Natural Relief for Headaches

Many structures in and around the head are capable of producing headaches.  Headaches are a very common problem and are experienced by nine out of ten people.  Headaches are categorized into many different types such as migraines, stress, tension and cluster, which are based primarily on the symptoms they produce.  Because many headaches are caused by tension and dysfunction of the muscles and joints around the head, massage is an effective source of relief for many headache sufferers. They are also one of the many reasons people seek out regular massage.  Massage treatment of headaches uses gentle and natural methods as opposed to medication. 

A few ways to prevent headaches are:
   -   Drink water regularly as dehydration can cause headaches.
   -   Avoid foods that may trigger headaches such as caffeine, alcohol or chocolate and/or your own food allergies that you know can cause your headaches.
   -   Maintain good posture while sitting, standing and even sleeping.
   -   Avoid prolonged postures by taking a break or stretching.
   -   Exercise regularly to reduce stress and maintain overall wellness.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

How to Get Pain Free in Half the Time

You have pain, do you wait and see if it gets better on it's own?  The simple answer is no!  Although pain may subside without any type of treatment, that does not mean that the damaged tissues has returned to optimum health.  If left untreated damaged tissues remain in a weakened state which leaves it vulnerable to re-injury and degeneration.  Don't wait weeks or months hoping that the pain will just magically go away cause it doesn't.  The secret to pain relief is nipping it in the bud when you have the pain, to take care of it right away because the actuality is that your problems will fester and become potentially more and more serious until you are in severe pain.  Or until you re-injure the affected area and don't understand why it is so much worse.  When you wait, the problems will take that much longer for you to heal.  Massage is there to help you relieve the pain as well as to help you heal your body to optimum health.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

The Secret to Preemies Gaining Weight

I write a lot about touch and how effective this simple thing can be to all of us. Research has shown that babies born prematurely will grow and gain weight at faster rates while being touched and held then premature babies who are not touched and held. According to Massage Magazine, "New research shows tactile and kinesthetic stimulation contributes toward adjustment and self-regulation of behavior among preemies." Even now research is being done on what I think is a "given" that we all need to be touched by massage.
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Loving Touch is the Key to a Great Massage Therapist

There are many things that play into becoming a massage therapist. Of course, there is the attendance of a massage school. At school the therapist will learn about the anatomy of the body and massage techniques. We learn about the muscles, the skeletal system, the nervous system as well as all the other bodily systems. Depending on the school, a therapist might learn other things such as aromatherapy or different types of massages such as hot stone or pregnancy. However the main thing that not one school can teach is touch, especially a giving and loving touch. Now granted the training does help, yet training can not help give a true therapist the skill of touch and connecting with their clients. What makes one therapist better then another is that desire to help people, that love of what they do as well as knowing they are great at being a massage therapist. Overall, the loving intent and touch is what will make one therapist great over another therapist who just wants to get through their workday.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Take A Moment and Breathe

Last year I made a meditation video.  It was quite an experience putting something together that I'd never done before.  It was both fun and a little frustrating.  However, when I was done with my little project, I was proud of myself for learning a new program as well as making my idea into reality.  I really like it, mainly because I created it. :)  I posted it on YouTube.com and my old blog back then and I was just thinking about it again and thought I'd re-post it remind everyone to take a moment and breathe.  Let me know what you think?  Enjoy!!



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How to Drink More Water Daily

Most of us have been told to drink extra water after a massage to help flush out the toxins that have been moved around. Plus we know that we should drink the recommended eight glasses of water per day. Well, you can get your water in more ways then one. Besides just drinking straight plain water you can add lemon, lime or even cucumber slices to add a bit of flavor to it. Another way to get water in is tea. The bonus with most teas such as green tea, is you will get the extra health benefits of antioxidants. Experts believe flavonoids (antioxidants that prevent cell damage) are the key ingredient responsible for tea's link to good health. Tea can also protect you from certain cancers or heart disease. So, try a new added flavor to your water or a new 'exotic' tea. 

