Executive Touch Mobile Massage

19/09/2019

How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Body

Using a body scrub regularly will help make your skin look more vibrant and youthful. Benefits of body scrubs through the removal of dead skin cells as a result of exfoliation with a mild body scrub extend to moisturising as it allows for the easy absorption of a skin moisturiser into the healthy skin.
Just like the face, the body needs exfoliation, too. Scrubs should only be used two to three times a week, and rubbing in a circular motion is most effective as it helps to free ingrown hairs and is less abrasive than a back and forth movement

All bodies need regular exfoliation to maintain a healthy glow and keep the skin looking as young as possible. Whether you are new to exfoliating or are curious to find out more about it, you will soon see how beneficial this process is to your body.
With proper exfoliation, you are allowing your pores to breathe, preventing wrinkles, acne, ingrown hairs, and more. The secret to exfoliating is knowing when to do it.

The "When" of Exfoliation
To truly answer the question of "how often" you should exfoliate your skin, you must understand your specific skin type. If you have skin that is oilier than most, you will need to exfoliate more frequently.
Pay attention to your body's levels of sensitivity, as this will help determine the frequency with which your skin should be exfoliated. Similarly, particular parts of your body should be exfoliated more often than others.

Exfoliating for Skin Type

People with oily skin will notice that the pores on their face appear larger. When exfoliating your face, be sure to use an exfoliate designed to control the production of sebum in your skin as it will work to minimise the appearance of your pores.
These exfoliates will remove the skin's natural oils, allowing the body to produce more sebum. Ideally, you should exfoliate at most two or three times a week. People with excessively oily skin may need to exfoliate on a daily basis.
People with drier skin should use chemical based exfoliates. With these products, you can break down the bonds of skin cells, making it easier for the dead cells to shed naturally. Salicylic acid is a great chemical for exfoliating as it focuses on only the outer layer of skin.

If you have sensitive skin, it is best to exfoliate with natural products. The best natural alternatives include scrubbing with jojoba oil as well using other masks and products like cotton wool or a loofah to remove dead skin.

After Exfoliation
Many people think that regularly exfoliating their body will immediately produce the soft, glow-y skin they've been dreaming of. However, exfoliation is just part of the process. It is important to properly care for skin following exfoliation in order to ensure that your skin stays healthy.
With exfoliation, you are increasing the circulation of blood in your skin, allowing toxins to break down and encouraging the growth of new skin cells. To help this process go smoothly, it is a good idea to drink a lot of water. The increased hydration will work to keep your cells healthy as they grow. Additionally, you need to apply moisturiser to your skin to ensure that it is hydrated on the outside as well.

The best masks and scrubs can be used to exfoliate all over the body. As you use your exfoliate once a week or more, you will soon notice the way regular exfoliation makes your skin glow.
Follow our tips for your skin type as you see which products work best for you. With the right choice of scrub, you will soon have the softest and smoothest skin of your life.

19/09/2019

Body scrubbing

A body scrub is a popular body treatment that is basically a facial for the body: It exfoliates and hydrates your skin, leaving it smooth and soft. A body scrub is done with an abrasive material—usually sea salt or sugar—mixed with some kind of massage oil and an aromatic like essential oils.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T JUST EXFOLIATE YOUR FACE

Most of us who try to take good care of our skin remember to exfoliate our faces, but what about our bodies?
Exfoliating helps your skin look smoother and more youthful. But it’s not only the face that benefits. Here’s more about what a regular body scrub can do for the health and appearance of your skin, and some day body scrub recipes so you can make your own at home.
benefits of body scrubs
You probably exfoliate your face regularly to get rid of build-up and have a fresh, glowing appearance. You can get the same benefits for the body when you exfoliate the rest of your skin.
You may wonder: is it really necessary?
Turns out that your body needs exfoliating just as much as your face. Without regular exfoliation, you can end up with clogged pores, which block moisture from getting into the deeper layers, and creating a hard, unattractive exterior.

Exfoliation: What Works and What's Safe?

