Use your hands to relieve tension headaches naturally

Introduction

Sooner or later, we all get headaches. Usually, we tend to shut down the pain by taking an over-the-counter drug. Drugs are usually pretty good at removing pain, but they do not address the root cause of the problem and often cause unwanted side effects. Pain is actually very important because it is one way our body communicates a problem with us. By taking a drug to remove the pain, we only dull our senses. However, if we take the time to learn the language of our bodies, we can understand what the causes of our headaches are and address them directly. This is by far the healthiest course of action.

In the case of tension headaches, the culprit is usually tension in the upper back, shoulder and neck muscles. Here are six simple steps that will reduce or remove the pain associated with tension headaches:

1) To start, take yourself away from the computer screen, get comfortable and close your eyes gently. Take a deep breath and let out a long and relaxing sigh as you drop and relax your shoulders.

Repeat this 3-4 times or as many times as you like.

2) Use your focus to release the tension in your upper body. Start with your face - take a few seconds to release all muscular tension and completely relax. Then move in a general backwards direction, continuing at the top of your head and then moving to the back of your head. Follow with your neck and finally your shoulders and upper back. Allow a few moments to completely relax each area.

3) Locate acupuncture point GB-20 on either side of the spine on the back of your neck just under the edge of your skull. Press firmly and deeply with your thumbs for about 1 or 2 minutes while keeping your breath gentle, deep and relaxed.

4) Put your hand on the back of your neck. Use four fingers on one side and the heel of your palm on the other side to grasp your neck. Start at the top of your neck and work your way down. Use firm pressure to grasp and then release the muscles a few times before moving down about a finger width and repeating. Massage all the way to the base of your neck about 5-10 times or until your hand gets tired, then switch hands and repeat.

5) Locate Acupuncture point GB-21 on the top of your shoulders half way from your spine to the outer edge of your shoulder. With the same "grasping" technique as #2, massage the muscle at GB-21 with the opposite hand for about 30 seconds to one minute. It will feel quite tender and sore since the muscles may be very tense. During the massage stay relaxed with soft and deep breathing. Switch sides and repeat.

6) Roll your shoulders in large slow circles to stretch and relax any tension that may be left in your shoulders and upper back. Roll them 5 -10 times in each direction while you keep your breathing even and relaxed.

To finish, roll your head very gently around in a circle 5-10 times and then switch directions. At this point, your tension headache should be either reduced or gone. If it is not, wait a few minutes and try again. However, this time do each step for twice as long and make sure to breathe in a deep but relaxed manner. Put an effort into becoming aware of any tension that you may be unknowingly holding in your body and let it go.

Or visit us at Little Jasmine Therapies in Brighton where massage  and take advantage of more then 20 years of combined massage experience.

Massage heals the tissues of the body

Introduction

Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a luxury splurge that has no real health benefits. To the contrary, hands-on healing helps you unwind, lowers blood pressure, promotes muscle relaxation and boosts your immune system. During a massage session, massage therapists use their hands and fingers to press and manipulate your skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles. The strokes gently move your blood, oxygen and lymph to various tissues and organs in a way that normally doesn't happen in the bodies of most people. As a result, the person who is receiving the massage experiences a level of physical and mental renewal that is hard to surpass.

Hidden Health Benefits of Human Touch Today, numerous well respected studies indicate that massage therapy doesn't only feel good, it also may be good for you. Take a look at the health benefits below and discover the power of human touch:
* Stress & anxiety relief
* Muscle relaxation
* Blood pressure control
* Better circulation
* Pain reduction
* Enhanced cancer treatment
* Improved quality of sleep

But there's more - a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests that individuals who undergo massage therapy experience measurable improvements in their immune response.

Mark Rapaport, M.D., and his colleagues from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center followed 53 healthy adults who were divided into two groups: The participants received either 45 minutes of Swedish massage or the same amount of time of light touch massage, which is much milder and served mainly as a comparison to the more vigorous Swedish massage.

After examining their blood samples, the scientists found that people in the Swedish massage group experienced a decrease in cortisol and a significant increase in lymphocytes, cells that keep our immune system strong. "More research is ahead of us but it appears that a single massage may deliver a measurable benefit," Rapaport said in a news release.

Massage is far more potent therapy than most people realize. In fact, it can (and should) replace analgesics as a treatment for tension headaches. As it turns out, it takes only a 30-minute massage on cervical trigger points to boost autonomic nervous system regulation and alleviate the symptoms. Patients also report an improvement in their psychological and physiological state, which goes hand in hand with the reduction in stress and anxiety associated with such a disturbing condition.

Stress and lack of rest have devastating effects on our health, fitness and beauty. Don't be afraid to find yourself a good massage therapist and get some healing on a regular basis. When you're taking care of your skin and what's beneath it, you are taking care of your whole world.

Why couples or duo massage

Introduction

If you want to show someone you love that you love them, or just want to find a place to spend some good-quality time with them, how about trying something different, special and fun?

Going to a spa with your partner or friend is one of the more interesting and fun things you can do together. Spa experiences for two, and romance rituals and packages are available all year round.

Massage for two

Many spas offer massage treatments for couples - romantically involved or otherwise. This will often involve twin massage beds and at least two therapists so that you can synchronize your pleasure by having the same treatment at the same time, or each have a customized massage lying side by side.

In this practice two people are massaged by two different therapists, at the same time, that can be a wife and husband, same-sex partners, girlfriend and boyfriend, or just good friends.

This massage incorporates Thai oil massage and traditional Thai massage techniques or you can opt for deep tissue massage, aromatherapy or the amazing Thai Fusion massage offered only at Little Jasmine Therapies in Brighton leaving you feeling total, deep relaxation.

Couples massage is also a great way to introduce a partner or friend who has never experienced massage and is apprehensive about it to this beneficial treatment. Some men are apprehensive about getting a massage because of the nudity involved, and to have their wife or girlfriend there is reassuring.

Men usually discover that therapeutic touch is very relaxing and restorative. Once they experience a couples massage, they are more willing to book a massage on their own.

It can also be a good choice if you're traveling with someone you don't get to see often enough -- a sister, girlfriend, mom or best friends -- and you want to spend as much time together as possible.

Choose an hour of complete heaven or go for the total bliss of 2 hours!

It's fine to talk to each other through the massage if you want, or be quiet the whole time.

How Much Does Couples Massage Cost? 


The price of couples massage depends on the spa where you get it and is usually double the price of an individual massage.