Public Health Care Option

Sandalwood is one of the most treasured aromatics by aromatherapy practitioners, and perhaps one of the most treasured by human civilization as well. Recorded use of the wood and its products date back over four millennium, more than any other aromatic plant. Yet while most practitioners make use of the oil for its unequaled scent, few are aware of some of its important science-proven medicinal effects.

The exotic oil comes from the heartwood of trees native to certain tropical regions of the world. Curiously, the sandalwood tree is only found growing on, or intertwined with, other trees; it’s considered, in fact, a parasite. Further, the trees are quite slow growing, and demand a certain amount of age before being mature enough to distill a significant volume of high-quality oil. This makes for a unique challenge in growing the wood and distilling the precious essential oil.

The wood considered the world’s finest is the Santalum album species of India. The trees have been so over-harvested however that they are now endangered. In India and Nepal, it has been decreed that the governments of these nations are now the owners of all the sandalwood trees in these nations. Sandalwood oil has essentially come to a stop in these countries, and the only “legal”oil left is several years old, produced before the ban went into effect. On a very positive note, the acclaimed Indian species of the tree is under large-scale cultivation in Australia (a producer of a very pleasant wildcrafted essential oil as well), though these have not reached maturity in numbers for commercial availability of the essential oil.

Obviously there must be something to this oil for it to be so prized! While the oil and the wood have been closely tied to spiritual practices for thousands of years, research laboratories are only just now uncovering some profound medicinal properties. A paste made of the wood has historically been used as medicine for the skin, and now it’s been discovered the essential oil alone can actually prevent the formation of skin cancers. When skin is pre-treated with the oil, then exposed to potentially damaging quantities of ultra-violet radiation, the formation of cancerous tumors is significantly reduced.

Researchers at South Dakota State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, noted “alpha-santalol, a major component of sandalwood oil, is effective in preventing skin cancer in…UVB-induced skin cancer development.” Researchers at the University of Colorado, Denver, noted that the oil caused apoptosis (normal cell death) of cells that were on their way to becoming cancerous. Clearly the essential oil makes an important therapeutic contribution to skin care formulations for those spending a lot of time in the sun.

The aroma is highly regarded for its calming, centering qualities, without being sedating. Researchers in Vienna, Austria published research indicating study participants were positively affected in the areas of alertness, attentiveness, calmness, mood, relaxation and vigor. This correlates to its long-time use as the first choice aromatic in aiding meditation. It is reputed to quiet mental chatter, again while bringing the awareness to a singular focus.

Interestingly, while the oil heightens awareness, it actually supports deeper, more restful sleep. Research on the inhalation of the aroma showed that study participants usually challenged to get a good rest spent much less time awake, and the total time spent in “rapid eye movement” sleep was also increased. The affect was attributed to the oil’s action in the bloodstream after inhalation, not on the sensing of the aroma. So a gentle massage with the oil may be just as effective as using a diffuser for improved sleep with the oil.

This is just a brief look at some wonderful therapeutic actions available using sandalwood. Its skin care properties go far beyond sun protection; these include care for dry skin, mature skin and acne-prone skin as well. The oil is very safe, and well-tolerated by nearly everyone. When you find yourself looking for a source of sandalwood, you’ll find several varieties available. Research has shown them to be fairly equivalent in many respects therapeutically — for skin care, the lower-cost Australian is an excellent choice. For aromatic uses, find one that you enjoy the most! And know that a little goes a long way — start with a small amount, and enjoy its subtle, uplifting nature.

The author is a natural health professional utilizing aromatherapy and essential oil blends.

categories: aromatherapy,massage,yoga,alternative health,natural health,cancer,sleep,supplements,disease,illness,fitness,health

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Swedish massage is a set of 6 elements developed in the 18th century by Henrik Ling. Ling pioneered the use of 6 integrated elements which effectively allowed the body to absorb more oxygen. This is now called classic massage and is found throughout the world. These 6 elements are now being replicated by technology and are available in massage chair recliners. The premier massage chairs brands of today offer music, heat, tretching and an array of massage therapies. The 6 elements of Swedish massage are available in the best massage chairs.

