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Archive for the ‘Massage Therapy’ Category

It turns out that you can drink too much water! Hyponatremia, endurance sports and the Kokoda Trail

23 Jun

Bizz Johnson Marathon - Starting LineThere’s always lots of interesting health and science research popping up every few weeks and one of the last ones to catch my attention is a condition called Hyponatremia. Definitely sounds scary and so it should. It’s a serious, life-threatening condition that has come to the attention of the media following several deaths of healthy and fit people on the Kokoda Trail.

When this condition is present during an activity like an ultra-marathon or trekking the Kokoda trail, a person’s sodium level has dropped to a dangerously low level. By drinking way too much water, the sodium levels in the body become diluted and can bring about hyponatremia and its symptoms of nausea, confusion, loss of appetite, lethargy, headache, reduced level of consciousness, seizures or coma.

If you take part in serious endurance activity of any sort where you are worried about dehydration, consider that there is such a thing as having “too much to drink”. Do some research and analysis for yourself to determine how much fluid you need to replace during your activity.?

Part of your recovery

Along with proper nutrition following serious endurance activities, it is important to have a few massages mixed in with light workouts and stretching. Musclefix can provide you with an excellent solution during your recovery. We can come and give you remedial and sports massage as a premium service in your home in the days or weeks of your recuperation. Remedial massage will help to speed up recovery and smooth out micro tears and help with DOMS following your adventure.

For more on Hyponatremia: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18333641

 
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Posted in Benefits of Massage Therapy, Fitness, Health, Hyponatremia, Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage

 

Massage in Melbourne – A City Embracing Massage

09 Jun

Melbourne, Australia by nightMelburnians are really taking to massage. It’s no secret that massage is good for you and I could rattle off a dozen health benefits but you probably already know them or could guess them. As a remedial massage therapist, I’m finding that the people of Melbourne are really becoming aware of the different types of massage and other therapies available to them. They know that they can get a rebate from their health insurer for remedial massages and their health funds are also advertising this fact on TV! I’ve seen many advertisements from NIB promoting the fact that they cover remedial massage along with physio, chiro and dental etc.

Research I did in my business plan in the RMIT Business Plan Competition showed that there was an estimated $400 million being spent annually on massage in Australia! That’s a lot of massages. But when you compare that to how much people would be spending on beer, servicing their cars, petrol, gym memberships. Although I am biased, being a massage therapist and all, I think people aren’t spending enough on massage! I’m even guilty of going a long time in between massages. Put your health and wellbeing before your car, your nights out in Melbourne and glossy magazines. Put $20 aside every week and have a massage at the end of every month!

What I’m seeing in Melbourne with massage is an increased media presence and general community chat. There’s training courses being advertised frequently and people talking about the massages they have had along with the usual stories of going to the hair dresser, having a killer session with the personal trainer and trying out new things like hot yoga.

So if you’re in Melbourne and have a few aches and pains book yourself in for a massage – you deserve it!

 
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Posted in Health, Massage, Massage Melbourne, Massage Therapy

 

Types of Massage Therapy

01 May

There are Many types of Effective Massage Therapy available

Massage therapy has been practiced for hundreds of years.

If you need to relief from muscle pain or stress, you can choose from one of the ten best types of massage therapy around mentioned below:

  1. There is deep tissue massage. This type is designed to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Here, the therapist will use slow strokes better known as friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. The distinctive feature of deep tissue massage is that it is used on those that have chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems and recovery from injury. You will often feel sore for the next day or two.
  2. For women that are expecting, they can opt for pregnancy massage. It is designed to relieve stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pins as well as reduce anxiety and depression.
  3. Next is aromatherapy and the reason why it is called such is because one or more scented plant oils are used during the session. You will just have to select the oil you want to use. In fact, the most popular one is lavender as it is well suited for stress related conditions together with an emotional component.
  4. There is also hot stone massage. Here, smooth, heated stones are placed on certain parts of the body to help loosen those tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. At times, the massage therapist may also apply gentle pressure especially for those who have muscle tension.
  5. Then there is sports massage that is designed for people involved in sports activities. This type is designed not only for professional athletes but for everyone since it helps prevent and treat physical injuries.
  6. Reflexology is also known as foot massage because it involves applying pressure to certain points on the feet. Those who practice this believe that the foot corresponds to certain organs and systems so if you are able to work on that, you have also done it in the whole body.
  7. There is also Back massage which usually lasts 30 minutes. Unlike reflexology that focuses on the feet because it represents special points in the body, this one simply relieves tension in the back caused by lifting heavy objects or driving for long periods of time.
  8. Number 8 is Swedish massage therapy. This is the most common type of massage in the US because an is very gentle and relaxing. Here, the therapist will use long strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil.
  9. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy.  The therapist will use localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2 to 8 second designed to improve the flow of energy and help the body regain balance. Those who have tried it say that it is relaxing yet firm. The best part is that there is no soreness afterwards.
  10. Lastly is Thai massage is similar to Shiatsu because it aligns the energies of the body using gentle pressure on specific points. Part of the session also includes compressions and stretches as you are moved in a variety of postures just like yoga but in this case, you don’t do anything except go with the flow.


 
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Posted in Massage, Massage Therapists, Massage Therapy, Types of Massage

 

Choosing a Massage Therapist

24 Apr

What to look for when Choosing the right Massage Therapist for your needs

Thai Massage at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa

Choosing a massage therapist is just as important as choosing the type of massage you receive. When it comes to finding a massage therapist you will want to make sure that the therapist is well trained and has the proper credentials.

One governing board that many massage therapist’s are certified by is the Australian Massage Therapy Association. When reading about a therapist on the Internet, look for therapists with diplomas or advanced diplomas who would have been trained for 1-2 years. They are likely to have studied in a government-accredited massage college.

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The right massage therapist is one who:

  • Listens to yours needs and makes notes before the massage
  • Discusses with you what areas of your body you would like massaged
  • Asks what you’d like to get out of the massage
  • Gives you privacy when disrobing and drapes you adequately with towels the areas not being treated
  • Advises you on what to expect after the massage and what you need in the future

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Some of the most common types of massage that you can expect to come across while looking for a massage therapist are:

  • Remedial/sports/Deep-tissue massage
    Remedial massage is all about fixing the body. Your therapist will discuss with you any bodily complaints you may have, conduct an assessment, followed by a massage specific to your needs.
  • Relaxation
    Massage is one of the most soothing and healthy ways to relax. A relaxation massage uses techniques that soothe the body, refresh the skin, rejuvenate your spirit and leave you in a state of bliss!
  • Seated massage (corporate or event/function)
    A seated massage is supremely relaxing and rejuvenating and can also help to loosen up muscles and relieve headaches.
  • Pregnancy massage
    Pregnancy places unique demands on your body. Changes in hormones, changes in posture and simply carrying the weight of a baby all add up to a lot of hard work for your body.
 
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Posted in Massage, Massage Therapists, Massage Therapy

 
 
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