Most Americans know that massage therapy can help relieve stress and pain, reduce blood pressure and boost the immune system. And, more people than ever are trying massage for the first time.
Perhaps you received a gift certificate for massage. Maybe works been stressful, and youve thought about getting a massage to unwind. Or maybe youre already a fan of massage and want to try a different type of massage.

Whatever your reasons, there are some basic things you should know to get the most from your massage.

There are many terms for types of massage. The American Massage Therapy Association? AMTA designates the various methods as massage modalities. Ask your massage therapist what massage modality will give you the results you want.

The most popular include

- Swedish massage The most common type of massage, to relax and energize you.
- Deep tissue massage For muscle damage from an injury, such as whiplash or back strain.
- Sports massage To help prevent athletic injury, keep the body flexible and heal the body should injury occur.
- Chair massage Massage of the upper body, while fully clothed and seated in a special portable chair.

Finding a qualified massage therapist is also important. Ask your massage therapist about his or her credentials. And remember, each massage and bodywork modality requires specialized training.

AMTA, which requires members meet education standards, recommends asking the following questions

- Did you graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation COMTA or from an AMTA member school?
- Are you licensed or registered as a massage therapist in this state? Not all states license massage therapists.
- Are you a member of AMTA?
- Are you certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork?
- Do you have training in any specific massage modalities?

The web has become an excellent resource to help you find qualified, accredited massage therapists in your area.

Living in or visiting Fairfax, Virginia is an experience that you really wouldnt want to forget. Fairfax is a wonderfully modern city with a rich history and historical sites, great people, and fantastic shopping. But trying to see and do everything that Fairfax has to offer could leave you wanting a massage. Massage in Fairfax is provided by independent State Certified Massage Therapists, Licensed Massage Establishments, and a growing number of Day Spas.

Massage in Fairfax is an experience that people from all walks of life find enjoyable after an exciting day exploring Fairfax and something they want to repeat over and over again. Whether your goal is to relax and relieve stress with a slow, soothing massage, relieve muscular pain and chronic tension, have a pain free and more comfortable pregnancy, or improve your sports performance Certified Massage Therapists in Fairfax can help you achieve your goals. In fact there are several available types of Massage in Fairfax. The most commonly offered massage techniques in Fairfax are

Swedish Massage – relaxing massage using gliding strokes, kneading, friction, and striking strokes along with gentle stretching and rocking.

Deep Tissue Massage – massage of the deeper musculature and connective tissue to release chronic tension and pain. Its often a firmer massage that is appreciated by experienced clients.

Sports Massage – massage to assist the athlete in preparing for and recovering from sports events.

Neuromuscular Therapy – advanced pain relief targeting specific trigger points in muscles, tendons, and attachment sites. A great choice if you have muscular pain.

Trigger Point Therapy – targeted pain relief using specific pressure to release painful knots in muscles.

Positional Release Therapy – a gentle pain relief technique where the therapist moves the client into specific positions that allow the body to release tension.

PrenatalPregnancy Massage – massage for the mother-to-be helping her to decrease pain and discomfort throughout the pregnancy.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage – specifically used for decreasing swelling and edema as well as improving the circulation of the bodys lymph. Its detoxifying and some think it improves the immune system too.

However, in addition to the more commonly practiced massage therapy techniques your Fairfax based Massage Therapist might also practice some other well known and highly effective massage therapy techniques

- Medical Massage
- Myofascial Release
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Hot Stone Massage
- Connective Tissue Massage
- Thai Massage

You might even want to try a very special massage therapy treat when you get a massage in Fairfax like Couple’s Massage where a couple can receive their massages together in the same massage room with two massage therapists. Or, for the true massage therapy enthusiast some Licensed Massage Establishments and Day Spas offer Four Hand Massage, Duo, or Tandem Massage, where you can receive therapeutic massage by two massage therapists at the same time.

Massage in Fairfax is also convenient to receive. Massage in Fairfax is available on an incall basis at a Massage Therapist’s office, in a Licensed Massage Establishment, or in one of many conveniently located Day Spas. Massage in Fairfax is also available on an outcall basis in your Fairfax area home, office, or hotel. No matter where you are in Fairfax a great massage is only minutes away.

So if youre in Fairfax what’s stopping you from getting your massage? Massage in Fairfax is relaxing, stress reducing, pain relieving, and performance improving so get one today…you’ll be glad you did!

The word massage derives from the words ‘mass’ and ‘massa’, Portuguese and Arabic meaning to touch or handle. Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Everybody can massage, and most of us already do so without even knowing it. When you rub your hands together, you’re doing massage. When you’ve stubbed a toe and rub it better, or rub a baby’s back, you’re doing massage. Massage is a natural thing to do, and the effects of massage promote health in a very natural way.

