Tranquil Flow

14/09/2024

Have you tried dry brushing? This simple technique can do wonders for your skin and overall well-being! 🪥✨

How to Dry Brush:
- Always brush on dry skin, starting at your feet.
- Use long, upward strokes toward your heart to stimulate circulation.
- For your arms, begin at the hands and brush upward.
- Avoid sensitive areas like your face or any open wounds.

Benefits of Dry Brushing:
- Exfoliates dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
- Stimulates lymphatic drainage to detoxify your body.
- Boosts blood circulation for a natural energy lift.
- Reduces the appearance of cellulite by tightening the skin.
- Encourages healthy skin renewal and boosts your glow! 🌟

Incorporate dry brushing into your routine for a quick, feel-good ritual that supports radiant skin and overall health!

03/09/2024

The Science of Breath: How Deep Breathing Enhances Your Massage Experience

Breathing is an essential, involuntary reflex critical for human survival. While our bodies can endure days without food or water, deprivation of oxygen leads to a rapid decline in bodily functions, ultimately resulting in organ failure. Each breath delivers life-sustaining oxygen to our lungs, where it undergoes a crucial exchange for carbon dioxide—a waste product of metabolism. This oxygen is then transported via the bloodstream to nourish our organs and cells, ensuring they operate at peak efficiency.

When you seek out a massage, it’s often to alleviate stress and relieve tense, stiff muscles—a common consequence of our fast-paced, high-stress lifestyles. Chronic stress activates the body’s sympathetic nervous system, keeping it in a state of ‘fight-or-flight,’ which leads to muscle contraction, elevated blood pressure, and shallow breathing. Massage therapy counteracts these stress responses, and deep breathing plays a vital role in maximizing the therapeutic effects. Here’s why your massage therapist encourages deep breathing during your session:

Regulation of the Nervous System Deep breathing initiates a cascade of physiological responses that signal relaxation to the brain, effectively switching off the sympathetic nervous system’s stress response. By engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, deep breathing facilitates a ‘rest-and-digest’ state, leading to reduced blood pressure, a slower pulse rate, and improved circulation and oxygenation throughout the body.

Induction of a Meditative State Concentrating on your breath during a massage can induce a state of mindfulness, where your attention is anchored in the present moment. This focused breathing calms the mind, reducing mental clutter and alleviating stress, allowing both mind and body to benefit from the massage.

Enhanced Oxygenation for Tissue Repair Shallow, chest-centered breathing restricts the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream, depriving tissues and muscles of the oxygen they need to function and repair. Diaphragmatic breathing—deep, belly-centered breaths—during a massage significantly increases oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, accelerating the healing process and releasing muscle tension more effectively.

Recalibration of Neural Pathways Hypertonic muscles—those that are excessively tight or contracted—often result from faulty neural communication between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. By focusing deep breaths into the affected area during massage, you can enhance neural awareness, helping to ‘retrain’ the brain to relax these muscles over time.

Improved Respiratory Function and Diaphragm Strengthening Deep breathing engages the diaphragm, promoting full lung expansion and encouraging relaxation of the surrounding muscles. This practice not only improves respiratory efficiency but also strengthens the diaphragm, leading to better overall oxygenation and respiratory health.

Optimizing Massage Pressure Deep breathing can serve as a biofeedback mechanism, guiding your massage therapist to apply the optimal pressure to your problem areas. This feedback helps achieve the ideal balance between therapeutic pressure and relaxation, hitting the ‘sweet spot’ for maximum relief.

21/08/2022

Low Back Pain
Also called: Lumbago

People may experience:
Pain areas: in the back, muscles and bones, hip, or leg
Sensory: leg numbness or pins and needles
Also common: back joint dysfunction or muscle spasms

A common, painful condition affecting the lower portion of the spine.
Low back pain is caused by injury to a muscle (strain) or ligament (sprain). Common causes include improper lifting, poor posture, lack of regular exercise, a fracture, a ruptured disc or arthritis.
Often, the only symptom is pain in the lower back.
Most low back pain goes away on its own in two to four weeks. Massage Therapy and pain relievers can help. A few cases may require surgery.

COMMON CAUSES
Lower back pain can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include overuse such as working out or lifting too much, prolonged sitting and laying down, sleeping in an uncomfortable position and wearing a poorly fitting backpack.

