REPOST: What to Expect From A Four-Handed Massage

Massage has been used all over the world to relieve stress and move a person immediately into a deep state of relaxation. But how does it feel to have two massage therapists working on your body? This article from Yahoo shares the positive health benefits of four-handed massage.

What makes the difference between a two-handed and four-handed massage? | Image Source: yahoo.com

Up high on the list of luxurious beauty treatments is a decadent massage—second only to an extravagant facial. But with luxury comes a hefty price tag that often requires some convincing to give into. Let us do the persuading.

If you’re in high school, prom plans may already be driving you up the wall with a laundry list of decisions to make. What color will you wear? Whose limo will you ride in? Where will you head for the after-party? And so on.

And if you’re a college student, not so fast! Sure, prom is so last season for you and we hate to burst your Spring Break bubble, but before you know it, finals week is going to encroach upon you sending your stress level through the roof.

At every age, there are daily stressors that can take a toll on your mind and body and quite frankly, we all deserve a little T.L.C. as often as possible. So stop into that spa you’ve been eyeling lately, and splurge on an indulgent massage that will get any kinks out of your pressure points.

This year, it’s all about the four-handed massage! “Think of it as a normal full-body massage times two,” says Jill Haidler, director of The Waldorf Astoria Spa New Orleans. What’s that even mean, you ask? The four-handed massages features a synchronized massage by way of two trained therapists. Yes, it’s as relaxing as it sounds. See below for everything you can expect from your first four-handed massage, then get to booking!

You will be more relaxed than any other massage service.
If the goal of a massage is to calm your body and clear your mind, you should not be wondering when the therapist is going to make their way to the other half of your body. With the four-handed massage you won’t. “With the four-handed massage, everything is being stimulated at once,” says Annie Cantrell, lead massage therapist at The Waldorf Astoria Spa New Orleans. “It’s kind of amazing how your brain is capturing that.”

You’re more than likely to fall asleep.
The point of any massage is to draw you into your most relaxed state, so falling asleep is totally acceptable and even encouraged! “I personally always fall asleep during the four-handed massage and when I wake up, I feel amazing!” says Haidler.

You should not be in pain.
“It’s important to be completely honest with your therapists because they’re not mind-readers,” says Cantrell. “It’s your hour, your experience, so communicate every feeling you’re having, whether you’re cold, in pain, or even ticklish. Whatever you’re feeling, speak up!” Deep tissue massages can tend to be painful, but Cantrell and Haidler agree that anyone under 25 should generally stay away from such structural integration massages.

You must drink water after the massage.
Water is a must after any massage. “Because you’re moving blood and toxins that are stored in your body around during the service, it’s important to flush your system as soon as your session wraps,” says Cantrell.

You may feel light-headed afterwards.
Don’t panic if you find yourself getting dizzy after your massage. “It’s a very common response,” says Haidler. “At the end of the massage, there are pressure points at the bottom of the feet that your therapists will probably target to center you before you stand up,” Cantrell chimes in. “If you’re still feeling a little off balance, that cup of water post-massage should help.”

You should book another in a month.
That’s right, if you can, enjoy a four-handed massage on a monthly basis to keep things on an even keel. And if you’re an athlete, double-up! “If you’re involved in something very active or repetitive like sports, frequent massages really do help the muscles, so consider upping it to twice a month.”

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Five reasons to go to the spa right now

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Many still make the mistake of thinking regular visits to the spa is a luxury that people with busy lives either can't afford or don't have time for. However, that isn't necessarily true. A visit to the spa will do wonders for you. Here are five reasons to rethink your opinion on spas:

To relieve stress

The top reason for visiting the spa is to de-stress. The spa is a place where you can break free from your stressful routine of waking up early and going to work. Spa treatments will help you relax and give you more energy to face life.

To detoxify

The environment is full of toxins that affect the body negatively both physically and mentally. Some spas offer massages and facials that help break down these toxins, which (if not removed from the body) may cause energy loss, bloating, and constipation.

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To boost health

Many services offered by spas are not just for beauty and pampering. They are also good for your health. Treatments including heat therapy, massage therapy among others help improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure. Some spas also help in losing weight by designing a diet that is both healthy and effective in reducing fat.

