Thai Massage
Thai Massage has its origins deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. It is still taught and practiced today at many Buddhist temples throughout Thailand.
In modern day Thailand, many of the Thais include Traditional Thai Massage as an essential part of their monthly routine. This is because Thai massage is used essentially as a form of maintenance to prevent pain, rather than as a means of curing it, even though expert Thai practitioners are able to treat chronic pain of all kinds.
The Thais claim that regular Thai massage, as a result of the improved circulation it induces, can slow down the aging process, especially the wrinkling of skin on different parts of the body. Receivers of Thai massage experience relaxation throughout the body and absolute tranquility of the mind, some clients even, during the longer sessions, fall asleep at the end of which they are awake alert and refreshed.
Improved blood and lymph circulation.
The mind can be stimulated to a naturally mild euphoric state.
The body receives more oxygen and nutrients and the immune system becomes more efficient in fending off disease agents thus lessening the chances of becoming ill.
Muscles are helped to rid themselves of toxic chemicals.
Stiffness and pain is prevented.
Good muscle tone is preserved.
Flexibility is improved.
Internal organs are stimulated to function to best capacity.
Improvement occurs in digestion, absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste.
Acupressure massage
Acupressure massage
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to relieve pain. The human body has fourteen "meridians" that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. Acupressure is the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure deals with all the aspects of a person as a whole: body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one, not as separate parts. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital life forces of the body.
---Common Benefits: • Relieve stress and tension • Relax mind and body • Increase blood circulation • Aid in the removal of toxic wastes • Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches • Promote the healing of injuries • Increase energy levels • Increase overall feeling of well-being • Decreasing labor pains Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's
life force to aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. There are also great advantages to using Acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. Acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "disease," that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life. This treatment involves stimulating the vital-energy points along the meridians on our body to effect maximum energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 800 vital energy points along the meridians that run from the head down to the heels, especially along either side of the spinal column. (The meridians connect the interior and exterior of the body). Every point has specific therapeutic effects on the related organ. By massaging these points, the corresponding body area receives specific therapeutic treatment. It can be used to treat internal organ diseases, relieve internal discomfort, and relax yourself; or to promote overall well-being of the body. Western scientists have shown that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system. This may explain in part why they can affect pain that the patient experiences in a part of the body far from where the pressure is applied.
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to relieve pain. The human body has fourteen "meridians" that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. Acupressure is the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure deals with all the aspects of a person as a whole: body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one, not as separate parts. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital life forces of the body.
---Common Benefits: • Relieve stress and tension • Relax mind and body • Increase blood circulation • Aid in the removal of toxic wastes • Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches • Promote the healing of injuries • Increase energy levels • Increase overall feeling of well-being • Decreasing labor pains Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's
life force to aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. There are also great advantages to using Acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. Acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "disease," that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life. This treatment involves stimulating the vital-energy points along the meridians on our body to effect maximum energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 800 vital energy points along the meridians that run from the head down to the heels, especially along either side of the spinal column. (The meridians connect the interior and exterior of the body). Every point has specific therapeutic effects on the related organ. By massaging these points, the corresponding body area receives specific therapeutic treatment. It can be used to treat internal organ diseases, relieve internal discomfort, and relax yourself; or to promote overall well-being of the body. Western scientists have shown that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system. This may explain in part why they can affect pain that the patient experiences in a part of the body far from where the pressure is applied.
Useful Essential Oil Profiles
ROSESSCENT.COM
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used spices in the world today; it’s been an ingredient in both Indian and Arabic cooking for centuries. It was probably first used medicinally in Egypt,
and is medicinally active because of its volatile oil, which is extracted (usually steam distilled) from the bark and leaves of the cinnamon plant, and has antiviral properties.
There are actually two different kinds of Cinnamon oil: that from the bark, and that from the leaves. Though both oils have similar properties, it is commonly suggested that the bark’s oil is particularly good for diffusing, while the leaf’s oil is best used in topical treatments. The Complete Guide to Natural Healing states that “the primary components of Cinnamon oil are eugenic acid and cinnamic aldehyde,” and that “these constituents are highly antiseptic and have a warming, stimulating effect on both body and mind” (3:9).
Cinnamon oil is traditionally used to help alleviate muscular pain and joint problems (including arthritis). It is also effective as a repellant for head lice, for battling colds, and stimulating circulation. On an emotional level, Cinnamon essential oil can be used to “calm your anxieties and strengthen self-confidence…[and is] useful for instilling emotional strength” (Ibid.).
Take Care! Cinnamon oil should only be used sparingly for topical applications. Even when diluted, it can irritate the skin if the amount is too high. As with most volatile oils, Cinnamon oil is always diluted first with a carrier oil. Oil extracted from the bark of the cinnamon plant is suitable only for use in a diffuser or simmer pot. Don’t use more than 3 drops, since its high potency may cause headaches.
Lemon
Like other essential oils in the citrus family, Lemon oil comes from the peel of the fruit, not the flesh. It has been used in laundry and cleaning products because of its clean and healthy smell. The oil can be extracted by steam distillation or cold pressing, “although cold pressing yields the more natural-smelling oil” (Bowles, pg. 68). It takes approximately 200 pounds of lemon peel (or 1,500 lemons) to produce a single pound of the essential oil (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:21). And the pure essential oil has a short shelf life, so purchase it in small quantities (Enhancing Your Body, Mind, Spirit, 1:30).
One should not confuse lemon juice with Lemon oil, as the two are dissimilar. For example, there’s no vitamin C or citric acid in Lemon essential oil – both of which come from the juice of the lemon, not its peel. Bowles writes that “lemon juice has many more reported medicinal applications than Lemon oil – as an astringent and an antibacterial agent, for example” (pg. 68), but I wonder whether that is simply because lemon juice has been used in more studies and trials than its essential oil counterpart…
Fitzsimmons and Bousquet suggest that “both the smell and appearance of lemon point to its strengths: concentration, cleansing, and mental warming” (pg. 36). Indeed, Lemon essential oil is most commonly used in aromatherapy to uplift and focus the mind. It’s also used as an aerial disinfectant. Lemon oil contains such active ingredients as terpenes and citronellal, which have a strong germicidal and antibacterial effect. This makes it particularly useful for treating colds, flus, and other infections. Lemon oil can also positively affect varicose veins, poor appetite and exhaustion (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:21).
Take Care! When the skin is exposed to intense sunlight, Lemon oil has been known to cause pigment spots. Therefore, do not use Lemon essential oil or toiletries containing citrus essential oils or citrus perfumes within 6 hours of exposure to the sun. (Ibid.)
Clary Sage
Most people are unfamiliar with Clary sage essential oil, not knowing where it comes from, what it is, what it smells like, etc. Yet this remains one of the favorites used by many Aromatherapists, particularly for women’s issues. Clary sage oil comes from the clary plant (Salvia sclarea). It is related to lavender, thyme, and lemon balm and, though native to France, Italy, and Syria, it is now cultivated worldwide for its medicinal use. In fact, it has quite a history of therapeutic use: “Derived from the Latin clarus, for ‘clear,’ clary sage was a medieval remedy for blurred vision and eyestrain” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:25).
Clary sage essential oil comes from the furry leaves of this plant; there are primarily two ways of getting the oil – solvent extraction and steam distillation. Aromatherapists only use oil that has been steam distilled. Solvent-extracted oil tends to get used as a flavoring agent for tobacco and in some muscatel wines (Bowles, pg. 143).
As an essential oil, Clary sage has antiseptic, deodorant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg. 72; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:25). It has been widely used as a natural treatment for eczema and psoriasis, as well as for minor cuts and wounds. Clary sage oil is also estrogen stimulating; “the oil’s ability to balance fluctuating hormones makes it a highly beneficial remedy for PMS, painful menstrual cramps and the hot flashes and migraines associated with menopause” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:25). Apparently, the oil has even been used during pregnancy to help minimize labor pains.
Clary sage oil is comprised of such therapeutic components as linalool, sclareol, monoterpenes and tannins, which give it its therapeutic qualities. Its range of uses is wide, but it seems to be most commonly used for muscle aches and tension, labor pains, menstrual cramps, psoriasis and acne, dandruff, dry hair, melancholy, and depression. Emotionally, it is useful when dealing with fear, stress, and anxiety (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg. 72).
Clove
Cloves are a traditional holiday spice, used in baking during the cold fall and winter months. Probably all of us are familiar with the warm, sweet scent of cloves, which are the dried flower buds of the clove tree, native to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:50). That’s right, cloves are the flower buds – they rarely get to flower, because the buds are harvested as soon as they turn pink. You have probably seen dried cloves – they have the look of tiny dark brown nails. In fact, the word “clove” comes from the Latin clavus, which means “nail.”
Cloves and clove oil have been enjoyed for thousands of years for their therapeutic qualities. Today, whole and ground cloves are used most often in cooking, but the herb has not lost its therapeutic value! Its oil is extracted primarily through steam distillation. It is spicy, warm and sweet and “possesses antispasmodic, antiviral, and antiseptic effects” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:50). It also has analgesic qualities – generations have used it topically, for example, to treat toothaches. On an emotional and psychological level, clove oil “is a mental stimulant…and helps romance” (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg. 192).
Clove oil’s mild anesthetic properties come from its eugenol, acetyleugenol and oleanolic acid. These components in particular also make the oil a good treatment for disinfecting canker sores and wounds. In general, aromatherapists use clove essential oil to treat headaches, muscle pain, gum inflammations, stomachaches, gas, and diarrhea.
Take Care! There are three different types of clove oil: clove-bud oil, clove-stem oil, and clove-leaf oil. Buy only clove-bud oil, which has the lowest eugenol content and is the safest; clove-stem and clove-leaf oils are too strong. Use clove oil sparingly and only when diluted, because it may irritate the skin. Also, avoid it if you’re pregnant, since it can trigger contractions.
(The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:50).
Yarrow
This is an oil that most people are not familiar with, though it has a long list of uses and strong healing power when applied appropriately. Those most familiar with the oil know that it actually comes in a range of colors “from dark blue to pale yellow depending on the country of origin” (Bowles, pg. 44). The yarrow plant has quite a distinguished history including its use in ancient China as the sacred plant from which the 50 wooden sticks were made for the I-Ching ritual. The Chinese felt the yarrow plant was “the perfect unification of yin and yang, since the hard, strong stem is filled with a soft substance” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:27). Additionally, yarrow’s binomial – Achillea millefolium – honors Greek hero Achilles, who was said to have used the plant to heal his injured tendon. This, from a plant that you can find growing wild alongside roads and in fields all across Europe and North America!
Yarrow essential oil lives up to its powerful reputation. The flavanoids present in the oil “dilate the peripheral arteries and induce sweating, while alkaloids help to lower blood pressure” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:27). In addition, its tannins give it astringent properties, and the compounds cyaniding, azulene, and salicylic acid make it an anti-inflammatory. But wait – there’s more! “Yarrow oil also contains the volatile oils borneol, camphor, isoartemesia ketone, cineole, and terineol as well as amino acids, lactones, saponins, coumarins and sterols” (Ibid.). What this means for us is that yarrow essential oil possesses valuable laxative, analgesic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, stimulant and antiseptic properties.
The traditional usage of yarrow oil has been to treat cuts and abrasions; its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it a good choice for this. However, a truly versatile oil, it can also be used to relieve muscle pain, stomach cramps, flatulence, painful menstruation, irregular
menses, sinus congestion, fevers, skin inflammation, stretch marks and varicose veins, and it can be used “to support meditation and strengthen intuition” (Ibid.).
No wonder it made it on my list!
But do use it with caution, because – like most essential oils – it is strong enough to cause skin irritation in people with sensitive skin. It can also cause an allergic response in some people so “spot testing” is definitely the way to proceed with this oil.