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Use Essential Oils for Your Health

Essential oils actually have many purposes besides just smelling good. An example is Tea Tree oil, promoted heavily by Dr. Oz, it can be used for so many things from cold sores, acne, and dandruff to minor cuts and burns. Essential oils may also be used as an alternative to antibiotics, which is both a cheaper and healthier alternative. Per Massagemag.com they could also be used to combat drug-resistant hospital superbugs according to research presented in Scotland recently, even though essential oils have been used for hundreds of years.  According to the article "Use Essential Oils to Fight Superbugs,"  "the essential oils of thyme and cinnamon were found to be particularly efficient antibacterial agents against a range of Staphylococcus species. Strains of these bacteria are common inhabitants of the skin and some may cause infection in immunocompromised individuals. Drug-resistant strains, such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) are extremely difficult to treat."  Makes you want to go out and purchase some essential oils, huh?

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Epsom Salts For Health?

Epsom salts for health? Who knew.  I came a cross across this article, Health Benefits of Epsom Salts, by Melissa Breyer, I was surprised.  I never thought of Epsom thoughts to be used for health purposes.  I only remember it being used to help various types of itching, lol.  Yet according to the this article it has many health benefits.  Of course some relate to massage such as easing muscle pain.  It also gives the correlation between magnesium and calcium and how calcium functions best when enough magnesium is present.  It's a good, informative and educational read.  Now go take an Epsom bath. :)

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is a type of energy bodywork that relies on the ancient belief in the unseen life force energy, referred to as Chi, that flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. This life force, Chi, runs throughout pathways in the body called meridians, nourishing organs and cells and supporting vital functions. When this life force energy is disrupted by negative thoughts, feelings or actions, illness and disease result. A Reiki practitioner's hands hover just above a person's body usually never touching the body but sensing the ill affected areas and infusing them with positive flow. This raises the energetic vibration and breaks up the negative energy to help heal, clear and restore the bodies natural flow of its' life force.
The Reiki practitioner places their hands on or just above the client's body and uses a passive touch that some clients experience with warmth or tingling. Thought to be Tibetan Buddhist in origin, the practice of Reiki is comprised of three levels of training. Through this training the practitioner learns how to access energy flow through the hands to heal. Completion of the third and highest level of training results in the title of Reiki Master. Reiki is used to accelerate healing, assist the body in cleansing toxins, balance the flow of subtle energy by releasing blockages and help the client contact the healer within.  According to www.reiki.org, Reiki is beginning to gain acceptance as a meaningful and cost-effective way to improve patient care in hospitals and clinics across America. In an interview on the website, Dr. David Guillion, an oncologist at Marin General Hospital in California, says, "I feel we need to do whatever is in our power to help the patient. We provide state of the art medicine in our office, but healing is a multidimensional process. I endorse the idea that there is a potential healing that can take place utilizing energy." As a complimentary healing, I'm very happy to see things like this being said from a conventional doctor!
I personally have had many different types of energy work and energy healing done and it's a great additional tool to one's health care. I have also been fortunate enough to be able to do energy work on my son and various clients. It's an amazing and cool healing whether you are receiving or giving the energy healing. And it is truly a type of healing. If you have any questions or are looking for an energy healer I may be able to help you, just contact me and let me know.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, connect with me on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

Are You Getting What You Paid For?

When I went to school for massage, they taught a 50-minute routine massage.  Why?  Because this is what spa's do.  Though most spas advertise a 60 minute or 1 hour massage, it really isn't.  It is usually a 45-50 minute massage that you will receive.  Did you even know this?  Would this be considered false advertising?  You think you're are getting a full 60 minutes cause this is what you paid for and it is what you are thinking you are getting when you are not.  Wonder why?  This is because most spas book their therapists back-to-back-to back.  And most of these therapists are doing 5,6,7, 8 massages in a row in one day! (that's a whole other blog)

When I first started doing massage, I worked at a variety of spa's in town.  Out of the places I worked at, all but one would book a massage every hour on the top of the hour.  So I had one hour to greet a client, have them get undressed and on the table, massage them, get them off the table, take the dirty sheets off, put clean sheets on and then off to do it again and again.  Plus if I was doing a hot stone, mud wrap or Vichy shower treatment that was even more cleanup, yet not more time.  If a client was late, they would get an even shorter massage!  Not quite right, is it?  The one spa that I worked at that did not book back-to-back, had a minimum of 20 minutes in-between massages.  That time made a big difference in clean-up, as well as my own sanity of not feeling so rushed.