Massage can help everybody in numerous ways

Stress Reduction With current day living we tend to live hard working, hurried lives and stress can accumulate in our bodies in various ways, including neck, shoulder and back pain. Massage therapy identifies those areas and helps reduce muscle tension, as well as the overall level of stress and tension in the body.

Pain Relief People with arthritis, whiplash, neck or back injuries and even those unfortunate enough to be involved in car accidents can all benefit from massage. Different massages relieve the different kinds of pain experienced. Massage can also benefit those suffering from anxiety and depression.

Sports Performance Many top sportsmen and women employ massage therapists to treat and even prevent injuries from occurring.

If you’ve never given a massage before here are a few things you’ll need
Clean Towels
Old Clean Sheet massage oils will stain
Candles
Romantic CDs
Massage Oil

Before you start your massage, you’ll need to set the mood.
Lock the doors, and turn off the phone.
Set the bed ready, use an old clean sheet as massage oils will stain, and roll towels up for
a head and neck rest.
Turn the lights off and use candle light instead for a more romantic feeling.
Put some calming music on.

Good communication is essential for an effective massage. Let your partner know what you would like to do and where you are going to start. Start with light strokes and when you feel your partner is relaxing move onto to a massage.

1. Pour about two tablespoons of massage oil into the palm of your hand, and rub your hands together lightly. When the oil is warm and evenly distributed, begin massaging your partner’s back with long, deep strokes.
2. At the beginning, communicate frequently with your partner to determine if the strokes are too hard or too soft. Keep your hands in contact with your partner at all times, take your time with each rhythmic yet sensitive stroke, and proceed from long, gliding strokes to shorter, deeper strokes.
3. Use your body weight rather than your arm strength for deep strokes. Once you have developed a rhythm that pleases both of you, move on to the shoulders and arms, and progress to the legs and feet, brushing the buttocks as you move up and down your partner’s body.
4. Ask your partner to turn over. Begin massaging the chest, arms and hands. Pay special attention to your female partner’s breasts don’t be too invasive at this stage, but don’t ignore them. Lightly stroke the nipples and undersides.
5. Glide down to the legs, brushing the genitals on your way down. After finishing the fronts of the legs and feet, glide back up and slowly brush over the genitals. Tease your partner by brushing his or her inner thighs near the genitals, and very lightly touching the pubic region.

Massage is an ideal form of foreplay and can often lead to more. Introduce sex toys too – they are perfectly safe and highly recommended. Once the massage is finished, remember to carry on with the relaxation by spending some time together before falling asleep or rushing out the door. You have both just shared a very intimate experience together. If this was your first attempt at massage, just remember practise makes perfect.

It’s time to start a Healthy life
your 7 days program

How many times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you’ll go to the gym in the morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you get up, you don’t feel like exercising?

While this can happen to the best of us, it doesn’t mean you should drop the ball altogether when it comes to staying fit. What people need to realize is that staying active and eating right are critical for long-term health and wellness — and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The more you know about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can customize a nutrition and exercise plan that is right for you. When you eat well, increase your level of physical activity, and
exercise at the proper intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn a substantial amount of fuel. This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy.

In other words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, which, in turn gives you more energy throughout the day and allows you to do more physical work with less effort.

The true purpose of exercise is to send a repetitive message to the body asking for improvement in metabolism, strength, aerobic capacity and overall fitness and health. Each time you exercise, your body responds by upgrading its capabilities to burn fat throughout the day and night, Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to work for you, but it does need to be consistent.

I recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise four times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session, and resistance training four times per week for 20 to 25 minutes per session. This balanced approach provides a
one-two punch, incorporating aerobic exercise to burn fat and deliver more oxygen, and resistance training to increase lean body mass and burn more calories around the block.

Here’s a sample exercise program that may work for you

Warm Up — seven to eight minutes of light aerobic activity intended to increase blood flow and lubricate and warm-up your tendons and joints.

Resistance Training — Train all major muscle groups. One to two sets of each exercise. Rest 45 seconds between sets.

Aerobic Exercise — Pick two favorite activities, they could be jogging, rowing, biking or cross-country skiing, whatever fits your lifestyle. Perform 12 to 15 minutes of the first activity and continue with 10 minutes of the
second activity. Cool down during the last five minutes.

Stretching — Wrap up your exercise session by stretching, breathing deeply, relaxing and meditating.

When starting an exercise program, it is important to have realistic expectations. Depending on your initial fitness level, you should expect the following changes early on.

From one to eight weeks — Feel better and have more energy.

From two to six months — Lose size and inches while becoming leaner. Clothes begin to fit more loosely. You are gaining muscle and losing fat.

After six months — Start losing weight quite rapidly.

