Alternative medicines

Posts Tagged ‘massage’

Easy ways to find inner peace.One of man’s current troubles is to come up of ways on how to lessen the stress in their lives without having to spend too much money or too much time in the process. In our busy lives, we often encounter a lot bumps that create greater tension and hinder us from doing our best. A way of finding the secrets to relaxation is trying the reiki technique.

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique to relieve the body from stress and create a better flow of energy. Its purpose is to create less tension in the body and even promote healing. This technique aims to treat the whole body of the person; this includes one’s emotion, mind and spirit. A creation of wholeness carries along many benefits because there is a feeling of peace inside and less body aches outside. Reiki has a way of thinking that if an individual’s “life force energy” is high, then we are more capable of being normal and healthy and also develop a feeling of happiness rather than having a low “life force energy” that explains our stress and body pain.

A person is often even more stressed on how to do this but it is really just a basic practice of treating our body well. For example, the act of meditation. One form of meditation is expressed in Zazen and Vipassana where it centers on formal sitting, the aim is to practice proper breathing while keeping the body immobile and the attention of the person controlled. It is an easy way to keep peace inside yourself while working outwards on how the tension on your body is removed. Meditation also concentrates on how the person thinks; it could be an expressive practice where the body is free to do anything while the mind aims to have positive perspective with the things happening around.

If a person however has trouble with starting in their mental state, they may choose to begin in their physical state. A popular form is massage, where the body is set to unwind and different areas are relieved out of tension by applying just the right amount of pressure. The aim of a good massage is causing the body to feel loose and thus leading the mind that there is no more pain to think about.

As said earlier, massage is about making the body loose and less tense by applying pressure. The hands, feet, fingers, forearms and elbows of the person can be used to apply pressure, but the person should preferably be a massage therapist. Since a massage therapist is already well oriented on what areas of the body need pressure, it will have a better effect and prevent the individual from feeling more tension caused by wrong methods of massage.

There are simple and easy ways to feel better. Whether we choose to start from our physical pain moving inward or create an inner balance in ourselves and move outward. Various methods will help us get through every back-breaking day with ease and comfort.

Aromatherapy is a good way to improve the life of all individuals. The key is to ensure that the aromatherapy is customized according to the needs and wants of the individual. An aromatherapy practitioner will be able to identify the blend of essential oils that will create the desired results. Whether an individual seeks stress and pain relief, beautification and cleansing, or general relaxation aromatherapy can be a great tool to improve your life

When you feel excessive stress, aromatherapy will assist in the in the relaxation of the mind, body, and spirit. It is recommended that aromatherapy be used in conjunction with healthy living, essential time management, and a network of support. Implement into this lifestyle blends that encourage happiness, offer calm and help create serenity; and ease anxiety, anger and panic attacks.

These blends can created in bath salts, bath oils, air fresheners, diffusers, and massage oils. Diffusers spread the aroma of the essential oils around allowing you to inhale them throughout the day. You may also find aromatherapy preparations which can be applied directly to the skin. Aromatherapy brings stress relief and sense of well-being.

Essential oils can also be beneficial in weight loss. The scent of vanilla infused candles has been shown to reduce cravings for sweets. Inhaling patchouli seems to lessen hunger. Both of these methods can lead to weight loss.

If you feel insecurity is to blame for your weight gain, try inhaling bergamot and jasmine. This is said to help boost confidence. The best blend is 16 drops of bergamot to 4 drops of jasmine. This can be mixed aind disseminated in your diffuser. If you want extra benefits, add 4 drops of veviter.

It is common as you age, that new body aches and pains sneak up on us. Fortunately, these aches and pains can be eased with aromatherapy blends in massage oils, skin lotions, and booboo juice. You can purchase a ready-made aromatherapy remedy for aches and pains or create your own. For an ideal massage oil, mix an ounce of your favorite carrier oil with 10 drops of a pleasant essential oil. Use the mixture to rub and soothe away aches and pains wherever they occur on your body.

It should come as no surprise that aromatherapy has been used in skin care for years. It is a natural approach to a fresh, youthful look. You can make your own natural skin products from shampoos and conditioners, to facial toners and moisturizers. Mouthwash, lotion, nail care, perfumes, and cologne can all be made using the soothing aroma and benefits of essential oils.

