Manual Lymph Drainage, also known as MLD, is a technique created by the Austrian Doctor Emil Vodder in the 1930’s for the treatment of immune disorders. In 1932 Vodder turned his attention to the lymph system and he finally introduced his new technique in Paris in 1936. He and his wife Estrid spent the rest of their lives teaching their technique and today it is still taught in the same way.

It involves massage techniques to encourage the movement of lymph around the body – the lymphatic system being the system involved in detoxification and disposal of metabolic waste to improve energy levels and the immune system. Lymph itself is a clear liquid that is involved in the removal or transfer of bacteria, vitamins, hormones, waste products from the tissues back to the blood vessels and from the blood vessels back to the tissues.

Problems in the body occur when the lymph system gets blocked so can’t function properly any more. Swelling and pain can be experienced.

Manual Lymph Drainage works by encouraging the lymphatic vessels to contract in a more organised way and by mechanically encouraging the movement of lymph around the body. The physiotherapy movements are slow and use a light pressure to mimic the bodys normal actions. A physiotherapist will use tiny, repetitive circular motions. Lymph nodes are also stimulated and the whole immune system is encouraged to improve.

Many conditions respond well to this technique such as sinus problems, tension headaches, ME, arthritis, stiff neck, supraspinatus tendonitis, lymphoedema and sprains. MLD can also be recommended after operations to help reduce swelling. Because the nervous system is improved with MLD it can also be useful for treating stress and related problems.

Using MLD means that the backlog of fluid is lessened and pain felt by the patient is reduced. The body is restored to better function.

MLD is very relaxing and allows a patient to totally switch off when being treated. It should not cause any unwanted side effects.

It is important to find a qualified practitioner and several sessions with them may be needed.

MLD can be effectively used alongside connective tissue manipulation.

Technorati Tags: manual lymph drainage, massage techniques, stiff neck, supraspinatus

One of the most rewarding and lucrative careers today is in the area of massage therapy. We see how spas and massage centers have easily proliferated at almost every corner. We see how more and more people are enrolling in therapy schools and are engaging in this business.

The growing clamor for this relaxation technique which is rooted from the hectic lifestyles of people is the cause for this phenomenon. A soothing massage therapy is indeed a welcome break from heavy work and busy schedules.

One of the most popular forms of massage is the hot stone therapy which is a variation of the classic Swedish massage that incorporates the use of hot stones. These stones are placed in key points of the body to relieve muscles and release muscular tension.

If you’re aspiring to engage in this career, here are some tips on how to become an efficient hot stone therapist:

1. Find a reputable school that will give specialized training in hot stone therapy. You have to keep in mind that this kind of massage is different from other forms and thus require knowledge on different principles and techniques. If you’ve already mastered Shiatsu massage, it does not automatically mean you can practice this therapy without undergoing intensive training.

2. Use only high quality equipment and hot stones that will ensure your clients of safety, comfort and effectiveness. With all this information, you should be able to find trust-worthy stores to purchase your supplies from. Online you will find a lot of great deals especially because you will not be paying for overhead and advertising costs. Some of the things you need to invest on include a massage table, chair, aromatherapy oils, lotions, hot stones and stone warmers, blankets and cushions.

3. Prepare yourself physically. It is not difficult for therapists to get hurt on the job. It is important to remember to use your entire body when you are massing, exerting energy on your arms and wrists alone is not good for you.

4. Remember to always make your clients feel welcome and comfortable. Encourage them to speak up on whatever concern or issue they may have regarding the therapy and adjust to their needs. If your client prefers low lighting, be happy to oblige; if a client has an allergy on a particular massage oil, change to a new one.

5. Establish rapport with your clients. Good communication is key in ensuring healthy relations with them.

6. Make it a point to explain the rudiments of the therapy whether they have tried it before or not. This will make them realize that you know what you’re doing and it will be easier for them to trust you.

7. Make sure the hot stones are too hot, so that they don’t scald or burn the client.

8. Create a warm and relaxing ambience. With the right combination of soothing music, dim lighting, and aromatherapy candles, you will be able to set up a massage area that will maximize the relaxation properties of the therapy.

9. Remember to practice proper hygiene. Make sure you provide your clients with clean blankets and cloth. Remember to clean the room before and after a session.

10.Always remember to stay professional. Through your attire, attitude, and manner of speaking always practice professionalism. Always be respectful with your clients, regarding their privacy as well.

11.Allow them to have some alone time to relax and cool down before and after a session.

Being a hot stone therapist is a challenging career but the service and help you are able to impart on other people make this a very rewarding and fulfilling job.

Mary Singleton regularly writes for AML Stone

Source, the leading hot stone massage supplies

provider. They carry such products as

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basalt stones, as well as many other many

oYtl other accessories for hot and cold stone

therapy.