Once you make the commitment to exercise several times a week, don’t stop there. You should also change your diet andor eating habits,’ says Zwiefel. Counting calories or calculating grams and percentages for certain nutrients is
impractical. Instead, I suggest these easy-to-follow guidelines

Eat several small meals optimally four and a couple of small snacks throughout the day

Make sure every meal is balanced — incorporate palm-sized proteins like lean meats, fish, egg whites and dairy products, fist-sized portions of complex carbohydrates like whole-wheat bread and pasta, wild rice, multigrain cereal and potatoes, and fist-sized portions of vegetable and
fruits

Limit your fat intake to only what’s necessary for adequate flavour

Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water throughout the day

I also recommend that you take a multi-vitamin each day to ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

I suppose that’s all I can think of for now. I should extend my thanks to a doctor friend of mine. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to write this article, or keep my sanity.

Enjoy life, we all deserve it.

You’ll find many more useful information and articles at Health & Vitality – to Enjance Your Life.

Health & Vitality for all your life-enhancing and personal development products. – Visit

Pains and aches are part and parcel of every pregnancy. Physical discomfort, muscular tensions, headaches, backaches, pains occur due to increase in weight, shifting posture and hormone levels. Pre natal massages aim to improve circulation, alleviate aches and pains, eases muscular tensions and other pregnancy related symptoms, perking up expectant mothers mood and mental attitude.

Stress related areas which demand attention are back, neck and shoulder. Massaging the legs reduces blood pooling and full body massage to the headscalp, feet, hands and face area provides relief from tensions and aches. All the areas should be massaged gently and pressure should be applied when needed.

Experienced masseurs pick ways that are safe and effective and provide special pampering and comfort. Prenatal massage offers encompasses a broad range of benefits such as

- Increases circulation
- Improves digestion
- Reduces fatigue
- Reduces swelling in hands and lower legs, fewer calf cramps
- Eases backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches caused due to muscular tension and postures to accommodate the increasing weight.
- Lessens pain in the pelvichip area
- Alleviates stress on weight bearing joints such as knees, ankle and lower back
- Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
- Reduces stress hormones
- Decreased insomnia
- Helps in maintaining proper posture

Prenatal massage during pregnancy is beneficial emotionally as it allows soon to be moms to unwind, feel calm, healthy and comforted during the period of physical and emotional stress.

Prenatal massage can be done in different ways. Expectant moms mostly lie on their sides. A newly designed pillow especially for expecting mothers is available. This pillow has deep center cutout enabling the moms to lie flat on their bellies making them relaxed and comfortable. Lying flat on back reduces circulation of blood to the mother and child; pillows are used to keep the mother’s body in elevated position. Body pillows are used for side lying positions too.

After delivery, new moms are under all kind of emotional and physical stress, especially sleep deprivation. Post partum massage is therapeutic, helping the body to return to its normal state by adjusting to the physical and emotional demands of their little one.

Massage is usually safe for most mothers, though it is advisable to check with your doctor prior to getting one. If you have high BP or diabetes, prenatal massage is not recommended. It is ideal that you tell your therapist if you any problems or complications with your pregnancy. Duration of the massage can be anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour. It depends on how much discomfort you are experiencing and how much time you have on hand. Massage once a week during 2nd trimester and twice a week or more during 3rd trimester are ideal.

The folks at the Sanibel Harbour Spa are serious about relaxation. Their 40,000-square-foot spa is devoted entirely to revitalizing frazzled nerves in a calming seaside setting. They carry the tranquil theme throughout, with soothing water sculptures, botanical accents and sea-based treatments. Walking through airports can leave your tootsies in need of attention. As soon as the bellman takes your luggage, head immediately to the spa for a mandatory Pedisage don’t worry, our Spellchecker isn’t broken. This is a real treat for overworked feet gentle cleansing and exfoliation with sea and plant-based products followed by a massage that will leave you feeling as though you’ve been walking on air, not standing in long airport security lines.

The most strenuous part of your stay is choosing where to eat dinner. From courtside steaks and seafood, to cocktails poolside and romantic sunset dinner cruises, Sanibel has something to please every palate. Your vacation isn’t complete without one of Sanibel’s amazing body treatments. We recommend the Peppermint Sea Twist with aromatic peppermint oil and fresh European seaweed, which stimulates, rejuvenates and improves circulation, making it an ideal treatment for sore aching muscles and water retention. The Mango Salt Glo is also worth a try dampened sea salts, rich in minerals, cleanse, exfoliate and stimulate the skin, and a layer of energizing Mango Mist.

Still have the sound of screaming babies from your plane ride reverberating in your head? Sanibel Harbour Spa has just the remedy. The BETAR Bio Energetic Transduction Aided Resonance sound bed offers relaxation through sound and music. This unique machine is one of only 16 such systems in the world. Set within a geodesic dome structure, the BETAR bathes you in music and natural sound rhythms via a state-of-the-art sound system, for the ultimate in relaxation.

In terms of accommodations, Sanibel has numerous options, including 240 hotel rooms, 107 concierge-style commotions location in a private enclave within the resort, and several waterfront condominiums.