Massage and Mums

Every Mum deserves a Peaceful Moment

Mothers Day is just around the corner. I myself am on the cusp of being a new mum again for the third time, so I thought it fitting to write a piece about massage and mums.


Happy Mothers Day!

Whether you are a mother, have a mother, or know a mother, Mothers Day is time to honor those who've played this important role. Stepmothers, birthmothers, and godmothers too. While there are as many ways of being a mother as there are moms in the world, one thing is certain: it's a tough job, but a rewarding one. Here are just three ways massage might be of service to the mothers in your life.

Expecting Mothers

Prenatal massage is a growing field, as training programs for massage therapists increase and old myths about massage during pregnancy fade. Massage can ease the aches and pains associated with increased weight, loosened ligaments, and shifts in center of gravity. There are all kinds of cushions and props that can help pregnant women relax comfortably on a massage table, no matter what their dimensions. Contrary to the old tale, massaging the feet, ankles, back, or even stomach will not cause miscarriage when done appropriately.

Of course, massage therapy, while helpful, isn't a cure-all. Massage can't stop that nosy neighbor from touching your belly every time she stops by, or cravings for hot chips and spearmint milk at 2:00 AM. But it can alleviate some of the symptoms that naturally come with growing a new human being, leaving expectant mothers more free to focus on the hope and joy that make pregnancy such a fabulous stage of life.

Adoptive and Foster Mothers

Biological mothers typically get a nine-month period to prepare for parenthood. Foster and adoptive mothers might wait and wait for news … then find themselves parents of a tot or teen virtually overnight. Plenty of mothers juggle soccer practice with homework, but fewer have to add court dates and social worker visits to the mix. Not only can these realities place unusual stress on foster and adoptive moms, their uncommon nature means that it can also be harder to find much-needed understanding and support.

Massage can help manage this stress, for all members of the family. Symptoms of stress, such as headaches, high blood pressure, and anxiety, can all be alleviated by massage. And for children who come from backgrounds where touch was lacking (or inappropriate), pediatric massage can help them develop a healthy relationship with touch. When foster and adoptive mothers learn some of these techniques for themselves, it can also be a way for children and their new parents to bond.

Mothers of Young Children

Unlike pregnant mothers, who often feel like their motherhood draws too much attention to themselves, society tells mothers of young children that their role is all about their children first, second, and last. Getting up in the middle of the night to change a leaking diaper? Chasing a toddler into the street? Taking time off work to care for a kindergartener with an ear infection? No matter, it's not about you, mom. It's about your kids.

It's true, to a point. Who wouldn't make sacrifices for their children? But one factor that can contribute to a healthy, happy childhood is a healthy, happy mother, and every person deserves to take steps towards their own well being, mothers too!

Massage therapy can help the body rest and recuperate from the effects of a busy schedule, interrupted sleep, and the physical strain of lifting and interacting with growing children. It also provides precious time for moms to focus on their own needs, apart from the responsibilities of mothering. And for those mothers who find themselves dealing with the very real condition of postpartum depression, massage may also play a role (although far from the only one) in an appropriate treatment plan.

Mums who are not mums

For women who don’t have children, by choice or circumstance, Mothers Day can be melancholy. There is great joy in being a Favourite Aunt, Baby Spoiler, and Super Supporter of all her friends with children, but we don’t have specific days to celebrate those roles. Women without children don’t always get all that snuggle time with little ones that raises oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. Massage is a great way to get the happy chemicals pumping.  If there’s a woman in your life who loves your children, or makes your job as a parent better or easier, Mothers Day is a great time to recognize her. 

Get your favourite mum(s) a massage gift certificate here massagemargaretriver.com. It’s easy, fast, and a gift she’ll love!

And to the mothers out there reading this, on Mothers Day and every day … here's to you.

Have a Stress Less Day, 

Nicola

Four ways to keep stress at bay this Autumn

As much as we enjoy the falling leaves and cooler weather of April, there can be a bit of a dark cloud hanging in the autumn sky. Often the first few weeks of the month are a filled with planning and organising as the April school holidays loom, and a rush of new schedules as the kids’ winter sports seasons fire up. 

Maybe that’s why April is Stress Awareness Month; to remind us to take care of ourselves, and not let stress go unchecked.

Meditation

Meditation does not have to be about pretzeled legs, chanting, and reaching enlightenment. It can simply be about creating a moment of stillness in your mind as a way to become more relaxed. Just one minute, 60 seconds of meditation, can dramatically improve your mood, your productivity and the quality of your day.

Exercise

It can be tough to make time for exercise when the schedule gets tight and tensions get high. But that's when it becomes even more important. Exercise can relieve the physical symptoms of stress like fatigue, pain, and moodiness. If you can't make time for daily workout, try to fit a 5-10 minute walk outside into some part of your day. A little goes a long way when you need it.

