It's been awhile...

Yes it has. In fact it has been a year since my last post. Goodness me, time has flown. And what a busy year it has been in the growth and development of Stress Less Bodyworks.

Since I last posted in June 2012, Stress Less Bodyworks has:

• moved clinic space

• taked on more remedial and pregnancy clients

• spent a little too much time on Facebook (but hey, thats the nature of this wonderful technology that we have)

• completed a Meditation teacher training and Holistic Counselling course

• undertaken various workshops and professional education course in soft tissue techniques and pain management

• achieved a certificate in Pregnancy Massage through Pregnancy Massage Australia

• developed an online aromatherapy and essential oil shop

Yes, it has been a busy year of treating and enhancing my skills. I have seen 11 babies born to Stress Less Bodyworks Pregnancy Clients so far, and have 9 more on the grow. It has been an absolute joy to nurture, support, prepare and relax these mums to be.

And I am now refocused on the social media scene, so make sure you stay tuned to the SLB blog for more info, tips and ideas to make your life a Stress Less Life.

Be Happy and Stress Less

Nicola 

Detox Massage - turn SAD into GLAD!

abdominal massage - a major part of the Detox Massage

It's that time of the year again, when SAD takes hold along with the colds and flus. SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as the Winter Blues, has a tendency to contribute to increased toxins in the body due to our over eating, over sleeping and lack of exercise. However, this year  I have become aware of the many friends and clients who have decided to turn SAD into GLAD this season and under go a process of extreme self care, or Detox.

What is Detox?

A detox may be described as a cleansing of the body from the toxins and poisons that may have accumulated in the colon, lymph, lungs, gallbladder, skin, blood, kidneys and liver. A detox gives the body a chance to clear and remove toxins, thus enabling our body systems to work more effectively and efficiently.

Every day we ingest toxins from the foods we eat, the drinks we consume and the air we breathe. Our bodies also create internal toxins as the result of inflammation and stress response bi-products. A build up of excess toxins from the over consumption of  and refined foods, alcohol, smoking, drugs stress may leave the body feeling tired, sick, stressed or overweight.

Symptoms of toxicity build up

One of the major signs of toxin build up in the body is the breakdown of the immune system which may present itself as many different ailments headaches, muscle and joint pain, abdominal bloating, fatigue, irritability, mild depression, heartburn or even flu like symptoms. Infact, many of these ailments may be experienced during the early stage of detox. 

Detox Massage

It is common for our  bodies to develop a somewhat sluggish lymphatic flow from inactivity and build up of toxins in the body.  One of the primary goals of massage therapy is to increase the efficiency of lymphatic flow and assist in relaxation. Relaxation of the mind and the muscles assists the body to eliminate toxins properly.

Techniques that are energising, stimulating and promote flushing and flow assist in the removal of toxins that are stored within the body. Lymphatic drainage techniques assist in the flushing away and removal of built up fluid and bloating in the body. Abdominal massage can assist in moving stored toxins that are built up in the colon and intestines. And the application of foot massage allows for important internal organs to be stimulated or sedated through reflex points.

Benefits of a Detox Massage

• assists the digestive system

• assists sluggish liver function

• promotes levels of friendly bacteria

• stimulates blood flow to the skin surface

• increases blood and lymph flow

• stimulates the immune system

• assists in the elimination of toxins 

• supports weight maintenance and weight loss

• reduces bloating and flatulence

• increases energy

• increased concentration/clarity

A Detox Massage is a holistic body treatment that aims to cleanse the body, mind and spirit and help with the detox process. The treatment is a 90 minute massage that encompasses the whole body and uses an organic massage oil blend of Sweet Almond Oil with Patchouli, Orange and Lavender Essential. The Detox Massage will leave you feeling relaxed and you will experience a lightness as your energy is able to flow freely, harmonising body and mind.

Have a Stress Less Day!

