Try Our Relaxation Massage Package

• A four hour stay
• One hour massage followed by steamy towels and application of a regenerative skin cream to protect your face.
• Fruit and cheese plate
• Nice tea selection 

$95.00

 

To make an appointment for the Relaxation Massage Package, please call 707-447-8037

Understanding the Benefits of Facials

Facials are treatments of the epidermis designed to enhance the look and texture of facial skin by cleansing, hydrating, removing dead skin cells, unblocking clogged pores, and/or tightening the facial skin. Facials can be as simple as using an old-fashioned recipe at home or as elaborate as a full day spent being pampered by a professional aesthetician at a fancy spa. The benefits of facials can go more than skin deep, though, providing a sense of relaxation and peace while enhancing self confidence and promoting a general feeling of well being. Here I will explain some of the different types of facials and the processes involved in them, and I will give you a few tips on making the most of your facial experience.

A facial can be a one step process or can involve multiple different applications. Each type of facial application has a different purpose and result. The first step in a facial, after routine cleansing, is the application of a facial rinse, or astringent, also called toner, which is used to clean excess oil and dirt from the tiny pores of the skin. In addition, to cleansing, the astringent tightens the facial skin. Most astringents contain some type of harmless acidic compound which draws the pores closed, resulting in a firmer skin texture. Popular recipes used in home facial washes include lemon or orange juice mixed with a small amount of mineral water and applied with a cotton ball to the face. Many name brand facial toners are available at most drug and retail stores and work on the same principle using a variety of natural or synthetic astringents.

A facial scrub is another form of the facial, usually used after the toner. The scrub's main purpose is to remove dead skin cells, allowing the fresher, softer skin underneath to show through which gives the face radiance and a more youthful look and feel. Sugar scrubs are popular at home and are can be made simply by mixing some sugar (brown or white) into a small amount of olive oil, applying to the face in a gentle circular motion and rinsing with plain water.

A popular image when thinking of a facial includes a person lying down with a thick coating on the face and cucumber slices on the eyes. The coating on the face is called a mask, for obvious reasons, and there are many different types of masks for a wide variety of desired results. There are masks for deep pore cleansing, for firmer skin, for intensive hydration or for removing excess oil, among others. Some masks harden and peel off, mostly for the purpose of removing dirt and oil from deep within the pores, while others remain soft and are rinsed off, such as deeply moisturizing or exfoliating masks. And the cucumber slices on the eyes actually do serve a purpose by slightly tightening the skin around the eyes through the astringent properties of the cucumber!

The last step in a full facial is to moisturize. Moisturizers are chosen depending on skin type and add the finishing touch by further hydrating the skin for maximum softness and radiance. A moisturizer is generally applied sparingly and left to soak into the skin. A facial moisturizer should really be used every day, but no facial experience is truly complete without this last step.

Whether you pay for the full experience at a luxury spa or pamper yourself at home, you'll feel the benefits of a facial long beyond the time it takes to have one. Soothing music, flickering candles and a subtle scent in the air will enhance your experience even further. Enjoy the lasting effects of rejuvenation and renewed self confidence that a facial can bring.

The dedicated staff at The Facial Place provide acne treatment, laser hair removal, facials Ajax, laser skin treatment and many other Spa Ajax products and services. Just because you have sensitive skin doesn't mean you can't enjoy having a good facial treatments every now.

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What Is Hot Stone Massage And What Does It Do?

Hot stone massage is a type of massage developed using techniques found from Native American history. The Native Americans would use stones heated by fire to treat aching muscles and help them heal, as was often the case with these highly active people. Mary Nelson developed the first massage treatment to use hot stones which is called LaStone Therapy. Since this was created many other masseurs and spas have created their own versions of the treatment such as stone therapy, wild water stone therapy and other such names.

When receiving a hot stone massage, the masseur will use heated smooth stones to heat up certain muscles in the body. Whilst these stones heat up the body, the masseur will use others as extensions of their hands, rubbing them all over a person's body in different massage strokes to achieve complete relaxation. The advantage of using hot stones is that muscles are warmer and therefore more relaxed, meaning they can be worked to a higher degree without the need to press so hard during massage. Through hot stone massage a masseur can achieve the same effects as deep therapy massage if they do the massage strokes correctly.

