Shin Splints and Massage Therapy

Shin splints may be caused by various disorders, including compartment syndrome (buildup of pressure in a muscle as a result of exercise), tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon), myositis (inflammation of a muscle), a muscle tear or periostitis (inflammation of the outer layer of a bone).

Shin splints may be avoided with some common sense measures:

• Replace or repair exercise shoes that are worn down to the heels. Switch to well-fitting shoes with plenty of impact-absorbing material in the forefoot and heel area. Remember that your running shoes may lose much of their shock absorbency after as few as 500 miles.
• Warm up before running by first walking, then gradually increasing your speed to a jog.
• When you raise your heart rate and lightly perspire, stop and stretch your calf muscles with a wall stretch. One way to stretch out tight calf muscles and Achilles tendons after warming up is to walk slowly on your heels for 100-200 yards.
• Whenever you go for a run or walk, do it on dirt, grass, cinder or a rubberized track to minimize shin trauma.
• In an aerobics class, make sure the floor is wooden and slightly raised off of the ground so it will "give" as you exercise. This will reduce impact forces.

Management for Shin Splints:

• Use heat and massage. After the couple of days with shin splints, you should add a regimen of heat and massage to your treatment. Applied heat combined with deep tissue massage is a highly effective way to speed the healing process of your muscles and tendons.
• Stretching your muscles thoroughly. If you plan on running regularly you should invest in book or manual about stretching. If your muscles are tight or unprepared for the stress of running you can cause numerous injuries and do more harm than good with your exercise. It’s important to be aware of how and when to stretch properly, and if you have shin splints stretching the injured muscles (especially if you continue running with them) can help the healing process.
• Keep running. Continued running is essential to getting rid of shin splints and making sure they don’t come back. If you just wait it out for the 3-4 days it takes for shin splints to go away on their own, then start running again, you’re almost guaranteed to get another round of shin splints right away. Of course, you don’t need to (and probably shouldn’t) continue an intense regimen of running with your shin splints; opt for a slower run on soft surfaces instead while you wait for your shin splints to heal.

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Scoliosis and Massage Therapy

What is Scoliosis?

All people have natural curves in their spine, but scoliosis causes the spine to curve in the wrong direction. It causes sideways curves, and those are different from the spine's normal curves.

If you were to look at your spine from the side, you'd see that it curves out at your neck (cervical spine), in at your mid-back (thoracic spine), and out again at your low back (lumbar spine). Your back is supposed to have those curves. But if you look at your spine from behind, you shouldn't see any curves at all. When there are sideways curves in the spine from this view, that's scoliosis. The curves may look like either an 'S' or a 'C.'

Scoliosis is generally associated with children, but adults can have it, too. This typically happens when scoliosis is not detected during childhood or the disorder progresses progressively. Scoliosis also brings up images of braces and perhaps memories of being tested for it in grade school by the school nurse. Bracing is one of the most common treatment options for scoliosis – a way to try to correct the curve conservatively (without spinal surgery). Sometimes, though, the curve is too extreme and bracing doesn't help enough. In this case, you can have surgery to correct the curve.

For children especially, it can be frightening to learn that they have scoliosis. Having that label makes them different at a time in their lives when they don't want to be all that different. They might not like the idea of wearing a brace, either. But scoliosis is not something to be scared or ashamed of. With the proper treatment, scoliosis doesn't have to define your life.


Massage Treatment for Scoliosis

Left untreated, scoliosis can produce chronic back pain, breathing problems and headaches, all depending on the severity of the curvature. A thorough professional evaluation is needed before finding an effective form of therapy.

Various alternative health practices, such as yoga and acupuncture have been found to help in lessening the problems cause by scoliosis. Another alternative health practice, several massage therapy techniques are also effective in alleviating discomfort.

Cranial-sacral therapy, which utilizes gentle pull or traction, can help to restore some balance to the spine and improve mobility. Also, deep tissue massage and assisted stretching techniques can help to increase blood circulation, ease some of the pain and reduce soft tissue adhesion.

Massage therapy is not one of the more common options for treating scoliosis, but it can help to relieve some of the resulting symptoms.

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage Therapy and Arthritis (Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis)

The relationship between massage and arthritis may not seem apparent at first, but massage therapy can provide conservative arthritis relief. The human body is efficient and adaptable, yet can be thrown out of balance with stress. Stress, the immune system, arthritis and depression are linked through the production of a key hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone. This hormone regulates the immune hormone cortisol. It’s important to understand how the body works in order to understand how to deal with imbalances. Learning how massage helps relieve arthritic symptoms can be a key step towards a more active and enjoyable life.