A massage is a well-known therapeutic activity that helps to relieve the body of all forms of stress: physical, mental, and emotional. It is practiced in a ceremonial fashion in some Oriental cultures. It is a prescribed form of therapy in a few alternative medical systems. For those of you who have not experienced the beneficial effects of a full body massage, this article should encourage you to get an appointment for one at the earliest.

We are used to getting and giving a simple massage at home. You come home all stressed out and irritable. Then your spouse leads you to your favorite chair, and then begins to loosen the muscles at the back of your neck with a gentle massage. The smile comes back, and you feel your stress ebbing away! That is exactly what a number of alternative therapies have discovered ages ago, and our mainstream medical science is discovering now. A home massage is wonderful, but a professional massage is a great deal better.

First, find yourself a reputed massage salon to gain the full benefit of a body massage. Each person receiving a massage is assigned a separate cabin. You will have to divest yourself of your garments preparatory to the massage. Lie prone on the massage table. A sheet or towel will be draped over you to keep the body heat in. Choose your massage from those on offer. Generally there are two basic full body massages: general body massage, and deep tissue massage. Of course there are many variations available besides.

When the massage therapist begins the massage, you feel a certain pressure forming in the area being massaged. It stops just short of being painful. However that feeling is momentary. Immediately afterwards you’ll feel the pressure getting less and with it you’ll feel a relaxation that is very pleasant. The pain, the soreness and the tiredness you came in with, will just evaporate! The massaging effect exercises your blood vessels and your nerves. The blood circulation picks up pace and the nerves get back to their proper position. The increased blood circulation helps the restorative elements in the blood to reach damaged areas faster and better. This heals the body, thus improving your health.

It is not only sportspersons who require massage therapy. We all do! Our life has become so hectic; our lifestyle has become so sedentary or lacking in physical activity that our body suffers for it. We sit in awkward positions, we slouch, we shamble around… all this unconsciously. The result is that our blood vessels get shifted from their normal positions and so also do the nerves. Knotted blood vessels means poor blood circulation, which means poor health. Knotted nerves means your very sensations are disturbed. The brain gets a lot of static from cramped up nerves. Result: tension and stress, which makes you lose concentration, comprehension, and conviction. The body massage, as administered by a qualified professional massage therapist, mind you, works the body in such a way that your blood vessels and nerves regain their normal position. Your blood begins to flow normally and your nerves function normally. The physical pressure of the massage even serves to reduce flab, if any. Your skin benefits as well. The massage itself, and the massage oils, rejuvenate the skin. The subcutaneous blood circulation improves and the muscles that lie just below the dermal layer get exercised. This results in a firmer, tauter, radiant skin tone. So you end up looking better.

We generally believe that a massage is a form of physical therapy, and hence benefits us in a physical way only. This is not true. We are benefited mentally as well as physically. Just as the muscles get tired due to the accumulation of wastes, our brain undergoes much the same effect when we exert ourselves mentally. The enhanced blood circulation washes away the accumulated toxins from the brain, and leaves it fresh and tension-free! That’s why you can get a really good, healthy sleep after a body massage.

Massage therapy is a form of touch therapy. A touch or a caress shows empathy. It is probably instinctive in those animals that must seek their mother for support and feeding as soon as they are born. Most animals are born blind, and so they depend on touch to find and detect their mother. Even if not blind, young ones nestle and cuddle up against their mother when they sleep, the touch, the feel being sufficient to reassure them of a support system. Our subconscious translates the masseur’s professional touch to a strong, positive symbol of reassurance and of support. Hence, our spirits are lifted and we emerge from the massage psychologically healthy.

Maybe you consider a full body massage a fad, with cosmetic benefits solely. That is not the whole fact. Massage therapy is definitely a therapeutic activity. Allopathy includes it in physiotherapy. Many Oriental medical systems are based solely on massage therapy, as for example, acupressure and acupuncture. So you need have no reservations about its efficacy and scientific validity. Just be sure to go to a licensed professional massage therapist. You’ll feel recharged and healthy, physically, mentally, and psychologically.

Our goal is to present a potential massage chair buyer with a comprehensive and unbiased review of a given massage chair. We have developed a 5 category system to evaluate a massage chair. We give equal weight to each category and give 0 to 20 points rating and then add them up to present an overall score. Our categories include Warranty & Customer Service, Comfort/Ergonomics, Ease of Use, Features and Massage Therapy. This systematic approach forces us to a disciplined method of evaluating a massage chair to help guide anyone looking at massage chairs. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K shiatsu massage chair price is in the luxury range of $4,000 to $5,000.