Technorati Tags: basalt stones

Everyone loves a effectively done massage, particularly if they’ve been injured or stressed with the job, family or other issues. The time spent getting a massage may be just as beneficial as a therapy session with a psychotherapist.

The massage, nonetheless leaves one feeling far more relaxed and not emotionally drained. So, the advantages of massage treatment may SEEM to only be physical, but in reality, they extend towards the mind as well.

An obvious benefit of massage therapies is the fact that it may help alleviate strain. It will happen to all of us,  this terrible thing referred to as anxiety, but it doesn’t have to stay in one’s system and continue polluting it with toxins.

For instance, why should you allow a nosy mother in law or new co-worker, who believes he is sent from Heaven and knows anything, to ruin their day? Just because the mother in law always makes it her business to critique every thing from last night’s taco salad to the manners being instilled in her grandchildren, won’t mean a person is required to see a psychotherapist. Just make an appointment with the local masseuse and in fifteen minutes, it is going to be as though it by no means happened.

An additional advantage of massage therapies is the fact that it doesn’t just works on tight muscles and can make them looser, it helps to alleviate discomfort. For that unfortunate driver who was rear ended by a fully loaded city garbage truck, that is certainly outstanding news.

This therapy could turn out to be a method to stay clear of a costly surgery on a torn rotator cuff or a chiropractic adjustment for a spine injury, whilst allowing a little bit of pampering along the way. These therapies are actually successful in returning some lost mobility of joints and in some cases they’ve returned all of the previous mobility of the individuals joints.

Athletes like to use massage therapies to ready their bodies for the games they are about to participate in. By doing this, they stimulate the blood circulation in their bodies and get oxygen and adrenaline to their different human body parts. They also use massage therapies if they come to be injured in the course of the game.

This could aid their bodies along with the injury relax long enough for them to finish the game or let a doctor access to the injured area without creating much more discomfort for the player. Win or lose, when the game is finished, a massage generally is welcomed to ease away the aches and pains of the game and to restore the normal blood flow throughout the body.

Looking for massage therapy equipment? Find out more about Earthlite massage tables.

Technorati Tags: massage, massage therapy, massage therapy equipment, stress reduction

You can’t deny it. Massage is truly one of the greatest pleasures you can ever experience in your lifetime. Stone massage, which is a variation of the classic massage, is one of the fastest rising forms of therapy that does not only give a pleasurable sensation but also does wonders for your mind and body.

This type of massage, which incorporates the use of heated stones to be placed on key energy points of the body, is effective in releasing muscular tension thus allows for deep tissue and muscle penetration. Massage stones are great at absorbing heat, they help relax muscles and help relieve stress.

When you go for stone massage, the therapist will place the heated stones on parts of the body that are called chakras or energy channels. The therapist will then massage your body using Swedish strokes and sometimes use the stones to apply pressure on your muscles.

During the session, aromatherapy candles will be lighted up and soothing music and nature sounds will be played to enhance the relaxation benefits of the therapy. The relaxing environment will make it easier for you to calm your mind and body and make you forget about the daily stressors of your life.

For this reason, it is highly recommended that you try your best to shun away any stress related thoughts that roam around your head during the session. You will also be advised to loosen up your muscles because tensed muscles are hard to relieve.

If it is your first time to engage in this type of massage and you may be feeling a little anxious, be sure to communicate to your therapist any issues or concerns that you may have. Whether it’s about the room temperature, the amount of pressure or the type of music, don’t hesitate to speak up.

Stone therapy is widely available in most spas and holistic centers. But aside from that, because of the wondrous pleasure it brings to your mind and body this is a service that is also available in beach resorts to make your vacation even more relaxing. Can you imagine a better place to be than to have a wonderful stone massage against the backdrop of dazzling ocean scenery?

But take note this is not a one time engagement thing that you can only have once a year. Massage stone is one addiction that is not harmful to the body. A regular session of one to two times a month is really beneficial to your well-being. Massage is wonderful to try for the days that you don’t feel very good and want to soothe an aching body.

Stone massage is one of the greatest pleasures in life. And when you work so hard every single day, it surely is a nice break to have a relaxing hot stone therapy to relax your body and keep your mind off worries and anxiety.

“Mary Singleton regularly writes for AML Stone Source, the leading hot stone massage supplies provider. They carry such products as basalt stones for hot stone massage, as well as many other many other oYtl accessories for hot stone therapy.
”

Technorati Tags: basalt stones, Hot stone massage

Anybody who thinks that a pleasurable massage experience is the responsibility of the therapist is terribly mistaken. While it is true that a wondrous therapy session largely depends on the proficiency and skills of the one giving the massage, it is imperative to know that the recipient also plays a part in it.