Arthritis is partly the result of hormone overproduction in response to stress. The immune system does not work properly, the body attacks itself in the joints and the defense response is not enough. The result is the inflammatory disease called rheumatoid arthritis.

Interestingly, people who get rheumatoid arthritis experience higher incidences of depression. It’s probably because of the close relationship of too much stress and its effect on the immune system.

Massage can play a vital role in alleviating the symptoms of both stress and arthritis. Kneading, rubbing and stroking muscles, ligaments and tendons create relaxation that restores balance to the body.
  

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

   

Massage Therapy for Muscle Cramps

Muscular cramps happen most often in legs. The leg muscles are vulnerable to cramping because they're large muscles that do a lot of work. Cramps in the hamstrings and quadriceps are both common, but from my experience I'd say that the most common type of leg cramps is the calf muscle cramp.

There are a few things that contribute to getting muscle cramps. It used to be that lack of salt was the major cause of cramps, but we get so much salt in our diet these days in the form of processed foods so that's probably not the problem. Here are some other more likely contributing factors:

• Lack of potassium can cause muscles to cramp. Potassium helps regulate your muscle's activity and is important for healthy muscle function.
• Electrolyte imbalance can happen easily if you're doing a lot of strenuous activity that makes you sweat and you're not properly replacing lost electrolytes.
• Overwork can also contribute. If you work out too hard or strain lifting too much weight, your muscle could go into spasm.
• Dehydration occurs when you don't drink enough fluids. If your muscles are dehydrated they don't have the lubrication they need to function correctly.

If you weren't sleeping when your cramp occurred, you can do a few things to follow up. Try putting ice on the area. Remember that when you do ice an area you shouldn't apply ice for longer than 15 minutes every hour.

Once you've iced it you can do some petrissage on the area to get the blood flowing properly. When a muscle cramps up it restricts the blood flow to the tissue.

After a good massage be sure to stretch the area. The stretching will also help loosen the muscle tissue even more.

Sometimes the area where the leg cramp was will remain sore even after the cramp has gone away. This happens because some muscle fibers may have been damaged or torn because the cramp was so intense. Getting a massage from a professional therapist will help you deal with that injury.
  

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Online / Long Distance Massage Training for the Sprained Ankle

Having a sprained ankle is one of the most common types of ankle injury, chiefly in athletics. It results when the ankle ligaments are either stretched or torn. Most frequently, an ankle sprain is caused by the ankle spinning under so that the sole of foot is facing inwards, injuring the ligaments that are on the outside of the ankle. More rarely, the ankle will roll the other way and injure the ligaments on the inside of the ankle. Cross friction massage applied to the affected ligaments after the injury will help to prevent scar tissue from forming.

1. Wait for at least 48 to 72 hours before you begin any massage, which should only be done in the sub-acute and acute stage.
2. Make certain that there are no contraindications such as a broken bone, open wound, skin infections, and tendon ruptures, chilblains and the like. If any, you must not perform the massage.
3. Convene the person with the ankle sprain in the resting position. Widen out the foot with the sprained ankle, so that the ligaments are in a stretched position.
4. Apply a deep, direct pressure on the ligament using a single finger. Begin the manipulation at a point that is faintly away from the sprained area, and then work your way gradually towards it. Massage deeply back and forth ACROSS the ligament, not along its length. You should feel the ligament under the skin.
5. Slowly begin to massage even deeper, but within the limits of bearable pain. Continue the massage for five to ten minutes. Tape the ankle or use an ankle support to support it.
6. Massage the ankle with the same method every other day, not every day. After this deep-massage technique, the sprained ankle will need some time to recover. If the pain or swelling is worse the next day, then put off the massage again.

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's

(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Spa Treatment: Body Scrub

BODY SCRUBS

Exfoliation is one of the primary keys to a healthy skin. The removal of coarse skin and dead cells allows for better penetration of products such as oils and lotions, leaving the skin soft & smooth. All body scrub recipes help to remove dead cells from your skin, allowing new cells to grow. A scrub can be really invigorating as well, and improve the circulation of blood and lymph to the surface of the skin, helping to fight cellulite and improve your skin tone.

Body Scrub Benefits: They Make Skin Look More Youthful

• One of the biggest benefits of a body scrub is how easily they remove dead skin cells that make the skin look dull and lackluster. As you age, skin cells renew themselves at a slower rate and the dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin - causing it to look dry and flaky. Using a body scrub quickly removes the superficial dead skin cells to reveal the fresh ones underneath. Skin instantly looks more youthful. Who doesn't want that?