WHY WE SCRUB

So, to have the healthiest and smoothest skin possible, exfoliating is key. Here are some benefits you can get from exfoliating skin on the body about two-to-four times a week:
• Helps smooth skin
• Help reduce the appearance of dark spots or age spots
• Minimise the appearance of large pores
• Get smoother elbows and knees
• Allow your moisturiser to work better
• Help prevent ingrown hairs and make hair removal easier
• Smooth razor bumps
• Reduce stress

the easiest and fastest way to exfoliate
The nice thing with body scrubs is that you can enjoy a wide array of ingredients without having to worry as much about sensitivity, since the body is usually less sensitive than the face.
Of course, some people have more sensitive skin than others in general, but you can feel free to experiment with a wider variety of scrubs.

IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN

If you tend to break out, do be cautious with ingredients that can potentially irritate and inflame skin, like crushed nuts and salt. These ingredients can leave microscopic tears in the skin and may increase your risk of acne.
Experiment with any new scrub on a small area of skin first to be sure it works well for you.

DRY BRUSHING
In addition to using a body scrub, you can also try dry brushing. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to exfoliate the body. Start with a soft, dry brush before bathing or showering, so you can rinse off after you’re done.
Use circular motions working from your toes up, and move your strokes toward the heart. Once you reach your midsection, start over at the neck, and brush down, again using circular motions. Over the stomach, go left to right—that’s the natural flow of your digestion.
When you’re finished, your skin should be slightly red, but not irritated or painful.

14/06/2019

CAN I GET A MASSAGE EVERYDAY?

Can I get a massage everyday – it depends on what type of massage and it depends on what is going on with your body, your specific issue, your body’s tissues, muscle imbalances – and how your body improves and progresses away from your symptoms – with the development of a comprehensive treatment plan designed by a Trained Massage Therapist to meet your individual needs.

Is it bad to get a massage everyday?

For general wellness and relaxation, you may safely enjoy a relaxation massage twice a day – in the morning and one at night!
For treatment of a chronic condition; it can take some time for muscle pain relief with targeted massage therapy sessions that are less frequent.
However, the frequency of massage depends on your specific medical condition and your specific goals to manage muscle pain and your dedication to remain healthy.
If you are experiencing high stress levels in your life, you may benefit from more relaxation massages per week.
During musculature pain, you may benefit from receiving massages less frequent as your body is suffering from localised inflammation from a direct blow to the muscle or overuse.
If you are into sports competitions and are suffering from a sports muscle injury, massage once a week can help with muscle recovery and three to four times a month may be helpful.
Deep tissue massage works on breaking down muscle adhesion that often build up after an accident or are the result of a chronic illness and is not recommended two days in a row as your body may have soreness after the massage.

How Often Should You Get A Massage?

It’s all case by case based on your body’s tissues, your body’s condition, your symptoms and your body’s response to the treatment massage modality when determining the frequency of massage.
Massage treatments daily, on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis to achieve and maintain optimal results when customised to your body’s needs.
You can be along your way to becoming a mom and experience a range of muscle aches and pains during your pregnancy and weekly massages with clearance from your physician may just be the perfect combination to managing and maintaining your muscle pain, your health and your baby’s health.

Can I get a massage two days in a row?

You can enjoy a relaxation massage once a year or two days in a row or even twice a day for relaxation without harm.
You can benefit from massage sessions once every week or two to keep your muscles, joints and tissues pliable and in good shape.
If you are in extreme chronic pain or have a special issue to address, you might need to come weekly (or even twice a week) until you feel better.
Check with your primary physician and your massage therapist to ensure clearance for massage treatment types and frequency of massage sessions.

The question is NOT how often should you get a massage but rather a question of:
How important is it for you to listen to your body and take care of your health?