Hot stone massage is very difficult to master, and many people find that when they go for one, they actually come out no better than they were before. To reach the right level of skill to perform a good hot stone massage a masseur needs to have been working for many years. Over these years a masseur will develop a sense for what their customers can tolerate in terms of temperature, and also learn how to effectively massage after using stones to gently heat muscles.

Some people have complained about going for a hot stone massage and being treated like an ironing board. This is not the effect that you should be feeling, and if a masseur begins to make you feel this way they need to be told, otherwise a massage could be wasted and you could in fact end up coming out feeling worse than when you went in.

In conclusion, stone massage is a type of massage developed from techniques used by the Native Americans. The fact that it has been used for so long shows that it's an effective type of massage that clearly achieves a greater level of healing and relaxation in the muscles, otherwise people would have moved onto a different form of massage that achieves better results.

Hot stone massage is one of Charlotte Palmer's favourites. She uses her special massage bed from Beauty4Less to make sure she can get it right, and she always 
has great results from her clients who keep on coming back for more.

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Massage Therapy for Improving Joint Mobility

Being more mobile is certainly the number one way to improve your joint mobility, and so you should be exercising regularly, including engaging in activities such as walking and even more challenging stretching and strengthening exercise such as yoga. Unfortunately, sometimes your joint issues are accompanied by pain and getting active can be difficult. Or you may not know where to begin with activities! Either way, a Registered Massage Therapist can help you improve your joint mobility, and can even suggest the right exercises to get you moving again.

Sports injury is a common reason for limited joint mobility, and if you suspect this is the cause of your condition, be sure to have the proper tests done to rule out broken bones or anything more serious. When your injury is limited to your muscle tissue, massage can help a great deal by improving the blood flow to your muscles around your joints and encouraging the release of endorphins to help you feel better.

There are actually a number of issues that can affect your ability to move. One of the most common is arthritis, which is an inflammation of your joints. Osteoarthritis is a natural degeneration of the cartilage in your joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder that, over time, also causes damage to the cartilage in your joints. Once this cartilage is damaged, it becomes harder for your joints to be as mobile. Massage therapy can help with arthritis by relaxing the muscles around your joints, improving blood flow to your joints, decreasing pain and improving their mobility as well.

Diabetes can slow down your circulation and thicken the connective tissue around your joints, making it difficult to get the blood supply needed for proper joint mobility. This is one reason why diet and exercise are so important for diabetics, because clean eating and adequate exercise help keep your blood sugar levels balanced. Balanced blood sugar levels help ensure the health of the blood vessels in your joints, improving their mobility. Likewise, massage therapy can help to improve circulation to these blood vessels, and can also decrease the thickening of connective tissue around your joints.

Because of the muscle pain, muscle spasms and muscle tension associated with fibromyalgia, if you suffer from this condition you may also experience physical symptoms such as decreased joint mobility. Massage therapy can help reduce your pain and muscle tension, and get you more mobile. Likewise, massage is great if you're suffering from lupus, a painful auto-immune disease that can affect your joints among many other possible areas of your health. If you do suffer from lupus, however, avoid seeking massage during flare-ups.

Be sure to disclose as much information about your health to your Registered Massage Therapist, taking the time to ask questions throughout your treatment as well. The more informed the therapist is about you, and the more you're informed about your treatment, the sooner you can get treated properly, and feel better!

For more info, please visit us at: http://yellowgazeboclinic.com/health-info/pain-relief/joint-pain/.

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Is Massage Safe During Pregnancy?

Massage during pregnancy is usually safe when administered by a trained therapist. Your therapist will have you fill out a health information form to make sure that she is aware of any health concerns. There are some precautions that therapists take with pregnant women, for instance there are pressure points which can cause contractions that your therapist will avoid if you are pregnant. Also, we avoid deep abdominal pressure during pregnancy. If you have any doubts about receiving a massage simply check with your doctor or midwife at your next prenatal appointment.