Warranty & Customer Service: Warranty and customer service come from the company that makes the massage chair. A warranty protects the customer and customer service must rectify issues one may have. With the HEC-DR7700K, Sanyo covers 3 years on the roller mechanism, 1 year on parts, 1 year labor and 1 year in-home service. In most cases, Sanyo has 1 year covering shipping. Sanyo covers the roller mechanism for 3 years, but other parts and labor is only 1 year. Sanyo forces the customer to purchase an extended warranty for additional protection that other manufacturers already. On the customer service side, Sanyo overall is available 24/7 and has average competence and average turnaround times. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K is a 14 in Warranty & Customer Service.

Comfort & Ergonomics: A massage chair needs to be comfortable and fit the body. Otherwise, you will only use the chair for massage. The chair back of the DR7700K is comfortable and the upholstery is well padded. The head pillow is soft and the thickness is appropriate. The seat is ok and the armrests have sufficient padding. The footrest is comfortable, but cannot be adjusted. If you are 5′ 10″ or more, then your knees must be bent when the footrest is raised. This is a bit restrictive for a large portion of the population. Our rating in this category is 15.

East of Use: Ease of use is defined as how intuitive the controls and how complicated are they to use without reading the instructions. Sanyo is known for its stereos and other electronics with advanced features. The remote control of the HEC-DR7700K is fairly simple and intuitive to use. Select from 4 automatic programs and sit back and relax. One button takes you to the Zero Gravity position. The Sanyo remote contains manual massage controls in a side panel. The sub-remote, unfortunately is tethered by a cable to the chair. Overall Rating for the Sanyo HEC-SR7700K for ease of use is 19.

Key Features: The important features of the Sanyo HEC-DR7700K are the GK Rollers which is designed to provide over the shoulder massage in a third dimension. The other key feature is the Zero Gravity which takes the weight off you spine. The jointed massage heads of the GK Rollers push out and over the shoulders in a gripping action. Most rollers move in the X and Y coordinates, Sanyo has added the Z coordinate to add a real third dimension to robotic massage. Zero Gravity is a comfortable position with the body weight evenly distributed across the back. Overall Rating for the Sanyo HEC-DR7700K for features is 18.

Massage Therapy: The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K has both automatic and manual massage settings. Sanyo incorporates 4 full body automatic courses, 4 manual massage courses, and 5 massage speed settings for a total combination of 83 manual massage courses. The manual massage techniques include Shiatsu, Kneading, Tapping, and Kneading & Tapping. Sanyo has some stretching capabilities for the lower body and has 24 airbags of coverage. The airbags have projections to perform shiatsu acupressure massage. There is a good variety of massage therapy techniques in this massage lounger. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K is a 19 in Massage Therapy.

We just reviewed 5 categories ranging from warranty to features to ergonomics. How does the Sanyo HEC-DR7700K Based on the 5 categories the total score for the Sanyo HEC-DR7700K is a 85/100. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K provides fairly thorough full body massage therapy. The technology is innovative and reliable. Sanyo has one of the weaker warranties providing less protection for the customer. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K integrates some interesting features to locate trouble areas and provides good relief to the shoulders and neck. The Sanyo has most of the elements of a great massage chair, but seems to be lacking from its roots. The sensory experience missing seems to be music and with Sanyo’s background in stereos just seems odd. This is a luxury class massage chair and has solid technology, but just seems a bit incomplete. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K is just average for the luxury class of shiatsu massage chairs.

The human spine is a marvelous bio-mechanical design which enables us to stand upright. As part of the price of standing upright, we may on occasion over stress certain areas. Chiropractors are trained specialists in the spine. They understand the interaction of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. They do not prescribe medications. They use natural methods to restore long term health to the spine. As part of the battery of treatments, massage chairs are being utilized to provide a number of treatment options.

Chiropractors are in high demand as they specialize in areas like pediatrics, sports injuries, neurology and orthopedics. The origin of chiropractic medicine dates back to the times of ancient Egypt. The origin of the word chiropractic comes from the Greeks. It uses the Greek words cheir and praxis which combined mean a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy is central to chiropractic care.

People often seek chiropractic care primarily for pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain and headaches. Chiropractors practice holistic, natural medicine. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs for pain relief. This must be done by a medical doctor or M.D. Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a college accredited by the Council on chiropractic education.

