Certified in the following modalities:
~Hot Stone Therapy
~Pre-Natal Massage
~AromaTherapy
~Swedish Relaxation
~Sports Massage
Please contact me at Kristenstouch@yahoo.com or (773) 317-1559 to schedule an appointment
*All prices are subject to change
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Self Care Tips
Hey everyone!!! I will be posting different information about how we can take better care of our temples (body)! We so often go thru life without realizing how much strain and stress we put on our bodies in a day's activity. I will give you some helpful information pertaining to massage and other things that will help us all take better care of our temples. Enjoy!
Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy
Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions and more:
Proper glucose metabolism
Regulation of blood pressure
Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence
Immune function
Inflammatory response
Normally, it’s present in the body at higher levels in the morning, and at its lowest at night. Although stress isn’t the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the bloodstream, it has been termed “the stress hormone” because it’s also secreted in higher levels during the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, and is responsible for several stress-related changes in the body. Small increases of cortisol have some positive effects:
A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
Heightened memory functions
A burst of increased immunity
Lower sensitivity to pain
Helps maintain homeostasis in the body
While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s response to stress, it’s important that the body’s relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions can return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress.
Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:
Impaired cognitive performance
Suppressed thyroid function
Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
Decreased bone density
Decrease in muscle tissue
Higher blood pressure
Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing, and other health consequences
Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!
To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should be activated after the fight or flight response occurs. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place. The following have been found by many to be very helpful in relaxing the body and mind, aiding the body in maintaining healthy cortisol levels:
Guided Imagery
Journaling
Self-Hypnosis
Exercise
Yoga
Listening to Music
Breathing Exercises
Meditation
Sex
Other Techniques
Cortisol secretion varies among individuals. People are biologically ‘wired’ to react differently to stress. One person may secrete higher levels of cortisol than another in the same situation. Studies have also shown that people who secrete higher levels of cortisol in response to stress also tend to eat more food, and food that is higher in carbohydrates than people who secrete less cortisol. If you’re more sensitive to stress, it’s especially important for you to learn stress management techniques and maintain a low-stress lifestyle.
Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy
Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions and more:
Proper glucose metabolism
Regulation of blood pressure
Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence
Immune function
Inflammatory response
Normally, it’s present in the body at higher levels in the morning, and at its lowest at night. Although stress isn’t the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the bloodstream, it has been termed “the stress hormone” because it’s also secreted in higher levels during the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, and is responsible for several stress-related changes in the body. Small increases of cortisol have some positive effects:
A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
Heightened memory functions
A burst of increased immunity
Lower sensitivity to pain
Helps maintain homeostasis in the body
While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the body’s response to stress, it’s important that the body’s relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions can return to normal following a stressful event. Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress.
Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have been shown to have negative effects, such as:
Impaired cognitive performance
Suppressed thyroid function
Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
Decreased bone density
Decrease in muscle tissue
Higher blood pressure
Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slowed wound healing, and other health consequences
Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in other areas of the body. Some of the health problems associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks, strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), which can lead to other health problems!
To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control, the body’s relaxation response should be activated after the fight or flight response occurs. You can learn to relax your body with various stress management techniques, and you can make lifestyle changes in order to keep your body from reacting to stress in the first place. The following have been found by many to be very helpful in relaxing the body and mind, aiding the body in maintaining healthy cortisol levels:
Guided Imagery
Journaling
Self-Hypnosis
Exercise
Yoga
Listening to Music
Breathing Exercises
Meditation
Sex
Other Techniques
Cortisol secretion varies among individuals. People are biologically ‘wired’ to react differently to stress. One person may secrete higher levels of cortisol than another in the same situation. Studies have also shown that people who secrete higher levels of cortisol in response to stress also tend to eat more food, and food that is higher in carbohydrates than people who secrete less cortisol. If you’re more sensitive to stress, it’s especially important for you to learn stress management techniques and maintain a low-stress lifestyle.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
History of Massage Therapy
The origins of massage are found in China in 2700 B.C. where the first documentation of massage is found. The text is called "The Yellow Emperor’s Classic Book of Internal Medicine." This book was only published in English in 1949. In less than 50 years, this book has become a staple and is often used as a textbook for teaching many forms of alternative medicine, such as massage, acupuncture, acupressure and herbology.