Stress hits us in various ways in our daily lives. With the various challenges we have, we put stress on various parts of the body. In general, stress impacts us mentally by causing thoughts of fear. This fear translates into physical tension as the flight or fight reactions stir up our muscles for action. This physical tension builds up in the body. It is further sustained by how we mentally deal with stress, which for many is to deny it. These physical and mental stresses have a cumulative effect as it builds up in the body.

To help alleviate the pain, aches and soreness, massage treatments have been developed and practiced through time. Swedish massage is considered one the most basic massage styles. Swedish massage is aimed at alleviating pain and to enhance the body’s health. It helps detoxify the body by increasing cell metabolism which eliminates their waste materials.

Effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapottement, traction and vibration are the 6 elements of Swedish massage. Each element of the Swedish massage technique is defined here. The use of long sweeping strokes covering many parts of the body is Effleurage. The use of kneading and squeezing of the muscles is Petrissage. The use of heat to help blood flow and muscle relaxation is Friction. The use of tapping and chopping motions to loosen muscles is Apottement. The use of pulling and stretching the arms and legs is Traction. The use of shaking to loosen muscles and stimulate the capillary vessels is Vibration.

The best massage chair recliners have integrated the 6 elements of Swedish massage into their chairs. These premier massage chair brands use a combination of electro-mechanical systems driven by sophisticated software to deliver the Swedish massage effectively. Whether it is the massage rollers performing Effleurage or Tapottement performed with a rhythmic tapping action, these massage chairs have evolved in sophistication and effectivness. Of course, a massage chair recliner does not tire, so relief is only the push of a button away.

Check out Panasonic and Omega Massage because their massage chairs have advanced the Swedish massage technique the most. The Omega Montage Elite and the Omega Montage Premier massage chair both offer all 6 elements of Swedish massage. Omega has integrated full body heat into both of these chairs. Panasonic with the Real Pro Elite does not offer heat, so it is lacking one element of Swedish massage. Not all chairs offer the Swedish massage elements. A great place to start is with the Real Pro Elite by Panasonic or the Omega Montage Premier massage chair.

Swedish massage has come along way from the days of Henrik Ling. Mr. Ling would be amazed that the techniques he pioneered have been engineered into the robotic massage chairs of today. Many of the same benefits provided by his pioneering efforts can be found in these mechanical masseuses. However, Mr. Ling found the real benefits of Swedish massage when it was performed on a routine basis. Sporadic visits to the Spa are not as effective as periodic application. If you are looking for Swedish massage techniques, a massage chair recliner is an excellent way to perform on a routine basis.

The Best Massage Chair for back pain relief from Omega Massage, Sanyo, Panasonic, and Human Touch. Peruse current Swedish Massage Chairs about the top massage chair brands currently available.

Full body massage is a therapy that is involved by several individuals. The full body massage is generally attended by supplementation or alternative medicine treatments. A variety of supplement that is necessary for full body massage to find an efficient treatment is a hot stone. There are also other supplements that are necessitated for doing the treatment for instance implements, salt, acupressure, aromatherapy as medium and many more.

Hot Stone Therapy

Full body massage with a hot stone therapy needs oil to sport in giving relaxation to the customers. This oil facilitates better melding of the stone against the skin. There are a lot of variations of full body massage with hot stone treatment. The variations of the type of this massage are depending on the training that is experienced by masseuses about how to practice hot stone for the therapy. They are trained to employ a hot stone to any form of massage for instance Shiatsu, Thai body massage, and the rest.

The stones that are ordinarily employed for a hot stone therapy are dark colored, smaller than a fist, and also sort of flat. The stones are preferred as their properties can be used to retain heat and in order not to crack under the constant heat. The hot stones are normally left on the body and are practiced in the middle of the body massage. These hot stones are usually put at the back for minutes. Therefore, their heat will be able to penetrate the tissues and muscles and to take their profits during the full body massage.

Many individuals feel that a full body massage with a hot stone therapy is applying them a lot of advantages because it can relieve aching muscles and their tired so they get relaxed. By employing the warm oil, it can facilitate the hot stone to rub all parts of the body that is from the back and then down to the legs. Each person will get various desires how to place the hot stones whether it is from the back or the front. When the hot stones are placed from the front, smaller flat stones can be located on his or her face, chest, stomach, and legs.

