5 Benefits of Massage Therapy

I bet you have always believed that getting a massage is a luxury to be reserved for the rich. As a juggler of the family budget, you are probably very aware of how you spend your money and are very careful with expenditures. Something that feels so good has got to be more pampering than beneficial. Right?

Wrong! The health benefits of massage are many. Let me share with you a few that I have experienced.

Health Benefits of Massage #1:

Massage helps to restore muscles to their correct position. When I first started getting a regular massage about a year ago, my masseuse told me that I was starting to get a dowager's hump. As she worked with me monthly, the hump became less and less. Now it is totally gone.

Health Benefits of Massage #2:

Massage helps to relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles. I do a lot of my work at the computer, and though I try to take regular breaks to move around, I still get a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders from the computer-working mode. My monthly massages have helped to relax those tight muscles.

Health Benefits of Massage #3:

Massage helps to increase joint flexibility. I started out with a stiff shoulder with very minimal range of motion. Now I have regained full range and have no pain in that shoulder either. Of course, other things have helped like exercise, chiropractor visits, and a natural glucosamine supplement, but I know the massage helped too.

Health Benefits of Massage #4:

Massage helps to pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

Health Benefits of Massage #5:

Massage helps to release endorphins, lessening depression and anxiety. It is soothing and relaxing. Of course, this is the benefit we always think of - it just feels good!

Actually, there are many more health benefits of massage - these are just a small sampling.

What you Should Do Next:

1. Ask yourself if this is a health step you should invest in for the care of your body.

2. If so, commit to putting a monthly massage into your health program and budget.

3. Massage therapists vary with their techniques and strengths. Don't feel you have to go with the first one you use. Try several different ones so you can evaluate well and choose who you fit best with their style and personality for establishing a long-term relationship.

4. Communicate well with your masseuse/masseur. They can't know what you like or don't like unless you tell them.

5. Drink a lot of water after your massage to rehydrate your body.

6. Plan your day to be able to relax after your massage to continue to benefit.

That's it. Enjoy your progression along the road to optimum health. After all, you only have one body to live in on this earth. Take care of it.

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One Year Time Lapse, Oak Tree Timelapse

Photographs made of an oak tree as it changes during a year

Herbal Facial

Both your skin and your inner well-being will experience the benefits of this herbal treatment. Your skin will be visibly moist and full of vitality. It will regain its suppleness and radiance. This facial is recommended for all skin types. This facial includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing. 

30 minutes - $45 

Call 36 Oaks Country Retreat today to book an appointment to try this facial and any other of our relaxing spa treatments. 

(707) 447-8037

Benefits Of Seeing A Massage Therapist

Massage therapy is a practice that is dedicated to using touch to manipulate the muscles and soft tissues in the body. Massage therapy has been around for hundreds of years, and it has been noted for its many health benefits. Below are some of the benefits that can be reaped from seeing a massage therapist:

Alleviate Stress

Nearly half of working adults in America have reported that they feel stressed out on a regular basis. Stress is an inevitable part of being an adult, but it is very important for one to learn how to manage it. People who get massages on a regular basis will be able to manage their stress better. Massages have been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins. Endorphins help alleviate stress and promote relaxation.

Additionally, a massage can help reduce the amount of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is known as the stress-hormone. There have been several studies done where people's cortisol levels were measured before and after getting a massage. The results of the studies showed that the subjects' cortisol levels were significantly lower after getting a massage.

Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a problem that affects one in three adults in America. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes and diabetes if it is left untreated. There have been studies done to show that a massage can help lower blood pressure.

One of the studies was performed by a team of researchers at the University of Florida. Half of the participants were given 10 massages over the course of three weeks. The remaining participants were given a placebo. The results of the study showed that the participants that were given a massage had a significant improvement in their blood pressure. There were no significant changes observed in the control group.

Researchers believe that a massage can help lower blood pressure by stimulating the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve helps regulate a number of important functions in the body, including blood pressure.

Boost the immune system

Cortisol destroys immunity cells, which makes a person more prone to developing illnesses. Because a massage helps reduce the amount of cortisol in the body, it can also boost the immune system.

People should definitely consider getting a professional massage on a regular basis. Massages have been shown to alleviate stress and lower blood pressure. They can also help prevent illness by boosting the immune system.


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Why Choose A Couple's Massage?

Couple's massage has made a huge gain in popularity over the last few years. This massage, which involves a couple having massage therapy side by side, has a number of benefits for everyone involved. If you have ever considered getting a massage with a friend or your significant other, couple's massage might be for you, for these reasons.

One of the main reasons that couples get massages together is that it gives them the opportunity to spend relaxing, quality time together. In this busy world, it is all to easy to be distracted by day to day life. Time spent together is often little more than a quick dinner or a few hours in front of the television. Getting a massage together gives you the chance to relax together and enjoy a shared experience without the distraction of the television.