Even though chiropractic medicine has been around since Egyptian times, it has not been covered by major health insurance plans. Big Medicine is covering more chiropractic treatments as now many state workers compensation systems are covering chiropractic treatment. This has forced Big Medicine to ante up and now many HMO’s and private plans have included chiropractic coverage.

Chiropractors are trained to understand a patient’s symptoms. They then test theories and validate them to find the root causes. They may take x-rays, perform certain tests or touch and feel what is going on. The spine is a complex arrangement of bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, etc. that must be looked at in unison.

Chiropractic doctors are most famous for making adjustments to the spine. Most people are familiar with the popping or cracking sound as the doctor adjusts the spine. Adjustments are one in a series of potential treatments to help to align the spine and entice it back to restored health.

Massage therapy is being more commonly employed at chiropractor offices. Massage chairs have found a niche in providing a number of possible therapies in a convenient form. Massage chairs are programmed to deliver a targeted massage for a specific duration based on the patients needs.

Our spine is very unique in that it enables us to stand upright. When the spine is healthy, then this process is uninhibited. However, slight problems can shift the body weight around. These small shifts can cause an enormous amount of weight and stress to be concentrated in certain areas. This can happen by poor posture or lifting with your back, instead of your knees.

When the spine is out of balance, the chiropractor wants to redistribute the weight that is put on the spine. If you have a sore muscle, your other muscles will compensate for it and pick up the slack. The doctor needs to get the weight back to how it was distributed before when the spine was healthy.

Massage chairs are being used extensively to deliver a variety of massage therapies in chiropractor offices around the nation. Massage chairs also provide the application of heat, traction for the legs and arms, air compression massage, music therapy, and vibration. The spine has many soft tissues like muscle, tendons and ligaments that need to maintain their flexibility. They become stiff and hurt. Massage chair therapy helps to reduce stiffness, while helping to restore flexibility and pliability.

Most people who have unwanted excess will seek methods or products designed to remove hair. One such method is Laser Hair Removal. With laser hair removal, lasers discharge a gentle beam of light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed. The energy from the laser is converted into heat that vaporizes the hair follicle while leaving surrounding skin undamaged.

Laser hair removal is one of the best methods of removing hair. This hair removal technique eliminates 60 times the hair per treatment than electrolysis. This form of hair removal has been approved by the FDA as a permanent hair reduction technique because with multiple treatments it can eliminate hair on the right candidates for long periods of time, or even permanently in some cases.

Hair has three growth phases which include the active growth phase, regressive phase and resting phase. Laser treatment is so effective because it halts hair growth that is in the active growth phase. This allows the hair removal to last longer than any other method. According to The Mayo Clinic, -both men and women will find that 80% to 90% of hairs are greatly reduced and hair that does grow back is usually much finer and lighter in color after 4 to 6 laser hair removal treatments. The number of laser hair removal sessions needed to achieve these results can vary from person to person. It can depend on a number of factors that such as age, skin type, amount of hair, hair color, hair texture,etc.

When considering laser hair removal it is important to consider the following:

1.) 70% – 90% of the candidates will require a minimum of 4 to 6 laser hair removal treatments which are normally scheduled every 6 – 10 weeks. They will usually experience an 80% to 90% hair reduction. The treatments are needed in order to target all phases of hair growth. Depending on the skin type and hair color, a client may need further treatments. . Multiple sessions makes certain that all of the hairs receive treatment.

2.) Once all of the hair removal treatments are complete, clients may possibly need to return once or twice a year for a maintenance procedure. Hairs that may have been dormant during a previous laser hair removal session may have moved to the growth phase. This is where the need for multiple treatment sessions arises

Many patients report that maintenance treatments given once or twice a year are great for keeping hair growth reduced.

Other benefits of laser hair removal treatment include:

- In some cases, laser hair removal has resulted in permanent removal of unwanted hair. Statistics show that for many people targeted hair can be permanently removed after 6 months of treatments. – The hair can be removed from such areas as the back, arms, legs, chin, etc. Laser hair removal is an effective treatment for ingrown hairs. – The process is much shorter than methods such as electrolysis. – The laser procedure is almost painless. Some patients have experienced minor soreness, but as it compares to other hair removal methods and products, laser hair removal is less painful pain.

Because of its many benefits, Laser hair removal quickly becoming a popular choice for people who want to remove unwanted hair. If you are considering laser hair removal, you should consult with a laser treatment practitioner to learn the advantages of the technique and what you need to know before undergoing the treatment.