Benefits of Body Scrubs: Moisturizing Benefits

• When dead skin cells are removed through the gentle exfoliating action of a body scrub, moisturizer can be absorbed better. For best results, look for one that contains natural oils such as almond oil which moisturizes as it exfoliates. You can even make your own homemade body scrub by adding a rough particle such as salt or sugar to almond oil. Body scrubs don't have to be fancy or expensive to give great results.

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Pregnancy Massage (Prenatal Massage and Postnatal Massage)

Prenatal massage has many of the same benefits as regular massage, but is specially designed to accomodate the needs of pregnant women. Some of the benefits of prenatal massage include relaxing tense muscles, decreasing stress, and preventing stretch marks.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage:

During Pregnancy

• Facilitates hormonal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and other physiological processes during pregnancy
• Reduces stress, promotes relaxation, facilitates transitions through emotional support and physical nurturing
• Reduces edema and blood pressure, relieves varicose veins, and increases blood processes during pregnancy
• Reduces musculoskeletal strain and pain
• Fosters nurturing maternal touch
• Contributes to developing flexibility and the kinesthetic awareness necessary to actively participate in the birth process

In Labor

• Reduces labor complications, medications, and interventions
• Contributes to shorter, less painful labor
• Improves infant well-being

In the Postpartum Period

• Promotes structural realignment of the spine and pelvis, and reorganization of movement
• Contributes to rehabilitation of abdominal skin, muscles, and organs
• Facilitates postpartum emotional, physiological, and family adjustments
• Reduces musculoskeletal and organic pain
• Relieves muscle strain caused by childcare activities
• Promotes recovery from cesarean birth, including healing of the incision

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Elderly Massage (Senior Massage or Geriatric Massage)

Massage is becoming more popular with people of all ages; it is one of the oldest of all treatments used by man. Records go back 3,000 years documenting its use. Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.

Today, massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial to many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, and bursitis. With an increase in blood circulation the client may benefit from an increase in balance and flexibility, an increase in joint mobility, improved posture, combat depression, and encourage overall well-being. Massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living. Seniors can remain independent longer if they are flexible and feel confident about how they look and feel.

The needs of each client can be taken into consideration for proper amount of pressure and use of various tools. The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table and cover yourself with a clean sheet. Throughout the session, you will be properly draped or covered. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

A light oil or lotion may be used to permit your muscles to be worked on without causing excessive friction to the skin. The average full-body session lasts approximately one hour, but some clients enjoy shorter, 30-minute sessions.

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's, register online now at www.bodyoptions.net/ *(+632) 519-6192 * (+63) 919-5664440 * (+63) 916-3410000 and look for Maricel / Jason.

    

Infant Massage (Baby or Pediatric Massage)

Infant Massage is a vital, dynamic interaction that forms the foundation of relationship building that will last a lifetime. Nurturing touch between a parent/caregiver and an infant enriches physiological, social-emotional, and mind/body/spirit connections for the infant being massaged, as well as for the parent. Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant, food as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins.

Touch is vital for the development of attachment behavior and for early social development of the young child, in that both the infant and parent have the capacity to elicit and respond to behaviors in mutually pleasurable ways. The original infant-parent tie is very important for infants-and society-because it is from this original attachment and bonding that all subsequent attachments will follow.

Two conditions that enhance development of bonding are the ability of the parent to be sensitive in understanding and responding to his or her infant’s cues, and the amount and nature of the interactions between infant and parent. It is through infant massage that bonding may be deepened.

Social interaction is significant for the parents’ well being, essential for the child’s development during the first three years of life, and paramount thereafter. Babies are social creatures who learn from their interactions with others. Expanding children’s repertoire of interactive behaviors can assist them to influence their world, and deepen their quality of life and the lives of their parents.

Research shows that Infant Massage has been beneficial in the following areas:

• Helps Relieve Discomfort from Gas, Colic, and Constipation
• Improves Blood Circulation
• Aids in Digestion
• Enhanced Development of the Nervous System
• Stimulates Neurological Development
• Increases Alertness/Heightened Awareness
• Reduces Stress Hormones
• Improves Immune Function
• The Release of Oxytocin, the Nurturing Hormone

  

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage Therapy and Sports Massage

Sports massage is a therapy that helps athletes and active people to enhance performance, reduce injury and speed up recovery times. A sports massage therapist employs a variety of techniques to ease muscle tension and improve circulation to affected areas of the body.