You will get a lot of profits from full body massage with a hot stone therapy. One of the benefits that you can find from this is that you will relax after doing your daily activity. Besides, it will also help you to get rid of your weariness, to relieve your tension and aching muscles, and to regenerate the individual immensely. So, a good idea for you is that you have to try the full body massage with a hot stone.

On the subject of massage, you will need useful equipment such as body massager and hand held back massagers. Choose these devices as your great choices to have desired result you want.

Finding the right massage therapy supply items is important whether you are a massage therapy student or a seasoned massage therapist. With all the suppliers and massage therapy supply distributors out there, how do you know that you’re in good hands?

Your Suppliers and Distributors

Examine your massage therapy supplier’s claims and advertisements carefully. Massage therapy supply companies and manufacturers usually share the same claims. No company will be modest and tell you that their products are only half as good as the competition’s. You should then expect to read a lot of words like, “best,” “large scale”, “quality,” affordable,” and “leading.” The problem now is finding out which companies can really live up to their ads. There are of course auctioneers and small time businesses that will also honestly sell you a limited line of products. You would however want only the best massage therapy supply items so you should be ready to spend a little more.

Online Shopping

The internet provides for most – if not all – of your needs including massage therapy supply items. Thus, it won’t be surprising if you find a busy massage therapist scouting the net for supplies before shopping in brick and mortar massage shops. Even physical store shops now feel the need to hawk their wares online or they’ll get left behind by competition. The problem however with online advertisements is that they can even be more misleading especially for the inexperienced. You should therefore take note of a couple of good online shopping tips.

- Massage therapy supply directories can provide you with a complete lists of massage therapy items suppliers and distributors. You could look at some directories and pick out several companies. This will allow you to compare stocks, prices and additional services.

- Check the websites of massage therapy item suppliers that you’re considering. Websites alone can tell you if its run by professionals or not. Good massage therapy supply companies will give you comprehensive lists of products and descriptions. They can also be easily contacted and will gladly and quickly provide you additional information or advice.

- One great advantage of the internet is the convenience and most of the time you simply have to click a button and your order will come right to your doorstep. If you are a first time customer though, it would make better sense to make an initial visit to a massage therapy supply company’s showroom. Inspect their merchandise and ask for samples. If a company does not have a showroom than ask for a catalogue and some samples.

Joining Conventions and Associations

An enthusiastic but first time practitioner should also always ask the advice of people who are already experienced at massage therapy supply shopping. You can do this by contacting associations and asking for tips or by simply logging on to professional forums.

Joining conventions and conferences is a great way to meet other massage enthusiasts as yourself. Trade shows will not only let you sample massage therapy supply products but you will also get a chance to test tools and equipment and ask questions. Conventions are the perfect time for you to roll out your long list of questions and get instant answers from retailers and manufacturers. Once you find the equipment and supplies you like, you simply have to ask for ordering details.

Impress patrons with the top massage therapy supply items. Be a wise massage therapist and find only the top deals online.

A day spa is a great place to go to relax. You can find many different massage therapies to relieve your tensions and anxieties. For most of us, the use of a day spa may be once a week or maybe a few times a week. The occasional day at the spa helps to relieve stress that has built up over the course of a week or a few days. Unfortunately, the stress reduction from an afternoon at the spa lasts for the rest of the day. Stress and anxiety is ongoing and doesn’t stop at the day spa. You can have daily stress relief with a shiatsu massage chair recliner.

Many studies show that therapeutic massage reduces feelings of anxiety and stress while helping to be more relaxed and alert. A stress relief massage aids in relaxation while contributing to emotional feelings of wellness and greater peace of mind. Shiatsu massage chairs have specialized functons to relieve tired, sore and aching muscles to help you relax and feel better.

The best massage chair manufacturers include music therapy. These manufacturers have functions to synchronize the massage to the music in their MP3 players. The mind has many ongonig pertubations making relaxation difficult. Music therapy induces relaxation by calming and quieting the mind. The top massage chairs provide a total sensory environment with music and massage inducing whole body relaxation.