It is a fact of the massage business that different therapists take a different amount of time to work on different patients. Many couples that go for regular massages together find that they are finished at different times and one person has to wait for the other. If you want to avoid the frustration of having to wait for each other, couple's massage is a great choice, because the massage always ends for both of you at the same time.

If being alone in a room while a stranger massages you, you are not alone. Many people find the activity to be far too intimate to do without their partner. When you do a couple's massage, however, you will never be alone. It becomes a couple's activity and any intimacy is transferred to the shared experience between the two of you. The massage therapist is only an enabler of the experience.

If you have trouble finding new and interesting activities for date night, couple's massage is a great idea. It is intimate, yet fun, and both of you will come out of the experience feeling relaxed, refreshed and renewed. Is there a better way to feel after a date?

Couple's massage does not have to be a romantic activity. In fact, many a girls' night has started with a group or couple's massage. It is a particularly great way to introduce a reluctant friend to your favorite type of massage therapy. With you there, he or she may be far more likely to give this type of therapy a try.

There are many reasons to give couple's massage a try. Whether you are trying to add a new spark to a familiar relationship, you want to spend some quality time with your significant other, or you simply have a friend who could benefit from a group nudge in the right direction, couple's massage can be a very rewarding experience.


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Darth Vader Massage Prank

Before being a Sith Lord, Darth Vader's hands were part of an automated face massage machine. A presentation of the Just For Laughs Gags, British Edition.

You don't have to worry about this happening at 36 Oaks Country Retreat in Vacaville! The service and ambience that have made 36 Oaks a premier day retreat remains the signature of our operations. From the full hands on time of each listed massage to herbal facial massages and body polishes, you will find a variety of options to reduce stress, rejuvenate, and regain a sense of well being.

707-447-8037

Open 7 Days By Appointment Only

Soothing and Relaxing Back Facials For A Flawless and Smooth Back

Back facials that use a customized back hydradermie improve both the appearance and tone of the skin and they also relax and calm the muscles. A healthy and glowing back is always a sight for sore eyes and this deep cleansing and de-stressing treatment that is specifically designed for the back and shoulder area includes exfoliation, extractions, and customized mask application. This skin treatment which is formulated specifically for the back utilizes many of the techniques used in skin treatments for the face, and they are supposed to clarify and soften the skin of the back while providing a deep moisturizing treatment which will leave the client with a healthy, glowing back.

Back facials for both men and women are available, in a wide range of formulations which target specific skin types or issues such as clogged pores and acne on the back. Back scrubbing shower tools and brushes that enable most people to keep their backs clean can also be used to reduce clogged pores and keep other skin problems at bay. However, sometimes, people have trouble maintaining and following a skin care regimen for their backs as this area is among those areas of the body that are notoriously hard to reach. Moisturizing the back or treating dry skin as well as other irritating and sometimes unsightly conditions becomes difficult and that is the main reason why a back facial can actually be quite beneficial, especially for those who wear low-back clothing or swimsuits.

Usually, these facials begin with a deep steaming that is designed to open the pores and soften the skin. A beautician or an aesthetician may also use other substances such as an exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin from the back or also carry out extractions on clogged pores. After the process of steaming and exfoliation using either a loofah or an exfoliating mitt, the back is covered in a rich moisturizing mask and in some spas, this is followed by a massage to release stress and tension in the back and improve circulation. Glycolic peels and dermabrasion for the back are the other skin treatments that are offered for the back depending on the skin type as well as other skin issues.

Beauticians at day spas and other health and wellness centers can always be consulted for the most suitable and recommended treatments on a case by case basis. They are also aware of the ingredients that are used in back facial treatments in case people are allergic to any specific substances that are used during the skincare treatment process. Pregnant women must always avoid back facials as it requires them lie on their stomach and this puts pressure on the fetus. The entire upper and lower back region needs to be exposed on the treatment or massage table.

The duration of a facial varies depending on the spa, their treatment method, and the methods and technique that they offer as a part of the package that may also include deep pore cleansing and extra softening. The treatment is ideal for those who have acne on the back and both men and women can opt for this kind of facial that is personalized according to their skin type. Sometimes, clay masking and pore-refining masking are used for detoxification and to remove dead skin cells.


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Facts About Hot Stone Massages

A classic massage treatment that incorporates heated stones is called Hot Stone Massage. Not just any ordinary stones are used in this massage but stones that effectively absorb and retain heat like basalt stones (volcanic black rocks). The stones must also be smooth and has no rough edge.

Before your appointment in the day spa, the stones are first sanitized by the therapist who then heats them in water with temperature of 120 to 150 degrees. The client's body is first applied with oil so that the stone may glide smoothly on the skin. The heated stones may be placed on particular body parts such as spine, palm of hands, belly and between the toes to allow energy flow in the body. The therapist may also use the stone instead of his or her hands in massaging the body. Cold stones are used instead of hot stones when the muscles are inflamed or injured.