Generally, you should not receive massage if you currently have:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Heavy discharge or bleeding
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Threatened Miscarriage

Ask you doctor or midwife before receiving a massage if you have:

• Preeclampsia
• Incompetent Cervix
• Preterm Labor
• High Risk Pregnancy

Okay, so if massage is safe for you and you schedule your appointment what happens in the session? What do you do about your big belly?

Some massage therapists have wonderful special body cushions or tables that allow you to rest face down without putting pressure on your abdomen. If your therapist does not have this type of cushion she will have you lie on your side, draped under sheets and blankets for the massage. You will supported with pillows to ensure your comfort. Generally the therapist will perform a full body massage treatment for an hour long appointment unless you request otherwise. The therapist will focus on helping you relax and bringing relief from any discomfort or pain you may have been experiencing prior to your massage.

Finding a therapist that's right for you can take some time. Here are some questions you can ask when you are looking for a massage therapist:

• Are you Nationally Certified?
• Are you a member of a professional organization?
• Where did you go to school? How many hours was your program? 
• Do you give pregnancy massages?
• Did you receive training in pregnancy massage?
• Do you require a doctor's permission before performing pregnancy massage?

Then go and enjoy your massage and all the benefits of relaxation and pain relief that it brings you.

Heather Maynard has been working as a massage therapist since 2001. She is Illinois state licensed and Nationally Certified. To learn more about her business or schedule an appointment visit http://womensmassage.webs.com

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Music On The Lawn - Reserve Your Spot Today!

Picture this -  - covered with picnic baskets, blankets, your special friends, under the stars ----ahhhh – live music softly playing and you can talk and giggle without screaming over the band.  No crowds – what a serene evening out.

Music On The Lawn – 4th Saturday of July, August and September. (July 26, August 23, September 27.)  Picnic time from 5:00 to 7:00, music from 7:00 to 9:00.

Easy listening classic rock from the SilverBack Duo.  Ron will take you back to the days of unforgettable songs from a generation of young artists who weren’t afraid to bare their souls and sing from the heart. 

Revisit the memories from artists such as :
The Beatles  Cat Stevens     Jim Croce    Simon & Garfunkel    Eric Clapton and more!!

Music night special:  Half Hour Massage and Music  $50.00

Limited to 40 guests to keep it nice and comfortable.

Reserve you spot now!!  $10.00 per person.  Email linda@36oaks.com or call 707 447-8037

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy

Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two.

This kind of therapeutic massage is mostly recommended by a lot of doctors as a treatment option. This is a particular kind of massage therapy that focuses on the deep layers of muscle and physical outlook. By means of finger pressure and slow, firm strokes, deep tissue massage is used to treat multiple physical illnesses.

Decreases Chronic Pain

Deep tissue massage increases the blood circulation in our body. In this matter, it lessens the possibility of inflammation that causes pain. This type of massage can also help improve muscle tension that is usually a side effect of chronic pain by way of releasing the tissues which are tightly clustered. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that deep tissue massage is more effective and inexpensive for relieving chronic pain than any other conventional medical therapies.

Helps Regulate Blood Pressure

People who encountered this type of massage have noticed that their systolic pressure fell down by an average of 10.4 mm Hg and their diastolic pressure fell down to an average 5.3 mm Hg, according to a study made by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Deep tissue massage can help improve the production of our body's serotonin, the hormone which aids in promoting happiness and positive outlooks in life and also it helps in decreasing stress and tension which can have an advantageous effect on blood pressure.

Splits Up Scar Tissue

Deep tissue massage therapy can help split up and in the long run, removes scar tissue in the body. This is done by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage to improve flexibility and range of motion in the affected area. Scar tissue is connected with constant pain and stiffness most of the time, and deep massage therapy can eliminate these symptoms. Also, deep massage therapy is highly recommended for people who are getting better from surgery.