Doctors and researchers are beginning to discover that in addition to the positive impact of massage on anxiety. It can also help the patient lower blood pressure, increase circulation, heal from injury, sleep better and increase concentration. Shiatsu massage recliners have capabilities to massage the entire back, the thighs and buttocks, the calves and feet and the hands and arms. All of these factors have a positive effect on combating stress and anxiety.

As anxiety and tension decreases with a routine massage chair therapy, the body’s energy and invigoration increases. As one feels better, in turn, an improved self-image, sense of self worth may result. In fact, massage therapy and the depression connection is now being explored. That’s because massage therapy has in some cases helped to reduce feelings of depression and negative self-worth. If your body is stressed and you cannot relax, this can lead to anxiety which may start thoughts of negativity. With the help of a shiatsu massage chair, this cycle could be reversed.

With a shiatsu massage chair, one does not have to give up trips to the day spa. A massage chair will increase the frequency of access to massage therapy which helps to provide daily relief. Day spas offer treatments that you cannot get with a massage chair, such as a sauna or peels or wraps. Maybe we will see these in the future as technology advances, but for now a routine massage or an evening in a massage chair can really work wonders on your physical and mental well-being.

Looking for massage chairs? Read up on massage types, current massage recliner features and peruse a vast assortment articles on massage chair articles and evaluations and reviews at your leisure.

One of the most memorable times for women is pregnancy. There is so much going on and at the end a beautiful life is began. Simply, amazing. This is a beautiful time in a woman’s life. Many women can just seem to have babies and never have weight problems. While others, you know, have to watch their diet. Of course, we have to exercise and we should relax and recovery with massage chair therapy.

The body during pregnancy goes through some tremendous changes. There is a build up of weight gain for most women until child birth. Immediately after giving birth women will have excess weight, but remember two lives were just being supported. At least during the first three weeks after birth. Weight will drop do to heavier than normal sweating and more frequent urination as the body lessens the level of fluid.

However, you need to prepare yourself for the worst case scenario. Understand why you have this additional weight gain. Also realize that it is only temporary. This is necessary for your emotional well-being. It can be conquered and you will lose the extra weight with hard work, perseverance, and an iron will.

There are numerous suggestions that will help you to lose this extra weight. Some of these helpful hints are obvious such as diet and exercise. Others are not so obvious such as massage chair therapy. When taken together, the weight can be lost and lost for good.

First and most important is your diet. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes lean meats, grain-type breads, fruits, and vegetables is critical. Junk food is not advised and should be avoided. Instead, indulge in a healthy snack such as nuts, popcorn, fruits, vegetables, raisins, and a wheat-type cracker.

If you frequently eat fast food, then this becomes challenging with the high levels of sodium. Sodium helps the body to retain water which after pregnancy means weight. A substantial part of your weight gain during pregnancy is from the weight of water. You have to ingest a lot of water. The other item to watch is soda pop. The high concentrations of sugar also work against losing weight. Bottled water will do you just fine.

Exercise starts with E and means Effort. You have to make an effort to get a consistent routine of exercise going. It is all too easy to go from one thing to the next and never exercise. Take time for you and get yourself in shape. You and the baby will both be happier. Talk to your medical professional as to what is right for you.

Did you know that breastfeeding is a dieters dream? Breast feeding can wipe out up to 500 calories a day when you breastfeed. If you do breastfeed, you must make sure that you are getting adequate nutrition during this time. Discuss this with your physician and find out how you can lose weight while breastfeeding.

Massage therapy has been used throughout the ages for recovery and healing. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy and after as well. You have to deal with improving your diet and exercising. You also need time for you to recover. A quick massage from a massage chair is ideal. It is the friend you need, when you need it. Relief is finally on your schedule.

One of the toughest things to do during and after pregnancy is checking your weight. Most women fear the worst. Weight has such a psychological and emotional baggage with it. Women can’t believe they are just gaining weight so fast during pregnancy while they worked their whole life to not have it. Be realistic with your weight loss targets. Just a hint, it did take you nine months to gain it. It would not be unreasonable to expect 9 months to lose it!

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience and the greatest gift of life. As with all important health issues, speak with your medical doctor about what is right for you. Weight loss is important, but make sure you get the doc’s blessing on what you do. Find out how diet, exercise and massage chair therapy can help you find that new balance.