There are many benefits to regular sports massage treatment

Recovery is the main benefit – the tired muscles are being stretched and the metabolic waste and toxins that build up in muscles are released. The nutrients in the fresh blood being pumped into the muscles helps speed up the recovery process by repairing muscle damage, controls inflammation and any associated pain.

Massage also alleviates trigger points within the muscles, breaks down adhesions and the build up of scar tissue – all of which can affect the function of key muscle groups when racing and training.

Injury prevention is vital – there is no point putting time and effort into hard training sessions only to become injured weeks or days before a key event in the season.

Injury rehabilitation – again there is no point putting the hard effort in only to miss key races during a season because injuries keep returning.

You get to know your body better – this has the benefit of being able to focus key sessions on strengthening weak areas of the muscles and again is key to injury prevention.

It is has psychological benefits – the muscles learn to relax, you know that you body is feeling good before going into a key race or block of hard training and you know that your body is in peak condition.

 

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 10: Iida Asako (Japan)

"I enrolled in Body Options because I want to open and start my own spa center in Japan. About the staff and trainers of Body Options - they are all kind, honest and handsome (he he he)...

Even though I don't understand Tagalog, my trainers in Body Options tried to communicate with me the best way they can... and I very much appreciated it! I had fun with my fellow students who are very friendly as well.

I will surely invite my Japanese friends to enroll in the trainings and consultancy programs of Body Options!"
    

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 9: Robin Lamott (Australia)

"I enjoyed the Body Options' method of teaching and their professionalism. I found all the students and trainers very friendly and genuinely interested in finding out all aspects of the spa and wellness industry.

I enrolled in Body Options to gain further insights and knowledge in massage therapy so that I can apply them in my own clinic.

I would highly recommend anyone who is interested to study in Body Options."

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 8: Roseli Moreira-Serna (Brazil)

"Body Options is a great place to learn massage techniques. I have taken so many lessons as I needed to feel very comfortable with the techniques before I take the National Certificate Exam.

I was very well taken cared of by the instructors who repeatedly helped me perform the step-by-step procedures... again and again with a great disposition!

Thanks to all the staff of Body Options!"
   

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's

                                (+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 7: Trina Gapuz (Dubai)

"It was a memorable training experience in Body Options! The staff and trainers are really approachable, possess good moral ethics and displayed excellent practical techniques. I'm glad I enrolled in Body Options and I can really say that all of the students in our batch were in 'good hands'.

Hopefully and prayerfully, someday I will see you guys again. May God bless us all!"

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's

                              (+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 6: Maricar Vergara (Brunei Darussalam)

"My training at Body Options was a wonderful experience and unforgettable in every way. The staff was very considerate in attending to all my training needs. Learning Classic Swedish Massage, Hand and Foot Reflexology and Body Scrub with Body Cocoon Wrap treatments made me confident in attending to my clients. I knew then (as I know now) that I will gain the knowledge and skills, and from those skills I will sow perseverance, and that from perseverance I will reap success!

Thanks to Body Options and more power. To God be the glory!"

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 5: Arlene Villarta-Otter (United Kingdom)

"I learned Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage and Xiamen Reflexology in Body Options. The trainers are very friendly, approachable and well experienced. Attending the spa-massage lectures and seminars broadened my knowledge about the wellness and healthcare industry.

Also, our entire batch passes the National Certificate Exam in April of 2009! Learning was fun and I enjoyed my time at Body Options."
  

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 4: Ronwaldo Abelita (Australia)

"In my first days of class at Body Options, I never felt left out because no matter how high or low our level of knowledge on the courses are, the instructors had been very patient in teaching us the techniques to giving a world-class massage. Plus, the people are very friendly and you can always ask anybody for help. Up until the NC2 examination, the instructors never failed to remind us of the proper ways to do the massage and as a result, 100% of our batch got nationally certified!

Kudos and thanks to Body Options and to the instructors for making it easy for me to learn massage. I do recommend that you enroll in Body Options if you are thinking of learning different massage techniques.

Body Options is the best! When I get the chance I will enroll again at Body Options!"
  

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net

Massage School / Spa Training Center Testimony 3: Ryan Salazar (Philippines)

"I started my Thai-Yoga Massage and Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi Massage training at Body Options in February 2010. And since then, my once simple concept of spa and massage has been growing daily. Now, I am more equipped to return and work in Dubai (or anywhere in the world) as a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist.

No regrets in Body Options - all clean fun, utmost excitement and intense learning. A million thanks to the staff and my trainers who are now my best friends!"

For FREE seminars / TRIAL lessons / FREE cd-vcd's
(+63 2) 638-8446 * (+63) 917-7121100 * www.bodyoptions.net