The great tide of Western medicine is turning: we’ve become so jaded with the obvious inadequacies and waste of our medical institutions, with a deep feeling that “something just ain’t right”, that Natural Medicine is quickly becoming mainstream. It’s about time! When did “Conventional” medicine become “Alternative”? Now plant medicine is quickly coming back in favor — folks are trusting the beauty and grace of planet Earth, and that she has all the medicine we’ll ever need. And with that, enter Aroma Medicine. No longer do we need to feel a little odd talking about Aroma “Therapy”; while this has always really been defined as the branch of medicine utilizing the organic volatile molecules produced by plants, the term has been stigmatized in North America to some “New Age” foolishness. But researchers around the globe are telling a different story…

The body of evidence published in peer-reviewed scientific journals proclaiming the valid medical effects of essential oils is growing by leaps and bounds. Simple searches through online databases produce incredible numbers of results: Searching the site of the National Center for Biotechnology Information for the term “essential oil” yields over eight thousand results of studies involving essential oils used in aromatherapy, and “new” essential oils from plants yet to be included in modern aromatherapy’s repertoire. Consider the implications of the first result: the essential oil from Lemons prevents dementia. This is common, wonderful smelling essential oil that one can use to clean the house prevent brain damage at the same time. And this is just the tip of the iceberg; the biochemical and physiological actions of essential oils are very, very diverse.

Further down the same page is an abstract confirming the beauty of natural medicines: All the natural molecular constituents of Thyme essential oil have an additive antimicrobia effect — science and industry has a habit of extracting a single component, patenting it, and bringing it to market while forgetting to tell us that natural Thyme oil itself is even more effective. Other jaw-dropping notes about essential oils: Clove oil has the highest Oxidative Radical Absorbance Capacity of any natural substance ever tested — over 100,000, on a scale where blueberries score about 5,000 and Wolfberries are about 30,000. A large number of studies have confirmed the stress reducing effects of Lavender, going to far to show reduced Cortisol levels AND an increase in the body’s natural scavenging of oxidtive radicals — JUST FROM SMELLING the oil!

Perhaps the most important effects of all are those seen in the treatment of serious illnesses. Many modern medical aromatherapists believe the greatest promise of essential oils still lay in the development of protocols for treatment of infectious disease. The MRSA “superbug”, referring to one of several strains of Staphylococcus bacteria that are resistant to the powerful antibiotic drug Methicillin, has become an overwhelming problem in the world’s hospitals. Folks go in for care of one condition, and while their immune defenses are low, they come down with an infection that’s very hard to cure (because man-made antibiotics don’t work). Enter essential oils: Pub Med is filled with studies showing the efficacy of essential oils like Tea Tree and Geranium against MRSA (particularly when combined with another potent natural antibacterial, Grapefruit Seed Extract).

And for the really big one: essential oils are showing great promise in the treatment of many cancers. Frankincense and Lemongrass are just two of the oils that have been shown anti-tumorial, and Sandalwood has been show to specifically prevent skin cancers from UVB radiation exposure. Searching for “Frankincense tumor” gives a first result of: “Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity”. The conclusion states: “Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability…” There are many more results like this, with a variety of oils and a variety of cancer cell lines. This is a very exiting time for natural medicine, as a combination of new extraction techniques, and faster turn around times in research facilities made lead to new, life saving protocols in the very near future (and it’s important that we as members of the world community keep voicing our opinions, and making these changes in our available medical treatments — it’s not only good for us, it’s good for the world as well, as the production of natural medicines takes SO much less energy than their pharmaceutical “equivalents”).

Essential oils offer so much more than these treatments, too! So much concentrated wellness is available to the average family taking part in the aromatherapy lifestyle. Tea Tree and Lavender (mix them 50/50 and keep a small bottle available) is perhaps the most potent antibacterial, nicest smelling and gently soothing formula for all the cuts and scrapes of childhood. Helichrysum italicum essential oil has profound healing and pain relieving effects on bumps, bruises, twists, sprains and all muscular sore spots — and it works fast. Lavender and Helichrysum are excellent for burns; use a couple drops “neat” next time you may (God forbid!) touch a hot stove and you’ll be extolling the virtues of essential oils in no time. Kids getting unruly? A belly or back rub with Roman Chamomile or Mandarin (2% in Hazelnut oil) does the trick. Try 1% Vanilla for the toddlers. You can create blends specifically for the needs of your skin to dramatically improve eczema symptoms, reduce wrinkles, make scars slowly fade, eliminate acne and athlete’s foot, and just bring a fantastic glow to your face. So many great smelling medicines from so many plants!