Sandalwood
The sandalwood tree has a sacred history in its native India, Tibet, and China, where its wood has been used for centuries to protect religious carvings in temples and monasteries. Originally, sandalwood essential oil was only taken from the wood – not the leaves or flowers – of trees that were at least 30 years old, but “sustainable management practices were not implemented in time” and as a result, “demand outstripped supply, and [India’s] plantations can no longer meet the world’s requirement for pure sandalwood oil” (Bowles, pg. 144). Another tree, native to Australia, produces oil that is similar to the Indian sandalwood oil. Both types are used the same way.
Sandalwood essential oil contains a high percentage of terpene-containing alcohols, primarily alpha-santalol and beta-santalol; these compounds give the oil its antispasmodic, germicidal, and expectorant effects. However, it must be said that the oil’s best-known use is more emotional in nature: “You can use the healing aroma of the sandalwood tree to promote feelings of peace and serenity,” (Enhancing Your Body, Mind, Spirit, 1:42) or use it as an aphrodisiac for “its highly relaxing and erotic effects” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:28).
The oil is thick and yellow and is steam distilled from the heartwood of the tree. As such, it has a warm, balsamic, woody scent that both mellows and becomes more complex as the oil matures. It has been used as spiritual protection, by Aromatherapists who work on that level. And, as suggested above, is traditionally “associated with male energy and is used as an aphrodisiac for men” (Bowles, pg. 144). Other medicinal uses include treating respiratory and urinary-tract infections, skin blemishes, dry skin, eczema, tension, depression, and anxiety (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:28).
Caution! Research has shown that sandalwood oil can be toxic if taken internally and in high doses. The essential oil can cause inflammation of the skin and damage to kidney tissue. (Ibid.)
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used spices in the world today; it’s been an ingredient in both Indian and Arabic cooking for centuries. It was probably first used medicinally in Egypt,
and is medicinally active because of its volatile oil, which is extracted (usually steam distilled) from the bark and leaves of the cinnamon plant, and has antiviral properties.
There are actually two different kinds of Cinnamon oil: that from the bark, and that from the leaves. Though both oils have similar properties, it is commonly suggested that the bark’s oil is particularly good for diffusing, while the leaf’s oil is best used in topical treatments. The Complete Guide to Natural Healing states that “the primary components of Cinnamon oil are eugenic acid and cinnamic aldehyde,” and that “these constituents are highly antiseptic and have a warming, stimulating effect on both body and mind” (3:9).
Cinnamon oil is traditionally used to help alleviate muscular pain and joint problems (including arthritis). It is also effective as a repellant for head lice, for battling colds, and stimulating circulation. On an emotional level, Cinnamon essential oil can be used to “calm your anxieties and strengthen self-confidence…[and is] useful for instilling emotional strength” (Ibid.).
Take Care! Cinnamon oil should only be used sparingly for topical applications. Even when diluted, it can irritate the skin if the amount is too high. As with most volatile oils, Cinnamon oil is always diluted first with a carrier oil. Oil extracted from the bark of the cinnamon plant is suitable only for use in a diffuser or simmer pot. Don’t use more than 3 drops, since its high potency may cause headaches.
Lemon
Like other essential oils in the citrus family, Lemon oil comes from the peel of the fruit, not the flesh. It has been used in laundry and cleaning products because of its clean and healthy smell. The oil can be extracted by steam distillation or cold pressing, “although cold pressing yields the more natural-smelling oil” (Bowles, pg. 68). It takes approximately 200 pounds of lemon peel (or 1,500 lemons) to produce a single pound of the essential oil (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:21). And the pure essential oil has a short shelf life, so purchase it in small quantities (Enhancing Your Body, Mind, Spirit, 1:30).
One should not confuse lemon juice with Lemon oil, as the two are dissimilar. For example, there’s no vitamin C or citric acid in Lemon essential oil – both of which come from the juice of the lemon, not its peel. Bowles writes that “lemon juice has many more reported medicinal applications than Lemon oil – as an astringent and an antibacterial agent, for example” (pg. 68), but I wonder whether that is simply because lemon juice has been used in more studies and trials than its essential oil counterpart…
Fitzsimmons and Bousquet suggest that “both the smell and appearance of lemon point to its strengths: concentration, cleansing, and mental warming” (pg. 36). Indeed, Lemon essential oil is most commonly used in aromatherapy to uplift and focus the mind. It’s also used as an aerial disinfectant. Lemon oil contains such active ingredients as terpenes and citronellal, which have a strong germicidal and antibacterial effect. This makes it particularly useful for treating colds, flus, and other infections. Lemon oil can also positively affect varicose veins, poor appetite and exhaustion (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:21).
Take Care! When the skin is exposed to intense sunlight, Lemon oil has been known to cause pigment spots. Therefore, do not use Lemon essential oil or toiletries containing citrus essential oils or citrus perfumes within 6 hours of exposure to the sun. (Ibid.)
Clary Sage
Most people are unfamiliar with Clary sage essential oil, not knowing where it comes from, what it is, what it smells like, etc. Yet this remains one of the favorites used by many Aromatherapists, particularly for women’s issues. Clary sage oil comes from the clary plant (Salvia sclarea). It is related to lavender, thyme, and lemon balm and, though native to France, Italy, and Syria, it is now cultivated worldwide for its medicinal use. In fact, it has quite a history of therapeutic use: “Derived from the Latin clarus, for ‘clear,’ clary sage was a medieval remedy for blurred vision and eyestrain” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:25).
Clary sage essential oil comes from the furry leaves of this plant; there are primarily two ways of getting the oil – solvent extraction and steam distillation. Aromatherapists only use oil that has been steam distilled. Solvent-extracted oil tends to get used as a flavoring agent for tobacco and in some muscatel wines (Bowles, pg. 143).
As an essential oil, Clary sage has antiseptic, deodorant, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg. 72; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:25). It has been widely used as a natural treatment for eczema and psoriasis, as well as for minor cuts and wounds. Clary sage oil is also estrogen stimulating; “the oil’s ability to balance fluctuating hormones makes it a highly beneficial remedy for PMS, painful menstrual cramps and the hot flashes and migraines associated with menopause” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:25). Apparently, the oil has even been used during pregnancy to help minimize labor pains.
Clary sage oil is comprised of such therapeutic components as linalool, sclareol, monoterpenes and tannins, which give it its therapeutic qualities. Its range of uses is wide, but it seems to be most commonly used for muscle aches and tension, labor pains, menstrual cramps, psoriasis and acne, dandruff, dry hair, melancholy, and depression. Emotionally, it is useful when dealing with fear, stress, and anxiety (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg. 72).
Clove
Cloves are a traditional holiday spice, used in baking during the cold fall and winter months. Probably all of us are familiar with the warm, sweet scent of cloves, which are the dried flower buds of the clove tree, native to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:50). That’s right, cloves are the flower buds – they rarely get to flower, because the buds are harvested as soon as they turn pink. You have probably seen dried cloves – they have the look of tiny dark brown nails. In fact, the word “clove” comes from the Latin clavus, which means “nail.”
Cloves and clove oil have been enjoyed for thousands of years for their therapeutic qualities. Today, whole and ground cloves are used most often in cooking, but the herb has not lost its therapeutic value! Its oil is extracted primarily through steam distillation. It is spicy, warm and sweet and “possesses antispasmodic, antiviral, and antiseptic effects” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:50). It also has analgesic qualities – generations have used it topically, for example, to treat toothaches. On an emotional and psychological level, clove oil “is a mental stimulant…and helps romance” (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg. 192).
Clove oil’s mild anesthetic properties come from its eugenol, acetyleugenol and oleanolic acid. These components in particular also make the oil a good treatment for disinfecting canker sores and wounds. In general, aromatherapists use clove essential oil to treat headaches, muscle pain, gum inflammations, stomachaches, gas, and diarrhea.
Take Care! There are three different types of clove oil: clove-bud oil, clove-stem oil, and clove-leaf oil. Buy only clove-bud oil, which has the lowest eugenol content and is the safest; clove-stem and clove-leaf oils are too strong. Use clove oil sparingly and only when diluted, because it may irritate the skin. Also, avoid it if you’re pregnant, since it can trigger contractions.
(The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:50).
Yarrow
This is an oil that most people are not familiar with, though it has a long list of uses and strong healing power when applied appropriately. Those most familiar with the oil know that it actually comes in a range of colors “from dark blue to pale yellow depending on the country of origin” (Bowles, pg. 44). The yarrow plant has quite a distinguished history including its use in ancient China as the sacred plant from which the 50 wooden sticks were made for the I-Ching ritual. The Chinese felt the yarrow plant was “the perfect unification of yin and yang, since the hard, strong stem is filled with a soft substance” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:27). Additionally, yarrow’s binomial – Achillea millefolium – honors Greek hero Achilles, who was said to have used the plant to heal his injured tendon. This, from a plant that you can find growing wild alongside roads and in fields all across Europe and North America!
Yarrow essential oil lives up to its powerful reputation. The flavanoids present in the oil “dilate the peripheral arteries and induce sweating, while alkaloids help to lower blood pressure” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:27). In addition, its tannins give it astringent properties, and the compounds cyaniding, azulene, and salicylic acid make it an anti-inflammatory. But wait – there’s more! “Yarrow oil also contains the volatile oils borneol, camphor, isoartemesia ketone, cineole, and terineol as well as amino acids, lactones, saponins, coumarins and sterols” (Ibid.). What this means for us is that yarrow essential oil possesses valuable laxative, analgesic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant, stimulant and antiseptic properties.
The traditional usage of yarrow oil has been to treat cuts and abrasions; its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it a good choice for this. However, a truly versatile oil, it can also be used to relieve muscle pain, stomach cramps, flatulence, painful menstruation, irregular
menses, sinus congestion, fevers, skin inflammation, stretch marks and varicose veins, and it can be used “to support meditation and strengthen intuition” (Ibid.).
No wonder it made it on my list!
But do use it with caution, because – like most essential oils – it is strong enough to cause skin irritation in people with sensitive skin. It can also cause an allergic response in some people so “spot testing” is definitely the way to proceed with this oil.
Sandalwood
The sandalwood tree has a sacred history in its native India, Tibet, and China, where its wood has been used for centuries to protect religious carvings in temples and monasteries. Originally, sandalwood essential oil was only taken from the wood – not the leaves or flowers – of trees that were at least 30 years old, but “sustainable management practices were not implemented in time” and as a result, “demand outstripped supply, and [India’s] plantations can no longer meet the world’s requirement for pure sandalwood oil” (Bowles, pg. 144). Another tree, native to Australia, produces oil that is similar to the Indian sandalwood oil. Both types are used the same way.
Sandalwood essential oil contains a high percentage of terpene-containing alcohols, primarily alpha-santalol and beta-santalol; these compounds give the oil its antispasmodic, germicidal, and expectorant effects. However, it must be said that the oil’s best-known use is more emotional in nature: “You can use the healing aroma of the sandalwood tree to promote feelings of peace and serenity,” (Enhancing Your Body, Mind, Spirit, 1:42) or use it as an aphrodisiac for “its highly relaxing and erotic effects” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:28).
The oil is thick and yellow and is steam distilled from the heartwood of the tree. As such, it has a warm, balsamic, woody scent that both mellows and becomes more complex as the oil matures. It has been used as spiritual protection, by Aromatherapists who work on that level. And, as suggested above, is traditionally “associated with male energy and is used as an aphrodisiac for men” (Bowles, pg. 144). Other medicinal uses include treating respiratory and urinary-tract infections, skin blemishes, dry skin, eczema, tension, depression, and anxiety (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:28).
Caution! Research has shown that sandalwood oil can be toxic if taken internally and in high doses. The essential oil can cause inflammation of the skin and damage to kidney tissue. (Ibid.)
Useful Essential Oil Profiles
ROSESSCENT.COM
The following ten essential oils are both easy to find and easy to use. We’ll explore specific aromatherapy “recipes” in the next segment. For now, we’ll simply look a little closer at each of the oils, highlighting their specific properties and applications.