One of the differences I have with my business compared to spas is that your massage is the full time schedule. If you book an hour you get minimum of 60 minutes and with an an hour and half it's a full 90 minutes.  With both of these time frames you usually end up getting even a bit more then that.  The time I spend on your body is not taken away because I have to set up my table and take it down.  I schedule my appointments so that I have the full time with you and plenty of time to setup everything and get to my next appointment.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily, become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Super Strange Spa Treatments

I"m not sure why, yet I keep coming across sites with odd or very expensive styles of massages.  One site I just saw has a diamond massage where you are massage with diamonds just as you would hot stones.  Interesting one except my first thought was "diamonds supposedly cut glass, how much would they be cutting the skin?"  Plus, I wanted to know how much they were charging for that? Couldn't find a cost on it though.  Anyways, here's a link to a site with ten super strange massages ranging from caviar, to gold to Hershey's chocolate and even to snakes (yes so many jokes to be made about the snakes).

Super Strange Spa Treatments
Care2.com

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily. Become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

To Ice or Not to Ice? That is the Question

When I was in high school, the school's athletic trainer's famous words were "Ice it."  Not matter what they injury was, he just always told everyone to ice it.  It actually became a standing joke.  Fast forward 25+ years (damn!) and things have changed and more has been learned.  Here is a great article on when to ice, how to ice and how long to ice an injury.  Did you know you can get frostbite from icing an injury?  Read and learn :)

Chiropractic Sports Injury Clinic - How Long Should You Ice?
Dr. Ron Spallone, D.C.

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Work the Pecs

One of the many areas of pain in people is the pectoral muscle (the pecs).  Many people spend their day in front of the computer hunched over, which causes the muscles to tighten and shorten.  I came across this video by Jeff Bomberger of Bomberger PT on corrective exercises to help with these issues and help you keep these muscles in the shape they should be :)

"Workout Face Pull Today's Wake Up Workout featured a great rehab/corrective exervise and an alternate variation to fix postural deviations that occur from sitting down and hovering over a desk. Front deltoid and pectoral muscles tighten and shorten while the trapezius muscle, rear delts and upper back muscles elongate and become weakened when our body is hunched over for long periods of time. Here's how you can fix this issue!"


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Can Asthma Be Caused By Stress During Pregnancy?

Recently the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases conducted research on whether stress levels might have an impact on their children having asthma. Quite an interesting concept. Could stress lower the immune system so much to cause possible life-long issues in their children? Hmmm, maybe. I do know that stress causes so many health issues that can range from a simple cold to high blood pressure to life-threatening heart attacks. Could the possibility be that a stressed and pregnant woman bring that stress and health issues to their unborn baby. Time will tell as they follow the children and get more and more information.  For the complete article on this http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=8845

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website . Learn something new daily. Become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Muscle Fatigue: Finally An Answer

I just came across an article that was written over two years ago. It goes into detail and answers the questioning of why muscles get tired. Due to my interest in the human body and how it works, I found it quite interesting. For many athletes, I'm sure you will find it interesting. Though the article goes into a bit of a drug they are working on to help muscle fatigue in regards to heart patients and how it may or may not help them, I do hope that this drug they are researching is used only for good (ha) and doesn't become another 'steroid' product for serious athletes. Either way, now you will now why you're muscles fatigue and not for the reasons that we all had previously thought.

New York Times: Finding May Solve Riddle of Fatigue in Muscles

Written by: Gina Kolata

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Spiritual & Psychic Boutique

This past Saturday I was fortunate enough to be a part of local psychic Harriette Knight's first Spiritual and Psychic Boutique.  What an amazing day!!  This was a unique group of individuals showcasing each one of their own special talents and gifts.  Harriette was selling her Charity Clarity Jewelry, Chakra Power book and doing psychic readings.  Hypnotherapist, Maile Gray was doing handwriting analysis.  Sheri Va was selling her Sheri Baby inspirational t-shirts, Diana Shaw was doing astrology and chart readings, and Alice O'Hare was doing channeling readings.  All very unique and different offerings and yet everything just flowed so well through the day.  There was a constant stream of people in and out of Harriette's house.  Some stayed for just a short time, such as Julie Molinare who came and got a quick massage, said hi to everyone and then had to be off.  Some stayed pretty much all day getting in all the information that they could, enjoying all that was offered.