22/02/2019

22/02/2019

What to do before the massage
• Find the right massage therapist. Look for a therapist who specifically identifies the massage type you’re interested in as part of their practice and background. If necessary, look for someone trained to treat a particular condition, such as sports injuries, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or pregnancy. Also check if the therapist is licensed or certified according to state requirements.
• Talk to your therapist about any injuries. Be clear about the extent of your injuries, how long they have been healing, and what your current pain level is.
• Talk about your comfort levels. Tell the massage therapist which areas you do not want them to touch. For example, some people are uncomfortable with their buttocks being massaged.
• Talk about your goals and expectations. Do you just want to relax? Are you trying to recover from an injury?
• Discuss pressure. Talk to your therapist about what level of pressure is best for you.
• Be open. Let your therapist know if you have privacy concerns or areas that you don’t want touched.
• Warm up. If possible, warm up your muscles by taking a warm shower, soaking in a hot tub, or spending a few minutes in a sauna.
• Hydrate. Drink plenty of water before your massage.


5 Benefits of Breast Massage

Overview

Breast massage is a tool you can use for many purposes, from identifying breast cancer and easing sore muscles to improving your breastfeeding experience. Even just 15 minutes of massage may be enough to reap the benefits.
You can perform breast massage on yourself. There are very few risks involved, so you can do it as often as you like. Here’s more about why you may want to massage your breasts, how to do it, and when you may want to see your doctor.
Why do women massage their breasts?
1. Lactating women
There’s a growing amount of research suggesting that breast massage may have many benefits for lactating women.
For example, in one study, a group of new breastfeeding mothers were given two 30-minute breast massages in the 10 days after giving birth. Compared to the control group who didn’t receive the massage, these mothers experienced less breast pain while feeding. Not only that, but their babies also suckled more at the breast, and the milk itself contained less sodium.
In another study, researchers found that breast massage greatly increased the quality of breast milk when performed in the first year after delivery. The parts of the milk that improved with massage included the:
• solids
• lipids
• casein concentration
• gross energy
The most benefits were seen between the first day and 11 months postpartum. The only property of the milk that wasn’t changed in either the early or late lactation period was the lactose content.
Massage may also help improve the flow of milk. An older study from 1994 suggests that the combination of suckling and massage works to both empty the milk ducts and encourage the production of more milk. Massage may also help prevent and treat issues like engorgement, plugged milk ducts, or mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue.
2. Early identification of breast cancer
Breast self-exams and massage are ways to identify breast cancer at its earliest stages. According to a 2011 report, some 25 percent of women end up detecting their breast cancer through self-exam. Another 18 percent discover cancer by accident.
Detecting cancer in the early stages may improve your outcome, so it’s a good idea to make it part of your regular routine.
3. Improved breast appearance
Some people try breast massage as a way to improve the appearance of saggy breasts. The belief is that you may increase blood flow to breast tissue through massage. Others use specific oils, like olive oil, in an attempt to help improve skin firmness and elasticity.
Most evidence of this is anecdotal. But in one study, researchers discovered that striae gravidarum — more commonly referred to as stretch marks — may be prevented by massaging skin with oil. As part of the study, pregnant women were asked to either apply bitter almond oil to their bodies without massage, or to massage their bodies for 15 minutes a day using the almond oil.
At the end of the study, the women who used the oil and massage together had fewer stretch marks. The almond oil on its own didn’t provide much benefit.
4. Lymphatic system
Your breast tissue extends all the way into the area under your armpit. There are many lymph nodes in this part of the body, and massaging them may help stimulate your lymphatic system.
Your lymphatic system is responsible for helping your body flush out toxins. If you’ve had surgery on your lymph nodes, you may experience a build-up of waste fluids called lymphedema. You may also hear this type of breast massage referred to as manual lymph drainage.
According to a recent review, more than 1 in 5 people with breast cancer develop lymphedema. Symptoms include swelling in the arm, breast, or chest. Usually, it results from surgery or radiation. Standard treatment often involves using compression to relieve the swelling.
A 2004 study examined the combination of bandaging and massage to treat breast-related lymphedema. Researchers found that adding massage showed more significant improvement than just bandaging.
Even if you don’t have lymphedema, breast massage may help rid your body of toxins trapped in the lymphatic system.
5. Sore muscles
If you’re feeling sore, breast massage can also help ease the tension in your chest muscles. These muscles are called your pectorals. Perhaps you participate in activities, exercises, or sports that strain these muscles.
The pectorals are shaped like triangles and rest underneath your breasts. If you develop tension in your back, you may compensate by tensing your chest muscles as well.
