FACTS ABOUT FACIAL MASSAGE

Facial Massage Basic Info

Facial massage is usually done with creams and soothing massage oils. Dry rubbing is also a common method to reap the benefits of a facial massage. Massaging face with oil or lotion is performed in spas, and is simply known as facial. For those with oily skin, use a mixture of olive oil and fresh lemon juice. And if you have dry skin, consider using cold cream for massaging outward and towards the temple. Prior to facial, remove makeup or simply clean face with a mild soap. Never apply full pressure over the face while massaging, instead move fingers lightly and firmly. A facial session lasts for 20-25 minutes, and not beyond this period.

Benefits of Facial Massage

Besides the regular skin cleansing, toning and exfoliating steps, techniques of facial massage should be performed as a part of the beauty regimen. They do improve the overall skin health and slow down the development of wrinkles. When performed correctly, facial massage is beneficial for getting rid of toxins, regulating oil balance, replenishing skin moisture, tautening facial muscles and giving a relaxed feeling. Refer to the following points to get an insight on how facial massage benefits you in getting flawless skin.

When we sleep, the circulatory system functioning slows down, and the cells do not receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Thus, what we see is a dull looking face in the morning. One of the pronounced benefits is, it stimulates blood circulation to the face.

Nothing can be more effectual in cleansing face other than facial massage therapy. Since it improves blood circulation, getting rid of toxins from the facial areas is an added benefit. It leaves the skin fresh and rejuvenated, resulting in younger looking skin.

There is a marked difference in the result between regular cream application and facial. In the latter case, you are allowing the skin cells to actually absorb moisturizing agent through hand manipulation techniques. Thus, you can feel a softer skin after a facial session.

Massaging face is a good way of removing dead skin cells, which otherwise get deposited in the pores and give a pale skin tone. Rubbing with gentle strokes on the face, with a good quality lotion or oil, helps in loosening dead cells and thus lightening skin tone.

Light hand movement techniques adopted in facial massage therapy are effectual to firm the facial muscles. They help in tightening loose tissues that give flabby and puffy skin. So, participate in facial massage session regularly, and keep frown lines at bay.

Natural lift facial massage techniques are special approaches, which combine varied hand manipulation methods to improve complexion, remove toxins and reduce wrinkles without surgery. It is focused on balancing energy, oxygen and nutrients of the facial muscles.

As far as natural lift facial massage is concerned, the results are not so dramatic like a surgical procedure. It reduces sagging skin and gives a more lifted look. Also, it is less expensive and there is no major side effect associated with this massage therapy

.
Last but not the least, massaging face gives relief from stress, sinus congestion, sinus headache and migraine headache. The soothing effect is brought about by improving blood circulation in the massaged areas and relieving muscle tension.

As you see, benefits of facial massage are amazing, and it's worth giving it a try. You can get facial done in a beauty salon or day spas. But, performing it on your own is a better way, so that you can enjoy all the benefits without visiting a salon expert. Learn easy facial massage steps and give yourself a treat after a long tiring day. Believe me, you will really appreciate the rejuvenating experience. Do it daily, and you will notice improvement in skin tone and smoothness.

Contributor:  Lana Wolf

Website:  www.MobileMassageWolf.webs.com

Facebook:  Facebook.com/MobileMassageWolf

Twitter:  Twitter.com/WolfMassage

All About Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a component of the health care system of China that can be traced back at least 2,500 years. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may, it has been theorized, correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin.

The practice of acupuncture to treat identifiable pathophysiological (disease) conditions in American medicine was rare until the visit of President Richard M. Nixon to China in 1972. Since that time, there has been an explosion of interest in the United States and Europe in the application of the technique of acupuncture to Western medicine.

Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. There are a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment in American acupuncture that incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The most thoroughly studied mechanism of stimulation of acupuncture points employs penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation.

Are there standards for acupuncture needles?

After reviewing the existing body of knowledge, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed acupuncture needles from the category of "experimental medical devices." The FDA now regulates acupuncture needles, just as it does other devices such as surgical scalpels and hypodermic syringes, under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility.

What are the possible side effects of acupuncture?