The stones used in this massage treatment are of diverse sizes and shapes. In case you feel the stones are excessively hot, then tell your therapist immediately. Since the heat of the stones is mainly accountable for relaxing and easing out the strained muscles, the therapist need not exert too much pressure in massaging.

In general, hot stone massage benefits the body by promoting absolute relaxation of tissues and muscles, easing stress in the body, releasing toxins from the body, relieving pain and aches, enhancing circulatory functions and calming the mind. Hot Stone Massage also assists in treating arthritis, anxiety, insomnia and depression.

In order to have the most effective hot stone massage treatment, make sure that you do not take a heavy meal prior to your session. Get to the spa at a much earlier time so your body will be able to relax even before the massage session. If there is enough time, stay at the sauna, hot tub or steam bath facility of the day spa. Massage treatments are most often performed in the nude but the body is draped during the entire session. If you are not comfortable wearing nothing, inform the therapist and choose clothing you are comfortable wearing but will not obstruct the execution of the massage.

Let your body relax further by doing deep regular breaths. Even when a sensitive area is touched, remember not to hold your breath as this may tighten up the muscles which is counterproductive in the massage treatment. Should you notice anything improper during the massage, you can tell the therapist to stop.

The heat from the stones has a sedative effect on the body's nervous system so it will be likely that you will feel lightheaded or dizzy after the session. If this happens, slowly get off the table and drink extra amount of liquids, water preferably.

Keep in mind that any massage treatment including hot stone massage will greatly benefit the body in due course. Massage has cumulative healing effects, thus the frequent you receive massage treatment, the better and the quicker your body will respond to the therapy.


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Day Spa Upgrades You Shouldn't Be Without

Taking a trip to a day spa is often very enjoyable. This facility is filled with numerous relaxing activities. Along with the standard offerings, there are extras that can be added to the experience which makes the day even better. Here are a few day spa upgrades that a person should not be without.

Massage is the most popular activity at any spa. It is a time to relax and let go. To take it to another level, a person can add hot stones to the massage. This type of massage will erase tension, ease stiff muscles, and heighten metabolism and blood circulation. Water heated stones are applied to the body and reach deep into muscles. Mixing hot stones into a full body massage will give a healing experience. Heated stones open blood vessels and encourage better blood flow all over the body. They also are calming and can get rid of chronic pain. The heat from the stones penetrate deep inside muscles making them less tense and simpler to manipulate.

Aroma therapy is another wonderful thing to add to a massage. It is a fact that the brain can be influenced by smells that are present in the air. This addition to a massage incorporates fragrant oil extracts from flowers, fruits, and herbs to increase the benefits of massage. Pleasant aromas can ease aches and pains by promoting circulation. It encourages healing of tissues and lowers pain. It also lowers anxiety. This is perfect for people who are irritable, nervous, or are full of apprehension. Aroma therapy calms the system and promotes tranquility. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and mint will ease tension and create a peaceful environment.

Deep muscle therapy is another massage upgrade that has many benefits. It consists of alternating cold and heat therapy throughout a massage on a particular area of the body. When performed on the legs or feet, it can relieve pain from knee and foot problems. When done in the back or neck, it can relieve overuse from too much physical activity or chronic injury. When performed in the arms or hands, it can take pain away from joints in the shoulder, tennis elbow, or carpal tunnel syndrome. It is ideal for athletes or other people who are recovering from injury.

Visiting a day spa can be a rejuvenating and relaxing experience, especially when a person is filled with stress. To get the most from the visit, a person could add a few upgrades to the massage treatment. Hot stones, aroma therapy, and deep muscle therapy are a few extras that will make a big difference and bring increased benefits from a day spa massage.


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Why Get a Spa Massage?

In this day and age when there is so much more potential stress in our lives we need to find more ways to relax. That does not mean that all of us are living with an overly stressful job or relationship. But it does mean we need to make sure that with all the things that we must do in our lives we do not forget the opportunity to do something special for ourselves to help us relax. There are many options on how to do this. One is to get a spa massage. This method of relaxation can make you feel stripped of your troubles, relaxed and free of tension.

The spa massage actually accomplishes more that simply easing the tension in tired muscles; though it certainly does accomplish that as well. It will improve the circulation of your blood and diminish any muscle aches you may be suffering from. This in turn will help you sleep better and a better night's sleep means a better day ahead. Depending on the spa you choose for your massage they may use essential oils to help relax you. Essential oils, the basis of aromatherapy, help to further relax a person as well as help to diminish aches and pains. Or they might have relaxing music playing in the background during your massage. All this is designed to improve the way you feel and alleviate the tension.

When you go to the spa for a massage you will be surprised that it will not be necessarily just a back rub that you will receive. The masseur will work hard to iron out your tension by rubbing deep into the tissue to get rid of aches, pains, and stress. This means massaging the feet, back, and face as well. The spa massage is becoming ever increasingly popular for those who need to have a place to go to get rid of their stress. This means that when they do go home they are relaxed and reenergized; ready to deal with their partner and children with a renewed sense of wellbeing and patience.


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