Head Massage with Elements Wellness and Massage

What’s a Head Massage ( or Scalp Massage 

A scalp massage is a head massage designed to relax the mind and encourage circulation. Many times, tension is felt within the head and neck, so scalp massages can be very effective as a stress reducer. Warm oil is massaged throughout the scalp, working to relax tight muscles in the temple and neck regions.

This type of massage is often used in conjunction with either reflexology or the Raynor Massage treatment we use at the massage centre 

Benefits of a head massage

Scalp massage is said to offer a variety of benefits, which may include stress relief, reduction in headaches and migraines, and a boost in blood flow. The increase in blood flow aids in feeding and strengthening the hair follicles, which may cause the hair to grow at a faster rate, as well as aid in the fight to avoid hair loss.

When your scalp is massaged, the rest of you relaxes, too. That spillover effect may explain why the scalp massage is gaining popularity at many spas.

A simple shampoo has always included some kneading and stroking, but today many spas are offering services that focus exclusively on the scalp and are even sneaking scalp rubs into treatments for the body.

Origins:
Traditional scalp massages were accompaniments to oil-rich scalp treatments that conditioned the tresses and stimulated the hair follicles for healthy growth. But today’s massages are meant more for relieving tension.

You might enjoy an oil-free 20-minute scalp rub while waiting for the moisturizing effects of a body wrap to set in. Or your spa may combine a scalp massage with a reflexology treatment or a facial. Others offer scalp massages with neck-and-shoulder rubs or on their own—with oil optional.

As with any good massage, a scalp massage with tried-and-true techniques can turn a feel-good rub into something with greater benefits. Experts suggest massaging with fingertips and palms as well as using acupressure, which involves applying finger pressure on certain points on the head.

Like acupuncture, acupressure is based on the idea that lines of energy (called meridians) run throughout the body and that blockages along these lines cause discomfort, fatigue, and even illness. It’s thought that applying pressure on key points along the lines releases the blocked energy, remedying the problem.

To enhance the relaxation effects of the massage, breathe deeply.

Many spas feature scalp massage as an à la carte service on their menu, however, it is also a popular add-on with hair and styling treatments.

Good to know that a Scalp Massage is the Same 

Clients should note that oils used during scalp massage are different than what masseurs use while performing a full-body or back massage.

Head massage oils may include jojoba oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil, topped off with an essential oil such as peppermint, rosemary, or lavender.

http://perthmassage.network/head-massage-with-elements-wellness-and-massage/

WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY

 

Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. It’s based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. People who practice this technique are called reflexologists.

Reflexologists believe that applying pressure to these parts offers a range of health benefits.

Read on to learn more about how reflexology works and whether it's worth a try.

 

 

How does reflexology work?

 

There are a few different theories about how reflexology works.

In traditional Chinese medicine

Reflexology rests on the ancient Chinese belief in qi (pronounced “chee”), or “vital energy.” According to this belief, qi flows through each person. When a person feels stressed, their body blocks qi.

This can cause an imbalance in the body that leads to illness. Reflexology aims to keep qi flowing through the body, keeping it balanced and disease free.

In Chinese medicine, different body parts correspond with different pressure points on the body. Reflexologists use maps of these points in the feet, hands, and ears to determine where they should apply pressure.

They believe their touch sends energy flowing through a person’s body until it reaches the area in need of healing.

Other theories about reflexology

In the 1890s, British scientists found that nerves connect the skin and internal organs. They also found that the body’s entire nervous system tends to adjust to outside factors, including touch.

A reflexologist’s touch may help to calm the central nervous system, promoting relaxation and other benefits just like any form of massage.

Others believe that the brain creates pain as a subjective experience. Sometimes, the brain reacts to physical pain. But in other cases, it may create pain in response to emotional or mental distress.

Some believe that reflexology can reduce pain through calming touch, which may help to improve someone’s mood and reduce stress.

Zone theory is another belief that some use to explain how reflexology works. This theory holds that the body contains 10 vertical zones. Each zone contains different body parts and corresponds to specific fingers and toes.

Practitioners of the zone theory believe that touching these fingers and toes allows them to access every body part in a particular zone.

 

What are the potential benefits of reflexology?

Reflexology is linked to many potential benefits, but only a few of them have been evaluated in scientific studies.

So far, there’s limited evidence that reflexology may help to:

• reduce stress and anxiety
• reduce pain
• lift mood
• improve general well-being

In addition, people have reported that reflexology helped them:

• boost their immune system
• fight cancer
• get over colds and bacterial infections
• clear up sinus issues
• recover from back problems
• correct hormonal imbalances
• boost fertility
• improve digestion
• ease arthritis pain
• treat nerve problems and numbness from cancer drugs (peripheral neuropathy)

What does the research say about reflexology ?

There aren’t many studies about reflexology. And many experts consider those that do exist to be of low quality. In addition, a 2014 review concluded that reflexology isn’t an effective treatment for any medical condition.

But it may have some value as a complementary therapy to help reduce symptoms and improve someone’s quality of life, much like massage. Since the massaged area is the feet, for some people that will provide even more relief of stress or discomfort.

Here’s a look at what the research says about using reflexology to manage pain and anxiety.

Pain

In a 2011 studyTrusted Source funded by the National Cancer Institute, experts studied how reflexology treatments affected 240 women with advanced breast cancer. All women were undergoing medical treatment, such as chemotherapy, for their cancer.

The study found that reflexology helped to reduce some of their symptoms, including shortness of breath. The participants also reported an improved quality of life. But it didn’t have any effect on pain.

Experts have also looked at the effects of reflexology on pain in women experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In one older studyTrusted Source, researchers looked at the effects of ear, hand, and foot reflexology on 35 women who previously reported having of PMS symptoms.

