MAY 2016

Hello all! Let me begin by wishing all our Mothers a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! A great gift for Mother’s Day might be a certificate for a massage; segueing into my topic this month; MASSAGE!

Massage is beneficial in so many ways. Massage relaxes us and releases stress; it helps to relieve inflammation and pain; touch is very healing. I happen to have a great massage therapist I see twice a month; but it was not always so; so I practiced self-massage!

The first thing we do when we injure our self is rub the area to relieve pain and initiate circulation. It’s a natural response; self-massage!  Self-massage is a viable alternative to a therapist; it’s easy on the budget and you can perform it anywhere!

There are many tools you can implement into your practice, the most obvious being your hands!  Simply rub where it hurts; concentrating on the small knotted areas of muscle fiber called “triggers”. For minor pain gentle rubbing will suffice; for more stubborn pain it may take a few days of intense rubbing. You may actually feel the knot release; however even if you don’t, you will notice a significant reduction in pain.

There are a variety of tools you can use to enhance your massage. Tennis balls or yoga balls can be used on the soles of your feet and on your back. If you are stuck at a computer table all day long roll a tennis ball up and down your back to relieve tension.  Foam rollers are very beneficial to use on your legs; or use on your spine for controlled pressure.

Let’s review how to approach different areas with self-massage.  Ease tired feet by massaging behind the ankle at the Achilles tendon. I give myself 60 second foot massages every morning as I apply lotion to my feet; I ask a lot of my feet daily and this really helps relieve pain and increase flexibility. Massaging legs from ankle to thigh daily increases circulation and promotes muscle tone.  Stroke the arm from wrist to shoulder; applying the deepest pressure from wrist to elbow. Stretch your fingers; pulling them slightly to relieve pressure; massage your palm with circular motions with your fists. Massaging your feet and hands is beneficial to your entire body as there are many reflexology points corresponding to different areas of the body. Massage your shoulder from the base of your scull down your shoulder; slightly pulling away from your neck in a stretching motion. We hold so much stress in our neck and shoulders it is very important to cover these areas. Finally massage your face beginning with gentle circular motions at your temples. Massage your head from the base of your skull up over your head to your forehead. Placing both hands on your forehead with fingertips touching, stroke out across the forehead then across cheeks and chin.

Be sure to consider essential oils such as lavender; peppermint; and sandalwood blended with carrier oils or in a diffuser to enhance your massage!

Again Happy Mother’s Day from Complete Health Store!