Massage Therapy
A well–trained licensed massage practitioner utilizes their hands as tools to alleviate stress, pain, and tension while promoting wellness. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 20 million Americans receive some form of massage or bodywork every year.
Therapeutic massage is the 21st century’s “hands-on”
stress management technique. It can release
tension, aches and
pains, clear your head and reduce anxiety, increase flexibility and
circulation and promote better sleep. The origins of therapeutic
massage are rooted in the common instinctual response to hold or rub
a hurt or pain.
People today are experiencing more stress and discovering that the ancient art of massage may be just what the doctor ordered to relieve pain, encourage healing and relax their “stressed out” bodies. No other stress–reduction program can surpass the many benefits provided through therapeutic massage.
Manual Lymph Drainage Massage
Within all of us there is a silent system working to keep us healthy, the lymph system. Without it our bodies would swell like balloons swamping our cells with stagnant fluid. The lymph system’s impact is so far reaching that many don’t even realize that minor aches and pains, low energy or susceptibility to colds and flu may be due to a sluggish lymph system. By performing lymphatic drainage massage correctly, we can stimulate the flow of lymph throughout the body carrying waste materials and excess fluid through the lymph channels away from the cells and into circulation to be eliminated. Lymph nodes can be as small as the head of a pin, or as big as an olive. There are 400-700 lymph nodes in the body, half of which are located in the abdomen and many are in the neck.
Indications
Lymphatic drainage massage is a profound technique to help increase lymph flow. With an increase of lymph flow, immune function is increased. Harmful substances are removed from the tissues and neutralized in the nodes. It has also been shown that an increase in lymph flow stimulates an increased production of lymphocytes enhancing immune function. Clients suffering from fatigue have found manual lymph drainage an especially effective treatment to help boost energy and maintain a higher energy level indefinitely.
Lymphatic drainage massage is also useful when working with clients who have sports injuries. After the initial inflammatory stage has passed, lymphatic work can be applied after Sports or Neuromuscular massage has been completed. This will help clear the tissues of debris, and help to reduce the minor edema that sometimes occurs after deep massage. Continued applications of lymphatic drainage while the client is healing helps to enhance the tissue regeneration process by keeping the tissue as healthy as possible.
Not only is lymphatic drainage massage useful for sport injuries, but it can also help the appearance of scars. Lymph work has been shown to dramatically reduce the scarring process by enhancing circulation and immunity. As the lymph flow around the scar is increased, lymph vessels that have been damaged are stimulated to heal and the increased lymph flow also flushes away toxins improving the health of the tissues.
Beyond its’ application for injuries, estheticians have been using lymph drainage for years to enhance the quality of the skin, especially on the face. When the lymph is flowing, the cells are bathed in fresh fluid, causing the skin to look fresh and alive. We have all experienced having minor edema in our faces, that puffy feeling and baggy eyes when we first wake in the morning after a long night. Usually after a few minutes of standing upright, the lymph starts to drain from the face. A great way to see the power of lymph drainage is to apply a few strokes on the jaw area and watch in just a few minutes as the tissue drains right before your eyes leaving you looking vibrant and healthy.