My Blog

May
21
2019

Remedies for Neck Kink.

Waking up with a stiff neck or a kink in your neck can ruin your entire day, and sometimes most of your week! Remedies for Neck Kink. Kink in neck.  Or sometimes it's just from being in a particular position at your desk for too long, staring at a computer screen and all of a sudden your neck is as stiff as a board. We've all been there at least once and know how utterly frustrating a kink in your neck can be, but thankfully some DIY fixes that can ease the pain of a stiff neck in moments. Here are a couple of top tips to help you get back into proper working order if you're suffering from neck stiffness!

1. Applying direct heat or cold to the affected area can relieve you of pain and also relax those neck muscles and return them to their normal state. This isn't an instant fix, as it's recommended to use a cold source on the area first (typically in 48-hours) and then apply heat after. Do NOT use cold/hot compresses on your neck while you're asleep because this could lead to an even stiffer neck since you don't have control of its position as you're sleeping.

2. Stretttttttttch those muscles! Rotating your neck, arms and shoulders will help relieve the stress built up in your upper body. This is especially true for your neck, and it's recommended to take a few moments out of your schedule to stop, breathe, and stretch. A few stretching techniques for a stiff neck are;

Slow clockwise/counterclockwise rotations of the neck, letting each ear hit their respective shoulder and your chin touching your chest five times. (If this exercise causes too much discomfort, leave out the clockwise/counterclockwise motions and move your head slowly from side to side - letting your ears hit your shoulders).
Rotate your shoulders backward and down as well as squeezing your shoulder blades together roughly ten times.
Push your head gently back into a headrest or your hands and hold the position, straightening out your neck, for 30 seconds.

3. Don't stop moving! It's hard to want to move when you have a kink in your neck; most want to lie down and pray it goes away, but the smart thing to do is keep moving. Avoid any jerking reactions or moving too fast, ease into the movements and let your muscles strengthen again.

4. Over the counter pain relievers is a huge help. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are fast acting pain relievers that can numb the pain and make it easier to get through your day. On top of the other steps given, following the recommended dose of the over the counter pain reliever will help you recover quicker and more comfortably.

So the next time you're thinking about picking up a neck brace to work to keep the pain from taking over, just follow these steps to get yourself back on track. Stretching while at your desk, even when your neck isn't sore, is an excellent way to keep the blood flowing and will guarantee no stiffness while you sit. That way you can prevent having to go through any of the other helpful steps listed here!

A relaxing massage is also a great way to relieve pain from your neck and anywhere else. Schedule a massage with Kristin Churchill today! 

 

Mar
25
2019

What is a cupping massage?

There's are few things more relaxing than enjoying a professional massage to ease your tension and get rid of any stress you're carrying on your body. What is a cupping massage? There are so many different types of massage out there, from a simple neck and shoulder massage to using various oils and ointments and creating a full body experience to remember. Some might even look like they could be painful, but aren't! A prime example of that would be a cupping massage.

What exactly is a cupping massage?
It's in the name! It is using a type of glass/silicone/bamboo/earthenware cups on specific parts of the body that need treatment. The point of using these cups on the skin is to create suction on those particular parts.

What are the benefits of a cupping massage?
When the cups are attached to the problem areas, suction form, and it's basically like pulling all the bad out of your body. Cupping helps with blood flow, general pain, inflammation, and has the same relaxation benefits as that of a deep-tissue massage.

Is this type of massage new?
Not! It might sound like a new form of relaxing massage, but it's been around for centuries. It goes back to ancient times throughout Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cultures. Record of the use of cupping as a type of therapy dates all the way back to 1500 B.C.!

I've seen this done with fire before! Is this safe?
100%. As long as your cupping therapy is being done by a trained professional, there should be no worry of severe burns or anything unsafe. The flames never touch your skin as the therapist will either put a flammable substance (alcohol, herbs, etc.) or paper in the cup, set it on fire, and place the cup down on your skin once the fire is out. This is done because as the air cools, it creates a vacuum which provides perfect suction for the cup. If you're not a fan of fire being used, silicone cups are a great alternative since you can squeeze them before placing them on the affected area. Be advised that this method can leave the patient with very minimal burns that could leave them with a slight discomfort after the session.

Will this bruise my skin or make me bleed?
There can be light bruising depending on skin sensitivity. There should be no blood unless "wet cupping" is being done. Wet cupping is when the same process is used with the cups but the therapist will remove the cup after 3 minutes and using a small scalpel will create light, little cuts before replacing the cups and drawing out small bits of blood. During this type of cupping, it's not recommended to use more than 7 cups. 3 to 5 are the ideal number.