Sure, this can sound a little overwhelming…where, really, to start when you’re new to it all? Well, that’s the trick: just get started. Anyone in your family not sleeping well? Rub a drop of lavender on each foot at bedtime for a few nights and see what happens. Someone with athlete’s foot or other similar rashes? Mix 30 drops of Tea Tree and 30 drops of Palmarosa into a fluid ounce of Jojoba oil and massage into the area a couple times a day. Just get a simple diffuser, some Black Spruce essential oil and make your house smell like the middle of the forest. Dab a drop of Rose, Amber, Jasmine or Sandalwood oil to your wrist, rub them together and smell like heaven. It’s that easy. And these simple ideas get you ready for when you might need to tap into the serious medicine available here. Essential oils won’t be foreign anymore, and you’ll start to trust their real medicinal value. Also, there are tons of great books, and very qualified teachers. Open your eyes and heart to the world of Aroma Medicine, and you’ll be sure to find your way.

If you are serious about body building, then you may want to investigate the benefits of regular massage therapy. Studies continue to show that regular massage therapy helps to increase muscle tone, improve range of motion, enhances your flexibility and reduces recovery time from injury. You already know the importance of diet, exercise and stretching. These are important elements of your established routine. Regular massage therapy should be added to your routine as well. Although time constraints may not allow you to see a massage therapist, a convenient alternative is a massage chair recliner.

What are some of the major benefits of receiving regular massage therapy? For body builders in particular, massage therapy helps to increase your body’s circulation. This helps to provide more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. Additionally, this helps reduce the occurrence of muscle spasms and cramps. If your muscles become overworked or injured, massage helps to soften the muscles and scar tissue. It enhances your flexibility by improving the range of motions of joints. It can reduce the recovery time from hard workouts while also helping to reduce its associated aches and pains. Massage therapy releases your natural pain killer or endorphins which decreases pain.

Obviously, massage therapy can help your body building regimen and help you reach peak performance. Getting a massage before an important event or workout enhances performance. Massage reduces tense muscles, increases flexibility and increases awareness and alertness. In competition, these can help boost your confidence and get you ready to perform.

The reason most body builders do not get regular massage therapy is it is simply not convenient. They have to schedule an appointment and the therapist is only available at certain hours during the day. Getting regular massage therapy can thus be problematic. A massage chair recliner on the other hand, provide you with 24/7 access and no appointment is required. You can get frequent massage therapy, which studies have shown is the key to getting the real benefits from massage.

Massage chairs provide a wide range of therapies. Some of the best massage chairs have hundreds of different possible massage therapies available. Some of the most common are Shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage and acu-pressure massage. Additionally, massage chairs can perform full body massage. A roller system is used for the back, neck and shoulders. The lower body and arms/hands are massaged using an air compression massage. These massage therapies are very effective.

The amount of technology you can find in the top massage chairs is outstanding. You can find traction systems. These traction systems have the capability to stretch the lower body from the hips, thighs, knees and ankles. There are also chairs that come with a shoulder and arm stretch. If you need to get away from it all and relax, then you should try a recliner with a built in music player. They come with headphones and you can load it with your favorite music. Some advanced chairs have heat built into the entire chair. You can activiate the controls to individually focus where you want the heat applied.

Most people think that massage chairs are expensive. However, if you are getting regular massage therapy, then they really are the most economic way to receive massage therapy. A massage therapist may cost $50 per hour plus tip. Massage chairs can provide an hour massage for as little as $3 per hour. Most massage chairs are rated for 1,000 hours. If you purchased a $3,000 chair, then your cost per hour is $3. This is a big economic advantage.

If you body build, then you really should incorporate massage therapy into your regimen. The benefits of regular massage therapy help you to attain peak performance. Keep your body and muscles in top condition and lessen the chance of injury with regular massage. A massage chair is a great compliment to your arsenal to get regular massage therapy.