For me, I was busy all day!  It was so good to help so many people feel relaxed.  As much as I love what I do, sometimes people aren't always willing to get a massage (or to pay for it) and sometimes I'm just not as busy as I'd like when I'm offering chair massage.  However, this day was just tremendous!  I was pretty much busy from the moment I stepped in till way past the time it was going to end.  I was so busy I had asked one person if she minded waiting so I could eat a small bit for lunch.  I even had a new client that I meet through Harriette at her book signing that came that day specifically to see me!  Things like that just make me happy!  I feel very blessed to be a part of that day and to be able to join in and hear all the interesting conversations and readings, meet new people, laugh, and just make people feel great!  Thanks, Harriette for including me!!  And thank you to all of you that came to me for a massage too!!
 
For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website or follow me on Twitter.

Massage Packages: Which One Do You Want?

I am very happy to announce the new creation of massage packages for Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage!  So I'm just going to go right into all the packages without any more pre-information.


Pure Heavenly Healing (Year of Heavenly Wellness)
50 Massage Sessions ~ $2997 Limited Quantity Offer (Save $1003)

Picture this…once a week, you being massaged for a whole year (minus two weeks off for vacations, etc)! This investment into yourself is your own preventative health care routine. This is designed to assist your body’s natural healing ability by increasing your immune system. Massage benefits the body through pain and stress relief, lessens depression, increases your levels of dopamine and serotonin, as well as increasing your natural killer cells which respond and kills cells that are infected when you have a virus and boosts your body to ward off illnesses such as colds, flu’s, cancer, diabetes and more.

Purchase your “Pure Heavenly Healing” package between now and January 31, 2010. I am only offering a limited number of these packages for your year of Pure Heavenly Healing massage wellness. You will have an annual savings of $1003 for the year! Bonus is that you may use your pre-paid massage and convert it to a gift to give to family, friends or clients in place of your massage. Appointments must be made seven days in advance. Package is good for one year from date of purchase.


Healthy Body and Mind Package
24 Massage Session ~ $1597 Limited Quantity Offer (Save $323)

Create your own preventative health care system with the Healthy Body and Mind Package. Twice a month, for twelve months, you receive the health benefits of massage. Maintain a healthy body and mind through massage which increases the circulatory and lymphatic systems and remove toxins from your body, in addition to diminishing the stresses from your mind. Massage has been proven to decrease your stress levels and prevent various sicknesses and with this twice a month package you will improve your health and assist your bodies’ natural abilities to heal its’ self.

Purchase this package between now and January 31, 2010. I am only offering a limited number of these packages. You will have an annual savings of $323 for the year. Plus you may exchange your pre-paid massage to a gift to give to family, friends or clients in your place. Appointments must be made seven days in advance. Package is good for one year from date of purchase.

 
Take the Knot’s Out Package
6 Massage Sessions ~ $419 (Save $61)

There is nothing quite like a massage to get those knots out. With this package you choose when you want to use your massages whether it’s once a week for six weeks or once a month for six months. Whether you’ve just been stressed out or spent the whole weekend playing golf and need to get the body back into a pain-free state. It’s up to you. This package is good for six months from date of purchase.


The Total “Ahhh” Package (Wine and Massage)
3 Massage Sessions with 3 bottles of wine ~  $279

For the wine fan, how much better could it be then to have a bottle of Silkwood Wine hand-delivered to you with each massage? With this package not only will you receive a most amazing massage, you get a hand-delivered bottle of Red Duet to enjoy a glass either before your massage or as a refreshing end to your relaxing session. Plus since I come to you, you will have no worries about drinking and driving as I’ll be the one driving away as you give a toast to the Heavenly feeling you will experience. Appointments must be made seven days in advance. Package must be used within six months of date of purchase.


Body Tune Up Package
3 Massage Sessions ~ $219 (Save $21)

Just like a car, your body needs to get its tune-ups too. This package is designed for you to get your once a month body tune-up. It’ll help you release those pent-up stresses and give you the time to relax the body and mind and feel renewed and refreshed. This package is good for three months from date of purchase.


For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website or follow me on Twitter.

Massage Just for the Wealthy?

Many people look at massage as a luxury, something to treat yourself with once a year for your birthday or anniversary, or even something that only the 'wealthy' do.  I've had many people ask, or even state and assume that my clients must only be wealthy clients.  Their expectation is that only the 'rich' can afford massage.  If that's the case, then why are their so many spas and massage therapists?  There can't be that many 'rich' people keeping these places in business can there?  Ya, I don't think so.