The most common serious injury reported from the needles of acupuncture has been accidental puncture of the lung, which results in a partial collapse of the lung called pneumothorax. The most common infection reported from acupuncture treatments is viral hepatitis, a potentially serious infection of the liver. Other side effects include bacterial infections locally at the site of needle insertion in the skin and elsewhere in the body. Generally, side effects seem to relate to poor hygiene and training of the acupuncturist.

For what conditions has acupuncture treatment been found helpful?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program was established in 1977 and is designed to assess health technology. The program organizes major conferences that produce consensus statements and technology assessment statements on controversial issues in medicine important to health care providers, patients, and the general public. The following statement is from the NIH Consensus Development Statement on Acupuncture on November 3-5, 1997.

Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. There have been many studies of its potential usefulness. However, many of these studies provide equivocal results because of design, sample size, and other factors. The issue is further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate controls, such as placebo and sham acupuncture groups.

However, promising results have emerged, for example, efficacy of acupuncture in adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in post-operative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.
Findings from basic research have begun to elucidate the mechanisms of action of acupuncture, including the release of opioids and other peptides in the central nervous system and the periphery and changes in neuroendocrine function. Although much needs to be accomplished, the emergence of plausible mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture is encouraging.

The introduction of acupuncture into the choice of treatment modalities that are readily available to the public is in its early stages. Issues of training, licensure, and reimbursement remain to be clarified. There is sufficient evidence, however, of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value.This statement is representative of the opinions of current standard medical practice.

How does acupuncture work?

Here are current thoughts from the National Institutes of Health on the manner by which acupuncture might produce beneficial health results.

Many studies in animals and humans have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses. These responses can occur locally, i.e., at or close to the site of application, or at a distance, mediated mainly by sensory neurons to many structures within the central nervous system. This can lead to activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain as well as in the periphery. A focus of attention has been the role of endogenous opioids in acupuncture analgesia. Considerable evidence supports the claim that opioid peptides are released during acupuncture and that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are at least partially explained by their actions. That opioid antagonists such as naloxone reverse the analgesic effects of acupuncture further strengthens this hypothesis. Stimulation by acupuncture may also activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally, have been documented. There is also evidence that there are alterations in immune functions produced by acupuncture. Which of these and other physiological changes mediate clinical effects is at present unclear.

Despite considerable efforts to understand the anatomy and physiology of the "acupuncture points," the definition and characterization of these points remains controversial. Even more elusive is the scientific basis of some of the key traditional Eastern medical concepts such as the circulation of Qi, the meridian system, and other related theories, which are difficult to reconcile with contemporary biomedical information but continue to play an important role in the evaluation of patients and the formulation of treatment in acupuncture.

Some of the biological effects of acupuncture have also been observed when "sham" acupuncture points are stimulated, highlighting the importance of defining appropriate control groups in assessing biological changes purported to be due to acupuncture. Such findings raise questions regarding the specificity of these biological changes. In addition, similar biological alterations including the release of endogenous opioids and changes in blood pressure have been observed after painful stimuli, vigorous exercise, and/or relaxation training; it is at present unclear to what extent acupuncture shares similar biological mechanisms.

It should be noted also that for any therapeutic intervention, including acupuncture, the so-called "non-specific" effects account for a substantial proportion of its effectiveness, and thus should not be casually discounted. Many factors may profoundly determine therapeutic outcome including the quality of the relationship between the clinician and the patient, the degree of trust, the expectations of the patient, the compatibility of the backgrounds and belief systems of the clinician and the patient, as well as a myriad of factors that together define the therapeutic milieu.

Although much remains unknown regarding the mechanism(s) that might mediate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture, it is encouraging that a number of significant acupuncture-related biological changes can be identified and carefully delineated.
Further research in this direction not only is important for elucidating the phenomena associated with acupuncture, but also has the potential for exploring new pathways in human physiology not previously examined in a systematic manner.

Source:  MedicineNet
Contributor:  Lana Wolf
Website:  www.MobileMassageWolf.webs.com
FB:  www.facebook.com/MobileMassageWolf

The Wonderful Benefits of Massage!

Here are some of the proven written methods about Massage.  Enjoy this read and expect many more.  Thank you your support!  Take advantage of my student offer of FREE massage if you're in the areas of Norcross GA and Lilburn Georgia.  My contact information is below.  Love & Light, Lana Wolf 

Skeletal System
Massage can help increase joint mobility. It helps to free adhesion, break down scar tissue and decrease inflammation, so helping to restore a joints range of motion. Massage also improves muscle tone and balance, which reduces the physical stress placed on bones and joints.