Our skin is subject to the harsh elements in the environment. Every day our faces are exposed to fluctuating air temperatures, dust, harsh chemicals in the water, free radicals, make up, and many other irritants. The surface of our skin contains small pockets called pores. These pores permit perspiration, oxygen, and foreign matter to enter the skin. These irritants cause cells to accumulate and block debris from exiting the skin. This results in acne, dry skin, puffiness under the eyes, black heads, and blemishes. Damage to the skin can cause premature aging and wrinkles. Facials are treatments that involve a deep cleansing of the skin. The purpose of a facial treatment is to clean, rehydrate, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. A facial also helps increase circulation and stimulate the skin.

Facials are a gentle and effective method of improving the skin, Regular facials every 8 to 10 weeks will rejuvenate and improve the skins texture thereby reducing skin irritations. If this is not possible, it is suggested that you have one facial at the beginning of Spring, and one before Winter. The price of a facial can vary, but they usually start at about $75.00. The price will be much higher if you are attending a resort or spa retreat,

A professional aesthetician will give a facial treatments that cleanses the pores, cleans out dirt and debris, restores elasticity, rehydrates dry skin, moisturizes, and repairs oily skin. Facials are beneficial for all skin types, but those with sensitive skin should use more gentle moisturizers and facemasks to avoid irritating the skin.

The basic steps of a quality facial include: Skin Assessment: A certified aesthetician with special training in skin care will assess your skin. Depending on your skin type, the aesthetician will determine what products to use. Some people have very sensitive skin so they will require products with gentle ingredients. The aesthetician will know what product to use. Skin type is determined by pore size, tone, texture, and oil production.

Skin Cleansing: If the skin is dry, the aesthetician will open your pores by delivering warm steam that is directed at your face, or apply a warm towel. The aesthetician will then use a product to deliver a deep cleansing formula to the skin. The cleansing process involves gently massaging the skin with the cleansing solution

Extraction: The extraction process involves removing blackheads manually. This process can be a bit uncomfortable but it is well worth it.

Exfoliation: This process involves manually or chemically removing dead skin and debris. The skin is then rinsed thoroughly. Exfoliation helps unclog the pores.

Moisturizing: An aesthetician can use any number of skin moisturizers such as lotions, creams, and masks. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, these products rehydrate, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin. Moisturizers can be delivered by massage or through a moisturizing product such as a mask.

Most people are not aware of the proper products they should be using on their skin. Using incorrect facial products will often result in further damage to the skin. A facial by a professional can help you learn about the proper skin care products you should be using on your skin. A professional aesthetician will help you design an easy home care program for your individual skin type.

A facial is a healthy and relaxing way to treat your skin. Facials are great for both men and women. They will help clear bad complexion and slow down the aging process. Upon completion of a facial, skin is healthier, cleaner, relaxed, and shinier. When you have healthy and shiny skin, you are more confident and happy.

New methods of essential oil extraction are entering the mainstream of aromatherapy, offering new choices in oils never before available. With the new labels of ‘CO2′ and ‘SCO2′, along with the traditional ’steam’ and ‘hydro’ distillations, ‘absolutes’, and ‘cold pressing’, a little education for the aromatherapy enthusiast can go a long way in essential oil selection. Is one process better than another? Does one produce a nicer smelling oil, or one with greater aromatherapeutic value? It turns out that essential oil production, like winemaking, is an art form as well as a science. The value of the newer processing methods depends greatly on the experience of the distiller, as well as the intended application of the final product. Each method is important, and has it’s place in the making of aromatherapy-grade essential oils.

Steam and Hydro-Distillation

Steam distillation, the most common method of essential oil production, involves the flow of steam into a chamber holding the raw plant material. The steam causes small sacs containing essential oil to burst. The oil is then carried by the steam out of the chamber and into a chilled condenser, where the steam once again becomes water. (Hydro-distillation is a similar process where the plant material is boiled, with the resultant steam being captured and condensed). The oil and water are then separated; the water, referred to as a hydrosol, can be retained as it will have some of the plant essence. Rose hydrosol, for example, is commonly used for it’s mild antiseptic and soothing properties, as well as it’s pleasing floral aroma.

A number of factors determine the final quality of a steam distilled essential oil. Aside from the plant material itself, most important are time, temperature and pressure, and the quality of the distillation equipment. Essential oils are very complex products; each is made up of many, sometimes hundreds, of distinct molecules which come together to form the oil’s aroma and therapeutic properties. Some of these molecules are fairly delicate structures which can be altered or destroyed by adverse environmental conditions. So, much like a fine meal is more flavorful when made with patience, most oils benefit from a long, slow ‘cooking’ process.

