Category Archives: Massage

Do I Need Manual Lymph Drainage? By Leslie Knee, LMT

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Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a gentle, non-invasive technique that has a powerful effect against lymphedema and inflammation.  Pumping the lymph through the body is vital for strong immunity and speeds injury recovery. MLD is recommended to treat pain, edema, inflammation, orthopedic injuries and burn scars.  Visible improvement is often seen after one treatment. These noninvasive treatments can reduce pain and redirect the lymph flow that may be impeded by surgery or a compromised immune system. Treatments before and after any type of surgery can help to reduce post operative swelling, minimize the risk of infection, and decrease recovery time. Leslie Knee is a certified MLD therapist, and can work with you to reduce any symptoms you may be experiencing through a series of MLD sessions.

There are many articles on the internet that recommend MLD for detoxification or just for good overall health. If you have a healthy lymph system (no recent surgeries, generally good immunity), a full body Swedish massage is actually just as effective in moving the lymph, plus you gain the added benefits of relaxing the nervous system and getting the endorphins pumping. All therapists at Blue Heron can work with you to design a good lymph pumping session. Add some detoxifying aromatherapy (Theraclear lymph formula, or grapefruit and cypress essential oil) for an extra boost.

You may call our front desk staff  (301-754-3730) to set up an appointment or if you have further questions about Manual Lymph Drainage and would be interested in a complimentary telephone consult.

 

Why add aromatherapy to your massage?

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Essential oils are distilled from flowers and herbs. Added to a massage, they can increase the therapeutic benefits you came in for. When you inhale essential oil molecules, messages are transmitted to the limbic system and affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, and the immune system. When added to a massage, they are also absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. Like healing herbs, each essential oil has different properties.

Here are our new offerings for the summer:

Baby Skin – A great combination with an exfoliation or esthetics treatment, geranium, rosewood and other soothing oils maintain skin elasticity, speeds healing after surgery, and moisturizes dry skin.

Tension Release – This blend of oils is excellent for the athlete, anyone with joint/bone pain or in muscle spasm. It has a “green minty” scent. Along with our “Tension Buster Massage”, it can relieve a sinus or tension headache. It is anti-inflammatory and assists in sprains, swelling, muscles and joint discomfort.

Tranquility – Assists in reducing depression, eases anxiety, stress, and tension, balances and stabilizes the emotions, gives patience and calms worries. Grounding and integrates energy allowing us to visualize our goals and dreams. Citrus-y uplifting scent is a blend of orange, lime, ylang ylang, lavender, chamomile, and more.

Theraclear –  This is a blend created specifically to increase the lymph system performance, or as a lymph detox. Designed with Essential Oils that are renowned to have lymph supporting properties, this blend also benefits the skin and overall well-being. Contains grapefruit, cypress, and juniper berry to rejuvenate a sluggish immune system.

Leslie Knee, LMT

Dry Flaky Winter Skin?

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Is your skin getting scaly and flaky from the dry winter weather? We’ve got a solution for that! Try an exfoliation massage. A dry exfoliation is performed with a natural loofa glove, invigorating the skin and pumping the lymph. It is then followed by a luxurious relaxing massage with our frankincense and myrrh lotion. It is rich with essential fatty acids, and absorbs well into thirsty skin, as well as soothing to tired, sore muscles. You will feel the difference in your new silky skin for at least a week, and you will enjoy a healthy glow during the last bit of winter. You may want to treat your face as well to a “Quick Pick Me Up” treatment by one of our estheticians.

Massage: It’s Real Medicine

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Massage helps ward off bugs by boosting your “natural killer cells,” the immune system’s first line of defense against invading illness. “We know that cortisol destroys natural killer cells,” Field says. “Therefore, since massage decreases cortisol, your immune cells get a boost.” Massage even seems to boost immunity in those people with severely compromised immune systems, such as breast-cancer patients. 

Read the full CNN article here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/03/08/healthmag.massage/

We often get asked if it is OK to get a massage when sick. It is not always a good idea. If your symptoms are just getting started, or you are in the first few days of the sneezing and coughing, massage may speed up your circulation, and overload your immune system. That can cause your symptoms to worsen.  It is better to wait until your cold is working its way out of your body. Then get a massage to “clean up” the remainder.

Leslie Knee LMT

Our New Winter Aromatherapy Massage Blend – Frankincense and Myrrh

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Treat yourself to our winter aromatherapy blend of Frankincense and Myrrh. Deep, woody and sweet, this blend has the effect of stimulating the spiritual centers of the brain through its fragrance. These oils have been used for centuries to deepen meditation and prayer by quieting the busy mind.  When these essential oils are used in massage, they have a soothing and relaxing effect on sore muscles and can reduce inflammation in painful joints.  We have brightened this traditional blend with Orange Citrus to help lift the heart during the winter blues. Blended with a vegetable oil based lotion rich in essential fatty acids to nourish and replenish dry winter skin, it is a treat for body, mind and spirit.

Integrative Mental Health

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Dr. Andrew Weil recently blogged on “The Huffington Post” with suggestions that may help improve treatment effectiveness for depression.  Some highlights:

  • Acupuncture: The World Health Organization has recognized acupuncture as effective in treating mild to moderate depression.
  • Massage: Massage therapy has been shown to relieve depression, especially in people who have chronic fatigue syndrome; other studies also suggest benefit for other populations.

Read his full posting here.