Tea Tree
“Tea Tree” is the name given to a large number of swamp-growing trees throughout Australia and New Zealand. “The name comes from the fact that the trees grow in or near water that is usually a clear brown tea color due to the tannins from the leaves and twigs that fall into it” (Bowles, pg. 108). Not surprisingly, native Australians were the first to discover the medicinal properties of the tea tree. Among other uses, the aborigines made a tea from its leaves to build and strengthen the immune system. Today, primarily because of its potent antiviral properties, Tea tree oil is a favorite among most Aromatherapists.
Tea tree oil – also known and sold as “melaleuka oil,” from its binomial Melaleuca alternifolia – is quite unique in that it is one of the very few “neat” oils (which can be used undiluted on the skin) and simultaneously, one of the most powerful therapeutic essential oils available. It can counteract bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and can be used to eliminate parasites. It also inhibits inflammation, protects the skin, and eases pain. Of note is that the oil “has also been shown to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and attack infections, helping to heal wounds” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:15).
The oil – similar in scent to camphor – is extracted through steam distillation and should be a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. According to Bowles, “the darker the yellow, the more likely the oil is either old or oxidized” (pg. 109). Yellowed Tea tree oil can still be used, but it is more likely to be irritating.
More than 50 rare, natural substances have been isolated from the essence of Tea tree leaves. “Because Tea tree oil kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi, it can heal internal and external infections, including athlete’s foot and fungi that affect the nails” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:15). It can also be used to alleviate rashes and irritated skin, and can aid coughs, bronchitis, arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, and many other ailments. (Special precautionary note: Yes, Tea tree is a “neat” essential oil, but you should never apply it undiluted near the eyes.)
Lavender
Lavender may be the best-known essential oil on the market today. The most potent form of lavender is the oil, which contains high concentrations of its active ingredients. According to The
Complete Guide to Natural Healing, “The finest oil is distilled from Lavandula officinalis, a variety of lavender that grows only at altitudes above 3,000 feet and is particularly resistant to heat and cold” (3:5). Where this particular kind of Lavender oil is concerned, the herb’s flower buds are harvested by hand at midday, when the oil content is highest; the essential oil is then extracted using steam distillation.
One of the “issues” with Lavender oil, which is clear and usually colorless, is the cross-fertilization of species to form hybrids; the odor of the oil from each hybrid can vary markedly. There are also two related oils to be aware of. One is called “Spike Lavender” and originally comes from Spain. The other is called “Lavandin” and it is coarser and used primarily in candles, soaps, and detergents. These are not as therapeutically active as pure Lavender essential oil, and in fact, because pure Lavender is more expensive than either of the others, “sometimes unscrupulous producers blend the two to increase their profit margin. If the oil smells at all like Eucalyptus oil, it is probably such a blend” (Bowles, pg. 102).
The name “Lavender” comes from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash.” Accordingly, Lavender oil is cleansing and deodorizing, and on a more emotional level, can be either stimulating or calming, depending on how you use it. You might find that strange, but “Lavender is one of the essential oils that is an adaptogen, meaning its properties adapt to your needs” (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg, 120).
The best-known active components in Lavender oil are geraniol, cineole, and coumarin. These three compounds act strongly as cleansing and germicidal agents. It is believed that they are particularly valuable for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and pain. And as you’ve likely heard, Lavender oil has many uses: “It is a powerful antiseptic containing more than 200 compounds that are active against fungi, viruses, and other microbes” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:5). Lavender can be used to relieve nervousness, anxiety, difficulty in falling asleep, stomachaches, middle-ear infections, burns, eczema, insect bites, and other skin inflammations, among its many, many uses (Ibid.).
Peppermint
Another well-known oil, Peppermint is actually a hybrid of two mint species, Mentha aquatica and Mentha spicata. Somehow, this translates into the binomial Mentha x piperita…though most essential oil suppliers will simply label it as Mentha piperita (Bowles, pg 116). The peppermint plant has been popular since the 17th century, and used for its pungent flavor and its curative powers. The oil is distilled from the leaves (before the plant flowers), and is colorless and clear.
“In all its uses, Peppermint oil is refreshing to the mind, body, and spirit” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:14). It is especially well-known for its use to improve concentration and focus. (This works, because the scent triggers the hippocampus, a part of the brain linked to memory.) It’s also quite effective for easing colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, fever, coughs, bad breath, headaches, intestinal cramps, diarrhea, and mental exhaustion.
Peppermint’s cooling, fever-reducing and antiseptic properties are largely due to its high levels of menthol, which is antibacterial and anesthetic. The essential oil is especially potent; a little
goes a long way. Additionally, one source warns that “peppermint is not recommended to use with homeopathic treatment,” though no specific reason is given (Fitzsimmons & Bousquet, pg. 141). Another thing to keep in mind is that Peppermint may irritate mucous membranes such that it may be contraindicated for people with hay fever.
Caution! Do not treat children with Peppermint oil, since the high menthol content can irritate sensitive mucosa. If you have chills, avoid Peppermint oil, because of its intense cooling properties. Keep your eyes tightly shut when inhaling Peppermint oil, as the vapors can irritate them. The oil may also irritate sensitive skin. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid using the oil altogether. (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:14)
Eucalyptus
The A to Z of Essential Oils states that “there are over 500 species of Eucalyptus indigenous to Australia, and several of these were cultivated in other countries such as China, Spain, and South Africa” (pg. 88). Of all the species, Eucalyptus globules is the one most commonly used for its essential oil. This clear and relatively colorless oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs by steam distillation. It takes some 110 pounds of plant to produce about 2 pounds of Eucalyptus oil (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:8)! Another little-known fact is that the tree’s roots secrete a strong oil that inhibits the growth of other plants in the immediate vicinity. Fitzsimmons and Bousquet suggest that “the branches of the tree are shaped like a human lung, and this is the area of the body that eucalyptus is most effective in treating” (pg. 22).
The principal active ingredient in Eucalyptus oil is eucalyptol, which has strong germicidal and disinfectant properties. Not so commonly known are its functions as a diuretic, and an agent to lower blood sugar. “Eucalyptus oil is an effective analgesic and is often used in preparations designed to relieve muscle, nerve and joint pain” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:8). On an emotional and mental level, it can help to combat exhaustion and sluggishness.
Most people are familiar with this oil’s scent, because it is frequently used in decongestant products. Aromatherapists recognize its value as an expectorant and will traditionally use it to help treat respiratory infections, “because it reputedly thins the mucous and…[helps] people cough up excess mucous” (Bowles, pg. 89). It can also be used as a rubifacient, alleviating aches and pains with its warming ability.
Take Care! Too much Eucalyptus oil can potentially irritate the skin, so be sure to use the exact amount specified in an aromatherapy recipe. Combining Eucalyptus oil with massage oil reduces the chance of irritation. Keep Eucalyptus oil away from children under the age of 6.
(The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:8
The following ten essential oils are both easy to find and easy to use. We’ll explore specific aromatherapy “recipes” in the next segment. For now, we’ll simply look a little closer at each of the oils, highlighting their specific properties and applications.
Tea Tree
“Tea Tree” is the name given to a large number of swamp-growing trees throughout Australia and New Zealand. “The name comes from the fact that the trees grow in or near water that is usually a clear brown tea color due to the tannins from the leaves and twigs that fall into it” (Bowles, pg. 108). Not surprisingly, native Australians were the first to discover the medicinal properties of the tea tree. Among other uses, the aborigines made a tea from its leaves to build and strengthen the immune system. Today, primarily because of its potent antiviral properties, Tea tree oil is a favorite among most Aromatherapists.
Tea tree oil – also known and sold as “melaleuka oil,” from its binomial Melaleuca alternifolia – is quite unique in that it is one of the very few “neat” oils (which can be used undiluted on the skin) and simultaneously, one of the most powerful therapeutic essential oils available. It can counteract bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and can be used to eliminate parasites. It also inhibits inflammation, protects the skin, and eases pain. Of note is that the oil “has also been shown to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and attack infections, helping to heal wounds” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:15).
The oil – similar in scent to camphor – is extracted through steam distillation and should be a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. According to Bowles, “the darker the yellow, the more likely the oil is either old or oxidized” (pg. 109). Yellowed Tea tree oil can still be used, but it is more likely to be irritating.
More than 50 rare, natural substances have been isolated from the essence of Tea tree leaves. “Because Tea tree oil kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi, it can heal internal and external infections, including athlete’s foot and fungi that affect the nails” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:15). It can also be used to alleviate rashes and irritated skin, and can aid coughs, bronchitis, arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, and many other ailments. (Special precautionary note: Yes, Tea tree is a “neat” essential oil, but you should never apply it undiluted near the eyes.)
Lavender
Lavender may be the best-known essential oil on the market today. The most potent form of lavender is the oil, which contains high concentrations of its active ingredients. According to The
Complete Guide to Natural Healing, “The finest oil is distilled from Lavandula officinalis, a variety of lavender that grows only at altitudes above 3,000 feet and is particularly resistant to heat and cold” (3:5). Where this particular kind of Lavender oil is concerned, the herb’s flower buds are harvested by hand at midday, when the oil content is highest; the essential oil is then extracted using steam distillation.
One of the “issues” with Lavender oil, which is clear and usually colorless, is the cross-fertilization of species to form hybrids; the odor of the oil from each hybrid can vary markedly. There are also two related oils to be aware of. One is called “Spike Lavender” and originally comes from Spain. The other is called “Lavandin” and it is coarser and used primarily in candles, soaps, and detergents. These are not as therapeutically active as pure Lavender essential oil, and in fact, because pure Lavender is more expensive than either of the others, “sometimes unscrupulous producers blend the two to increase their profit margin. If the oil smells at all like Eucalyptus oil, it is probably such a blend” (Bowles, pg. 102).
The name “Lavender” comes from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash.” Accordingly, Lavender oil is cleansing and deodorizing, and on a more emotional level, can be either stimulating or calming, depending on how you use it. You might find that strange, but “Lavender is one of the essential oils that is an adaptogen, meaning its properties adapt to your needs” (Fitzsimmons and Bousquet, pg, 120).
The best-known active components in Lavender oil are geraniol, cineole, and coumarin. These three compounds act strongly as cleansing and germicidal agents. It is believed that they are particularly valuable for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and pain. And as you’ve likely heard, Lavender oil has many uses: “It is a powerful antiseptic containing more than 200 compounds that are active against fungi, viruses, and other microbes” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:5). Lavender can be used to relieve nervousness, anxiety, difficulty in falling asleep, stomachaches, middle-ear infections, burns, eczema, insect bites, and other skin inflammations, among its many, many uses (Ibid.).
Peppermint
Another well-known oil, Peppermint is actually a hybrid of two mint species, Mentha aquatica and Mentha spicata. Somehow, this translates into the binomial Mentha x piperita…though most essential oil suppliers will simply label it as Mentha piperita (Bowles, pg 116). The peppermint plant has been popular since the 17th century, and used for its pungent flavor and its curative powers. The oil is distilled from the leaves (before the plant flowers), and is colorless and clear.
“In all its uses, Peppermint oil is refreshing to the mind, body, and spirit” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:14). It is especially well-known for its use to improve concentration and focus. (This works, because the scent triggers the hippocampus, a part of the brain linked to memory.) It’s also quite effective for easing colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, fever, coughs, bad breath, headaches, intestinal cramps, diarrhea, and mental exhaustion.
Peppermint’s cooling, fever-reducing and antiseptic properties are largely due to its high levels of menthol, which is antibacterial and anesthetic. The essential oil is especially potent; a little
goes a long way. Additionally, one source warns that “peppermint is not recommended to use with homeopathic treatment,” though no specific reason is given (Fitzsimmons & Bousquet, pg. 141). Another thing to keep in mind is that Peppermint may irritate mucous membranes such that it may be contraindicated for people with hay fever.
