 From a handshake to a long embrace to a therapeutic massage, touch is more than just a Love Language. It’s a proven way to enhance both physical and mental health and wellness.
Here at Spa A La Mode, we do not believe that massage therapy is a luxury. We believe that massage therapy is a necessity. There is a powerful connection between the skin and the brain. Massage not only releases tensions within the body but fuels the body’s need for physical touch. During a massage session, while your therapist is working through knots and tight muscles, she is also communicating with your nervous system through physical touch. Massage therapy has been found to reduce physical and emotional pain, anxiety, and depression. Have you noticed an improvement in your mood after a therapeutic massage? During a massage session, endorphins are released which the brain positively responds to in the form of feeling happy, calm, and taken care of. When you make massage a priority, you are also making your mental and physical health a priority. Make time for “me time” part of your routine. Book a highly rated massage or bodywork session at Spa A La Mode! The lymphatic system is important
Benefits of Lymphatic drainage massageThe massage consists of very gentle, rhythmic pressure, whispery soft finger strokes, or ultralight drumming, about the same as one would use to stroke the face of a significant other. Your therapist will stretch the skin in the direction of the lymph pathways toward the lymph nodes. The logic is that this will counteract the lymph system’s tendency to become sluggish or even blocked by causes like spending too much time on the couch or eating unhealthy processed foods. who needs the lymphatic drainage massage?Lymphatic-drainage massage is considered a staple practice for reducing swelling, relieving fatigue, or helping the body detox (removing waste from our own metabolic processes, not heavy metals or pollutants), which is why it’s included in spa fasting, cleansing, and smoking-cessation programs. Lymphatic-drainage massage can also offer some relief for fluid retention brought on by travel, menstruation, or pregnancy.
Lymphatic drainage is sometimes so relaxing that clients are lulled to sleep during treatments, and the fact that the massage doesn’t necessitate any direct pressure explains why it’s appropriate and often prescribed for reducing swelling following surgery or injury. Some basic light strokes include “stationary circles,” “pump,” and “scoop”—no kneading or deep muscle work. This massage is actually a draining process intended to firm and tone skin and to improve health. No massage oils here, so lymphatic drainage can focus on the face, the entire body, or just on swollen and bloated areas. Those who decide to relax with lymphatic drainage should be prepared to feel a little off-kilter following a massage. It’s a little like a post-party hangover, so drinking lots of water is key! The story behind this massageThe specific treatment, called manual lymph drainage (MLD) was developed in the 1930s in France by Emil Vodder, a Danish physical therapist, and his wife, Estrid, a naturopath. Their method is still taught to spa therapists at Dr. Vodder Schools around the world though not all therapists use the Vodder method; some learn lymphatic drainage through a course in massage school, or through training in Ayurveda or naturopathy. A 160-hour training is required for medical MLD. Spa Sci-fi?It may sound like a medical procedure straight out of a science fiction movie, and spa clients may be turned off by it's name initially, but once they discover the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage, they’re hooked.
Benefits of lymphatic drainage range from a decrease in facial puffiness and a boost in immune function to a smoothing of cellulite and a soothing of muscle soreness. After spa-goers have had a lymphatic drainage massage, they may never go back to a regular massage again!  This Valentine’s Day, why not think “outside the box”? Instead of giving another “thing,” consider giving an experience – the gift of touch.
Massage makes a great Valentine’s gift, and here are five reasons why: Stress Relief Work, family and other responsibilities can weigh you down and impair your overall wellness by creating stress in your body and mind. Regular massage reduces feelings of anxiety by calming and soothing the nervous system. Stress hormones like Cortisol, Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are reduced by regular massage. Pain Reduction Massage therapy can improve circulation, flexibility and mobility. It can loosen tight knots in your muscles and enhance post-workout recovery. It has also been shown to reduce lower back pain, neck pain, headaches and seems to be effective in alleviating symptoms associated with conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis. Mood Enhancement Massage can elevate your “feel good” neurotransmitters and hormones. It promotes the release of the neurotransmitter Serotonin which regulates mood, hunger, sleep and contributes to an overall feeling of well-being. It also promotes dopamine which is essential to the reward system in the brain (this is why massage truly can be addictive! ). Oxytocin, the “love” hormone, is released during gentle massage causing feelings of warmth and contentment. Self-Love Booking a massage in Rome is a great way to show love to yourself. During a massage, you can take a “vacation” from the normal stresses of everyday life and empty your mind while giving yourself over to the care and nurturing of your massage therapist in Rome. While self-love may sound, well … selfish, it’s important to remember that you can’t take care of others if you don’t care of yourself. Heart Health Massage promotes deep relaxation. It has been found to lower heart rates while having a positive effect on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Finally, massage therapy loosens tight muscles and pushes blood back towards the heart which eases strain on this life sustaining organ. This year, don’t just focus on the Valentine-greeting card-kind of heart. Consider focusing instead on the real one that beats inside you and the people you love and give a gift that truly says “I care about you." Call Spa A La Mode to book your next massage in Rome, today! Whether you need to look fabulous for multiple social functions or you need a last minute gift idea, we are conveniently located downtown Rome and our well-trained, friendly staff is here to help. We’re sure at least one of these ideas will help you look and feel your best for the Holidays.