For one, there are many ways that the receiver can do to enhance the benefits of the session. But also, he or she should also practice proper massage etiquette to be able to build a healthy relationship and good rapport with the therapist.

Here are some tips on proper massage etiquette that you will find very useful:

• Schedule your appointment early to allow for the therapist or the spa to book other appointments more efficiently.
• Do not be late for your appointment. Arriving 15 minutes earlier is highly recommended for you to have some time to relax and to be able to enjoy the facilities of the spa. More importantly, do not cancel the last minute. Not only are these highly inconsiderate but these also means lost chances for earning money on the part of the therapist. If you should cancel, do it days before.
• Prior to the session, it is best to discuss your preferences to the therapist such as the type of music, lighting or room temperature will make you feel comfortable. During the session, you can always speak up if there is anything that is bothering you. But of course, keep this to a minimum because interrupting the therapist every 5 minutes to adjust the lights or the temperature will not only interrupt the flow of the session and diminish the benefits of it, but is also downright annoying.
• Go to the restroom before the session.
• Do not wear any perfume or moisturizer. Sometimes, the smell of the perfume is intoxicating especially because you are in an enclosed area. Moisturizers on the other hand are a no-no because they interfere with the massage oils and lotions used in the therapy.
• Use the amenities of the spa with utmost care.
• Make sure to turn off your cell phone and don’t answer any calls during your therapy session.
• Be sure to take a bath before the session. It is very rude to show up at the spa or massage center all sweaty and dirty. No therapist in his right mind will be happy to touch you on that kind of state.
• It is all right to talk with the therapist during the therapist but you are not required to do so. The therapist will not mind if you want to enjoy the session quietly.
• Always remember to tip your therapist 10-15% tip at the end of the service.
• A few minutes on the massage table after the session is helpful in relaxation. Remember, it is not okay to take a full afternoon nap unless specified by the therapist.

Always follow the golden rule, treat your therapist and the spa personnel the way you want to be treated and that is with respect.

Mary Singleton regularly writes for TIR Massage Stone, the leading hot stone massage supplies provider. They carry products for hot stone massage such as massage stones, as well as many other many oYtl other accessories for hot stone therapy.

Technorati Tags: Hot stone massage, massage stones

Many reasons why people do not get massages is because they think this is just something only rich and famous people can afford and do. But the truth is, a massage like hot stone therapy is not at all a luxury but a necessity, which we all need for a healthy physical and mental well-being.

Still not convinced? Here are the top reasons why a massage such as a hot stone therapy should not be considered an extravagant indulgence but is indeed a necessity:

For one, massage is a great way to beat stress. Various studies point out how stress contributes to many types of physiological and psychological disorders. A regular session of hot stone therapy is an excellent preventive measure for stress related health problems.

And in today’s world, when office work or household chores pile up so high and you are tempted to scream that you want to get off this world, a relaxing therapy will surely give you a few hours of peace of mind. This can make an enormous difference to your stressful life.

Second, it is considered an effective treatment of many medical conditions. If you are suffering from Fibromylagia, Arthritis, Insomnia, circulatory problems, back aches, muscle spasms and other health problems, a hot stone therapy can surely alleviate the condition. This is again an important reason why you cannot consider massage as a luxury.

Third, it provides you with the much-needed break. As they say, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It’s the same with adults. When it’s constantly all work, work, and work, there will come a point when our minds and bodies will just suddenly bail out on us. Of course, we certainly do not want that to happen. To avoid unfortunate events, a regular visit to a hot stone therapy session is a good idea.

Fourth, it is amazing in the amount of anxiety and tension it reduces. Tension and anxiety are always present in our lives. To enable us to get a hold of our lives better without always being too anxious and tense, a treatment will surely do wonders in calming our psyche.

Fifth, it is a good way to prevent yourself from getting depressed. There are times in our lives when things don’t seem like they are going our way. When this happens, a soothing hot stone massage will surely lift up a bruised spirit.

Moreover, you can’t call it a luxury if it does not entail spending big bucks. Hot stone massage is not very expensive and easy to find. Compared to an extravagant out of town vacation, a massage treatment cost a lot less. It is widely available at most spas and holistic centers and can also be done right inside the comforts of your own home.

Some will still think that massage is a luxury and stay away from it. But what they do not know is that they are missing many of the positive effects of hot stone therapy for our mind and body.

“Mary Singleton regularly writes for AML Stone Source, the leading hot stone massage supplies provider. They carry such products as basalt stones for hot stone massage, as well as many other many other oYtl accessories for hot stone therapy.
”

Technorati Tags: basalt stones, Hot stone massage