To manage pain

It's a good idea to visit a spa if you have ailments like arthritis, muscle pain, headaches, and other body aches. Massages can help reduce tension in the muscles and decrease and alleviate pain.

To pamper yourself

Spas can help you feel better about yourself. While beauty is subjective and not everyone agrees on its standards, a visit to the spa can help you feel beautiful. Some days it's just good to feel pampered and have someone else doing what you don't have time to do for yourself like getting a facial or a manicure and pedicure.

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A touch to the heart: Massages to ease loneliness

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It is very easy to get lost in the month of love. Inundated with countless heart cutouts, love reminders, flower merchants, and what have you, singletons around the world are reminded of their relationship status. February becomes especially hard among older adults and the elderly who might have already lost their life partners.

This separation often leads to negative psychological effects, which can eventually manifest into physical symptoms. It is not surprising depressed individuals often complain of back or chest pain. Scientists have extensively studied the relationship between the brain and physical wellness, and have seen that these two are constantly and continually affecting one another. Those who are healthier often report feeling happier and are usually well-adjusted and balanced individuals. On the same note, those who complain about their physical well-being generally score low in happiness scales.

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The relationship between the two has pushed many alternative health practitioners to suggest massage as a means to alleviate symptoms of loneliness. Massage, or touch therapy, stimulates certain pressure points that have a cumulative relaxing effect on the muscles. This alternative form of therapy is often used to alleviate pain caused by strenuous activity or locked joints. However, it is now being considered for its psychological effects as well.

Many studies have researched the mental benefits of touch therapy. Data suggest that a simple touch can have several small yet positive effects on a person’s well-being. Applicable for a wide range of psychological conditions, including loneliness, massages negate any ill feeling and often leave a person feeling more relaxed and well-conditioned.

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REPOST: A salubrious massage

This article shares the benefits of postnatal massages to newborns and mothers. 

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Some age-old postnatal practices are in existence for a reason. They have a well-rooted intention that is beneficial to both, the mother and the newborn, writes Tejashree Joshi.

Pregnancy and child birth are taxing phases for a woman, both physically and mentally.

Traditionally, regular massage of the baby and mother by an experienced and skilled masseuse has been an integral part of the care process, after the delivery. Being followed since generations, the significance of postnatal massage is well-documented in medical literature and is backed by present-day health experts, too.

During the first few months after delivery, daily massage of the mother substantially helps in relaxing her tense muscles, specially of the abdomen, lower and upper back.

After the exhausting delivery process, a massage relieves muscle spasms, improves blood circulation, soothes the nervous system and rejuvenates the mother’s body.

A massage also stimulates the release of oxycontins, which boosts milk ejection reflex, thereby making breast-feeding easier. It triggers the release of endorphins, which are the ‘feel-good’ hormones and natural painkillers. Moreover, regular body massage enhances overall wellbeing and tones the stretched muscles in the abdominal region, promoting speedy restoration of pre-pregnancy weight.

For the first three to six months, massaging the infant with the right strokes helps strengthen the muscles and bones, while enhancing the infant’s sensory awareness.

Daily massage improves flexibility of joints, enhances blood circulation, improves metabolic activity and digestion, and helps the baby gain weight. Massage also regulates hormone secretion in the baby’s body and reduces stress.

Studies have also established numerous benefits of massage for preterm and low-birth-weight babies, including weight gain, improved bone density and shorter hospital stay. Besides the physical benefits, a massage also has psychological advantages for both, the mother and the infant. Massage encourages pre-verbal communication between the mother and child.

The dynamics of infant massage facilitate parenting skills, infant-mother interaction and a mother’s ability to understand her baby’s positive and negative cues, such as eye contact, smiling, making babbling or cooing sounds, pulling away, crying or squirming.

It is, thus, imperative to sustain and encourage postnatal massages in order to ensure that newborns and mothers of the next generations are not deprived of its numerous benefits.

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Aromatherapy used to boost self-esteem

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In a recent study conducted among Korean elderly women, it was found that aromatherapy massages could have positive effects on self-esteem and anxiety. In a quasi-experimental group, researchers tried to determine the relationship (if ever) between aromatherapy and how a woman feels about herself.