Naturalizes Injured Muscles

Deep tissue massage can be an effective treatment for incapacitated muscles because it facilitates the movement of toxins from the muscles and helps stretch tight or twisted muscle mass. Deep tissue massage also helps in promoting healing. Because massage also helps relax muscles, it can moderate the pain caused by injuries, too. Deep tissue massage is commonly used to naturalize sports injuries.

Relieves Stress

Deep tissue massage can be a relief for people who undergo from chronic stress, and all of its numerous, probable side-effects like severe headaches, unbending shoulders and constricted muscles. During the session, you can let it all go and give in to the healing. Whenever it is transformed and strengthened, you will be able to face your challenges more equitably.

Manos DePaz is a natural healer with a strong passion for good health, wellness and fitness. His knowledge of the body stems from a combination of personal and professional experiences. Manos DePaz has worked in massage therapy since 2005 and has done personal training since 2002. He is a certified Stone Walker, certified by LaStone Therapy, the original hot and cold stone massage. He prides himself on combining his "book" smarts with his "race" smarts to identify, heal and prevent injuries. Further, given his extensive background in personal training, Manos DePaz can provide his clients with the proper strength training regimen to prevent recurrence of injuries.

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Your Back Could Use A "Facial" Too!

A decadent spa treatment for your face, and on the flip side, your back. Your back needs a "facial" too! An area that is hard to reach and often neglected. Your Flip Flop Facial includes back and face "facial" as well as your choice of neck and shoulder work, or hands and feet.

60 minutes - $90

Call 36 Oaks Country Retreat to schedule an appointment to try this facial or any other of our relaxing spa treatments. 

(707) 447-8037

Pregnancy Massage - How Can It Help?

Pregnancy is a life altering time for any woman. And as such it comes with its joy, anxiety and fears. One way to alleviate this anxiety is by the use of pregnancy massage. Pregnancy massage encompasses prenatal and postnatal massage. It is done in a conducive setting with soft lighting and calming music. A specially made bed that fits you and comfortable pillows will be employed for comfort. Many therapists will advice you to lie on your side as you may already be big and uncomfortable with lying on your front or back. Some massage therapists light candles but if these affect you negatively be sure to tell them and they will be removed. Your clothing or lack of it should be what makes you comfortable. After all, it is all about you and your baby.

So when should you get a massage? This is done throughout your pregnancy but most therapists will not touch you during the first trimester. Swedish massage is recommended during pregnancy. It involves the use of light strokes to ease muscle tension and improve blood circulation. Deep tissue massage is ill advised. This is because of the enhanced sensitivity during pregnancy. Areas such as the abdomen are generally avoided but can be massaged very lightly. It is important to get a therapist who is aware of all that the massage entails and who knows the areas to avoid such as pressure points on wrists.

There are many benefits associated with pregnancy massage. First of all, it seeks to reassure the soon to be mother and lower her anxiety levels. Massaging of muscles relieves cramps and soothes back pain. A nicely done massage leads to the reduction of stress hormones thus your mood will improve. For those who experience swellings especially on their joints, massaging these places greatly minimizes the swellings.

Another benefit associated with massage is the improvement in the circulation of blood which has its own benefits such as keeping diseases away. And of course a good massage leads to a good sleep. After giving birth you can engage in postnatal pregnancy massage. This is done to help your body return to its former shape and to relieve the negative stress brought about by carrying a baby to term. It also helps in recovery and relieving sore muscles. At this point, your abdomen can be massaged to help in shrinking your uterus.

However, there are a number of factors you need to ensure before embarking on pregnancy massage. Talk to your doctor. Let him or her give you the go ahead to have a massage. There are high risk pregnancies and other conditions such as hypertension, high blood pressure or a history of pre-term pregnancies which can adversely affect a woman's body and lead to complications if the body is not treated delicately. A doctor should be able to answer your questions and advice you accordingly.

What is clear is that pregnancy massage can bring a lot of benefits if it is done in the right manner and within the right atmosphere.

I hope you have found this article about Pregnancy Massage Techniques to be of interest to you. If you would like more information on Prenatal Massage take a look at my website pregnancymassagetechniques.com.

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