Caution! Do not treat children with Peppermint oil, since the high menthol content can irritate sensitive mucosa. If you have chills, avoid Peppermint oil, because of its intense cooling properties. Keep your eyes tightly shut when inhaling Peppermint oil, as the vapors can irritate them. The oil may also irritate sensitive skin. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid using the oil altogether. (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:14)
Eucalyptus
The A to Z of Essential Oils states that “there are over 500 species of Eucalyptus indigenous to Australia, and several of these were cultivated in other countries such as China, Spain, and South Africa” (pg. 88). Of all the species, Eucalyptus globules is the one most commonly used for its essential oil. This clear and relatively colorless oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs by steam distillation. It takes some 110 pounds of plant to produce about 2 pounds of Eucalyptus oil (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:8)! Another little-known fact is that the tree’s roots secrete a strong oil that inhibits the growth of other plants in the immediate vicinity. Fitzsimmons and Bousquet suggest that “the branches of the tree are shaped like a human lung, and this is the area of the body that eucalyptus is most effective in treating” (pg. 22).
The principal active ingredient in Eucalyptus oil is eucalyptol, which has strong germicidal and disinfectant properties. Not so commonly known are its functions as a diuretic, and an agent to lower blood sugar. “Eucalyptus oil is an effective analgesic and is often used in preparations designed to relieve muscle, nerve and joint pain” (The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:8). On an emotional and mental level, it can help to combat exhaustion and sluggishness.
Most people are familiar with this oil’s scent, because it is frequently used in decongestant products. Aromatherapists recognize its value as an expectorant and will traditionally use it to help treat respiratory infections, “because it reputedly thins the mucous and…[helps] people cough up excess mucous” (Bowles, pg. 89). It can also be used as a rubifacient, alleviating aches and pains with its warming ability.
Take Care! Too much Eucalyptus oil can potentially irritate the skin, so be sure to use the exact amount specified in an aromatherapy recipe. Combining Eucalyptus oil with massage oil reduces the chance of irritation. Keep Eucalyptus oil away from children under the age of 6.
(The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, 3:8
Shiatsu
Shiatsu
ROSESSCENT.COM
Shiatsu is an old, traditional, Japanese healing method. Shiatsu means “finger pressure.” But unlike the massages of the West, where kneading and friction is used, in shiatsu pressure and stretching is the key. The shiatsu practitioner uses palms,
fingers, thumbs, knuckles, elbows, knees and the feet, to work on the body’s acupuncture points, along what they consider the body’s meridians or energy channels. It’s a form of “touch communication,” and is a safe and effective preventive medicine. It helps to balance person energy flow, and strengthen the vital organs.
In shiatsu, it is believed that disease is the result of blocked or unbalanced energy, so that it’s either depleted or over-active. Shiatsu shares the same view as Chinese acupuncture. There are two energy forces, the Yin, or negative, and the Yang, or positive. Basically, the human body is looked upon as a microcosm of the universe, the meridians vital organs are seen as governed by Five Elements and by Yin and Yang. They believe that in a healthy person no element is dominant or deficient in relation to the other. Blocked or unbalanced energy allows disease to take over.ROSESSCENT.COM
A shiatsu practitioner asks the patient to lie on a mat on the floor, while wearing loose, natural fiber clothing. He or she will then use his hands, elbows, knees, and feet to work on balancing your meridian. He applies pressure to appropriate points to correct the injuries or imbalances. Through touch, two way communication greatly benefits the patient. Shiatsu works on the whole being, from the physical to the spiritual, so during and after the treatment a patient may experience a variety of reactions-crying, laughing, joy, stillness. These reactions are a sign that the body is breaking through old energy patterns.
Shiatsu treatments are given for a variety of ailments, from respiratory problems, to digestive problems, to headaches and leg cramps, and can bring relief to a number of everyday disorders. And today, shiatsu is gaining popularity in the West, and is practiced in America and Europe.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is the prenatal use of massage therapy to support the physiologic, structural, and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus. Various forms of massage therapy, including Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular, movement, and Oriental-based therapies, may be applied throughout pregnancy as well as during labor and the postpartum period.
ROSESSCENT.COM
-----The Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy
During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being.
• Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
• By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.
• Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.
• Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, edema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
• Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
• Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
• Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
• Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.
Of course, there are many emotional benefits of a massage besides just the physical benefits. When you put your hands on your partner's body, you're also touching her emotions and state of mind. Not only is a massage relaxing, comforting and healing, it is also an expression of love and caring. The intimate nature of touch has the additional advantage of bringing two people closer together
are accumulations of waste products around a nerve receptor. Often times they feel like nodules or taut bands of fibers within the soft tissues. Trigger points form in muscles which have been overused or injured due to an accident or surgery.
Common characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the primary side-effect of trigger points and pain is the most common secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger-point
Trigger points can exist in two states, either active or latent. Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 % of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw.
To diffuse a trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, "fluff and buff" technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.
It is common to find great improvement after one treatment. Repeated treatment may be necessary for those with chronic trigger points. Stretching should be done as "home work" to encourage the muscles that have been treated to stay in a lengthened position.
Trigger point research lists nutritional deficiencies or inadequacies as "perpetuating factors." A good multi-vitamin supplement that is high in anti-oxidants and is in an encapsulated form can help ensure that once treated, trigger points do not reform. Robb* recommends Twinlab’s MaxiLife or for those over 40, MaxiLife CoQ10
formula to be taken: one capsule up to four times per day, since the water-soluble nutrients which are critical to normal muscle function (e.g. Vitamin C and B-Complex) can only stay at a peak level in the blood stream from 4 to 6 hours. Trigger Point Therapy is a subset of neuromuscular therapy which examines and treats muscles and muscle attachments in layers from superficial to deep, ligaments and connective tissues. More about neuromuscular therapy will be presented in future article.
Acupressure massage
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to relieve pain. The human body has fourteen "meridians" that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. Acupressure is the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure deals with all the aspects of a person as a whole: body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one, not as separate parts. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital life forces of the body.
---Common Benefits: • Relieve stress and tension • Relax mind and body • Increase blood circulation • Aid in the removal of toxic wastes • Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches • Promote the healing of injuries • Increase energy levels • Increase overall feeling of well-being • Decreasing labor pains Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's
life force to aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. There are also great advantages to using Acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. Acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "disease," that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life. This treatment involves stimulating the vital-energy points along the meridians on our body to effect maximum energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 800 vital energy points along the meridians that run from the head down to the heels, especially along either side of the spinal column. (The meridians connect the interior and exterior of the body). Every point has specific therapeutic effects on the related organ. By massaging these points, the corresponding body area receives specific therapeutic treatment. It can be used to treat internal organ diseases, relieve internal discomfort, and relax yourself; or to promote overall well-being of the body. Western scientists have shown that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system. This may explain in part why they can affect pain that the patient experiences in a part of the body far from where the pressure is applied.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage has its origins deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. It is still taught and practiced today at many Buddhist temples throughout Thailand.
In modern day Thailand, many of the Thais include Traditional Thai Massage as an essential part of their monthly routine. This is because Thai massage is used essentially as a form of maintenance to prevent pain, rather than as a means of curing it, even though expert Thai practitioners are able to treat chronic pain of all kinds.
The Thais claim that regular Thai massage, as a result of the improved circulation it induces, can slow down the aging process, especially the wrinkling of skin on different parts of the body. Receivers of Thai massage experience relaxation throughout the body and absolute tranquility of the mind, some clients even, during the longer sessions, fall asleep at the end of which they are awake alert and refreshed.
Improved blood and lymph circulation.
The mind can be stimulated to a naturally mild euphoric state.
The body receives more oxygen and nutrients and the immune system becomes more efficient in fending off disease agents thus lessening the chances of becoming ill.
Muscles are helped to rid themselves of toxic chemicals.
Stiffness and pain is prevented.
Good muscle tone is preserved.
Flexibility is improved.
Internal organs are stimulated to function to best capacity.
Improvement occurs in digestion, absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste.
ROSESSCENT.COM
Shiatsu is an old, traditional, Japanese healing method. Shiatsu means “finger pressure.” But unlike the massages of the West, where kneading and friction is used, in shiatsu pressure and stretching is the key. The shiatsu practitioner uses palms,
fingers, thumbs, knuckles, elbows, knees and the feet, to work on the body’s acupuncture points, along what they consider the body’s meridians or energy channels. It’s a form of “touch communication,” and is a safe and effective preventive medicine. It helps to balance person energy flow, and strengthen the vital organs.
In shiatsu, it is believed that disease is the result of blocked or unbalanced energy, so that it’s either depleted or over-active. Shiatsu shares the same view as Chinese acupuncture. There are two energy forces, the Yin, or negative, and the Yang, or positive. Basically, the human body is looked upon as a microcosm of the universe, the meridians vital organs are seen as governed by Five Elements and by Yin and Yang. They believe that in a healthy person no element is dominant or deficient in relation to the other. Blocked or unbalanced energy allows disease to take over.ROSESSCENT.COM
A shiatsu practitioner asks the patient to lie on a mat on the floor, while wearing loose, natural fiber clothing. He or she will then use his hands, elbows, knees, and feet to work on balancing your meridian. He applies pressure to appropriate points to correct the injuries or imbalances. Through touch, two way communication greatly benefits the patient. Shiatsu works on the whole being, from the physical to the spiritual, so during and after the treatment a patient may experience a variety of reactions-crying, laughing, joy, stillness. These reactions are a sign that the body is breaking through old energy patterns.
Shiatsu treatments are given for a variety of ailments, from respiratory problems, to digestive problems, to headaches and leg cramps, and can bring relief to a number of everyday disorders. And today, shiatsu is gaining popularity in the West, and is practiced in America and Europe.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is the prenatal use of massage therapy to support the physiologic, structural, and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus. Various forms of massage therapy, including Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular, movement, and Oriental-based therapies, may be applied throughout pregnancy as well as during labor and the postpartum period.
ROSESSCENT.COM
-----The Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy
During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being.
• Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
• By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.
• Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.
• Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, edema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
• Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
• Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
• Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
• It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
• Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
• Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.
Of course, there are many emotional benefits of a massage besides just the physical benefits. When you put your hands on your partner's body, you're also touching her emotions and state of mind. Not only is a massage relaxing, comforting and healing, it is also an expression of love and caring. The intimate nature of touch has the additional advantage of bringing two people closer together
are accumulations of waste products around a nerve receptor. Often times they feel like nodules or taut bands of fibers within the soft tissues. Trigger points form in muscles which have been overused or injured due to an accident or surgery.
Common characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the primary side-effect of trigger points and pain is the most common secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger-point
Trigger points can exist in two states, either active or latent. Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 % of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw.
To diffuse a trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, "fluff and buff" technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.
It is common to find great improvement after one treatment. Repeated treatment may be necessary for those with chronic trigger points. Stretching should be done as "home work" to encourage the muscles that have been treated to stay in a lengthened position.
Trigger point research lists nutritional deficiencies or inadequacies as "perpetuating factors." A good multi-vitamin supplement that is high in anti-oxidants and is in an encapsulated form can help ensure that once treated, trigger points do not reform. Robb* recommends Twinlab’s MaxiLife or for those over 40, MaxiLife CoQ10
formula to be taken: one capsule up to four times per day, since the water-soluble nutrients which are critical to normal muscle function (e.g. Vitamin C and B-Complex) can only stay at a peak level in the blood stream from 4 to 6 hours. Trigger Point Therapy is a subset of neuromuscular therapy which examines and treats muscles and muscle attachments in layers from superficial to deep, ligaments and connective tissues. More about neuromuscular therapy will be presented in future article.
Acupressure massage
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to relieve pain. The human body has fourteen "meridians" that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. Acupressure is the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure deals with all the aspects of a person as a whole: body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one, not as separate parts. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital life forces of the body.