This is a rather new suggestion. In previous analyses, different massage therapies were associated with physical conditions, such as pain or migraines. As better techniques were developed, therapies are now seen to benefit certain mental disorders such as anxiety. But there was still heavy emphasis on how therapies contributed to the physical well-being of a person.

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The connection is self-explanatory. Massage therapies involve having another person touch different areas of the body. Through varying pressures and movements, the therapist targets painful (or tense) muscle areas.

Given that, the concept of physical alternatives benefiting a mental characteristic is peculiar. The connection, however, is not unexpected. Psychologists and mental health practitioners have yet to develop a standard definition of self-esteem, although most agree that this concept is highly related to how a person feels physically. If a person is not prevented from engaging in daily activities because of pain or inflexibility, it can be argued that they would feel good about themselves.

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Aromatherapy is also the most ideal form of therapy for self-esteem, as it involves the utilization of different scents. Smell is often related to mood conditions, and many treatment alternatives have suggested that a person’s mood is dependent on what they smell.

Ultimately, while this is a relatively new study, the connection between aromatherapy and self-esteem should be further studied and developed. Even without scientific analysis, aromatherapy is still a great way for a person to relax and unwind.

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Can massage therapy help improve mental health?

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Many studies have been made on the benefits of massage therapy, but few of them detail the relationship between this alternative treatment and mental health. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests that more than 26 percent of Americans suffer from a mental condition. This amounts to approximately 60 million Americans reporting a mental illness, with nearly 21 million experiencing mood disorders and around 40 million suffering from of anxiety.

This alarming statistical figure is made even more disturbing by the suggestion that many individuals do not seek medical treatment either because of social stigma or ignorance. Additionally, sufferers may be hesitant to seek professional treatment because of the perceived cost. It is true that mental health treatments don’t come cheap, but individuals are encouraged to see the cost as an investment rather than an expense.

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New research has been made on affordable (yet still effective) alternatives for mental health treatments. In particular, many analysts are studying the connection between massage therapy and its benefits on mental health. Practitioners of massage therapy see it as a complete option because of its ability to soothe both the body and mind. Certain hand movements can trigger the brain to release hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, which have been medically linked to particular mental illnesses.

These data have given hope to sufferers of mental illnesses and massage therapy is now being considered as another avenue for mental health treatment. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that many people view massage as an effective means to improve both mind and body.

Despite this general positive outlook, the medical community still recommends to visit a qualified and registered mental health practitioner. Massage may be beneficial for certain conditions, but only to a certain degree. Further research still needs to be done on its efficacy for severe cases.

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Pampering at Massage Envy Spa May Just Be the Perfect Gift

If you are looking for a gift for that hard-to-shop-for person, you'll be happy to know that Massage Envy Spa is here to help with the perfect solution – a gift card!

Give a gift card and treat someone special to a relaxing massage. Massage not only feels great, but it has many health benefits. It can relieve headaches and improve posture, blood pressure, circulation, flexibility, and range of motion. Studies show it can even strengthen the immune system and speed post-operative healing time and healing time after injury. Clients can choose from deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal, geriatric, reflexology, cranial sacral therapy, or a sports massage. Massage Envy Spa massage therapists can also provide deep muscle therapy, which uses warming and cooling thermal treatments, and hot stone sessions, which involves smooth, heated stones placed on the body, followed by a massage customized to the client.

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But Massage Envy Spa offers much more than just massage. The spa offers several different options so that your loved one can be pampered in style. Clients can also opt for a facial or a sugar foot scrub, enhanced therapy that soothes and refreshes foot muscles as well as smoothing, hydrating, and protecting feet. Massage Envy Spa also offers aroma therapy, which is the use of essential oils from fruits, flowers, and herbs to naturally improve well-being.

Everyone enjoys being pampered, and so sometimes just one massage won't do. If you want to make sure your loved one can really relax, Massage Envy Spa also offers gift memberships that are good for 3 or 6 months or a year. And, there are over 1,000 Massage Envy Spas across the country, so there is sure to be one in a location that is convenient.

Massage Envy Spa not only helps to bring some much-needed and much-deserved relaxation into clients' lives — they can also help you find the perfect gift!