Massage is for most everyone including kids and animals (and yes I've massaged kids and animals).  It doesn't matter what your checking account balance is, it's a whole variety of people that get massages.  For my business I have the range of clients that yes others would consider wealthy.  I also have middle-income as well as the other end of the spectrum of clients that live solely on disability and social security income.  Would they be considered wealthy?  Not in a financial sense, no.  In a healthy, well-being sense?  Absolutely!  And that goes for all my clients, the amount of money they have doesn't factor into the massage I do.  I consider every client I have wealthy in who they are and the type of person they are.  There is a quote I heard a while ago that I think relates to this topic:  First Wealth is Health ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Massage is something people do for themselves, it is an investment into their own health, something that you do for you to help keep your body and mind in check.  What one person may consider expensive another doesn't.  I may consider paying $60 or more for pants expensive while someone else freely spends their money on $100 pants.  Part of it really comes down to what you want to spend your money on.  Do you want to spend money on you?  Do you think you're worth the cost of massage?  Do you think you're health is worth it?  Well you should think you're worth it, because you are!  What I really think it comes down to is that we are taught not to ever be selfish and we consider massage a selfish act.  Again, it's not and your first wealth is your health and it's an investment into you!  So go ahead, make that investment!

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website or follow me on Twitter.

Chiropractic Care: Hand in Hand with Massage

I've been asked many times by clients my opinion on whether they should see a Chiropractor and what the benefits.  My opinion is that Chiropractic care goes hand in hand with massage.  Chiropractic and massage therapy used in combination, form a powerful healing approach that addresses your pain on many different levels. Whether your pain is the result of traumatic injury, overuse or stress, these two therapies can speed your return to a pain-free and productive life.

Back pain, neck pain and headaches are just a few of the painful and most commonly seen conditions that send most people to a chiropractor.  Misalignment's in your body, called subluxations, can pull on your muscles and disrupt the nerve transmissions, especially in the spine which houses nerves affecting the entire body.  The resulting pain can be at the site of the subluxations as well as places elsewhere in your body, which can also include numbness and tingling in various areas.  Many clients who I see at the chiropractic office I work in will complain of one area of pain and when I massage another area of their body are surprised to feel tension and soreness in other areas.  What they don't realize is when the body is out of alignment this pulls on many of the surrounding muscles as well as causing havoc in the nervous system creating the pain in the body.  Over time these tight, inflamed muscles and fascia (band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating, or binding together muscles, organs, and other soft structures of the body) suffer poor circulation which prevent muscles from lengthening completely.  Sometimes these tight muscles can compress the nerves and cause severe pain.  Plus your tight muscles and shortened fascia can pull your joints right back out of alignment again and this puts you right back to where your started.  In pain!

In general, massage increases circulation to the whole body as well as to the areas of pain. This reduces painful swelling and inflammation and promotes healing by removing waste products and bringing nutrients to your tissues. Like a sponge absorbing water, both fascia and muscles begin to soften and lengthen.  Which in turn helps hold your adjustments in place, decreasing your pain and putting your body back towards a state of health.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website or follow me on Twitter.

Protect Yourself from the H1N1 Flu

Can you protect yourself from the H1N1 flu with massage?  Possibly.  Massage therapy has been proven to enhance your immune system.  Lymphocytes and natural killer cells (NK cells) are part of our innate immune system and reduce the amount of the stress hormones cortisol.  Cortisol has been shown to interfere with the production of NK cells which keep our immune system in check.  A healthy body produces the NK cells to respond and kill cells that are infected when we have a virus and boost your body to ward off illnesses.  Massage also increase the circulatory and lymphatic systems.  Both systems removes toxins.  The circulatory system is also responsible for bringing nutrients to the billions of cells in your body and the lymphatic system captures and destroys invading bacteria and viruses.

While massage therapy has not been specifically proven to fight the H1N1 flu, massage has been proven to decrease your stress levels as well as (again) increase your immune system.  I think we all know when our stress levels go up our immune system goes down.  So while massage may not directly protect you from the H1N1 flu, it will increase your immune system as well as increase your healthy killer cells and help protect you from sicknesses.  However, on the other end of the spectrum if you think you are sick with any type of flu, do not receive a massage.

For more information on Heavenly Healing Mobile Massage, please visit my website or follow me on Twitter.