19/08/2022

What you can expect during a massage

You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any symptoms, your medical history, and what you're hoping to get out of the massage. Your massage therapist should explain the kind of massage and techniques he or she will use. This is very important if he or she does not do a consultation - rather look for another therapist.

In a typical massage therapy session, you undress or wear loose-fitting clothing. Undress only to the point that you're comfortable. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. Your massage therapist will leave the room when you undress before the massage and when you dress after it. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed. Your massage therapist should perform an evaluation through touch to locate painful or tense areas and to determine how much pressure to apply.

Depending on preference, your massage therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Tell your massage therapist if you might be allergic to any ingredients.

A massage session may last from 10 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you should feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage. Breathe normally throughout your massage.

Your massage therapist may play music during your massage or talk to you, but you can tell him or her if you prefer quiet.

If a massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.

Finding a massage therapist

Ask your doctor, therapist or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certification requirements.

Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist such questions as:

1) Are you licensed, certified or registered?
2) What is your training and experience?
3) How many massage therapy sessions do you think I'll need?
4) What's the cost, and is it covered by health insurance?
5) The take-home message about massage

Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or how to engage in massage with a partner at home.

Risks of massage

Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have:

Bleeding disorders or taking blood-thinning medication
Burns or healing wounds
Deep vein thrombosis
Infections
Broken bones (fractures)
Severe osteoporosis
A very low platelet count (severe thrombocytopenia)
Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or if you have cancer or unexplained pain.

Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn't ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.

18/08/2022

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is an exaggerated, forward rounding of the upper back.

In older people, kyphosis is often due to weakness in the spinal bones that causes them to compress or crack. Other types of kyphosis can appear in infants or teens due to malformation of the spine or wedging of the spinal bones over time.

Mild kyphosis causes few problems. Severe kyphosis can cause pain and be disfiguring. Treatment for kyphosis depends on your age, and the cause and effects of the curvature.

17/08/2022

Scoliosis

Signs and symptoms of scoliosis may include:

Uneven shoulders
One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other
Uneven waist
One hip higher than the other
One side of the rib cage jutting forward
A prominence on one side of the back when bending forward
With most scoliosis cases, the spine will rotate or twist in addition to curving side to side. This causes the ribs or muscles on one side of the body to stick out farther than those on the other side.

10/02/2020

Monday - Start your week with a Monday Myofascial Release.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/fascia-myofascial-release-secret-better-health/

05/02/2020

Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits

Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being. See if it's right for you.

Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you've never tried massage, learn about its possible health benefits and what to expect during a massage therapy session.

What is massage?
Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. There are many different types of massage, including these common types:

Swedish massage.
This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

Deep massage.
This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it's geared toward people involved in sports activities to help prevent or treat injuries.

Trigger point massage.
This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Benefits of massage
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and integrative 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.

Risks of massage
Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have:

Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication
Burns or healing wounds
Deep vein thrombosis
Fractures
Severe osteoporosis
Severe thrombocytopenia
Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or you have cancer or unexplained pain.

Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn't ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.

What you can expect during a massage
You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any symptoms, your medical history and what you're hoping to get out of a massage. Your massage therapist should explain the kind of massage and techniques he or she will use.

In a typical massage therapy session, you undress or wear loose-fitting clothing. Undress only to the point that you're comfortable. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed. Your massage therapist should perform an evaluation through touch to locate painful or tense areas and to determine how much pressure to apply.

Depending on preference, your massage therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Tell your massage therapist if you might be allergic to any ingredients.

A massage session may last from 10 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you should feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage.

If a massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.

Finding a massage therapist
Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certification requirements.

Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist such questions as:

Are you licensed, certified or registered?

What are your training and experience?

How many massage therapy sessions do you think I'll need?

What's the cost, and is it covered by health insurance?

The take-home message about massage
Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. On the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or how to engage in massage with a partner at home.

04/02/2020

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303087.php

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. With about 600 nodes and a vast network of vessels penetrating nearly every tissue, the lymphatic system helps the body to balance fluids, fight infection, and absorb nutrients. Here, gain a detailed understanding of this system and the conditions t...

11/12/2019

Welcome to Tranquil Flow's Page, I am now open for business! The massages will be done from my cottage, close to Kylemore situated in a forest next to a tranquil river. Please see the treatment times when you make a booking. I will be available to chat and answer any questions to the best of my ability, thank you.