Top 5 things you can do to get the most out of your massage.

1. Slow, deep breaths into the side of the ribs / top of the lungs during the massage. This will help to relax you and will benefit the muscles so they can release under firm pressure. People often stop breathing, contract or strain when they feel the pressure is too much. Never tell yourself you need to handle the pressure because this will only lead to feeling anxious or extra sensitive.

2. Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions, concerns, or worries you have once the massage has started. Ask for areas you feel need the most amount of treatment time.  I am a professional dedicated to doing my best to help you feel at ease at all times, Its always my aim to include the feet, forehead, and scalp in the treatment as these areas carry a lot of tension.

What is a Foam Roller?

A foam roller is just a cylindrical piece of hard-celled foam that varies in size from 30 to 70 cm long. They can be purchased from $25 and up.

Foam Rolling is a method of soft tissue mobilisation and a form of self-myofascial release (SMR): basically self-massage.

Fascia is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including muscle. This soft tissue can become restricted due to psychogenic disease, overuse, trauma, infectious agents, or inactivity which often results in pain, muscle tension, and corresponding diminished blood flow. Although fascia and its corresponding muscle are the main targets of myofascial release, other tissue may be affected as well, including other connective tissue. When the fascia becomes irritated, it becomes inflamed, leading to thickening of the connective tissues (fibrosis), which in turn causes reflexive muscle tension which leads to more inflammation.

Information on water 

https://goodcalculators.com/water-intake-calculator/

My clients ask me regularly about things they can do. Heres a link you can get the simple facts.

https://www.wellandgood.com/good-food/liver-and-gut-cleansing-foods/

Having a massage, especially a deep tissue massage, is a form of passive exercise, as hard as that may be to believe, and you need to take care of yourself as if you have just exercised. 

You don't want to ruin that relaxed high you're on right now, do you?  Since you were too relaxed to hear me, let me give you some information and rules to follow.

Drink Lots Of Water, Especially For The Next 24 Hours - this is perhaps the most important rule of all.  Rehydration is key to a healthy body, especially after a massage.  Since massage promotes lymphatic movement, drinking water and hydrating yourself is key to moving toxins through the kidneys and out of the body. Drinking water is the best way to do this - and no, water in tea, coffee, soft drinks don't count!  Don't be surprised if you seem to have an increased urine output, i.e. you are peeing much more.  This is also normal.

How to buy gift vouchers using the online system: Computer

To buy a voucher from Relax4health.com.au on your computer. First click on the tab that says "Vouchers" just under the top banner.  

This should then bring up all of the vouchers which are available and to add one to be purchased click the “Add to Cart” button below the item. 

Change the quantity of the chosen item you would like and then click the check out button in the bottom right corner. 

Ergonomic Parenting: Best Ways to Prepare or Adapt Your Nursery.

The months following the birth of a child are some of the most rewarding for new parents—and the most challenging to a new parent’s body. Here are some tips on how using proper body mechanics within an ergonomically friendly nursery can help ease the strains and stresses of parenting.

The Changing Table, Before placing the baby on the changing table, it is essential to keep the baby at the centre of your body.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica describes pain felt along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, down through the buttock, hamstrings and into the lower leg. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. The spinal sections it originates from include L4, L5 or S1. 

Sciatica is commonly misdiagnosed, which can result is either slow or non-responsive treatment. Leg pain can have various sources. It can be a local leg injury or it may even be referred from your lower back. The main nerve that travels from your lower back to your leg is your sciatic nerve. Irritation or pinching of your sciatic nerve can cause severe leg pain known as sciatica.

FYI TRIGGER POINT RELEASE - It's like bowling for me -Sometimes I do all the same things and I get a strike every time. Then nothing seems to work to get that strike again. The only limitation is my creativity.

Massage Cupping and Bodywork

• This creates space and separation in the tissues that allows the therapist to work more effectively and comfortably on the client.
• Massage Cupping is a specific set of movements that the practitioner uses in different combinations to quickly facilitate elimination of debris and release of rigid soft tissues.
• Massage Cupping therapy is a more commonly used tool for massage therapists and other healthcare practitioners. Before applying the cup, the therapist will administer oil to facilitate smooth movement, since the cup is kept active and is not left stationary on the client’s body. The entire back may be treated, including the neck, shoulders, middle and lower back, and sacral area. The hip and thigh areas may also be treated. Almost every area of the body responds to this unique treatment.

I love to care for pregnant women during this special time.

Pregnancy massage helps you take valuable time out for yourself and connect with your body and your growing baby. It reduces swollen painful legs and feet, reduces muscle cramps and back pain and calms the nervous system, aiding comfortable sleep. We take great care  to use softer massage techniques in the first trimester and many women request firmer massage during the second and third trimester as the pelvis and spine start to move and shift.

A hormone called Relaxin is released during pregnancy which makes your joints looser in preparation for the hips to accommodate your growing baby.As your joints loosen, muscles you never knew you had can become tight to compensate for your loose joints.