Our bodies hydrate from the inside out to the skin. When our skin is exposed to cold, dry air it looses moisture quickly. That dead skin needs to be removed and the underlying layers need to be nourished.
Start by increasing your fluid intake and your foods that have a high moisture content (raw fruits and vegetables, rice and meats if you eat meat.). It takes several days to properly hydrate, so make it a habit. Next, I recommend going to a spa or having me come over and get a full body sugar or salt scrub/exfoliation. I prefer sugar in case you have any cuts on your legs.
Your other option is to go to a bath specialty store and purchase a sugar scrub. Look closely at its contents. It should contain large grains of sugar and have a visible pool of oil that the sugar is soaking in. Let me know if you decide to do a self-scrub and I'll give you some important tips.
For more skin care advice from an expert check out my friend Phaedra's blog. http://www.phaedra-skincare.blogspot.com/
Ben Keyes
Licensed Massage Therapist
ben@rxmassagetherapy.com
www.RxMassageTherapy.com
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
How to Cure a Cold (or Sore Throat)
I have been fortunate to have avoid getting a significant cold or sore throat for nine years using this simple technique derived from the ancient art of Thai Massage. There are ten main energy lines, called Sen Lines, in Thai Massage. These lines are different than Meridians in Chinese Medicine. Sen Lines are compressed and lengthened through the entire massage.
Almost ten years ago after I had recently taken a course in Thai Massage (By Margie Meshew with Universal Touch Inc.), I woke up about 3A.M. with a severe sore throat and sinus congestion. I cringed in pain every time I swallowed, and could only breathe through my mouth because of my congestion. This was possibly the worst sore throat of my life.
I remembered that my Thai Massage instructor had mentioned that a Thai Massage is still a medical treatment in Thailand. The class was my first massage seminar and I was still a massage student in school. So I bought every poster, chart, book and video that she had to offer. I immediately found my book and frantically searched for which Sen Line would treat my sore throat and congestion. Once I found it, I started treating it.
I wasn't even half way up on my first pass and I swallowed with very little pain. Then my sinuses opened one at a time. After treating Sen Lawusang, I moved to the other side and treated Sen Ulangka. Five minutes later there was no trace of any cold or sore throat symptoms! Since then I have treated both lines and have treat others with great success. Here is my quick sketch of the two Sen Lines and a little bit of information on how to treat them.
Sen Lines
Ben Keyes
Licensed Massage Therapist
ben@rxmassagetherapy.com
www.RxMassageTherapy.com
Almost ten years ago after I had recently taken a course in Thai Massage (By Margie Meshew with Universal Touch Inc.), I woke up about 3A.M. with a severe sore throat and sinus congestion. I cringed in pain every time I swallowed, and could only breathe through my mouth because of my congestion. This was possibly the worst sore throat of my life.
I remembered that my Thai Massage instructor had mentioned that a Thai Massage is still a medical treatment in Thailand. The class was my first massage seminar and I was still a massage student in school. So I bought every poster, chart, book and video that she had to offer. I immediately found my book and frantically searched for which Sen Line would treat my sore throat and congestion. Once I found it, I started treating it.
I wasn't even half way up on my first pass and I swallowed with very little pain. Then my sinuses opened one at a time. After treating Sen Lawusang, I moved to the other side and treated Sen Ulangka. Five minutes later there was no trace of any cold or sore throat symptoms! Since then I have treated both lines and have treat others with great success. Here is my quick sketch of the two Sen Lines and a little bit of information on how to treat them.
Sen Lines
Ben Keyes
Licensed Massage Therapist
ben@rxmassagetherapy.com
www.RxMassageTherapy.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Drinking Water After a Massage
I get the question all the time and I heard it again today from a well educated, intelligent woman.
"Should I drink more water after I get a massage?"
It is my belief that through understanding the waste disposal process of the "toxins" that are released from the body, The system responsible for that task is the Lymphatic System. The toxins that we are talking about are the acids (lactic acid, carbonic acid , uric acid and hyaluronic acid) that are the byproducts of muscle contractions and are held in the muscles until they are manually removed through either muscle contraction or external manipulation (Eg. Massage Therapy). Other toxins are the wastes from other normal cellular functions.
The Lymphatic System is made up of a clear liquid that transports wastes through our body to a central location to be expelled from the body (What a nice way to put that.). Our Lymphatic System works better when we are properly hydrated. And since it is essentially our immune system, hydration is VERY important.
Hydration is an ongoing process and takes days to achieve. It cannot be done by drinking large quantities of water post massage. We actually get most of the fluid we need from the foods we eat. Food stays in our system longer and our body takes much of the moisture our during the digestive and absorption process. Foods that are high in moisture content (Eg. Apples, grapes... basically all your raw fruits and vegetables.) give up their water to our body. Just another reason to eat more fruits and vegetables.
So the answer is no. Don't worry about drinking water after your massage to "flush out toxins" from your body. Eat your fruits and veggies all the time and you'll have a healthier immune system and you'll be better hydrated. Your massage will be more effective too. Now schedule your massage for next week, then eat an apple.
Ben Keyes
Licensed Massage Therapist
ben@rxmassagetherapy.com
www.RxMassageTherapy.com
"Should I drink more water after I get a massage?"
It is my belief that through understanding the waste disposal process of the "toxins" that are released from the body, The system responsible for that task is the Lymphatic System. The toxins that we are talking about are the acids (lactic acid, carbonic acid , uric acid and hyaluronic acid) that are the byproducts of muscle contractions and are held in the muscles until they are manually removed through either muscle contraction or external manipulation (Eg. Massage Therapy). Other toxins are the wastes from other normal cellular functions.
The Lymphatic System is made up of a clear liquid that transports wastes through our body to a central location to be expelled from the body (What a nice way to put that.). Our Lymphatic System works better when we are properly hydrated. And since it is essentially our immune system, hydration is VERY important.
Hydration is an ongoing process and takes days to achieve. It cannot be done by drinking large quantities of water post massage. We actually get most of the fluid we need from the foods we eat. Food stays in our system longer and our body takes much of the moisture our during the digestive and absorption process. Foods that are high in moisture content (Eg. Apples, grapes... basically all your raw fruits and vegetables.) give up their water to our body. Just another reason to eat more fruits and vegetables.
So the answer is no. Don't worry about drinking water after your massage to "flush out toxins" from your body. Eat your fruits and veggies all the time and you'll have a healthier immune system and you'll be better hydrated. Your massage will be more effective too. Now schedule your massage for next week, then eat an apple.
Ben Keyes
Licensed Massage Therapist
ben@rxmassagetherapy.com
www.RxMassageTherapy.com
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Fall E-Newsletter
This is my most recent massage newsletter.
I like to get it out at least once a quarter and for special holidays. My newsletter contains discounts for services, contests and massage research articles with my comments. I would like your feedback on improvements I can make so it will be more enjoyable to you.
I like to get it out at least once a quarter and for special holidays. My newsletter contains discounts for services, contests and massage research articles with my comments. I would like your feedback on improvements I can make so it will be more enjoyable to you.
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