Beat The Winter Blues With A Massage.

Benefits Of Massage

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure techniques.
Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of healing, as the practice of therapeutic massage can be traced back nearly 4,000 years. Studies show that millions of people use it today. The health benefits of massage are becoming more well known making massage therapy more popular.
There are many different types of massage, including these common types:
â- Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you
â- Deep-tissue massage. This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
â- Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
â- Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.
Massage therapy refers to a comprehensive health management strategy focusing on the application of various techniques to positively affect the soft tissues and joints of the body. Massage techniques most commonly include pressure and compression, kneading, friction, and mobilizing to improve the health and condition of the muscles, tendons, skin, fascia or connective tissue of the body.
As a society, we are touch deprived and this can lead to disease or emotional dysfunction. Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Massage has been shown to decrease pain, improve range of motion, improve mood, aid in circulation of blood and lymph flow, reduce muscle soreness and improve sleep. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat post surgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.
Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you will be and how youthful you will remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. Just because massage feels like a pampering treat does not mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.
Risks of Massage
Massage is generally safe as long as it’s done by a trained massage therapist. But massage isn’t appropriate for everyone. Discuss massage with your doctor first in cases of:
â- Unexplained pain or other symptoms
â- Burns or open wounds
â- Cancer
â- Blood clots
â- Fractures
â- Rheumatoid arthritis
â- Severe osteoporosis
â- Pregnancy
Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage should not be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage does not feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.

Pamper and Prep- Festive Beauty Countdown

 

A girl’s best friend!!!

 A microdermabrasion is like the little black dress in the wardrobe it delivers every time and for every occasion!          
You will notice a difference after your very first treatment!  It delivers deep exfoliation to the upper layers of the skin, perfect for winter prep; all the products you use on to your skin after will work much more effectively.     Your skin will be more hydrated and plump giving you a more glowing, youthful and radiant complexion. The treatment is great for uneven skin tone, congestion, lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, dehydrated skin, scaring, acne, dull and lacking lustre.
The summer has been harsh on our skin, from pigmentation and UV damage and the winter is not going to be any kinder…. Stepping into central heating and then outside to cold, leaves our skin lacking in oils and feeling dehydrated.
Prepare your skin by booking your first treatment in the next few weeks and if your skin has suffered badly during the summer months then try and book a course of 3 at your local salon or spa.

Hot Nail Trends For Autumn/Winter 2014

From nudes to nail art, there's something for everyone this season. We spoke to nail industry insiders to dissect the trends that you should try on your talons now. Get inspired to nail your new season style.
                          Dark and stormy

With the darker nights, deep, moody hues will return bringing typically autumnal tones; think grey and navy skies, mossy greens and deep rusty reds. The catwalks of Elie Saab (pictured), Julien Macdonald and Burberry all demonstrated that classic wintry colours are going nowhere. Backstage nail insider Katie Jane Hughes from Butter London told us that "a good grey and a deep red" would be her go-to shades this season. Get them in your kit (and on your nails) pronto.

The new nudes
No longer associated with just Spring and Summer, nude nails are a perma trend and were awash again on the AW14 catwalks of Temperley, Issa and Carolina Herrera (pictured). Anyone can wear nude and Katie Jane told us how. "If it's a sheer tone it's not essential that's it matches your skin tone exactly. If it's opaque, pale skin should look for a whitish nude that had a beige tint, medium skin tones should look for apricot beige and darker skin tones should opt for brown beige."
If last year was obsessed with the swinging 60s, this season fashion pays homage to its younger sister. Nail trend ringleader Sophy Robson told us that "a very 70's colour palette" will dominate digits. "Burnt orange, purples, rusts with a bit of fuchsia" – as seen on the stunning two-tone look she created at the House of Holland show.


Metallic shades will always be big for party season and let's face it – everyone loves to razzle dazzle. It was seen on the catwalks of Badgley Mischka and Libertine (pictured) where Katie Jane created these opulent ombre glitter nails. But how on earth do mere mortals get glitter off when the party's over? "Approach removing glitter like gels" she says, "wrap in acetone soaked cotton and secure with tin foil, leave for ten minutes and it should fall away with ease." Shine on, sisters.
As Sophy demonstrated at House of Holland and Katie showed on the Libertine show, two-tone nails are the way to wear nail art this season. Katie told us she loves using the Butter London Ombré Brush for this and shared her tip to DIY the look: "I would paint my nails with a grey and then using a metallic I would skim up the nail from the tip. It gives you a very cool unique look." For a more minimal take on the trend try the look from Band of Outsiders (pictured). Nail legend Deborah Lippmann, who created the look, told us how. "Deborah Lippmann Naked, a clean beige, was painted over the entire nail. Using a strip brush, the nails were outlined with Amazing Grace to create the 'Band o' French'."
The edgy amongst us might want to try the celeb and blogger fad for flip manis – i.e. nail art on the reverse of your nails. Katie Jane says acrylic fans should take note. "I think it's cool, it's a nice, simple way to wear nail art and still have a classic look in the front". Try foils, "or secret words hiding back there!"

The shape of the season

While celebrity talons seem to get longer and longer, Katie says a return to a "short and almond" shape is imminent. "I feel like the long square and long stiletto has been done to death." Keep it classy gals







http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/beauty-hair/beauty-trends/a29303/nail-trends-autumn-winter-2014/
.