Cupping isn't for everyone, but it could be just the thing for someone who needs more than just a simple massage in a spa. An intimidating but highly effective form of massage might be the key!

Click here to schedule a cupping massage! 

Jan
30
2019

Is a massage okay for older adults?

As we age, our bodies begin to slow down and give us reminders like pain and stiffness. Is massage okay for senior citizens? Seniors sometimes have a difficult time continuing to enjoy physical activities due to chronic ailments like osteoarthritis or Parkinson's disease. Physical activity is exceptionally vital for older adults, however, because exercise improves flexibility, mobility, and even good mental health.

Massage therapy for older adults is an effective way to help alleviate many of the age-related symptoms and conditions we experience. With regular massage therapy, seniors experience improvements in overall quality of life with increased energy levels and an overall healthier and younger feeling.

Massage therapy benefits older adults by:

Increasing blood flow to our extremities - Good circulation becomes increasingly challenging to achieve as we age. Massage therapy provides this most critical benefit for older adults by helping blood flow accurately to the limbs.

Improving our balance and gait - As we age, our bones tend to become stiffer, increasing the risk of falling. Massage therapy's ability to increase healthy blood flow improves our balance and reduces our risk of falls.

Stimulating our nervous system - Massage therapy tells our brain to release endorphins and hormones that are beneficial for a properly functioning nervous system.

Improving our mood - Massage therapy produces feelings of connection and comfort. Combined with the release of happy hormones and endorphins, massage therapy improves our overall mood, making us feel more comfortable and more relaxed.

Increasing flexibility - Massage softens up our tight muscles and joints, giving our bodies a full range of motion and an increased ability to enjoy the physical activities involved in daily living.

Kristin Churchill is experienced in many different massage techniques for people of all ages. Schedule your appointment with Kristin today.  

Dec
06
2018

Can a massage beat the winter blues?

winter massageAside from the commonly known benefits of soothing sore muscles, improving blood circulation and pain relief, massage has other, less widely known mental and emotional health benefits as well!

When you are always plagued with anxiety or depression (the winter blues), the stress hormone cortisol builds up in your body. Cortisol raises your blood pressure and lowers your immune system. 

Massage therapy works to combat these issues by increasing the flow of good hormones like serotonin and dopamine to your brain, causing instant relief from symptoms of depression and sadness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - otherwise known as seasonal depression or the winter blues, is often triggered by the shift from summer and fall, to winter. Decreased sunlight in the winter, combined with increased time spent indoors triggers SAD in many people and significantly reduces its sufferer’s quality of life.

Massage therapy tackles these issues head-on by:

  • Reducing depression and anxiety 
  • Decreasing heart rate 
  • Reducing systolic blood pressure
  • Reducing diastolic blood pressure
  • Lowering stress hormones
  • Improving mental health

While releasing the structural collapse associated with depression, you will also be releasing the breath process which will allow depressed clients to energize their system and have more energy. This additional energy will enable them to take part in their lives and move out of depression.

Jun
19
2018

Massage Rids Body of Toxins

massage toxinsWhen it comes to seeing or hearing the word ‘toxin,' most people associate it with doing a cleanse; cleansing your body of toxins, detoxing your body, etc. But what most people don’t realize is that there are other ways to rid your body of toxins without having to drink a chunky green juice or any other odd tasting liquids. In fact, some methods of detoxing your body can be downright relaxing if done correctly! Massage therapy is a great way to rid your body of toxins in the skin and feel much better almost immediately.

According to the Pain Education Institute, there has been sufficient research to back up that massage helps release toxins from the body. It works just like a massage works, from insert to origin, massaging the muscles and helping break free any toxins riddled intense, sore muscles. The most important benefit from a massage is to increase blood flow in specific areas; this helps wake up the circulatory system and recognize if there is anything wrong in the way, it’s time for it to move. After a deep massage, it is highly advised to drink plenty of water to help flush those now loose toxins out of your body for good.

A perfect addition to any massage session is the use of oils. Natural oils derived from plants can hold healing properties and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body during the massage. It also leaves the skin feeling hydrated and looking smooth, even with a possible glow.

Massage therapy is a perfect way to rid the body of nasty toxins, but keep in mind it may not be for everyone. As stated before, massage increases blood flow, and if a potential patient has any blood circulation issues, a massage could be a fatal mistake. Otherwise, there are many different styles of massage available to cleanse and detox the body and come out feeling relaxed, refreshed, and renewed!

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