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How to Give Yourself a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:22 -0800

Back when I was but cub reporter Bella, one of the editors at the magazine where I worked had a singular obsession: lymphatic drainage. The woman talked about it as if it was the holy grail of spa services, and she'd return from her appointments glowing and, she swore, five pounds thinner. Lymphatic drainage is a massage technique designed to help the body rid itself of extra fluids, so for the water-retentive among us, it can mean a visible slim-down. Unfortunately, it's also pricey. But never fear! In her book Being Simply Beautiful, author Helen Noble gives a step-by-step tutorial on self lymphatic drainage. So to find out how to get the lymph out, just keep reading

Do Tell: Would You Sing to Your Pets?

PetSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:00:13 -0800

Umm, try telling North that "petting is passé!" I know it's sweet to treat a pet to a massage and I definitely liked Maryjean's tips on different tempos and the need to speak to a pet but, that's not where the video magic (mystery?) really comes in. When she started singing, I wondered what my dog would do if I crooned him a tune. I'm certainly no songstress so, if he could cover his ears, he probably would - do you create songs for pets swapping in their name for the normal lyrics?

Ease Sore Muscles With a Tennis Ball

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:57 -0700

Getting a massage is not always an affordable option to relieve sore muscles. I use The Stick at home but when I'm on the go it's not something I can take with me. Because of its size, a tennis ball provides on the spot muscle relief wherever you are.

Here's how I've been using mine:

For leg muscles I sit down on the floor with my legs outstretched and place the ball underneath myself where the thigh meets the butt. I slowly move from side-to-side and let the ball work itself over my muscles, placing my hands on the floor for support. This motion can be worked all the way down leg. After that's done, I turn over and place the tennis ball under the front of my thigh and start the rolling motion all over again.
For my back, I place a tennis ball between myself and a wall - this works especially well for the muscles near the neck and shoulders. Lean back into the ball and let it roll back and forth over your muscles.
Use a tennis ball underneath the arch of your foot to relieve tired muscles. Sit down in a chair and place the tennis ball under your foot. Put some pressure on the ball and let it roll up and down the muscles of the foot. This is an easy way to get a great foot massage!

The basic idea is that you can work a tennis ball into a trigger point with just a little bit of pressure. If you need to cover greater surface area, put a few tennis balls into a long sock and tie off the end.

Flashback: Time For a Cat Massage!

TresSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Are you fluent in meow? This lady is! If you were, you'd know that petting is passé and what your cat really wants is a massage. Afraid Kittles might bite? Use a stuffed Tigger for practice, especially before you try any major "whisker alert" moves. But, really, I don't buy this woman has the touch of a fairy that she claims. This cat is drugged. Look at his eyes!

Definition: Rolfing

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:02:42 -0700

It's not what you think, I promise. Although its name sounds unfortunately like what can happen during a bout of nausea, rolfing is actually a form of deep-tissue work (practitioners don't call it massage) named after its creator, Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Rolf's light-bulb moment came when she realized that, while traditional massage treats the body as made up of separate parts, those parts are actually all held together by connective tissue, so adjusting any one muscle indirectly adjusts them all. In order to relieve stress and pain and relax muscles, she worked with connective tissue to realign the entire body. Although rolfing itself has never quite made it onto most spa menus, a lot of its techniques have, and Rolf's ideas about connective tissue have contributed to our modern, more holistic view of massage and body care.

Definition: Myofascial Release

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:00:17 -0700

This term from the realm of physical therapy refers to a form of deep-tissue massage intended to stretch and release bonds between connective tissues, thus giving healthier muscle alignment and greater range of motion. Lately, however, it's become popular in antiaging facial massages, since some people believe that stretching the fascia (the soft tissue that protects your muscles and organs) can help eliminate wrinkles and sagging in your face's underlying musculature, or at least relieve tension to minimize fine lines.

These Massage Goodies Let You Get Stoned

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:00:32 -0700

If a massage is good, a stone massage is great - which is why hot-stone massages are a perennial favorite at spas. While we don't condone picking up gravel from your driveway (pyrite, microwave, disaster), we can get into the kneading spirit with JimmyJane's new Contour Q massage stones ($25/pair, at right). The ridged, rippled devices are made of ceramic, so they can be heated or cooled safely. Plus, the design is modern yet warm, kind of like a Jonathan Adler objet d'art, but functional. Plus, you know what they always say: whe couple that massages together gets its kinks out together. (Wait, that's not what they say, but you get the point.)

Give Yourself a Hand . . . Massage, That Is

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:02 -0700

I'd get a nice, long massage at a spa every day if I could, but fortunately for the massage therapists of the world (and my wallet), I have work, family, friends, Mr. Bella, and pets to keep me from going completely shiatsu, Swedish, and Thai stone crazy. That doesn't mean that I've given up on pampering myself, though. Instead, I've picked up some simple techniques from the pros that relax and recharge my muscles. Self hand massages are especially easy to learn, and if you spend all day typing like I do, they feel amazing. So give yourself a minute, break out a little of your favorite lotion or oil, and check these strokes out.

View Slideshow ›

Relax Already: Swap Coffee For a Massage Break

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:15:34 -0700

I normally think of a massage as a relaxing treat that's more likely to put me to sleep than wake me up. But the other day, a massage taught me a lesson. Craving an afternoon caffeine fix, I instead ducked into a place near my office that does chair massages.

After a vigorous, 10-minute back, neck, and hand massage, I actually felt more awake. Better yet, my arms and upper back were tension-free, and I felt reinvigorated. Next time you're in need of an afternoon pick-me-up, why not try the same tactic? The key is keeping the massage quick, targeted, and therapeutic, rather than long and relaxing. I think you'll be surprised how much it perks you up from the afternoon slump.

What's the Deal With Craniosacral Therapy?

FitSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

When basic massage or chiropractic adjustment doesn't ease your pain, it might be time to try craniosacral therapy. Similar to massage, a therapist applies gentle pressure to your spine, shoulders, head, chest, and abdomen to manipulate and adjust the craniosacral system - cranium (or head), the spine and the pelvis. This type of therapy is said to ease restrictions in nerve passages, encourage movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord, and restore alignment of bones in the spine. Its purpose is also to enhance the body's own self-healing abilities. Aside from back or neck pain, craniosacral therapy is used to treat migraines, TMJ, and stress. A session lasts about an hour, and it doesn't come cheap - around $85 to $200.

There are no scientific studies to back up the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy, but it has been around for over 100 years, so it must be helping people. Tell me, have any of you ever had a session with a craniosacral therapist?

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