Nicola

Six Tips to Clamping down on Nocturnal Leg Cramps

common areas of leg cramps

This weeks blog post is inspired by a lovely Facebook friend who asked this question this morning:

 "Does anyone have any ideas of what to do about ongoing leg/foot cramps?" 

As the Facebook responses flowed, I learned that my friend, like many people, suffers from the annoying nocturnal leg cramp that can appear several times a night, out of the blue and with no real explanation or link as to why it is occurring.


What are noncturnal leg cramps?


Nocturnal leg cramping has been a bit of a mystery for health professionals to solve because often the specific cause is unknown. What is known however, is that the leg cramps are muscular spasms that may be caused by trigger points (knots) within the Gastrocnemius muscle contributing to myofascial pain and referred pain patterns into the calf and sole of the foot.


There are many factors that contribute to the symptoms of nocturnal leg pain and Gastrocnemius dysfunction including: overuse syndrome, muscle fatigue, dehydration, poor muscle conditioning or low levels of essential body minerals like magnesium, potassium and sodium.


Six tips to Preventing Noncturnal Leg Cramping


If you experience nocturnal leg cramping, you don't have to suffer with it. A good deep tissue massage that treats the trigger points and myofascial pain will assist in easing the frequency of night cramps, along with addressing any structural or postural issues. 


However, there is also plenty you can do for yourself to prevent the reoccurrence of nocturnal leg cramps:

1. Stretch the calf muscles three times a day and before going to bed.Face a wall and put your hands on the wall and keep them there. Step backward. Keep your knees locked. Keep your heels on the floor until you feel a strong pull in your calves. Hold that position for 10 seconds. Repeat two or three times.
2. Exercise feet and legs regularly.
3. Drink plenty of liquids.
4. Eat plenty of potassium-rich foods. This includes bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, oranges, and grapefruit.
5. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
6. Sleep with toes up, not pointed downward. 

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

 

Feeling Generous

I am loving the change of season at the moment. Autumn is a great time of the year, the rain starts, the days get cooler and our beautiful town begins to slow down. It's the perfect time to get back to nurturing your body, and start addressing those aches and pains.

The good news is that I am feeling generous, and you are going to benefit from this!

For every Massage treatment booked at the Stress Less Bodyworks studio in the months of May and June, you will receive a complimentary

 15 MINUTE FOOT REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE OR 

a 15 MINUTE PRESSURE POINT HEAD MASSAGE!!!!! 

Do your health a favour...follow the link below to the Stress Less Bodyworks facebook page, "like us" and find our contact details.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stress-Less-Bodyworks/279708293248?ref=tn_tnmn

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

It's a Pain, Repetitive Strain

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and overuse syndrome is extremely common in Australia's workforce, affecting people in many occupations including chefs, hairdressers, computer operators and trade workers. 

A repetitive strain injury happens from the repetitive actions and over use of a certain body part. RSI commonly presents itself as injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, tendonitis, lumbago, headaches and migraines. However, these conditions are all preventable, so long as you listen to the body's signs and symptoms.

Symptoms of RSI and Over Use Syndrome:

• persistent aches and pain
• muscle stiffness or muscle weakness, clumsiness
• fatigue and difficulty performing normal tasks, like turning on the tap
• tingling or numbing sensations, burning sensations or shooting pain in small restricted areas like the forearms or fingertips

The first signs of an impending RSI or over use injury may present as soreness, tingling or discomfort in the arms, neck, shoulders, lower back or legs. The symptoms may come on when you perform an action or afterwards. The symptoms may disappear when you stop the action, or they may take a few hours or even days to ease up. Over time though, if left untreated, the symptoms can become chronic.

The most important factor in preventing this type of injury from developing into a chronic condition is to listen to your body and take action. Notice the symptoms and warning signs. Stretch daily and take regular breaks each hour to momentarily rest those body parts affected. And receive regular Remedial Massage Treatments.

Have a Stress Less Day, 
Nicola