The temperature of the extraction chamber should be maintained within a reasonable range, lest some components of the oil be altered or destroyed. This also applies to the chamber pressure. The essential oil of Lavender flowers, for example, should not be processed at over 245 degrees and three pounds per square inch. Tougher conditions will result in a harsh scent – more chemical than floral.

High temperatures and pressures are often used to produces large quantities of oil in a short period of time. The oils are often destined for use in cosmetic and food products, but can sold as essential oils for use in aromatherapy. These oils will be less expensive, though they are of limited therapeutic value.

What are Absolutes?

Some plants, and particularly flowers, do not lend themselves to steam distilling. They are too delicate, or their fragrance and therapeutic essences cannot be completely released by water alone. These oils will be produced as ‘absolutes’ – and while not technically considered essential oils they can still be of therapeutic value. Jasmine oil and Rose oil in particular are delicate flowers who’s oils are often found in ‘absolute’ form. Jasmine oil, in fact, is only found as an absolute, whereas rose is available in both an ‘otto’ (an expensive steam distilled form) and an absolute.

The processing of an absolute first involves the hydrocarbon solvent extraction of a ‘concrete’ from the plant material, a semi-solid mixture of typically 50% wax and 50% volatile oil. The concrete is again processed using ethyl alcohol (the same alcohol found in beer, wine, etc.) in which the wax is only slightly soluble. The volatile plant oil separates into the alcohol and this mixture is removed. The alcohol is then evaporated and the result is an almost pure plant extract – depending on the care taken in the evaporation process, sometimes 2% or less of the ethyl alcohol may remain. The use of solvents in the extraction process notwithstanding, absolutes can have incredibly deep and complex aromas.

CO2’s and SCO2’s – Using Carbon Dioxide as a Solvent

The most modern technologies are Carbon Dioxide and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide distillation. Both methods involve the use of carbon dioxide as the solvent which carries the essential oil away from the raw plant material – though the gas essentially acts as the steam in steam distillation. The only difference between the two are the temperatures and pressures used – though neither uses a temperature greater than 87 degrees. With release of the pressure in either process, the carbon dioxide escapes in its gaseous form, leaving the essential oil behind.

Carbon dioxide methods have significant advantages. There are no solvent residues left behind, and the resultant product is perfectly pure. There is no heat applied to the plant material or essential oil to alter it in any way. The oil produced is very accurate with respect to the original state of the plant. The CO2 methods also are the most efficient, producing the most oil per amount of plant (one of the reasons for the high cost of essential oils is the low yield of oil from most plants – one ton of Rose petals produces less than 1 pound of oil, for example). The efficiency of CO2 extraction is particularly important when rare species are involved, such as Indian Sandalwood – less of the plant is needed to produce an equivalent amount of oil.

Cold Pressing

Finally, there is the ‘cold pressing’ of citrus oils from the peels of fruit, as is done with Bergamot oil, Orange oil, Lemon oil, and the like. This method involves the simple pressing of the rind at about 120 degrees F to extract the oil. Little, if any, alteration from the oil’s original state occurs – these citrus oils retain their bright, fresh, uplifting aromas like that of smelling a wonderfully ripe fruit.

Is there a Best Method?

CO2’s, with some obvious advantages, are not always the best choice for a particular need. They still are the most expensive, despite their higher yields. The resultant product differs slightly compared to one produced another way – the oils produced by steam distillation of some plants may sometimes be found to have a more agreeable aroma. Patchouli oil, for example, seems to benefit from the steam distillation process by becoming a little warmer and richer. Many other essential oils are quite effectively produced via steam distillation, with little alteration from the original plant state. Oils from other plant species do seem more ‘complete’ with CO2 processing, with Frankincense oil and most of the ’spice’ oils being good examples where a little something special is present in the aroma. This likely translates to greater therapeautic properties.

Producing essential oils of aromatherapeutic grade is skill requiring years of experience. It takes the work of a dedicated artesian at every step, from growing and harvesting to fine-tuning the distillation process, to produce a truly fine oil. The making of a fine essential oil relies far more on knowledge and experience than it does on the particular extraction method. There are, however, legitimate reasons to select one distillation method over another – some plants simply require a particular process to produce a fine oil, and the oil needed for a particular application may only be made by one process. In the end, as is often the case in aromatherapy, your own sense of smell can tell you which oil will work best for you.