Giggle and hum

Both laughter and music can lower the blood pressure. In fact, this study in 2011 showed that 3 months of laughter or music therapy resulted in the same drop in blood pressure that could be achieved with a low-salt diet, losing 10 pounds, or taking a blood-pressure-lowering medication. 

So cue up the "Who's on first?" or dance around with your kids while making dinner and work some giggling and humming into your day.

Massage

Regular massage can improve sleep, relieve headaches, reduce muscle pain, and improve moods. Plus, massage feels good. When you feel good, you play more, work more efficiently, and take better care of the people you love. Schedule a massage now to prepare for a busy (and fun) autumn!

Commit to taking care of yourself this Autumn! You may be surprised with the results.

Have a Stress Less Day!

Nicola

Five Self Care Tips for Shoulder and Neck Tension

You have had your massage treatment and you are feeling great. Your shoulders have dropped, you can move your head and neck with ease. The pulling at the base of your skull has disappeared and the headache has eased up quite considerably.

But how do you make it last? 

What can you do to keep the benefits of your last massage treatment going until the next one?

There are plenty of self care tips that you can do to keep you feeling relaxed and to prevent muscle tension creeping back before your next massage treatment.

Five Self Care tips for neck and shoulder tension:

1. Exercise and stretch - gentle movement like shoulder rolls, rotations and shrugs keep the muscles warm and moving, assisting in decreasing tension and improving circulaton. Neck flexion and extension and head rotation will also help to support healthy muscle function by preventing overuse and maintaining posture.
2. Break - take regular breaks throughout the day from repetitive actions and movements that you know trigger muscle fatigue and tension. Use your breaks to stretch, hydrate with water or herbal tea and readjust posture.
3. Heat therapy - under a hot shower, you can stretch your neck and shoulder muscles, and I recommend that everyone incorporate this as part of their shower routine. A heat pack will help to ease msucle soreness and soothe the area. You can even use a warming lotion or cream like Michael's Medi Rub, which contains Arnica (for muscle strains, sprains and bruising) and Emu and Eucalyptus Oils which assist in relieving pain and inflammation, and smell good too.
4. Stress less - become committed to a routine that promotes relaxation. Stress is a big aggrevator of neck and shoulder pain and tension and there are many ways to manage this stress from mediation, to yoga, swimming, listening to relaxation music, taking a hot bath with epsom salts and lavender essential oils, learning to breathe deeply with abdominal breathing.
5. Sleep - getting adequate sleep, between 7 - 9 hours per night for adults, and using the right pilow for your body can go a long way in easing neck and shoulder tension. Poor positioning during sleep can contribute to restless sleeping and neck pain or stiff neck upon waking. You need to find the right pillow for your style of sleeping that prevents neck flexion during the night. Your pillow should support the natural curve of your neck. 

Together with regular massage and following these Self Care tips, neck and shoulder tension and associated stress can be prevented, and you can keep the benefits of your last treament going further.

Have a Stress Less Day!
Nicola

 

Get Relief from Tight Traps

common areas of muscle soreness in the Trapezius Muscle

The Trapezius Muscle is a broad triangular shaped muscle which attaches to the base of the skull, and lies at the back of the neck, over the upper shoulders and extends down your upper back to your mid back. It is one of the most likely muscles to get sore knots or trigger points.

It has several actions including:

• moves the shoulder blades towards the spine
• moves the shoulder blade up and down
• brings the head and neck back into extension
• rotates and side bends the head and neck
• assists in breathing

The muscle is divided up into three groups; the upper, middle and lower fibers and depending upon the action under taken, depends upon the flexibility of this muscle. 

On most people, the upper fibres of Trapezius present as tender, knotted up muscle. This muscle is the first to bother you when you are under stress, and you may feel the ache or burn from the base of your skull to between your shoulder blades.

Trapezius muscle pain, is classic stress pain. Your shoulders will ache, the base of your skull and neck will hurt. You may be aware of a pressure or pulling at the base of your skull. And there is often the presence of headaches. 

Most of these pain symptoms are related to postural imbalances of the body which may be caused by:

• head forward posture when driving, reading, using a computer etc
• holding a phone between your shoulder and your ear. It is much better to get a headset or use a hands free system
• carrying a heavy bag or backpack or baby/child
• sleeping on your back or stomach with your head turned to one side
• whip lash injury 

The good thing though is that Trapezius pain is very preventable and treatable with plenty of stretching, exercise and remedial massage treatments. I have helped many people with ongoing Trapezius pain find relief from associated headaches and shoulder tension through the application of deep tissue massage, pressure point work, trigger point therapy and myofascial release. Everyone responds well to Trapezius massage.


Have a Stress Less Day!
Nicola