 Massage is wonderful for mental health—whether the daily stress of everyday life or something requiring more serious intervention—and it should be part of everyone’s toolkit of when the going gets tough. Here are just a few of the research-backed mental health benefits of massage: It stimulates the production of feel-good hormones that alleviate depression If you are dealing with depression, even getting out of bed can seem insurmountable at times. But a meta-analysis of 17 studies shows a high correlation between massage therapy and alleviation of depressive symptoms. In one study, massage was found to affect body chemistry, even increasing serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters involved in depression. With one of the most isolating feelings of depression being loneliness, leading to disengaging from friends and society, the human touch is often lost or minimized. The good news? Oxytocin, known as the “love” or “cuddle” hormone because it is released when people snuggle up or bond socially, is also released through non-sexual touch, including massage. According to research, the hormone is also associated with trust and may lead to increased social bonding. Regular massage soothes anxiety
Anxious? Massage can reduce the built-up stress in your body that leads to the anxiety running rampant throughout your veins. Massage has also been shown to reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, by up to 30 percent — doing so helps your body’s ability to fight off anxiety. But not only that — massage offers a safe space to individuals away from their stress and anxiety triggers. A 2010 study even showed a short-term 50% reduction in anxiety symptoms on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale for its participants, which includes common anxiety symptoms such as tension, fears, and insomnia. Massage increases energy One of the primary benefits—both mentally and physically—of massage is increased circulation. Our body's lymphatic system removes toxins, waste build-up and bacteria from the body in order to protect it against outside threats. The act of applying pressure through massage can boost your lymphatic system so that your body can detoxify itself more easily. Your blood will circulate better, leading to that feeling of freshness and clarity that you thought you could only find at the bottom of a cup of coffee. So, the next time you book a massage in Rome, remember you are doing it for your mental health! If your quest to find the best massage therapist in Rome is what brought you here, you may be wondering just how a message can really benefit you. Fortunately, there are many health benefits associated with the various primarily manual techniques typically used to stimulate tissues and various areas of the body in a safe and effective way.
Fibromyalgia Relief Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that's characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. It's believed that it causes discomfort by amplifying pain sensations as signals are sent to the brain. If you have this condition, massage therapy could provide relief by easing tension around muscles, joints, and bones. Massages done for this purpose often involve pressure that ranges from light stroking or deeper stimulation. According to Massage Magazine, fibromyalgia patients may also benefit from:
Fewer Issues with Insomnia Related to Stress If you are overly stressed, you may find yourself not sleeping well. A lack of sufficient sleep can contribute to a wide range of health-related issues, from mood changes and increased sensitivity to pain to problems with focus and concentration. However, the stimulation provided by a massage can restore hormonal equilibrium in your body (homeostasis). This can have a calming effect that allows you to de-stress and sleep better. Massages also boost the production of a beneficial hormone and neurotransmitter called serotonin that plays a role in mood stabilization. Headache Relief Improving blood flow to the brain with appropriate manual stimulation can result in fewer disruptive headaches, especially if you regularly experience tension headaches. A massage could also be helpful if you have severe headaches known as migraines. According to Migraine.com, all participants in a small study involving migraine sufferers reported fewer "episodes" and experienced better sleep during the weeks they had a massage. What's more, these benefits continued for at least three weeks after massages were given! Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) Management This chronic pain disorder tends to be especially painful when discomfort is triggered by pressure on sensitive points in your soft tissues. Symptoms are usually particularly noticeable after affected muscles have been contracted repetitively. Myofascial pain syndrome is typically associated with the overuse of certain muscle groups. If you want to reduce your reliance on medication if you have MPS, you may experience relief with massage techniques that target sensitive trigger points in your affected muscles. Facilitating the Healing of Soft Tissue Strains or Injuries A soft tissue massage is so-named because it targets irritated, strained, or injured soft tissues in a way that is gentle yet still effective. The depth to which muscles, tendons, and ligaments are stimulated will depend on the nature of your injury. A technique called cross-fiber friction is often used to reduce scar buildup and loosen adhesions around injured tissues. Types of soft tissue injuries that may respond well to various massage techniques include:
Sports Injury Treatment From a sprained ankle to a twisted knee, there are many sports-related injuries that could heal faster with regular massage sessions. The pressure provided by one of our trained therapist's hands can facilitate your body's nature recovery and healing processes by improving blood flow, gently stretching tight tissues, and breaking down adhesions that can contribute to increased discomfort around joints, soft tissues, and nerves. Sessions may also include rhythmic compressions, trigger point pressure, light-to-medium joint movements, or deep-tissue stimulation, depending on the specific type of sports injury you are dealing with. A sports massage can be equally beneficial if have discomfort related to delayed-onset muscle soreness caused by over-extending or over-stimulating certain muscle groups. Stretching out tightness around soft tissues and joints and loosening scar tissue can be beneficial for many types of sports-related injuries. Some of the more common ones include:
Relief from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain The temporomandibular joints are strong, sliding-hinge joints that link your jawbone to your the temporal bones of your skull by your ears. If soft tissues around either of these joints are irritated or tense, you could experience a wide range of distracting symptoms. The most disruptive ones tend to include jaw pain or tenderness, aching facial pain, ear pain, and discomfort that's especially bad when chewing or moving your jaw. But if you treat yourself to a TMJ trigger point massage, you could experience welcome relief. Massages performed to relieve TMJ discomfort often target the masseter muscle, a large muscle used for chewing and other jaw movements. The kneading motions used could provide further relief by unraveling rope-like muscle fibers and easing tissue tension. Sciatica Symptom Management Sciatica is a common type of spine-related pain that stems from the irritation of the sciatic nerve – a large nerve that originates in your lower spine and travels downward into your lower body. According to Healthline.com, a study done in 2014 found that deep tissue massages were as effective as anti-inflammatory drugs for relieving spine-related pain originating in the lower back area, which is what sciatica is. A lighter type of soft tissue massage could be just as beneficial for sciatica by increasing your pain threshold and boosting the production of "feel good" hormones called endorphins. Other types of massages that may be good for sciatica-related pain include:
The simplest way to enjoy the many health benefits associated with a massage is to end your search for "massage Rome" with Spa A La Mode. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. |
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