuries, muscle pain, or stress, improving your overall quality of life.
Why Would I Book An Upper Body Massage?
We tend to carry the weight of the world—or at least our personal and professional lives—on our shoulders. For many of us, that translates to tight muscles, tension headaches, and pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, and mid to lower back.
Many of our massage services can help you deal with that pain, but if you relate all too well with the issues we just mentioned, then an upper body massage may be your key to sweet relief.
What is an upper-body massage?
An upper body massage is a treatment that focuses specifically on the mid and upper back and the neck, shoulders, and head. Your massage therapist will use various levels of pressure to rub, stroke, and knead areas that are typically tight or store tension in the upper half of your body.
When your upper body massage appointment begins, you’ll also have time to talk to your therapist and discuss issues or specific pain points that you’d like them to work on. As such, the upper body massage can be customized to fit your exact needs, whether it’s tension headaches, sports injuries, or general neck, shoulder, and back pain.
What are the benefits of an upper-body massage?
Even though an upper body massage only focuses on everything from the waist up, the overall experience can leave you feeling better from head to toe. Clients who choose our upper body massage may experience the following benefits:
1. Reduced pain
One of the primary benefits of an upper-body massage is pain reduction. That includes pain associated with medical conditions and injuries and pain that stems from everyday activities. Everything from sitting at a desk all day to spending hours performing physical labor can leave the muscles and ligaments in our upper body sore.
As muscle tension in one part of the upper body can directly impact another, quickly turning a sore back muscle into neck pain and headaches. As your massage therapist works on each muscle group, the pain will melt away.
2. Alleviates tension headaches
Stress, anxiety, injury, or even sleeping the wrong way can all lead to increased tension in the neck, face, and scalp area, all of which can cause painful headaches. During an upper body massage, your therapist will combine several techniques to massage your shoulder, neck, and head muscles, eliminating or reducing the pain often associated with tension headaches.
3. Improves circulation
As is often the case with many massage techniques, an upper body massage can promote circulation in the upper body region. Improved circulation can expedite the healing process, making this an effective massage service for anyone coping with injuries in the upper body areas.
4. Improves immune response
Because an upper body massage increases blood flow, it also can lead to an increase in white blood cells and lymphocytes. In addition to aiding in the healing process, the increase in white blood cells and lymphocytes can also improve your immune system.
5. Helps athletes cope with sport-related pain and injury
Athletes frequently benefit from deep tissue massages, but if you suffer from training-related injuries and soreness in the upper body region, this massage may provide a more targeted approach to healing.
Can I speak up during my massage if something doesn’t feel right?
An upper body massage can bring you much-needed relief from muscle soreness, tension, and stress, but that doesn’t mean the path to pain relief is the same for everyone.
We encourage every client to let us know if they feel pain or are otherwise uncomfortable during a massage. Your therapist can work with you to find the best pressure level or technique to ensure your comfort.
An upper body massage is a great way to cope with the physical and mental stressors you accumulate each day. This type of massage can also present an additional way to target and treat upper body injuries or chronic pain.
Regardless of what brings you to the massage table, an upper body massage will leave you feeling energized and relaxed while benefiting from reduced pain and muscle tension.