Acupressure

3 Ways to Massage Away Nausea

Massage can be an amazing tool for relieving nausea, and here are a few ways that massage can help with nausea.

Self-massage is a great way to relieve digestive irritations, cramps, morning sickness, stress-related nausea and more. Many people hold their stress in their abdomen which can lead to nausea, general queasiness, and perhaps even vomiting. By gently massaging the abdomen, nausea can be greatly reduced. The motion of the massage is important when being performed on the abdomen – generally clockwise.

Abdominal massage is especially helpful when there is digestive upset. Using a clockwise motion, and beginning at the lower left portion of the belly, gradually work up toward the ribs, then from left to right across the body, and finally downward toward the lower right side of the large intestine. This follows the natural path of the gastrointestinal tract and helps with peristalsis of the stomach and intestines. You can also find relief from nausea by massaging in the middle of the abdomen in a counter-clockwise direction. continue reading »

4 Ways to Massage Away A Headache

In the United States, 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches. Headaches can be debilitating and career ending. Chronic headaches create added stress at work, at home and in everyday life. Massage can be a very important tool for relieving chronic headaches. It can be used proactively to prevent headaches and also retroactively to help relieve a headache that is already in full swing. Let’s look at some ways that massage can help with headaches. continue reading »

All About Reflexology

Most people associate the word reflexology with a form of foot massage, but it is so much more than that. Reflexology is defined as the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands and ears. The theory behind this technique is that these areas correspond to organs and systems in the body. When pressure is applied to these areas, it is thought to affect the organs and benefit a person’s health. continue reading »

All About Trigger Point Therapy

Ever had pain when you press on a specific area of your body?

It could just be a bruise, or it could be a trigger point. A trigger point is defined as a sensitive area in the muscle or connective tissue (fascia) that becomes painful when subjected to continuing compression, and thereby “triggers” an adverse reaction in other areas of the body. Chronic pressure on the associated nerves causes the muscle fibers to shorten, and often leads to pain. continue reading »

The Many Benefits of Acupressure

Acupressure is a form of healing that applies gentle pressure to specific points on the body. This healing therapy was developed over 3,000 years ago as an aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The technique uses precise finger placement and pressure on the specific healing points to stimulate the body to heal itself.

According to Asian medical philosophy, acupressure helps activate the pressure points to improve blood flow, relieve tension and improve energy. Acupressure is an effective form of stimulation that helps relax muscles, especially when done regularly. Daily use of acupressure can not only improve ailments, but it can minimize the recurrence of the symptoms. continue reading »

5 Pain Relief Trigger Points You Can Use at Your Desk

The number of desk chairs advertised to support low-back health and reduce neck and shoulder pain should be an indication of the strain sitting for so many hours a day can put on your body. Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day places between 20 and 30 extra pounds of pressure on your neck and shoulders each day. Poor posture can also contribute to neck low-back pain and tightness in your hips. As our society shifts to predominately seated, desk jobs, it’s important to have strategies to support your physical well-being while you work. continue reading »