Massage to the chest can bring on more lasting relaxation than massaging the back alone. In fact, if you have only your back massaged, your brain will still sense tension in your chest when your session is complete. As a result, the brain may send tension back to your back to rebalance the forces in the two areas of your body.
How to perform breast massage
The massage method you use may differ depending on the benefits you’re looking to receive.
For lactation
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to massage your breasts for lactation. Massage may be used with or without hand expression. Hand expression is the use of your hand to remove breast milk, rather than through a pump or breastfeeding.
Follow these steps:
1. Focus on one breast at a time. Place four fingers of one hand on the top of the breast and four fingers of the other hand on the bottom. Massage in a circular pattern. This may feel best if your hands are warm.
2. Move your attention to the sides of your breasts, continuing in a circular pattern. You may even want to make fists with your hands and gently roll or knead your breast.
3. Try using your fingertips to tap and massage all over your breasts as well.
4. If you do wish to hand express, position your index finger and thumb around your ni**le. Bring your fingers together while gently applying pressure to the ni**le itself, expressing (removing) the breast milk. Adjust your position as needed. Squeeze rhythmically, at the rate of a heartbeat.
5. Hand expression before and after pumping may also help you empty your breasts.
For cancer detection
If you’re checking your breasts for signs of cancer, it’s important to remember that your breast actually extends under your armpit. Don’t forget to check the whole breast, including your ni**le, ar**la, and this extending area. While you’re at it, tell your partner to let you know of any lumps or bumps they feel as well.
Follow these steps:
1. Stand in front of a mirror and do a visual check of your breasts. Look for any size differences, colour changes, or shape differences. Place your hands at your sides, then on your hips, and then above your head to see from different angles.
2. While still looking in the mirror, place one hand behind your head and place three fingers on your breast. Move your fingers in small circles over your breast tissue. Apply light, medium, and hard pressure as your walk your fingers to cover all areas.
3. Move your fingers to the area under your armpit, and continue with small circles as you walk your fingers along.
4. Repeat the massage on the other breast.
5. Finish your massage by squeezing each ni**le to look for any discharge or pain. If you experience either one of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.
For breast appearance
Again, there are few formal studies to suggest that breast massage changes the breasts’ appearance. Still, there’s evidence that massaging the breasts with oil may help prevent stretch marks, at least in pregnant women. It may be beneficial in other ways as well.
Researchers suggest starting massage with almond oil early in pregnancy for 15 minutes each day. Only 20 percent of the women who followed this regimen developed stretch marks. In the control group, 41 percent of women had stretch marks, so this method reduced the incidence by half.
For lymph drainage
Lymph drainage massage starts with the axillary area under your arms. This is where you may actually be able to feel your lymph nodes under the skin. Continue the massage by moving upward in a clockwise direction on the right breast and counter clockwise on the left breast. This mimic the direction of the lymphatic system.
A practitioner may use both hands to gently apply pressure in light strokes the entire way around the breast and underarm. After the circle is complete, your practitioner may pump the breast inward several times using both hands.
You may also try this type of massage on your own. You may even feel the nodes draining under your touch. If you’ve had recent surgeries or other issues, it may be best to leave this type of massage to the professionals.
For muscle tension
Massage of the breasts and chest muscles is similar, but slightly different. With breast massage, the ni**le is often involved. This isn’t the case with massage of the pectorals.
When dealing with the chest muscles, a massage therapist may focus more on the three areas where these muscles attach to the body. While you may be able to relieve tension yourself, a licensed massage therapist might better manipulate your muscles for the most relief.
If you feel uncomfortable having this area massaged by a stranger, that’s understandable. A professional should first inform you if they plan to massage your chest, and then ask for your consent. Breast massage isn’t a normal part of professional massage.
For people with medical conditions who need help with lymphatic damage, tell your doctor about your plans to get breast massage.
Are there any risks?
There aren’t many risks associated with massaging your breasts. If you’ve had breast cancer or surgery on your breasts, you may want to be careful around any lumps, scars, or areas that have recently received radiation. In these cases, it may be best to seek breast massage from a licensed massage therapist.
If you suspect you may have mastitis, make an appointment with your doctor. Massage can help, but you may also need medications to clear up the infection. Most cases of mastitis develop in the first 6 to 12 weeks after giving birth. Other symptoms might include fever, pain, swelling, and chills.
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30/11/2018

What are the Health Benefits of Massage for Women Over 60? You May be Surprised!

