GriTouch Massage

08/10/2018

02/10/2018

27/09/2018

“Come here and lie on your stomach. I know how to give Swedish massages. It'll relax you."
"You're not Swedish," I say.
"Yeah, well, neither are you. So if I do it wrong you'll never know the difference.”
― Simone Elkeles, Perfect Chemistry

13/09/2018

Benefits of massage
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:

Anxiety
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Insomnia related to stress
Myofascial pain syndrome
Soft tissue strains or injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular joint pain
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection.

Despite its benefits, massage isn't meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you're trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.

10/08/2018

Massage therapy has been shown to relieve depression, especially in people who have chronic fatigue syndrome; other studies also suggest benefit for other populations.

03/10/2017

MASSAGE THERAPY IMPROVES POSTURE
From board meetings to bunko groups, there's a lot of tension these days-as in neck and back tension. "Our necks and backs hurt, and poor posture is the No. 1 culprit," says Janice Novak, M.S., author of the book, Posture, Get it Straight! (Perigee Trade, 1999).

When you hunch forward, your body isn't properly aligned. "Not only does poor posture look bad, but it forces some muscles to work incredibly hard all day long while others get weaker," Novak says. Poor posture can put you in other slumps, too. "When you slouch, you're pressing down on your internal organs, which affects digestion," Novak says, adding that circulation and breathing capacity can take a hit too.

Unlike other bad habits, poor posture can be relaxing to correct. Why? Because massage can help get your body back on track. Allowing the body to reinforce healthy and natural movements can be one of the most beneficial aspects of massage therapy.

Massage can relax and loosen the muscles made sore by bad posture, allowing your body to position itself in its natural-and pain-free-posture.

With ongoing massage the muscles are loosened and relaxed-joints have greater freedom and pressure points are relieved. This allows the body to position itself in a healthy and natural posture, therefore avoiding the movements and positions developed over time as a reaction to the pain. If ongoing massage is of interest to you, please visit my page GriTouch Massage.

Benefits of Improved Posture

Muscles are loosened and relaxed
Joints enjoy greater freedom
Pressure points are relieved

28/09/2017

10 Relaxation Techniques That Zap Stress Fast

If your hectic lifestyle has got you down, WebMD's experts say relaxation techniques can bring you back into balance -- some in 5 minutes or less. Here's what to try.

19/09/2017

Swedish Massage

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.

The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:

Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand

13/09/2017

MASSAGE THERAPY IMPROVES POSTURE
From board meetings to bunko groups, there's a lot of tension these days-as in neck and back tension. "Our necks and backs hurt, and poor posture is the No. 1 culprit," says Janice Novak, M.S., author of the book, Posture, Get it Straight! (Perigee Trade, 1999).

When you hunch forward, your body isn't properly aligned. "Not only does poor posture look bad, but it forces some muscles to work incredibly hard all day long while others get weaker," Novak says. Poor posture can put you in other slumps, too. "When you slouch, you're pressing down on your internal organs, which affects digestion," Novak says, adding that circulation and breathing capacity can take a hit too.

Unlike other bad habits, poor posture can be relaxing to correct. Why? Because massage can help get your body back on track. Allowing the body to reinforce healthy and natural movements can be one of the most beneficial aspects of massage therapy.

Massage can relax and loosen the muscles made sore by bad posture, allowing your body to position itself in its natural-and pain-free-posture.

With ongoing massage the muscles are loosened and relaxed-joints have greater freedom and pressure points are relieved. This allows the body to position itself in a healthy and natural posture, therefore avoiding the movements and positions developed over time as a reaction to the pain. If ongoing massage is of interest to you, please visit our Massage Envy membership page.

Benefits of Improved Posture

Muscles are loosened and relaxed
Joints enjoy greater freedom
Pressure points are relieved

05/09/2017

What Is Massage Therapy?
The term “massage therapy” includes many techniques, and the type of massage given usually depends on your needs and physical condition.

For More Information

Massage therapy dates back thousands of years. References to massage appear in ancient writings from China, Japan, India, and Egypt.
In general, massage therapists work on muscle and other soft tissue to help you feel better.
In Swedish massage, the therapist uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping.
Sports massage combines techniques of Swedish massage and deep tissue massage to release chronic muscle tension. It’s adapted to the needs of athletes.
Myofascial trigger point therapy focuses on trigger points—areas that are painful when pressed and are associated with pain elsewhere in the body.
Massage therapy is sometimes done using essential oils as a form of aromatherapy.

02/09/2017

Get a massage this long weekend, give yourself a treat! Its payback time.

01/09/2017

Try a Healing Touch Massage
To unwind the stress of teenage years, try a Swedish, deep tissue or Shiatsu massage.

Imagine having a healing touch massage after a major exam at school. What about a full-time masseuse to give "as needed" massages at your after-school job or after you work out at the gym?

Okay, these ideas may seem ideal and a bit pricey. But many experts agree that a healing touch massage can help to ease the harmful effects of our fast-paced lives, enhance well-being, and prevent disease.

Massage is the scientific manipulation of the body's soft tissues. The goal is to improve muscle tone and circulation. It can be an excellent way to boost healing. That's the opinion of Dr. Harris McIlwain, a board-certified rheumatologist and coach of Tampa Bay Spirit boys' soccer team. "Massage influences all body systems from the circulatory and the nervous system to digestion, emotions and more. Using massage to end pain from sports or overuse injuries helps to speed healing and relax the muscles."

