Massage

5 Ways To Lower Your Cortisol Levels (Without Drugs)

spinach-091415Do you experience stress on a day-to-day basis? The feeling that we describe as “stress” is actually the result of elevated levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone that’s produced in the adrenal kidneys. When there’s more of this hormone flowing through your body, you’ll feel greater stress and anxiety as a result. So, how can you lower your cortisol levels? continue reading »

Natural Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure and Congestion

Sinus congestion can turn an otherwise perfect day upside down. The pain, inflammation, and general discomfort can drive a person crazy. Thankfully, however, there are some natural ways to relieve nasal pressure and congestion.

Humidifier

You might be surprised to learn that a humidifier can relieve sinus pressure. Many people experience nasal congestion during the winter because of the dry air. Low humidity causes the sensitive mucus membranes lining the nasal passage to dry out and even crack, resulting in painful inflammation. This inflammation squeezes the nasal passage together, making it difficult to breath through your nose. continue reading »

What Is a Hot Stone Massage and Why You Will Love It

massage-389727_1280-7-13-15Hot stone massage is a form of massage therapy that involves the use of warmed stones placed on the client’s body. Before the session begins, the massage therapist first sanitizes the stones and then heats them to approximately 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper temperature is critical in delivering a comfortable yet beneficial hot stone massage. If the stones are too cold, the practice won’t have the same beneficial effect. If the stones are too hot, however, it can cause discomfort for the client. continue reading »

The Surprising Benefits of Using a Foam Roller

foam-rollerFoam rollers have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Featuring a simple log-shaped piece of foam, they offer a wide range of benefits from soothing muscle pains to preventing injury. Of course, these are just a few of the many reasons why you should use a foam roller.

One of the great things about foam rollers is the countless number of ways that you can use them. One of the easiest techniques is by getting in the “crab crawl” position with the foam roller placed under one of your legs. As you glide back and forth, the roller will massage the calf muscle. continue reading »

Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint Pain With Massage

hand-351277_1280Do you suffer from the chronic inflammatory joint disorder known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? If so, you aren’t alone. According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. have the disease (source). While it’s more common in adults over the age of 35, both men and women of all ages can develop RA.

To better understand RA, you must first take a step back to view how the body responds to foreign invaders. When bacteria, mold or other invaders attempt to enter and attack the body, the immune system responds with its own attack. With RA, however, the immune system views the soft tissue surrounding the joints as foreign invaders; thus, creating a wide range of unpleasant symptoms. continue reading »