We also find massage in India in the 2nd century B.C., where the Hindus used the art of healing touch in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda from the Sanskrit translation means “life health” or “life science.” It is regarded as the basis of holistic medicine, combining meditation, relaxation and aromatherapy.
Massage can be followed from the East, then to the Greek and Roman empires by the 17th century B.C., taking its origins from Egypt, where reflexology had been used for hundreds of years.
Western Migration
It was from this history that in the early 1800s the Swedish doctor, gymnast and educator Per Henril Ling* developed a method of movement known as the “Swedish Movement System,” which is commonly regarded as the foundation for Swedish massage most commonly used in the West today.
*Note: Although the “Swedish Movement System” was developed by Ling, it was the Dutch Johan Georg Mezger who defined the basic hand strokes of Swedish massage.
Today the most common types of massage practiced in the western hemisphere are Swedish massage and the Japanese massage practice of Shiatsu, also referred to as pressure point or trigger point massage. Great emphasis is also being placed on movement and bodywork. Types of body work include: Reiki, Feldenkrais and Pilates, where the focus is a combination of movement, breathing and relaxation to improve mobility.
Where It’s Going
Considering the long history of massage, its incorporation into Western medicine is only in its infancy. The potential for growth and research of the healing properties of therapeutic massage and body work has gained great momentum over the last fifty years and the public demand for massage therapy is at an all-time high.
As a preventative practice, therapeutic massage is used in spas, gymnasiums and work places all over the country. Using therapeutic massage to promote balance and maintain internal and external health is something that is now a standard part of the North American lifestyle.
In the health care industry, massage is commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes and birthing centers. It is also used in physical therapy and in chiropractic clinics to treat pain, increase circulation and expedite the healing of injured muscles.
Massage as Preventative Treatment
While the benefits of massage as a restorative treatment have earned respect in modern medicine, its benefits as preventative treatment have only recently been considered. Can a body-mind-spirit synergy actually prevent certain forms of disease? This question is now being seriously pondered by medical professionals.
We have merely begun exploring the myriad healing properties of massage therapy. It is the hope and goal of many professional massage therapists to see their techniques more fully integrated into our professional healthcare system and personal lifestyles.
We also find massage in India in the 2nd century B.C., where the Hindus used the art of healing touch in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda from the Sanskrit translation means “life health” or “life science.” It is regarded as the basis of holistic medicine, combining meditation, relaxation and aromatherapy.
Massage can be followed from the East, then to the Greek and Roman empires by the 17th century B.C., taking its origins from Egypt, where reflexology had been used for hundreds of years.
Western Migration
It was from this history that in the early 1800s the Swedish doctor, gymnast and educator Per Henril Ling* developed a method of movement known as the “Swedish Movement System,” which is commonly regarded as the foundation for Swedish massage most commonly used in the West today.
*Note: Although the “Swedish Movement System” was developed by Ling, it was the Dutch Johan Georg Mezger who defined the basic hand strokes of Swedish massage.
Today the most common types of massage practiced in the western hemisphere are Swedish massage and the Japanese massage practice of Shiatsu, also referred to as pressure point or trigger point massage. Great emphasis is also being placed on movement and bodywork. Types of body work include: Reiki, Feldenkrais and Pilates, where the focus is a combination of movement, breathing and relaxation to improve mobility.
Where It’s Going
Considering the long history of massage, its incorporation into Western medicine is only in its infancy. The potential for growth and research of the healing properties of therapeutic massage and body work has gained great momentum over the last fifty years and the public demand for massage therapy is at an all-time high.
As a preventative practice, therapeutic massage is used in spas, gymnasiums and work places all over the country. Using therapeutic massage to promote balance and maintain internal and external health is something that is now a standard part of the North American lifestyle.
In the health care industry, massage is commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes and birthing centers. It is also used in physical therapy and in chiropractic clinics to treat pain, increase circulation and expedite the healing of injured muscles.
Massage as Preventative Treatment
While the benefits of massage as a restorative treatment have earned respect in modern medicine, its benefits as preventative treatment have only recently been considered. Can a body-mind-spirit synergy actually prevent certain forms of disease? This question is now being seriously pondered by medical professionals.
We have merely begun exploring the myriad healing properties of massage therapy. It is the hope and goal of many professional massage therapists to see their techniques more fully integrated into our professional healthcare system and personal lifestyles.
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