---Common Benefits: • Relieve stress and tension • Relax mind and body • Increase blood circulation • Aid in the removal of toxic wastes • Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches • Promote the healing of injuries • Increase energy levels • Increase overall feeling of well-being • Decreasing labor pains Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's
life force to aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. There are also great advantages to using Acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. Acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "disease," that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life. This treatment involves stimulating the vital-energy points along the meridians on our body to effect maximum energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 800 vital energy points along the meridians that run from the head down to the heels, especially along either side of the spinal column. (The meridians connect the interior and exterior of the body). Every point has specific therapeutic effects on the related organ. By massaging these points, the corresponding body area receives specific therapeutic treatment. It can be used to treat internal organ diseases, relieve internal discomfort, and relax yourself; or to promote overall well-being of the body. Western scientists have shown that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system. This may explain in part why they can affect pain that the patient experiences in a part of the body far from where the pressure is applied.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage has its origins deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. It is still taught and practiced today at many Buddhist temples throughout Thailand.
In modern day Thailand, many of the Thais include Traditional Thai Massage as an essential part of their monthly routine. This is because Thai massage is used essentially as a form of maintenance to prevent pain, rather than as a means of curing it, even though expert Thai practitioners are able to treat chronic pain of all kinds.
The Thais claim that regular Thai massage, as a result of the improved circulation it induces, can slow down the aging process, especially the wrinkling of skin on different parts of the body. Receivers of Thai massage experience relaxation throughout the body and absolute tranquility of the mind, some clients even, during the longer sessions, fall asleep at the end of which they are awake alert and refreshed.
Improved blood and lymph circulation.
The mind can be stimulated to a naturally mild euphoric state.
The body receives more oxygen and nutrients and the immune system becomes more efficient in fending off disease agents thus lessening the chances of becoming ill.
Muscles are helped to rid themselves of toxic chemicals.
Stiffness and pain is prevented.
Good muscle tone is preserved.
Flexibility is improved.
Internal organs are stimulated to function to best capacity.
Improvement occurs in digestion, absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste.
Deep Tissue massage, Stone massage, Sports Massage
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Deep Tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue.
It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of Water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of Muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across.
Stone massage
Stone massage is a physical practice with a vital spiritual root. This therapy utilizes heat-retaining warm basalt and cool sedimentary massage stones, and incorporates chakra balancing using semiprecious stones and crystals, and aromatherapy. Thermal conduction in the warm stones brings about local and systematic changes in the body, and influences the energy centers for body and mind balancing. The application of hands in conjunction with the stones helps produce energy that assists with and directs vital flow to areas of blockage. The harmonious use of various massage techniques and the variegated transformational properties of the mineral and semiprecious stones produce a deepened state of relaxation. Stone Therapy is an ancient way of treatment and health preservation. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes the connection between crystals, stones and the physical body. In fact, TCM used crystals as part of its pharmacopoeia. Ancient stone therapy, as recorded in the Yellow Emperor, included moxibustion and breathing exercises, and was also incorporated with knowledge of meridians/collateral's therapy. The energy and mineral content of the stones forms a powerful synergy of healing energies as they impart their natural antidote to ionic distortions and disorders. The stones transmit energy when placed on specific points on the body, and remove blockages, dissolve stress, neutralize negative energies, draw energy away from over-
stimulated areas, and reenergize depleted areas. The result is an overall feeling of well-being and balance. The subtle electromagnetic energy of stones transmutes and transforms and results in what I call "stone chakra bio resonance," a vibrational release. Lymphatic drainage can also be addressed by combining cold and warm stones. As lymphatic flow is altered, the body is transformed on a cellular level. This combination is also effective for increasing general circulation to vaso-restricted areas of the body. Stone therapy is a holistic approach that affects the individual on all planes: physical, emotional and spiritual. But don't take my word for it - the concrete proof is the experience
Sports Massage
Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.
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---Benefits of Sports Massage
Massage, applied skillfully, is the most effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the muscular-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help athletes prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.
These muscle imbalances may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. The skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and by using the correct techniques, help the sports person maintain a much healthier physical state.
It may therefore be reasonably claimed that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping prevent injury.
Deep Tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue.
It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of Water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of Muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across.
Stone massage
Stone massage is a physical practice with a vital spiritual root. This therapy utilizes heat-retaining warm basalt and cool sedimentary massage stones, and incorporates chakra balancing using semiprecious stones and crystals, and aromatherapy. Thermal conduction in the warm stones brings about local and systematic changes in the body, and influences the energy centers for body and mind balancing. The application of hands in conjunction with the stones helps produce energy that assists with and directs vital flow to areas of blockage. The harmonious use of various massage techniques and the variegated transformational properties of the mineral and semiprecious stones produce a deepened state of relaxation. Stone Therapy is an ancient way of treatment and health preservation. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes the connection between crystals, stones and the physical body. In fact, TCM used crystals as part of its pharmacopoeia. Ancient stone therapy, as recorded in the Yellow Emperor, included moxibustion and breathing exercises, and was also incorporated with knowledge of meridians/collateral's therapy. The energy and mineral content of the stones forms a powerful synergy of healing energies as they impart their natural antidote to ionic distortions and disorders. The stones transmit energy when placed on specific points on the body, and remove blockages, dissolve stress, neutralize negative energies, draw energy away from over-
stimulated areas, and reenergize depleted areas. The result is an overall feeling of well-being and balance. The subtle electromagnetic energy of stones transmutes and transforms and results in what I call "stone chakra bio resonance," a vibrational release. Lymphatic drainage can also be addressed by combining cold and warm stones. As lymphatic flow is altered, the body is transformed on a cellular level. This combination is also effective for increasing general circulation to vaso-restricted areas of the body. Stone therapy is a holistic approach that affects the individual on all planes: physical, emotional and spiritual. But don't take my word for it - the concrete proof is the experience
Sports Massage
Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.
ROSESSCENT.COM
---Benefits of Sports Massage
Massage, applied skillfully, is the most effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the muscular-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help athletes prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.
These muscle imbalances may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. The skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and by using the correct techniques, help the sports person maintain a much healthier physical state.
It may therefore be reasonably claimed that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping prevent injury.
History of Bulgaria and the Rose
Damask rose - Rosa damascena mill. f.trigintipetala, was brought to Bulgaria from India via Persia, Syria and Turkey. In the valley, situated between the Balkan and Central forest, she found her second home. Kazanlak Valley Rose Valley adopted the name. On May 21, 1837 German Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke would say: "Kashmir is the European Kazanlak, gyulestan Turkey - the land of roses." exposure
Rose harvest lasts about a month - from 20 May to 20 June, but depends on the weather of spring. Performed early in the morning from 5 am to 9-10 pm The technology that underlies the production of the famous rose oil is a double distillation. More primitive way of loading one still needed 15 kilograms Pink and 60 l pure water. The process is laborious - 1 kg of rose oil is obtained from 3000 kg pink, and 1 g - 1000 Pink. Its price in the international market is about $ 4,000 per kilogram. Bulgarian rose oil is the highest quality in the world - without competitors. All the world famous perfume companies use it in their recipes for two qualities - the perfume gives great durability and especially pleasant aroma. It is an essential ingredient for developing European cosmetics since 1720 and is spread by ship to Constantinople in Marseille, London and New York, a horse-caravans in Bucharest to Vienna, Paris and Berlin. In 1820 Doncho Papazov from Kazanlak created the first Bulgarian rozotargovska house. His sons Dimitar and Botyo expand. Here rozotargovskite houses Shipkov Kancho (1840), Hristo Hristov (1863) and Petko Orozov (1864).
Bulgarian rose oil won gold medals at world exhibitions in Vienna (1873), Paris (1875), Philadelphia (1876), Chicago (1893) and others. In 1967 the museum opened to the Kazanlak Rose, which in 1969 grew into a single character in the Rose Museum. With rich material, photographic and documentary material is followed 330 years of history of the Bulgarian rose. Below are still original containers for the production of rose oil - said: storage and export - konkumi, bottles, boxes, devices for separating oil from rose pink water templates rozotargovski houses, original photos and documents rozotargovski families and others.
In the courtyard of the Museum of the Rose was restored primitive rose distillery, which in May - June is acting.
Tourists have the opportunity to purchase pink, lavender and peppermint oil products of different oil rose, rose liqueur, rose brandy and souvenirs related to lifestyle and culture of rozoproizvoditelite.
Annually, every first weekend of June in Kazanlak organize traditional Rose Festival, which offers visitors unforgettable memories associated with beauty, joy and hospitality of the Bulgarians.
ROSESSCENT.COM
Rose harvest lasts about a month - from 20 May to 20 June, but depends on the weather of spring. Performed early in the morning from 5 am to 9-10 pm The technology that underlies the production of the famous rose oil is a double distillation. More primitive way of loading one still needed 15 kilograms Pink and 60 l pure water. The process is laborious - 1 kg of rose oil is obtained from 3000 kg pink, and 1 g - 1000 Pink. Its price in the international market is about $ 4,000 per kilogram. Bulgarian rose oil is the highest quality in the world - without competitors. All the world famous perfume companies use it in their recipes for two qualities - the perfume gives great durability and especially pleasant aroma. It is an essential ingredient for developing European cosmetics since 1720 and is spread by ship to Constantinople in Marseille, London and New York, a horse-caravans in Bucharest to Vienna, Paris and Berlin. In 1820 Doncho Papazov from Kazanlak created the first Bulgarian rozotargovska house. His sons Dimitar and Botyo expand. Here rozotargovskite houses Shipkov Kancho (1840), Hristo Hristov (1863) and Petko Orozov (1864).
Bulgarian rose oil won gold medals at world exhibitions in Vienna (1873), Paris (1875), Philadelphia (1876), Chicago (1893) and others. In 1967 the museum opened to the Kazanlak Rose, which in 1969 grew into a single character in the Rose Museum. With rich material, photographic and documentary material is followed 330 years of history of the Bulgarian rose. Below are still original containers for the production of rose oil - said: storage and export - konkumi, bottles, boxes, devices for separating oil from rose pink water templates rozotargovski houses, original photos and documents rozotargovski families and others.
In the courtyard of the Museum of the Rose was restored primitive rose distillery, which in May - June is acting.
Tourists have the opportunity to purchase pink, lavender and peppermint oil products of different oil rose, rose liqueur, rose brandy and souvenirs related to lifestyle and culture of rozoproizvoditelite.
Annually, every first weekend of June in Kazanlak organize traditional Rose Festival, which offers visitors unforgettable memories associated with beauty, joy and hospitality of the Bulgarians.
ROSESSCENT.COM
Exercise
ROSESSCENT.COM
Spinning exercise or studio cycling is not only popular these days it's an excellent form of fitness. It helps strengthen your heart, tone your glutes, calves, thighs in addition to being a great exercise to slim legs.
Spinning exercise classes usually consist of about 12 to 20 people. Classes range from 50 to 60 minutes and are set to music. The instructor takes the class on a ride that includes all types of terrain that produces a great spinning workout.
If you are the type of person who doesn't care for traditional exercise classes, this form of exercise is perfect for you. One of the many benefits of spinning is you will always feel like you're keeping up with the class because everyone finishes at the same time.
The special spinning bicycle that you pedal has a weighted flywheel in the front and makes you feel more like you're riding on a real bicycle. The spinning bike allows you to adjust the tension to keep pedaling within a comfortable range for your fitness level.
Adjustments can also be made to the handlebars and seat to make you more comfortable. Here are a few stationary exercise bike tips before you start.
Always bring a bottle of water to class and take frequent drinks while you ride. Spinning works up a sweat and it's important that you keep hydrated. Also bring a small towel to wipe away the sweat to keep more comfortable.
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Learn to pace yourself because spinning exercise classes can be very high energy. Don't get caught up in the enthusiasm so much that you ride beyond your fitness level.
Wear padded bike shorts or consider bringing a seat cushion until you get use to the bike seat. They tend to be a little hard on your rear end until you get use to them.
The first step is to sign up for a class so you can start enjoying the benefits of spinning. Remember like any class, the instructors will vary on their focus. Some take you on an imaginary ride while other concentrate on a more rigorous variety of drills.
If you find you don't like the style of one instructor, try another class. It could be a completely different experience with an instructor you like better.