Massage therapy is so much more than a way to relax. It restores physical vitality and mobility, encourages relaxation and an optimistic outlook, and offers a sense of being compassionately cared for.
As we age our bodies require more tender loving care than ever before, so we need to honor that by appreciating the benefits of massage and the importance of touch after 60. Regular massage can also offer medical benefits beyond relaxation that we may not have considered. Here are just a few of the health benefits of massage for women over 60.
Begin To Regard Therapeutic Massage as a Complementary to Medicine
Massage is not a one-size-fits-all modality, but rather we can choose different kinds of massage for different purposes. There are eleven organ systems in the body, so if you tell your therapist what you’re trying to accomplish through massage, she can guide you to the type of massage that is best for you. For example, lymphatic massage helps to alleviate lymph-edema, a common occurrence after a mastectomy or other surgeries or treatments.
Tui na, shiatsu, and Thai massage are therapeutic massage modalities that use techniques similar to physical therapy and involve pressure point massage, joint manipulation, and assisted stretching. They uniquely improve and support muscular-skeletal mobility, joint lubrication, and organ systems function.
Ease the Pain and Discomfort of Joint Pain with Massage
One of the most common conditions we women over 60 face is osteoarthritis. In a recent study of the effectiveness of massage on this condition, participants who were treated with massage twice a week for four weeks and once a week for an additional four weeks, improved pain level by 23%, stiffness by 21%, and functionality by 21%. The control group showed no measurable improvement.
In light of the myriad side effects from drugs commonly used to treat osteoarthritis, massage promises to be a plausible option under the direction of a physician. With such dramatic results after only eight weeks, imagine what a year of weekly massages might do for us.

26/11/2018

Benefits for Cancer Survivors

intuitively, it seems that massage should benefit those of us living with cancer. Physically it can feel good, and it’s hard to beat the emotional calm and serenity as we’re pampered by someone devoted to helping us.
But what do the studies say about benefits specifically for cancer patients? Some of them include:

• Lessened chemotherapy related nausea - A 2016 study looking at combining conventional and alternative therapies for cancer found that the combination of dexamethasone, massage therapy, and ginger for chemotherapy induced nausea worked better than some other combinations of conventional and alternative treatments.
• Decreased stress and anxiety
• Lessened cancer fatigue
• Improved sleep
• Improved quality of life
• Control of pain related to cancer - In one study, massage therapy brought about immediate pain relief for those suffering with cancer. While the benefits didn’t last too long, massage was found to be a safe and effective way of controlling pain. And while massage therapy may not replace pain medications for those with cancer, it may allow people to use lower doses of pain medications. Another recent study found that massage provided significant pain relief for people living with cancer that had spread to their bones.
Cautions and Risks
It’s important to talk with your oncologist before beginning massage therapy - especially if you have had recent surgery, or being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Some possible risks include:
• Infection – if your white blood cell count is low due to chemotherapy
• Bruising
• Risk of fracture if you have bone metastases (spread of cancer to bone), or on medications that can weaken your bones
Skin breakdown from rubbing – especially during radiation therapy
Reactions to the lotions or oils used
Rarely, the risk of disrupting an undiagnosed blood clot in the leg
There is a theoretical risk that if a cancerous tumor itself is massaged, it could promote spreading
• How to Get Started
If your oncologist agrees that massage could be helpful for you, ask her about massage therapists available at your cancer institution. Many large cancer centres have massage therapists on staff. In addition, many centres also offer classes to help your loved ones learn how to do massage for you when you return home.
Lymphatic Drainage
The human lymphatic system is, in a sense, the body's second circulatory system. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus are all part of the lymph system. The lymph system is made up of:
• Lymphatic vessels
• Lymph nodes
• Lymph (interstitial fluid drained through the vessels)
We at PLT recommend that EVERY woman have a Lymphatic Drainage at least 6 times a year. This is the only way to stay on top of the toxins that our body cannot filter on its own. What most of us don't realize is that the lymphatic system has no "pump". For people who get too little exercise and eat an unhealthy diet, the lymphatic system will become overloaded. This stresses other important organs in the body. The body can then become susceptible to infection and disease.
Staying Safe
The lymph nodes in the neck are very near to the surface, as some veins in the legs. Light touch is important when doing lymphatic drainage. This very gentle massage can have profound effects on the body. For example, yoga exercises, gentle poses and deep breathing techniques can stimulate lymph flow, helping you feel better without strenuous asana practices.
As women, it is very important that we recognize the need for self-breast examination. Not only does this allow us to feel unusual growths, but it also allows us to manipulate the toxins and keep them moving out of the body. We must do our part to keep breast cancer at bay and having a regularly scheduled Lymphatic Drainage can help keep our health at the top of our priorities.
Our bodies are fighting a never ending battle each day to ward off the toxins that invade us; they are in the air, the water, and the food we eat. It may be unavoidable, but it can be kept under control by scheduling a Lymphatic Drainage Massage. The benefits can be felt immediately and the toxins will be eliminated from your body very quickly.
These images show what the flow of the lymphatic system looks like. The middle photo reveals the importance of the drainage to healthy breasts. The last photo is an actual client who suffered from leg swelling due to the need to have her lymphatic system drained. We owe it to ourselves to be as healthy as possible and scheduling a Lymphatic Drainage Massage will help.

23/11/2018

Health Benefits of Massage Therapy for Women and Young Girls
What is Massage Therapy?

Massage is defined as the rubbing of skin and muscles in the body to give someone a sense of well-being. Many of us are familiar with traditional back rubs, and massage therapy isn’t that much different -- in the sense that it simply feels good to most of us.
• Massage is a non-invasive therapy worthy of investing.
• Massage is an excellent immune booster.
• Decrease inflammation and swelling
• Improve circulation
• Help sore muscles
• Lower the level of stress hormones in your blood
• Emotionally, massage may:
• Help people relax
• Cause the release of chemicals in the body (endorphins) that help with pain
• Provide a distracting experience that helps take our minds off of pain

What Are the Benefits of Massage?
Massage is not a luxury, but rather an essential distress-er for our tired muscles and tissues. Massage is highly effective in reducing stress, which is one factor of many diseases and abnormalities, whether psychological and/ or physical. The connective touch of a caring therapist attributes to recovery from trauma and abuse of violence.
What is the Difference between Deep Tissue and Firm Pressure?
Deep tissue is not recommended for everyone. Unlike a Swedish massage a deep tissue massage is focusing on specific problems for the client. The therapist uses certain techniques accompanied with their fists, knuckles, and elbows to reach the muscle tissue nearest the bone. A deep tissue massage relaxes and realigns the muscles, connective tissues, tendons and ligaments. When these tissues are out of alignment it produces postural deviations. Within a deep tissue massage firm pressure is used. Deep tissue reaches the inferior muscles to the skin.
Firm pressure is applied according to the client’s preferential needs. A client may not be able to handle deep or firm pressure, so light pressure would obviously be more suitable for their need. Firm pressure manipulates the body’s tissues by applying a firm hold, stroke and/or touch. Firm pressure reaches the superior muscles to the skin.
But when it comes to massage therapy techniques, there are many different forms. Some forms of massage therapy used in people with cancer include Swedish massage, Aromatherapy Massage, and (Deep Tissue Massage is not usually used during active cancer treatment, but may be used to help with chronic pain and limited motion due to scar tissue after treatment is done.)

Researchers believe massage may be helpful for both its physical and psychological benefits for people who've experienced trauma, like PTSD, abuse & pain because massage may be more effective than PAIN KILLERS!