They found that those who received two months of reflexology treatment reported significantly fewer PMS symptoms than the women who did not. However, keep in mind that this study was very small and done decades ago.

Larger, long-term studies are needed to fully understand whether reflexology helps to reduce pain.

Anxiety

In one small studyTrusted Source from 2000, researchers looked at the effects of one 30-minute foot treatment on people being treated for breast or lung cancer. Those who received a reflexology treatment reported lower levels of anxiety than those who received no reflexology treatment.

In a 2014 study that was slightly larger, researchers gave people undergoing heart surgery a 20-minute foot reflexology treatment once a day for four days.

They found that those who received the reflexology treatment reported significantly lower levels of anxiety than those who didn’t. Touch by another human being is a relaxing, caring, anxiety-reducing action for most people

Be aware that reflexology is often used in conjunction with either Raynor massage or a head and scalp massage

 

Is reflexology safe to try?

Generally, we find this system is very safe, even for people living with serious health conditions. It’s noninvasive and comfortable to receive, so it may be worth trying if it’s something you’re interested in.

However, you should talk to your doctor first if you have any of the following health issues:

• circulatory problems in the feet
• blood clots or inflammation of your leg veins
• gout
• foot ulcers
• fungal infections, like athlete’s foot
• open wounds on your hands or feet
• thyroid problems
• epilepsy
• a low platelet count or other blood problems, which can make you bruise and bleed more easily

You may still be able to try this system if you have any of these issues, but you might need to take a few precautions to avoid any adverse effects.

Warning

• If you’re pregnant, make sure to tell your reflexologist before your session, as some pressure points in the hands and feet may induce contractions. If you’re trying to use this type of system to induce labor, only do so with your doctor’s approval. There is a risk of premature delivery, and babies are healthiest if born at 40 weeks of gestation.

Some people also report having mild side effects after a treatment, including:

• lightheadedness
• tender feet
• emotional sensitivity

But these are short-term side effects that tend to go away shortly after treatment.

The bottom line

We understand that this type of treatment may not be a scientifically proven medical treatment for disease, but studies suggest it’s a helpful complementary treatment, especially for stress and anxiety.

If you’re interested in reflexology, look for a properly trained reflexologist who has registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council, American Reflexology Certification Board, or other reputable certifying organization.

This article first appeared in Healthline - 

http://perthmassage.network/what-is-reflexology/

Raynor Massage - As used by Element Wellness and Massage Therapy

What is Raynor Massage

Raynor Massage is a system of bodywork and massage developed by Australian trained Naturopath Brandon Raynor. It covers not just the muscles of the body but also the skeletal system and the subtle energy systems of the body.

Raynor massage is not performed as a routine massage, although we do have particular techniques, stretches & adjustments that we have developed.

Instead, the goal of Raynor massage is to find any residual tightness or blockage in the body & get rid of it. Whatever technique we plan to use, we must always evaluate it against this goal. “Is this move that I am doing helping to get rid of the person tension or not?” is a question that should always be asked by all masseurs

Residual tension means tension that is in the person’s body when the body is resting, for example on a massage table. In other words if a person has muscle tightness in an area when they aren’t using that area this is what we can residual tension and our goal is to get rid of this tension.

Importance of Raynor Massage

Another important concept of Raynor massage is that the source of some of the residual tension in the body can be from emotional or stress related reasons. We believe in the well accepted Eastern medical theories that the physical body is a gross manifestation of a subtle body composed of life force and emotions and other subtle energies. We refer to this life force as chi or prana. A blockage or disruption in the flow of chi or prana will cause an area of the physical body to become tight, blocked or forced out of position in the case of the bones.

We also believe that the body is one holistic organism and we don’t believe that dealing with one part in isolation is as effective as dealing with the whole person. So, in this way we recognize that one part of the body may be tight but that area is being held tight by another area which could then also be held tight by another area again.

We also recognize that the subtle body of emotions and the gross physical body are related and so we see that some tension may not be released in the body unless the corresponding emotion is also released. In this way we work holistically not just with our massage techniques but also with our rhythms. We encourage our clients to breathe deeply into their bellies during the treatment and to allow any emotions out that need to come out and to not hold them back.

Raynor massage has some of its origins in Eastern forms of massage like shiatsu, Ayurvedic massage, eastern chiropractic work, Lomi Lomi and yoga breathe work. However, we have integrated and evolved these techniques to fit in with our simple philosophy of finding every bit of tension in the body and getting rid of it.

We have emphasized certain extremely important parts of the body that are often neglected by traditional massage therapists, such as the abdomen, the sacrum, the hips and the feet, hands and head.

These areas tend to hold a lot of stagnation and blockage of the life force and freeing them up will generally have a great benefit not just to the areas concerned but to the whole being.

Raynor massage is generally recognized as one of the most powerful and effective forms of massage therapy today. It goes well beyond the realm of what most people consider to be the confines of a massage treatment.

Although Raynor massage uses knowledge gained from traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Reflexology and Hawaiian medicine among others we don’t let one particular philosophy dictate how we should treat. We learn their techniques but then we rely on our own senses to diagnose a situation and a client’s condition.

For some people, good massage may be very uncomfortable if they aren’t used to it. Then as their healing crisis finishes their body should feel a lot better, have more mobility and a general feeling of being more relaxed should ensue. The word “relax” actually means to bring back to a state of looseness. “Re” means to bring back to and “lax” means loose. So Raynor massage is actually a form of deep relaxation massage.

 

This article was written by  Brandon Raynor the Principal and Founder

of Brandon Raynor's Massage and Natural Therapies School

http://perthmassage.network/raynor-massage-as-used-by-element-wellness-and-massage-therapy/