Using a spinning cycle will give you the aerobic burst you need to get your heart racing and boost your endurance. Just climb on and start pedaling to your limit for a spinning exercise workout you'll enjoy.
Spinning exercise or studio cycling is not only popular these days it's an excellent form of fitness. It helps strengthen your heart, tone your glutes, calves, thighs in addition to being a great exercise to slim legs.
Spinning exercise classes usually consist of about 12 to 20 people. Classes range from 50 to 60 minutes and are set to music. The instructor takes the class on a ride that includes all types of terrain that produces a great spinning workout.
If you are the type of person who doesn't care for traditional exercise classes, this form of exercise is perfect for you. One of the many benefits of spinning is you will always feel like you're keeping up with the class because everyone finishes at the same time.
The special spinning bicycle that you pedal has a weighted flywheel in the front and makes you feel more like you're riding on a real bicycle. The spinning bike allows you to adjust the tension to keep pedaling within a comfortable range for your fitness level.
Adjustments can also be made to the handlebars and seat to make you more comfortable. Here are a few stationary exercise bike tips before you start.
Always bring a bottle of water to class and take frequent drinks while you ride. Spinning works up a sweat and it's important that you keep hydrated. Also bring a small towel to wipe away the sweat to keep more comfortable.
ROSESSCENT.COM
Learn to pace yourself because spinning exercise classes can be very high energy. Don't get caught up in the enthusiasm so much that you ride beyond your fitness level.
Wear padded bike shorts or consider bringing a seat cushion until you get use to the bike seat. They tend to be a little hard on your rear end until you get use to them.
The first step is to sign up for a class so you can start enjoying the benefits of spinning. Remember like any class, the instructors will vary on their focus. Some take you on an imaginary ride while other concentrate on a more rigorous variety of drills.
If you find you don't like the style of one instructor, try another class. It could be a completely different experience with an instructor you like better.
Using a spinning cycle will give you the aerobic burst you need to get your heart racing and boost your endurance. Just climb on and start pedaling to your limit for a spinning exercise workout you'll enjoy.
Acupressure massage
ROSESSCENT.COM
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to relieve pain. The human body has fourteen "meridians" that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. Acupressure is the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure deals with all the aspects of a person as a whole: body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one, not as separate parts. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital life forces of the body.ROSESSCENT.COM
---Common Benefits: • Relieve stress and tension • Relax mind and body • Increase blood circulation • Aid in the removal of toxic wastes • Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches • Promote the healing of injuries • Increase energy levels • Increase overall feeling of well-being • Decreasing labor pains Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's
life force to aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. There are also great advantages to using Acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. Acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "disease," that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life. This treatment involves stimulating the vital-energy points along the meridians on our body to effect maximum energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 800 vital energy points along the meridians that run from the head down to the heels, especially along either side of the spinal column. (The meridians connect the interior and exterior of the body). Every point has specific therapeutic effects on the related organ. By massaging these points, the corresponding body area receives specific therapeutic treatment. It can be used to treat internal organ diseases, relieve internal discomfort, and relax yourself; or to promote overall well-being of the body. Western scientists have shown that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system. This may explain in part why they can affect pain that the patient experiences in a part of the body far from where the pressure is applied.
ROSESSCENT.COM
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain meridian points on the body to relieve pain. The human body has fourteen "meridians" that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians start at the fingertips, connect to the brain, and then connect to the organ associated with the specific meridian. Acupuncture and Acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture uses needles, while Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands. There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. Acupressure is the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure deals with all the aspects of a person as a whole: body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one, not as separate parts. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital life forces of the body.ROSESSCENT.COM
---Common Benefits: • Relieve stress and tension • Relax mind and body • Increase blood circulation • Aid in the removal of toxic wastes • Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches • Promote the healing of injuries • Increase energy levels • Increase overall feeling of well-being • Decreasing labor pains Acupressure uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's
life force to aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. There are also great advantages to using Acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. Acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "disease," that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life. This treatment involves stimulating the vital-energy points along the meridians on our body to effect maximum energy flow. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are over 800 vital energy points along the meridians that run from the head down to the heels, especially along either side of the spinal column. (The meridians connect the interior and exterior of the body). Every point has specific therapeutic effects on the related organ. By massaging these points, the corresponding body area receives specific therapeutic treatment. It can be used to treat internal organ diseases, relieve internal discomfort, and relax yourself; or to promote overall well-being of the body. Western scientists have shown that many of these points are located at key crossways of the autonomic nervous system. This may explain in part why they can affect pain that the patient experiences in a part of the body far from where the pressure is applied.
ROSESSCENT.COM
Thai Massage
ROSESSCENT.COM
Thai Massage has its origins deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. It is still taught and practiced today at many Buddhist temples throughout Thailand.
In modern day Thailand, many of the Thais include Traditional Thai Massage as an essential part of their monthly routine. This is because Thai massage is used essentially as a form of maintenance to prevent pain, rather than as a means of curing it, even though expert Thai practitioners are able to treat chronic pain of all kinds.
The Thais claim that regular Thai massage, as a result of the improved circulation it induces, can slow down the aging process, especially the wrinkling of skin on different parts of the body. Receivers of Thai massage experience relaxation throughout the body and absolute tranquility of the mind, some clients even, during the longer sessions, fall asleep at the end of which they are awake alert and refreshed.
Improved blood and lymph circulation.
The mind can be stimulated to a naturally mild euphoric state.
The body receives more oxygen and nutrients and the immune system becomes more efficient in fending off disease agents thus lessening the chances of becoming ill.
Muscles are helped to rid themselves of toxic chemicals.
Stiffness and pain is prevented.
Good muscle tone is preserved.
Flexibility is improved.
Internal organs are stimulated to function to best capacity.
Improvement occurs in digestion, absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste.
Thai Massage has its origins deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. It is still taught and practiced today at many Buddhist temples throughout Thailand.
In modern day Thailand, many of the Thais include Traditional Thai Massage as an essential part of their monthly routine. This is because Thai massage is used essentially as a form of maintenance to prevent pain, rather than as a means of curing it, even though expert Thai practitioners are able to treat chronic pain of all kinds.
The Thais claim that regular Thai massage, as a result of the improved circulation it induces, can slow down the aging process, especially the wrinkling of skin on different parts of the body. Receivers of Thai massage experience relaxation throughout the body and absolute tranquility of the mind, some clients even, during the longer sessions, fall asleep at the end of which they are awake alert and refreshed.
Improved blood and lymph circulation.
The mind can be stimulated to a naturally mild euphoric state.
The body receives more oxygen and nutrients and the immune system becomes more efficient in fending off disease agents thus lessening the chances of becoming ill.
Muscles are helped to rid themselves of toxic chemicals.
Stiffness and pain is prevented.
Good muscle tone is preserved.
Flexibility is improved.
Internal organs are stimulated to function to best capacity.
Improvement occurs in digestion, absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste.
Beauty
Despite the media coverage of makeover reality shows, the majority of Americans are not looking for extreme transformations. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, most of us want to look better, naturally, with 68-percent preferring a subtle change. And experts agree that looking your best could be accomplished at home for considerably less.
Dr. Linda Franks, a leader in the specialized skin care frontier, says ?To get that timeless, healthy look you need to start with an appropriate skincare regime. Taking good care of your skin can stave off fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even dry skin.?
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Doctors say whatever your skin type, the key is to cleanse it gently.
oAvoid hot water and use lukewarm instead, to prevent over-drying.
oAnd throw in the towel ? traditional washcloths are too abrasive for the face, so use your hands and fingers.
Sixty-eight-percent of women claim to have sensitive skin which means dry, tight, chapped or easily irritated skin.
oMoisturize regularly.
oAvoid harsh cleansers with ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives because sensitive skin is easily damaged and takes longer to recover.
If your skin is dry and easily irritated, don't wash more than once a day. You may risk stripping the skin of its natural oils.
oLook for non-irritating cleansing washes that are soap-free.
oUse light, oil-free, water-based moisturizers to help maintain the skin's natural barrier.
oMake sure to choose a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
Skin sensitivity may also result from the third most common, non-surgical skincare procedure known as Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a quick and easy, non-invasive procedure that helps to reveal healthier-looking skin by sweeping away dead skin cells.
oDr. Franks reveals that, following the treatment, the best way to avoid irritation is by opting for an ultra-gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
oA new clinical study shows that PURPOSE gentle cleansing wash and dual treatment moisture lotion with spf 15 are compatible with this procedure.
How else can you obtain optimal skin health? Dr. Franks says, ?Exercise opens up blood vessels to make skin look healthy and youthful. It's so important for healthy skin.?
oRegular cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the skin which assists in collagen production.
oMaintaining muscle mass through exercise can also help anchor and support skin, keeping it taut.
oAnd drink up! At least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day are crucial for optimal skin hydration.
So before you sign on for an extreme and expensive makeover, just think back on some simple, beauty basics! You just might like what you see!
Dr. Linda Franks, a leader in the specialized skin care frontier, says ?To get that timeless, healthy look you need to start with an appropriate skincare regime. Taking good care of your skin can stave off fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even dry skin.?
ROSESSCENT.COM
Doctors say whatever your skin type, the key is to cleanse it gently.
oAvoid hot water and use lukewarm instead, to prevent over-drying.
oAnd throw in the towel ? traditional washcloths are too abrasive for the face, so use your hands and fingers.
Sixty-eight-percent of women claim to have sensitive skin which means dry, tight, chapped or easily irritated skin.
oMoisturize regularly.
oAvoid harsh cleansers with ingredients such as fragrances, dyes and preservatives because sensitive skin is easily damaged and takes longer to recover.
If your skin is dry and easily irritated, don't wash more than once a day. You may risk stripping the skin of its natural oils.
oLook for non-irritating cleansing washes that are soap-free.
oUse light, oil-free, water-based moisturizers to help maintain the skin's natural barrier.
oMake sure to choose a facial moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
Skin sensitivity may also result from the third most common, non-surgical skincare procedure known as Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a quick and easy, non-invasive procedure that helps to reveal healthier-looking skin by sweeping away dead skin cells.
oDr. Franks reveals that, following the treatment, the best way to avoid irritation is by opting for an ultra-gentle cleanser and moisturizer.
oA new clinical study shows that PURPOSE gentle cleansing wash and dual treatment moisture lotion with spf 15 are compatible with this procedure.
How else can you obtain optimal skin health? Dr. Franks says, ?Exercise opens up blood vessels to make skin look healthy and youthful. It's so important for healthy skin.?
oRegular cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the skin which assists in collagen production.
oMaintaining muscle mass through exercise can also help anchor and support skin, keeping it taut.
oAnd drink up! At least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day are crucial for optimal skin hydration.
So before you sign on for an extreme and expensive makeover, just think back on some simple, beauty basics! You just might like what you see!
Body jewelry
Since ancient times body jewelry has been a part of the culture and heritage of different religions. It has been known to be an essential part of the clothing and appearance of the people in many regions of the world. At different parts of time through the centuries it was also used to signify the class demarcations prevalent in society at that point of time.
How ever in recent times it has acquired a new dimension. Body jewelry has never been in such high demand. The human body is not merely a body, it is a piece of art which has its own innate beauty and body jewelry is the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your body. Not only can you decorate your body with it, but you can also use it to bring into focus certain parts of your body or to enhance the beauty of certain parts.
Body jewelry items are usually for particular places on the human body. These more common places for body jewelry include the nose, eyebrow, nipple, ear lobes and naval, along with ear plugs (both curved and straight barbells). As fashion trends keep changing, the various parts where you can use body jewelry and the manner in which you can use it also keeps changing.
Nose body jewelry comes either in the classic captive circular barbell, or in the form of a nose screw. The nose screw can either be jeweled or plain, depending upon your preference. Eyebrow body jewelry is similar to that of the nose, in the sense that the eyebrow body jewelry also has the small captive barbell. This is now being made with a dangling, sparkling charm to hang from the upper most part of your eyebrow barbell. The eyebrow body jewelry can be either curved or straight with a charm of any style or color dangling from the top.
