Enlighten Massage Blog: Lymphatic Drainage Massage, What Is It and How It Can Benefit You

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Simply put, a lymphatic drainage massage is a form of soft massage that restores the movement of lymph fluids around the body. Initially developed in the 1930s by Danish physicians Emil and Estrid Vodder as a treatment for lymphedema. Lymphedema is the swelling that occurs in your arms or legs, it is most caused by the removal of or damage to your lymph nodes as part of cancer treatment. When blockage occurs, this prevents lymph fluid from draining and the build-up causes swelling.

Lymphatic drainage massage uses very mild pressure and long, gentle rhythmic strokes to increase the flow of lymph and reduce toxins in your body. This type of massage often leaves people feeling sleepy and relaxed, you may want to rest or minimize your commitments for the remainder of the day.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is our bodies ‘discharge system’, made up of a network of delicate tubes that run throughout the body draining fluid that has been removed from the blood vessels into the tissues and back into the bloodstream via lymph nodes. A lymphatic system that is blocked with fluid can become toxic and harm our immune system.

The fluid in the lymphatic systems helps remove toxins from bodily tissues. Lymphatic drainage massages can benefit with lymphedema, fibromyalgia and other conditions such as:

• Swelling or Edema
• Skin Disorders
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Insomnia
• Digestive Problems
• Arthritis
• Migraine Episodes

How Can a Lymphatic Drainage Massage Benefit You?

An effective lymphatic system is integral to a person’s immunity, inflammation and overall healing. Lymphatic drainage is one of the ways to achieving that efficiency. There are many benefits to receiving a lymphatic drainage massage and even if you don’t have any of the conditions listed above, you can still walk away feeling very relaxed and even revived afterwards. Some of the benefits of lymphatic drainage are:

• Improves Appearance of Skin
• Detoxes Your Body
• Reduces Headaches
• Promotes Healing
• Reduces Swelling
• Helps You to Feel Relaxed

Cupping Therapy, Is It Right the Treatment for You?

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine where in a massage therapist places specially designed cups on your skin for a few minutes at a time in order to create suction. The purpose of doing so is to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and over all well being. It is also a type of deep-tissue massage. Cups are generally made of one of the following; glass, bamboo, earthenware or silicone.

While cupping therapy has risen in popularity over the last few years, its origins go back as far as ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures. The Ebers Papyrus one of the oldest medical texts known to mankind describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1550 B.C. So even so it might seem like a new form of alternative medicine, it is actually quite ancient has been in use for thousands of years, which speaks of its effectiveness as a form of massage therapy.

There are two different kinds of the cupping: Dry and Wet. During both types of cupping, a massage therapist will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup set it on fire. As the fire dies down, they place the cup upside down on your skin. As the air in the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels begin to expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to three minutes.

A more modernized version of this is done with a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum. Sometimes a therapist might use silicone cups, which can easily be moved from place to place on your skin for an effect similar to a massage.

Has It Been Proven as Effective Form of Alternative Medicine?

Supporters of cupping therapy believe that wet cupping removes harmful substance and toxins from the body to promote healing. Do take note however, that this form of therapy has not been proven in any kind of scientific study and the effects should be considered as potential but not guaranteed. One report published in 2015 in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine states that cupping therapy could help with skin problems like acne, herpes zoster and pain management.

What Are the Benefits of Cupping Therapy?

The British Cupping Society says that cupping therapy is used to treat:

• Blood Disorders Such as Anemia and Hemophilia
• Rheumatic Diseases Such as Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
• Fertility and Gynecological Disorders
• Skin Problems Such as Eczema and Acne
• High Blood Pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety and Depression
• Bronchial Congestion Caused by Allergies and Asthma
• Varicose

Once again it must be reiterated that there is not nearly enough evidence, research or conclusive studies to confirm that cupping therapy has proven to be effective and providing the benefits listed above. Cupping therapy is a form of holistic medicine and has no scientific ground on which to outright provide any or all substantial benefit to those who choose to undertake it.

Is Cupping Therapy Safe?