Why not integrate a Massage Chair into your bustling lifestyle. Give yourself the chance to heal and rebound for a harmonious lifestyle. Massage Chairs are an terrific compliment to your diet and exercise.

As you know, a massage chair can provide you with the relaxation that you need without having to leave the comforts of your own home, and buying a massage chair is probably one of the best things that you can do for yourself.

Below are 10 steps on how to find the perfect massage chair, because after all you are worth it. When you find that perfect massage chair you are sure to have the utmost in relaxations and satisfaction.

1. Decide on the features you need

Because there are many chairs on the market to day you will first need to decide which features are the most important to you.

* In massage there are many massage techniques, which one do you prefer? (Kneading, rolling, Swedish, shiatsu, tapping, etc)

*Do you have any neck pains, shoulder aches, or back problems?

* Do you need a chair that can provide full back and lower body massage?

* Do you want to have control over the speed or intensity (or both) of the massage?

2. Consider the features of the massage chair

You have now read some of the preference you might like to have, now when you are out looking you can better judge the kind of chair you want, but remember to also take a look at higher-end chair models as they will have some additional built-in components for additional optimal massage performance:

* Heating system (can recreate the experience of getting a hot stone massage)

* Reclining system (can help you relax more easily)

* A Musical feature (some massage chairs come with MP3 player)

3. Try out the massage chair before buying

Whether you are buying the massage chair online, or offline, make sure you try the product first before buying. It is only after you try a massage chair that you can determine if it can provide you the massage that feels right for you.

4. Read massage chairs reviews

When you are looking to invest in a massage chair it is smart to check out reviews about the chair first so you would know if the people are satisfied with their purchase.

5. Ensure that the product comes with a warranty

A massage chair is a big investment; you will want to read how much the warranty will cover. You will also want to know the type of service that the manufacturer will provide in case you experience a problem with the device. Some manufacturers give free repair, others replace parts as well.

A massage chair is a worthy investment for your health and well-being. Make sure you choose a high quality massage chair that will give you optimal performance and efficient service that you need to have a good and relaxing massage therapy. Once you find that chair, sit back, relax and let the wondrous massage chair do its magic.

Want to find out more about the benefits of massage chairs. Visit Dr. Alan Weidner’s site www.massage-chair-relief.com on how to choose the best chair for your needs.

The hot stone massage is of Swedish origin. Though it is not very old, it has already gained a very large body of adherents all over the world. The hot stone massage has found favor with massage therapists in many countries, and is actively practiced on almost every continent. The reason for its rapid popularity is its efficacy in easing a number of physical ailments, whilst relieving mental tension at the same time. If you’ve never had a hot stone massage, here’s how it will be.

In a hot stone massage only the stones are moved over your body. The massage therapist hardly needs to touch you with his hands. He simply moves and relocates the stones as required by the therapy.

No touching means no pressure, and that translates to no pain! If you’ve been through a regular massage, you’ll agree that though tolerable and somewhat relaxing, there is a modicum of pain in a regular massage. Those people who have had severely painful experiences with regular massages, can now migrate to the hot stone massage to experience a massage that is absolutely painless.

There are different types of hot stone massage. The massage therapist will study your case and recommend a particular form of hot stone massage depending on what your problem is. Basalt stones heated to 120 degrees are used to deliver the massage because these stones retain their heat for the duration of the massage.

Now begins the massage proper. You lie down on a massage table, as in a regular massage. Then the massage practitioner places the heated stones on your body. The ones on the limbs are lighter than the ones on the torso. The larger stones are better at radiating deep-penetrating heat which is able to treat the thick muscles of the torso.

The heavier stones placed on your torso do not require to be moved much or at all. The smaller muscles are moved gently over the limbs in such a way that all the muscles are treated properly.

You will certainly benefit from a hot stone massage if you suffer from nagging skeleto-muscular problems. Backache, muscle stress, sprains, inflammation, all these problems are effectively solved. Best of all, you’ll find that your mental tension disappears along with your body’s aches and pains! A hot stone massage is indeed an experience not to be missed!

To learn more about the hot stone massage and other massage variations go to www.Full-Body-Massage-Therapy.com. You’ll also discover why electric massage chairs are a great way to get a simple massage when you don’t have the time to go to a licensed massage therapist.