How's It Done?

The fundamental tool of massage therapy is human touch. Using touch, the therapist glides, rubs, kneads, taps, manipulates, presses and vibrates the soft tissue on the client's body.

Types of Healing Touch Massage

There are many types of massage. Each one gives a different kind of benefit. Here are some common types:

Swedish massage. Swedish massage is the most popular massage technique. "Swedish massage comprises long, sweeping strokes, using the flat surfaces of the hands or palms. The therapist does not put pressure downward. Instead, you stroke laterally or longitudinally about the targeted area," according to Los Angeles-based physical therapist, David Gutkind. "Swedish massage is meant to be soothing and comforting," Dr. Gutkind says. "It may be helpful if you have soreness and muscle spasms or if you have swelling in an area. Swedish massage works best when the person's level of discomfort is high and heavy physical contact is not tolerated."

Deep massage. Deep massage can help relieve muscle spasms, long-standing tightness, or knots from overuse and static postures from too many hours spent in front of the computer. According to Dr. Gutkind, "Deep massage is a firm, hard style of massage. The therapist uses the thumb, elbow, knuckles or forearm to get deep into the muscle and connective tissue of the particular area. It is almost always very helpful, but not everyone likes the deep pressure."

Shiatsu massage.Shiatsu originated in Japan, according to the international, nonprofit Shiatsu Society. It draws on the notion of Qi, or energy that flows throughout the body. Dr. Gutkind uses shiatsu on clients who have muscle knots or restrictions in specific places. "With shiatsu, the therapist uses the thumb, fingers or knuckles to put firm pressure in one area for 30 to 90 seconds, trying to release the knot."

What Are the Benefits of Healing Touch Massage?

Massage eases pent-up tension and increases blood flow to the area. Massage also stimulates the flow of lymph, a bodily fluid that carries wastes and impurities away from tissues. Experts believe that massage boosts endorphins and enkephalins. These special chemicals in the brain act like natural painkillers. After massage, stress hormones like cortisol are reduced. A positive change in T-cells -- immune system cells vital to protect against infection -- also occurs. Massage therapy may also trigger serotonin, another brain chemical that helps you to feel calm.

"Getting a massage is a great way to relieve stress and to help you cope with the pressures you face as a teen. It can help you to relax, and also make you more alert," says James Vaughn, an Atlanta-based certified neuromuscular therapist.

31/08/2017

Exclusive for women only! For husbands and boyfriends, give your wife or girlfriend a treat. For any inquires or for those intersted, please send a personal message in this page or a text with a number provided. Thank you!

31/08/2017

How Does Massage Therapy Reduce Stress?
Massage can help relax tight and painful muscles, improve range of motion in the joints, enhance circulation and lower stress levels. Stress is considered a risk factor for many chronic diseases, and can make your symptoms worse. Since there are many different massage therapies available, it may require some trial and error to find the right therapist and massage technique to reduce your stress level.

Techniques

Massage therapy encompasses many techniques. With some, the client undresses and is covered with sheets during the session, while with others the client remains clothed. The massage therapist may use her hands, elbows or feet to administer the treatment. According to the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the main forms of massage include Swedish, deep tissue, sports, reflexology and trigger point. Some forms of massage use oils and others use warm stones to release tension and promote relaxation. Talk to several massage therapists about their specific type of massage and how it may reduce your stress.
Considerations

Stress can be a positive motivator when striving for a promotion or accomplishing an important task. Stress may be temporary, such as being stuck in traffic or delayed at the airport. However, the American Psychological Association states that stress may also be chronic -- during financial difficulties, chronic illness or dealing with family issues. It is not necessarily the event, but rather your body's response to the event that causes stress. When the brain senses any kind of stress, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and your muscles tighten. Feelings of stress that continue for long periods have a detrimental effect on the body. Massage helps you relax, calming the mind and body and relieving your stress.

General Benefits

When administered by a well-trained and licensed practitioner, massage therapy may help with conditions that affect your state of mind, including stress, depression and anxiety. A massage helps you shift your thoughts away from everyday worries and allows your body and mind to relax. Massage also helps you feel that you're in control over your health and plays an active role in managing chronic illnesses. Many massage techniques are practiced in a quiet and dimly lit room. Some therapists have soft music in the background and use candles or incense to help you relax.

Muscular Benefits

Activation of the stress response causes muscles throughout the body to tense up. When the event ends, the muscles relax. However, if stress is constant, the muscles may remain in a slightly tensed state. This may lead to joint aches and pains, headaches, chronic back and neck pain and other symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health, massage therapy may help relieve your muscle tension. A massage therapist uses various techniques to rub, stroke, stretch or apply pressure to the muscles to help them return to a relaxed state, which in turn reduces your stress-related aches and pains.

Immune and Digestive System Benefits

When responding to stress, the body conserves energy by suppressing the digestive and immune systems. Circulation is increased to the heart, muscles and lungs. With chronic stress, this reaction may lead to decreased immune system activity, which increases the risk of colds, flus and immune system diseases. Problems with digestion and elimination may also accompany chronic stress. Massage may help restore normal circulation, improve immune system activity and play a role in restoring normal digestive system function, according to the Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center.

31/08/2017

http://www.webmd.com/balance/video/therapeutic-benefits-massage

Hear from experts on different types of therapeutic massage, how to find a good therapist, and when you should avoid altogether.

31/08/2017

31/08/2017