Cupping therapy is generally considered to be quite safe as long as it is performed by a trained health professional such as a qualified massage or beauty therapist. There are however, some mild side effects that could occur in the areas where the cups have come into contact with your skin:

• Mild Discomfort
• Burns
• Bruising
• Skin Infection

Always consult your General Practitioner before you start cupping or any other kind of holistic or alternative medicine. Also be sure to talk extensively with the person performing the cupping therapy.

Is Cupping Therapy the Right Treatment for Me?

As with all kinds of alternative medicine, it is always up to the individual decide whether they should undertake any kind of therapy. It’s important to ask your doctor about your decision and to take into consideration any health or medical conditions that you may have that could be impacted by the therapy.

Hot Stone Massages: Origins and Benefits

Origins

Hot Stone Massage is an ancient technique that has been used in massage therapy as far back as five thousand years ago. It began in India when Hindus started using the placement of hot stones on the body to relax tense muscles and to alleviate pain, this practice was called Ayurveda. – Burke Williams A Brief History of Hot Stone Massage.

How We Use Them Today

Today, hot stones are still used in combination with massages to aid with blood circulation and energy flow. Hot stone massages are often described as being comforting and deeply relaxing. It is believed that having a hot stone massage can also bring about the movement of energy known as chi, which eliminates stress and brings about healing.

In short, it is the practice of heating smooth stones (usually made of basalt) and having them placed on various areas of the body during a massage. The massage therapist will place the hot stones along both sides of the spine, palms, legs, abdomen or feet. After the stones are placed, oil is applied all over the back and arms as to allow the stones to move smoothly over the skin. This technique can be incorporated into almost any massage treatment, from relaxation, remedial or even deep tissue massage.

Benefits

Hot stone massages are deeply beneficial to the health of your mind, body and soul. The benefits of having a hot stone massage are:

Relieves Muscular Aches and Pains

Improves Circulation and Energy Flow

Energy Healing

Promotes Better Sleep

Releases Toxins and Assists in Self-Healing

Improves Skin Appearance

Helps to Create a Sense of Comfort and Warmth

Activates Productivity

Boosts Immunity

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Treats Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases

Improves Flexibility

Aids in Faster Injury Recoveries

Take a tip from the ancients and let the power of heat take your next massage to a higher level of healing and ultimate relaxation.

Body Massage: Myths and Facts

Massage therapy is the most common and effective therapy that people prefer for so many reasons. Massage does not just offer you varied health benefits, but also takes away all sorts of your emotional and physical stress and, offering you fresh being. Alongside, there are also sports massage therapies that can be taken, before, after or during any sports activity to stabilize and support your body in a way which is very comforting and safe. Ever since long time back, body massage is widely undertaken for its innumerable body benefits. This boosts your energy level and also helps you to undertake the daily course of activities at a better pace.

The best facts addressed with right massage technique are demonstrated to benefit you with:

• Better blood flow and circulation: Since kneading activity helps relaxation, this results in better blood circulation in your body. Helping you to get rid of so much body pain and different tensions, it also makes oxygen flow good and continuously active in your body.

• Getting rid of physical and emotional stress and anxiety: Even for the pregnant women, there are the best techniques of massage that helps them to overcome anxiety, making them feel comfortable. You need the touch and services of professional masseuse who know the various body points to comfort and offer you the best massage, to replenish the senses in you.

• Health and skin tone benefits: With the use of effective herbal oils in the massaging, you get better body treatment which automatically reflects through your happy skin tone and lively mood. Also, the body massage is centered to help you get rid of body pain, making your muscles responsive and better muscular.

• Beneficial for sports activities: This has been a very lavish trend and the sports persons have been taking up sports massage fir so many reasons. This not just helps them to strengthen their body for undertaking games, but also revitalize their body parts for quick action. This massage is not taken for soothing effects, but to prepare and stand your body for the best sports activities. You can easily get over the joint pain and notice better activities in your body which are very supportive for different sports.

However, the conclusion of this all, is the reliable services of professional massage therapist. For the best services visit Enlighten Massage. Located in Brisbane they are able to effectively help you get the best kneading movements and advantages.

To help you further achieve optimal health and complete your fitness needs we recommend seeking an allied health professional, better known as a personal trainer for gym fitness.

Jetts @ Chermside West is a Proud business partners of Enlighten Massage.

Shop 1, 748 Rode Road Chermside West

call (07) 3172 7485 or Kara on 0426 178 250