Muscular System
Massage reduces and relieves muscular tightness and stiffness, so reducing overall muscular pain. It prevents muscles shortening and so increases the flexibility in the muscles. Because of the circulatory benefits, more oxygen and nutrients are brought to the muscles, so reducing muscular fatigue and soreness. Massage also increases the rate at which toxins and waste products are removed from the muscles.

Cardiovascular System
Massage improves circulation by assisting with the flow of blood through the veins and back to the heart. It also causes blood vessels to dilate, so allowing the volume of blood flowing through the vessels to increase so improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to the tissues. Massage also improves the rate of removal of toxins, waste products and carbon dioxide from muscle tissues is improved. Due to the blood vessel dilation, blood pressure is reduced, and the state of relaxation achieved decreases the heart rate.

Lymphatic System
Massage helps to remove tissue swellings by increasing the rate of lymphatic drainage. It also helps to improve the body's immune response over a period of time.

Skin Condition
Massage improves the blood supply to the skin, so increasing the oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. This promotes skin regeneration, which helps the skin retain its elasticity and appears younger. The dilation of the blood vessels caused by the massage helps to improve the skins colour. Massage also promotes an increase in sebum production, so maintaining the skins natural protection and resistance to infection, and also helping to improve the skins suppleness.

The psychological benefits of massage
Massage helps to reduce and to relieve stress, and decrease anxiety levels so promoting physical well-being. It has been suggested that up to 90% of all diseases and conditions can be linked with stress, and that any reduction in mental stress levels improves our physical health.

Because of the increased mental calmness that massage promotes, sleep patterns are improved, and the quality of the sleep is improved. This in turn increases energy levels, particularly when the massage therapy is regular.
The act that the client is touched in an empathic manner helps to satisfy the emotional need for a caring, nurturing touch. Because the largest sense organ is the skin, touch is important to all of us. This is demonstrated by picking up a crying baby, sometimes that is what the child needs, the physical reassurance that they are cared for. This requirement is never lost, and hence the emotional need that is fulfilled during a massage therapy.

Massage is one of the oldest, if not the oldest of the healing arts, it is instinctive, because it hurts, you rub it, and massage is this instinct developed. Today, touch is becoming more difficult, and yet in studies it is proven that children brought up deprived of loving touch develop more mental, emotional; and physical problems than those who receive adequate touch and nurturing. Trials with people of all ages indicate that massage benefits everyone.  

There is no denying that massage fulfills a deep human need;   the need to be touched and it is probably the oldest form of therapy in the world. It evolved from natural and perhaps even instinctive behavior, as a means of easing hurts and stiffness and helping a tired or tense body to recuperate. Viewed scientifically, massage works by relaxing and refreshing tired or knotted muscles; by stimulating the nerve endings in the superficial layers of the skin; by increasing the blood circulation in the capillaries; by improving deep circulation, both of the blood and of lymph; and by stimulating the production of endorphins, which are the brain's own natural opiates. Massage can also be reassuring, building self-confidence. This may be a side-effect of the endorphins, but equally, it may well be the result of interacting with another person, the masseur or masseuse, and of receiving their undivided attention. This is a powerful affirmation of self-worth.  

Massage has been proven to be an effective form of treatment for many common diseases. Conditions like arthritis, repetitive strain injury, sports injuries, emotional disorders and can help even with septic conditions.  Deep tissue massage is a form of massage therapy that focuses on the deep layers of the muscle. It comes highly recommended for those who are suffering from sports related injuries because it helps relieve the pain that comes with the injury. It uses more intense pressure directed on the muscles and connective tissues. Find out the amazing benefits of deep tissue massage by getting one yourself. Looking for deep tissue massage in Norcross, GA?

You can register at my website to get a FREE soothing deep tissue massage.

Visit my site for more info:  http://www.MobileMassageWolf.webs.com 

Follow Mobile Massage Wolf on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WolfMassage

Like me on Facebook:   
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mobile-Massage-Wolf/542911482479867

By Lana Wolf
MobileMassageWolf@gmail.com