Nipple and naval body jewelry is one of the more popular types of body jewelry, it sis especially popular amongst the youth or the more adventurous in spirit. Nipple body jewelry includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. Naval body jewelry designs are also endless.
Whatever kind of body jewelry you use or wear it is important to keep some pointers in mind. Such as what kind of material is that specific body jewelry made off, is your skin allergic to it and is the piercing for the body jewelry done in a sterile and antiseptic environment.
This kind of jewelry is available for almost every conceivable part of your body. There are endless styles, designs, colors and textures in which body jewelry is made. What ever your budget, whether it is low end or high end; body jewelry is available in every range to suit your pocket as well as your tastes.
Body jewelry is not merely a decorative fixture; it is also a personal style statement. You can use it to bring attention or to take away attention from a specific part of your body. It is quite in vogue these days and has been in existence since time immemorial. If you have the attitude and the panache you can carry of any kind of body jewelry.
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How ever in recent times it has acquired a new dimension. Body jewelry has never been in such high demand. The human body is not merely a body, it is a piece of art which has its own innate beauty and body jewelry is the perfect way to enhance the beauty of your body. Not only can you decorate your body with it, but you can also use it to bring into focus certain parts of your body or to enhance the beauty of certain parts.
Body jewelry items are usually for particular places on the human body. These more common places for body jewelry include the nose, eyebrow, nipple, ear lobes and naval, along with ear plugs (both curved and straight barbells). As fashion trends keep changing, the various parts where you can use body jewelry and the manner in which you can use it also keeps changing.
Nose body jewelry comes either in the classic captive circular barbell, or in the form of a nose screw. The nose screw can either be jeweled or plain, depending upon your preference. Eyebrow body jewelry is similar to that of the nose, in the sense that the eyebrow body jewelry also has the small captive barbell. This is now being made with a dangling, sparkling charm to hang from the upper most part of your eyebrow barbell. The eyebrow body jewelry can be either curved or straight with a charm of any style or color dangling from the top.
Nipple and naval body jewelry is one of the more popular types of body jewelry, it sis especially popular amongst the youth or the more adventurous in spirit. Nipple body jewelry includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. Naval body jewelry designs are also endless.
Whatever kind of body jewelry you use or wear it is important to keep some pointers in mind. Such as what kind of material is that specific body jewelry made off, is your skin allergic to it and is the piercing for the body jewelry done in a sterile and antiseptic environment.
This kind of jewelry is available for almost every conceivable part of your body. There are endless styles, designs, colors and textures in which body jewelry is made. What ever your budget, whether it is low end or high end; body jewelry is available in every range to suit your pocket as well as your tastes.
Body jewelry is not merely a decorative fixture; it is also a personal style statement. You can use it to bring attention or to take away attention from a specific part of your body. It is quite in vogue these days and has been in existence since time immemorial. If you have the attitude and the panache you can carry of any kind of body jewelry.
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Acupressure, Amma, Chi Nei Tsang, Gua Sha, Jin Shin Do
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Acupressure. Based on Chinese meridian theory, acupressure
therapy is when direct pressure is applied to acupuncture
points (specific areas along the meridian) to stimulate
the flow of qi.
Amma. Amma is traditional Japanese massage, also called
anma.
Chi Nei Tsang. A form of Taoist medicine brought to the
West by Tao Master Mantak Chia. It focuses on the internal
organs, circulation, lymphatic system, muscular system, and
meridians to balance mental, emotional, and physical energy.
Gua Sha. Meaning to “scrape toxins,” gua sha has been used
as a treatment in China for more than two thousand years.
Herbal oils are applied to the skin, before it is scraped with a
flat tool, to stimulate circulation and detoxify the blood,
lymph, and body.
Jin Shin Do. Developed by Iona Marsaa in the United States in
1970, this bodywork modality is a fusion of traditional Chinese
acupressure, breathing exercises, and Taoist philosophy.Qigong. Meaning “energy-skill,” qigong involves the use of
breathing patterns, physical postures, meditation, and movements to maintain health. There are many different schools of
qigong, which is also taught in conjunction with some forms
of Chinese martial arts. Advanced practitioners of qigong
develop the ability to direct the movement of qi (energy) with
their mind and focus it externally to heal others.
Shiatsu. The name means “finger pressure” in Japanese.
This is a bodywork modality that combines acupressure on
acupuncture meridians, stretching, joint movements, and massage
strokes. It has evolved into numerous forms, including
Zen shiatsu, the Namikoshi method, and five element shiatsu.
Thai Massage. Practiced in Thailand for more than 2,500 years,
Thai massage is performed on a flat mat on the floor with the
client fully clothed. Passive stretches and direct pressure along
energy lines aim to balance and revitalize the body.
Tui Na. Traditional Chinese massage is called tui na and used
to promote health and stimulate the immune system. The
techniques used in tui na are sometimes mistaken for acupressure
because the arms, hands, fingers, elbows, and knees are
used as a tool to stimulate acupuncture points and specific
regions of the body. Treatments are usually applied over loose
clothing and not directly to the bare skin. Herbal rubs may be
used in combination with the tui na treatment.
Acupressure. Based on Chinese meridian theory, acupressure
therapy is when direct pressure is applied to acupuncture
points (specific areas along the meridian) to stimulate
the flow of qi.
Amma. Amma is traditional Japanese massage, also called
anma.
Chi Nei Tsang. A form of Taoist medicine brought to the
West by Tao Master Mantak Chia. It focuses on the internal
organs, circulation, lymphatic system, muscular system, and
meridians to balance mental, emotional, and physical energy.
Gua Sha. Meaning to “scrape toxins,” gua sha has been used
as a treatment in China for more than two thousand years.
Herbal oils are applied to the skin, before it is scraped with a
flat tool, to stimulate circulation and detoxify the blood,
lymph, and body.
Jin Shin Do. Developed by Iona Marsaa in the United States in
1970, this bodywork modality is a fusion of traditional Chinese
acupressure, breathing exercises, and Taoist philosophy.Qigong. Meaning “energy-skill,” qigong involves the use of
breathing patterns, physical postures, meditation, and movements to maintain health. There are many different schools of
qigong, which is also taught in conjunction with some forms
of Chinese martial arts. Advanced practitioners of qigong
develop the ability to direct the movement of qi (energy) with
their mind and focus it externally to heal others.
Shiatsu. The name means “finger pressure” in Japanese.
This is a bodywork modality that combines acupressure on
acupuncture meridians, stretching, joint movements, and massage
strokes. It has evolved into numerous forms, including
Zen shiatsu, the Namikoshi method, and five element shiatsu.
Thai Massage. Practiced in Thailand for more than 2,500 years,
Thai massage is performed on a flat mat on the floor with the
client fully clothed. Passive stretches and direct pressure along
energy lines aim to balance and revitalize the body.
Tui Na. Traditional Chinese massage is called tui na and used
to promote health and stimulate the immune system. The
techniques used in tui na are sometimes mistaken for acupressure
because the arms, hands, fingers, elbows, and knees are
used as a tool to stimulate acupuncture points and specific
regions of the body. Treatments are usually applied over loose
clothing and not directly to the bare skin. Herbal rubs may be
used in combination with the tui na treatment.
Massage as profession
Massage is a healthcare profession where structured,
professional touch is used to achieve a
broad range of therapeutic goals. Historical references to
massage have been left by cultures around the globe and date
back to the oldest civilizations (including Egypt, China, and
India). For example, anointing another person by rubbing
aromatic oil into the skin was used historically by many
cultures to remove “evil” influences that potentially caused
disease. Massage is a natural and instinctive method for
relieving pain. When the body is in pain or injured, it is
common for a person to place pressure on the area or hold
it with his or her own hand.Today massage takes many forms and is usually tailored to
fit the needs of each individual client. For example, sports
massage was developed as a way to help athletes warm up
for an event, recover more readily after training, or address a
sports-related injury. This type of massage is generally different
than pregnancy massage, which aims to relax and nurture
the expectant mother.
Massage techniques have continued to evolve all over the
world but are often classified as either Western or Eastern
systems. Some modern developments in massage and bodywork
are fusions of Eastern and Western methods. Each
school will approach massage and bodywork
differently. Some schools focus on Western
modalities only, others on Eastern modalities
only, and some will teach a little of both. In any
case, it is helpful for the prospective
massage student to understand something of
both systems.In the nineteenth century, Per Henrik Ling
noticed that recurring one-sided actions performed
while he practiced fencing resulted in
muscular pain and a chronic elbow condition.
To offset his condition, Ling studied anatomy
and physiology and developed a method called
Swedish Gymnastics. Swedish Gymnastics is a
form of movement therapy that uses active, passive,
and resisted movements to increase a
patient’s freedom of movement, balance the
musculature, and strengthen the body.
A short time later, in Holland, Dr. Johann Mezger
used the French terms effleurage (stroking), petrissage
(kneading), friction (rubbing), and tapotement
(tapping) to describe broad massage techniques. In
the early 1900s, proponents of Swedish Gymnastics
adopted Mezger’s massage terminology and soon a
combination of active, passive, and resisted movements,
along with effleurage, petrissage, friction, and
tapotement, came to be called Swedish massage. In
America, these techniques were closely intertwined
with the natural medicine movement and individuals
who studied the body-mind connection.
Throughout the twentieth century, ideas about massage
continued to advance and techniques and modalities
like connective tissue massage, manual lymphatic
drainage, neuromuscular therapy, and structural integration
expanded the ways to address chronic tension and postural holding patterns.Massage gained recognition and prominence, due in part to the awareness generated at
the Esalen Institute, which was established in 1962 in Big Sur, California, with the
goal of exploring human potential. Spiritual practices like meditation, Buddhism, and
yoga were taught in seminars side by side with massage and bodywork. Encounter
groups encouraged people to explore their feelings and models of communication. This
movement promoted the idea that massage is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
Massage therapy continues to progress and is currently supported by the work of many
researchers, including Dr. Tiffany Field at the Touch Research Institute at the
University of Miami School of Medicine. Research has validated the many benefits of
massage and consumers now seek out massage for a wide range of conditions. The
boom in the spa industry has provided a new environment where consumers receive
massage. Currently, spas are the largest employer of massage therapists and massage is
the number one requested service at spas.
In addition to Swedish massage, often called relaxation massage, there are a number
of Western massage and bodywork modalities, including:
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professional touch is used to achieve a
broad range of therapeutic goals. Historical references to
massage have been left by cultures around the globe and date
back to the oldest civilizations (including Egypt, China, and
India). For example, anointing another person by rubbing
aromatic oil into the skin was used historically by many
cultures to remove “evil” influences that potentially caused
disease. Massage is a natural and instinctive method for
relieving pain. When the body is in pain or injured, it is
common for a person to place pressure on the area or hold
it with his or her own hand.Today massage takes many forms and is usually tailored to
fit the needs of each individual client. For example, sports
massage was developed as a way to help athletes warm up
for an event, recover more readily after training, or address a
sports-related injury. This type of massage is generally different
than pregnancy massage, which aims to relax and nurture
the expectant mother.
Massage techniques have continued to evolve all over the
world but are often classified as either Western or Eastern
systems. Some modern developments in massage and bodywork
are fusions of Eastern and Western methods. Each
school will approach massage and bodywork
differently. Some schools focus on Western
modalities only, others on Eastern modalities
only, and some will teach a little of both. In any
case, it is helpful for the prospective
massage student to understand something of
both systems.In the nineteenth century, Per Henrik Ling
noticed that recurring one-sided actions performed
while he practiced fencing resulted in
muscular pain and a chronic elbow condition.
To offset his condition, Ling studied anatomy
and physiology and developed a method called
Swedish Gymnastics. Swedish Gymnastics is a
form of movement therapy that uses active, passive,
and resisted movements to increase a
patient’s freedom of movement, balance the
musculature, and strengthen the body.
A short time later, in Holland, Dr. Johann Mezger
used the French terms effleurage (stroking), petrissage
(kneading), friction (rubbing), and tapotement
(tapping) to describe broad massage techniques. In
the early 1900s, proponents of Swedish Gymnastics
adopted Mezger’s massage terminology and soon a
combination of active, passive, and resisted movements,
along with effleurage, petrissage, friction, and
tapotement, came to be called Swedish massage. In
America, these techniques were closely intertwined
with the natural medicine movement and individuals
who studied the body-mind connection.
Throughout the twentieth century, ideas about massage
continued to advance and techniques and modalities
like connective tissue massage, manual lymphatic
drainage, neuromuscular therapy, and structural integration
expanded the ways to address chronic tension and postural holding patterns.Massage gained recognition and prominence, due in part to the awareness generated at
the Esalen Institute, which was established in 1962 in Big Sur, California, with the
goal of exploring human potential. Spiritual practices like meditation, Buddhism, and
yoga were taught in seminars side by side with massage and bodywork. Encounter
groups encouraged people to explore their feelings and models of communication. This
movement promoted the idea that massage is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
Massage therapy continues to progress and is currently supported by the work of many
researchers, including Dr. Tiffany Field at the Touch Research Institute at the
University of Miami School of Medicine. Research has validated the many benefits of
massage and consumers now seek out massage for a wide range of conditions. The
boom in the spa industry has provided a new environment where consumers receive
massage. Currently, spas are the largest employer of massage therapists and massage is
the number one requested service at spas.
In addition to Swedish massage, often called relaxation massage, there are a number
of Western massage and bodywork modalities, including:
ROSESSCENT.COM
Bulgaria Rose
There is reason to believe that one of the famous roses among the Greeks and Romans is the famous Rosa gallica. In our country it is grown in backyard garden for more than 300 years. In the late nineteenth, early twentieth century it has enjoyed the majority of the planting of rose oil in Bulgaria and is known as the Kazanlak Rose. Rose oil from it is considered the most perfect natural flavoring. Because of its high quality Bulgarian Rose Oil and is now sought by the parties with a strong perfume industry. In 1870-1875, the European market to sell about 1650 kg of rose oil. Of these, 850 kilograms - more than half from the valley of Kazanlak, not for nothing called the Valley of Roses. By 1890 oil was labors in Muscat (the original - miskal) - old Arabic measure the capacity of rose oil, which weighed 4.810, the statistics are then recorded in pounds.
Once upon a time, at a time that no one remembers, in a distant country called Persia, ruled a powerful chess. His beloved wife died, but before that it donated to his greatest wealth - the lovely daughter, who of all the world's most loved father and to care for its vast rose garden. After a glorious battle Shah decided to celebrate his triumph in a grandiose way. He wanted to build a mosque with a minaret so high that the tip is visible throughout the rose garden. None of the masters in his kingdom was not decided at this daring deed, because the ruler's wrath was terrible. Only a young stranger from Bulgaria decided to try his luck. He started the big construction, but felt that his forces reduced. The very first day erected a high wall, which is found overlooking the garden and the scent of roses reached him. This gave him unbelievable strength and continued to put one stone throughout the night. When the morning sun rose, the young man with his eyes covered the whole garden in the middle saw the beautiful daughter of the Shah, which was picking pink and soft singing.
Then the lad went more vigor their case because they already knew what reward will ask the ruler. Daring bricklayer and not escaped the eyes of the girl, and always remained in her heart On the third day the mosque was finished and time for the prize. But when the boy asked the hand of the beautiful girl chess mad with rage and threw the young man in prison. But the ruler's daughter no longer recognizes the will of his father. At night, she freed the boy and ran away together to his country. A souvenir from home she took a rose bush. The road, however, proved difficult for the fragile girl and forces her away. Then she gave the young man rose bush and told him to wait in at home, in memory of their love and then died. Broken young man returned to Bulgaria and sown regal plant in a beautiful valley in the heart of the country.
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Once upon a time, at a time that no one remembers, in a distant country called Persia, ruled a powerful chess. His beloved wife died, but before that it donated to his greatest wealth - the lovely daughter, who of all the world's most loved father and to care for its vast rose garden. After a glorious battle Shah decided to celebrate his triumph in a grandiose way. He wanted to build a mosque with a minaret so high that the tip is visible throughout the rose garden. None of the masters in his kingdom was not decided at this daring deed, because the ruler's wrath was terrible. Only a young stranger from Bulgaria decided to try his luck. He started the big construction, but felt that his forces reduced. The very first day erected a high wall, which is found overlooking the garden and the scent of roses reached him. This gave him unbelievable strength and continued to put one stone throughout the night. When the morning sun rose, the young man with his eyes covered the whole garden in the middle saw the beautiful daughter of the Shah, which was picking pink and soft singing.
Then the lad went more vigor their case because they already knew what reward will ask the ruler. Daring bricklayer and not escaped the eyes of the girl, and always remained in her heart On the third day the mosque was finished and time for the prize. But when the boy asked the hand of the beautiful girl chess mad with rage and threw the young man in prison. But the ruler's daughter no longer recognizes the will of his father. At night, she freed the boy and ran away together to his country. A souvenir from home she took a rose bush. The road, however, proved difficult for the fragile girl and forces her away. Then she gave the young man rose bush and told him to wait in at home, in memory of their love and then died. Broken young man returned to Bulgaria and sown regal plant in a beautiful valley in the heart of the country.
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Legends rose
Roman legends explain the origin of the rose and the red color with its goddesses Diana and Venus. Diana, goddess of hunting and the moon had a priestess named Rozalia. Rosalia decided to marry young and leave Semedor goddess. Diana, enraged by the falsity of his priestess, her pierced by an arrow. From previous blood grown shrubs with fragrant white flowers. They were called roses, the name of Rosalia. The roses were colored red with the blood of the goddess Venus, which ubola of the bush, as we ran from the angry husband - Mars. Legend of Persia tells the origin of rose oil. Discovery happened by accident of Princess Nur Cihan, who loved to bathe in warm rose water. Once she noticed that the channels through which expires warm rose water, swim oily. Great was her surprise when, bringing these oily, I realized that this is a natural rose oil. Strong and durable, it smelled foul rose oil named in honor of her husband, Cihan dumbbells.
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The Enfleurage Process
Two other common extraction methods used for capturing essence for essential oils are enfleurageand solvent extraction. Enfleurageis a process of pressing an item into either a wax or oil until the essence is removed from the item completely, and the carrier now contains the essential oil. This method is often used in situations involving flower petals. When certain items are too delicate for steam distillation solvent extraction is the method used. Solvent extraction can be a very expensive way to create an essential oil. With this method the item being used for its essence is mixed with other components; solvents like benzene, hexane, or petroleum. This mixture keeps continuing until the solvent contains the essence of the item. This mixture is called concretes. Concretes are the mixture of essential oils, waxes, resins, and plant materials that are lipophilic(oil soluble). From this mixture, the now fragrant solvent is then mixed with an ethyl alcohol solvent which breaks down the non fragrant elements. When that process is completed, the mixture is distilled and filtered so the essence is separated from the solution. The essential oil at this state is called an absolute. As mentioned earlier, there are many benefits of using essential oils, but as with anything, there are always drawbacks that need to be noted. Obviously when dealing with essential oils, you have very highly concentrated oil, and in most instances, the essential oil should never be applied in this state directly on the skin. Essential oils in their undiluted form are termed “neat”. The neat form of an essential oil can cause severe skin irritations and even allergic reactions. If a neat essential oil is used directly on the skin, it can become hepatotoxic. This hepatotoxicityis one reason why one should be well educated about specific essential oils before deciding to use them on pets. Animals have higher sensitivity to dermal toxicity than do humans; especially feline species.
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Essential Oils and Stress
Aromatherapy Blend for Stress Level Three
Level three is for complex pattern of symptoms (anything from suicidal
tendencies to stomach pain), fear, withdrawal from society and
despair.
Blend 1 : 5 drops of Roman Chamomile, 15 drops of Clary Sage and 5
drops of Ormenis Flower*.
Blend 2 : 6 drops of Geranium, 14 drops of Eucalyptus Citriodora and
10 drops of Mandarin.
All the blends have been designed for general use with stress. The
quantities can be diluted with 30 ml (1 oz) of base oil to make a
massage oil, or make a synergistic blend of oils using these
proportions and use in the bath and in all room and inhalation method.
*Ormenis Flower (Chamomile Maroc).
Latin name is Ormenis multicalus.
Ormenis Flower has been long been mistaken for and used as
chamomile while it can’ t be said to be anything like it, nor have the
chemical constituents of chamomile.
According to Valerie, all essential oils are potentially can help combat
stress because they are used in massage and baths, which are
themselves therapeutic procedures. Of course, essential oils go much
deeper than this and some essential oils work particularly well on
stress. Indeed, they are so effective that essential oils may provide the
most successful way of coping with the problems associated with and
caused by stress.
Each of aromatherapists has their own favorite oils to use in the figt
against stress and the ones listed above consist of those in common
use and easily available.
Aromatherapy Blend for Stress Level Two
Level two is for people who have problems like anxiety/depression,
food allergies, persistent infection, sub-acute disease, hidden
weakness (such as otherwise dormant viral infections). This chronic
situation is called distress. It happens when we get overloaded on the
natural chemicals because we're stimulated by stressful situation too
much and it gets bottled up.
Blend 1: 10 drops Clary sage, 5 drops Chamomile Roman, 5 drops of
Lavender and 10 drops of Geranium.
Aromatherapy Blend for Stress Level One
Level one is for people who have problems like tiredness, aches, and
pains, occasional depression. This is called Normal stress. Normal
stress is what one would feel after narrowly escaping a car accident -
short of breath and with racing heart.
Blend 1 : 10 drops of Eucalyptus Citriodora , 15 drops Geranium and 5
drops lavender
Blend 2 : 15
Level three is for complex pattern of symptoms (anything from suicidal
tendencies to stomach pain), fear, withdrawal from society and
despair.
Blend 1 : 5 drops of Roman Chamomile, 15 drops of Clary Sage and 5
drops of Ormenis Flower*.
Blend 2 : 6 drops of Geranium, 14 drops of Eucalyptus Citriodora and
10 drops of Mandarin.
All the blends have been designed for general use with stress. The
quantities can be diluted with 30 ml (1 oz) of base oil to make a
massage oil, or make a synergistic blend of oils using these
proportions and use in the bath and in all room and inhalation method.
*Ormenis Flower (Chamomile Maroc).
Latin name is Ormenis multicalus.
Ormenis Flower has been long been mistaken for and used as
chamomile while it can’ t be said to be anything like it, nor have the
chemical constituents of chamomile.
According to Valerie, all essential oils are potentially can help combat
stress because they are used in massage and baths, which are
themselves therapeutic procedures. Of course, essential oils go much
deeper than this and some essential oils work particularly well on
stress. Indeed, they are so effective that essential oils may provide the
most successful way of coping with the problems associated with and
caused by stress.
Each of aromatherapists has their own favorite oils to use in the figt
against stress and the ones listed above consist of those in common
use and easily available.
Aromatherapy Blend for Stress Level Two
Level two is for people who have problems like anxiety/depression,
food allergies, persistent infection, sub-acute disease, hidden
weakness (such as otherwise dormant viral infections). This chronic
situation is called distress. It happens when we get overloaded on the
natural chemicals because we're stimulated by stressful situation too
much and it gets bottled up.
Blend 1: 10 drops Clary sage, 5 drops Chamomile Roman, 5 drops of
Lavender and 10 drops of Geranium.
Aromatherapy Blend for Stress Level One
Level one is for people who have problems like tiredness, aches, and
pains, occasional depression. This is called Normal stress. Normal
stress is what one would feel after narrowly escaping a car accident -
short of breath and with racing heart.
Blend 1 : 10 drops of Eucalyptus Citriodora , 15 drops Geranium and 5
drops lavender
Blend 2 : 15
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