Embrace Massage Therapy with a New Intention

Science has shown that professionally-conducted massage therapy works wonders in more ways than one. The health and wellness benefits of massage can go much deeper than helping to release muscle tension, aches, and pains.

So during your next visit to your massage therapist, perhaps you should embrace the massage with a certain intention. Whether to relax and relieve stress or promote healing in ailing parts of the body, a brief discussion with your massage therapist can pinpoint the perfect type of massage (along with the proper mindset) to help make you a better human being. Below are a few intentions to consider.

Enhances Flexibility

Sports injuries are far more common today than ever before. But in addition to injuries resulting from athletic pursuits, many individuals encounter minor injuries (pulled muscles, sprained anxles, etc.) from leading a sedentary lifestyle. In short, not keeping joints, ligaments, and muscles in motion can make one's system rigid and highly in-flexible.

In addition to embracing a slightly more active lifestyle that incorporates movement, flexibility can be greatly enhanced through massage therapy. With a good deep tissue massage for injury relief or prevention, your muscles, joints, tendons, and connective tissue become more fluid, hydrated, and less susceptible to injury.

Evaporates Stress & Anxiety

Countless research studies have proven that massage therapy significantly reduces both blood pressure and thus heart rate. In turn, this helps encourages the release of feel good endorphins throughout the body, such as serotonin and dopamine.

If you're constantly feeling stressed and anxious, a good wholesome massage may be in order. Almost any type of massage can help encourage feelings of calmness and relaxation (with the exception of deep, deep tissue massages which are often directed toward healing and rehabilitation. Opt for a long 60 or 90 minute massage, and let the stress evaporate.

Relieves Tension and Headaches

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Studies have shown that over 3 million people in the U.S. report dealing with migraine headaches. This is mostly due to individuals experiencing enormous amounts of stress coupled with poor sleep and rest.

Regular massage therapy can significantly help promote much needed relaxation (and stress-relief), and thus evaporating the potential onset of a migraine or tension headache. Tell you massage therapist that in addition to focusing on a general relaxation massage (or Swedish massage), you'd like to place some attention on the cranial area, such as the temples.

Improves Post-Surgery Healing & Rehabilitation

The post-surgery rehabilitation process is a critical phase after any surgery, whether knee surgery or breast augmentation surgery. It is during the post-op rehabilitation and recovery stages when your body needs to be stimulated in the right manner.

Research has made evident that patients after surgery who receive regular massage treatments can heal their bodies quicker. This has been particularly noted among athletes who undergo reconstructive surgery of the limbs, as well as women who are healing from breast augmentation surgery. In essence, massage therapy helps to promote increased blood flood and circulation in parts of the body that need it most, and thus accelerates the recovery process.

Ecourages Easier Breathing

One of the most clear signs of anxiety and stress in an individual is constricted breathing. Short and shallow breathing makes it nearly impossible to fully relax and unwind. For this reason, massage therapy can provide the ideal solution to achieve a complete relaxed state to make breathing easier and more fluid.

On physical level, constricted breathing is often caused by tight muscles in the rib cage as well as the abdomen. Precision massage treatment can help release these problematic tight spots, all while helping your body relax. Specific health benefits can help alleviate a number of respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis, sinus problems, and allergies.

Regular and professional massage therapy can be a complete game-changer in how you lead your life. Massage not only help us on physical level, but can also offer mental and emotional health benefits. If you can afford to invest in regular massage treatments, do it. It's one of the best forms of healthcare that your body will love.

This article was contribute on behalf of the Bloomington, IL massage therapists at N8 Touch Massage. Offering a wide range of massage therapies to the people of Bloomington, IL, N8 Touch Massage is haven for holistic healing and relaxation through the art of massage. To learn more about N8 Touch Massage of Bloomington, IL, you can visit the website or check them out on Google+.

The Pettibon System for Chiropractic Care

As used by some of the most innovative chiropractors, The Pettibon System is an effective posture and spine correction methodology that not only provides pain relief, but also works toward restoring the normal form and function of the spine. It is a comprehensively researched, practical alternative to physical therapy and chiropractic care. Furthermore, the Pettibon System even an alternative to medication, pain management and surgery.

The Pettibon System chiropractic principles are based on the belief that gravity plays a fundamental role in the development of abnormal spinal form. Human beings are supposed to hold their heads upright and nervous system makes sure that they do this even if it means that the lower spine has to be displaced to accomplish it.

The Pettibon Weighting System

By taking the Pettibon chiropractic principles, Pettibon System practitioners utilize them in order to realign this spine. This way the spine is able to function optimally to help hold the head upright. The patented Pettibon Weighting System is the most important part of the Pettibon System, which is applied during this alternative treatment.

During chiropractic treatment, patient have to wear specially designed head, hip and shoulder weights for up to twenty minutes every day, which ultimately corrects their spine. The spinal displacement that requires correction determines how many weights and where they have to be placed.

The centers of mass of the head, pelvis and thoracic cage are altered when the weights are worn. As a result, sensory inputs are sent by the righting reflexes to the nervous system to inform it that the spine needs to be corrected. Since the body needs to be balanced to the weights, the natural organizing energy of the nervous system causes some of the spinal muscles to contract and others to relax.

As a result, the posture and spine are corrected and repositioned, making them relative to gravity. In addition, the involved muscles are prompted to do isometric exercises because of the weights. This restores their balance, endurance, and strength. This practice, along with adjustments and other treatments provided by a professional chiropractor, can offer profound levels of improvement in mobility and overall functioning.

Why Isometric Exercises?

The musculoskeletal system’s muscle bundles consist of two kinds of muscle fibers. One is the phasic muscle fiber and the other is the postural muscle fiber. Both types of fibers are present in each muscle bundle but typically, a muscle group is dominated by only one of these two types of fibers. Postural muscles have mostly the postural muscle fibers. In the gym, when people do aerobic exercises and lift weights, it is the phasic fibers that are affected. At that time, nothing much happens to the postural muscles. So, posture is not improved even though phasic muscles are strengthened by the exercises.

When phasic muscles are injured and/or get fatigued, they collapse and go flaccid. However, postural muscles spasm when they are injured and/or get fatigued. Moreover, postural muscles never spasm evenly, they spasm either front-to-back or side-to-side. That is why the body’s appearance is distorted by poor posture because the spine shifts from its normal position. In isometric exercises, pulling or pushing is involved against a force that moves extremely slowly or remains stationary. As a result, postural muscle spasms are eliminated, and their balance, endure and strength are corrected and rehabilitated.

Why The Pettibon System For Chiropractic Care?

For over 30 years, the Pettibon System has proven to be helpful in the improvement of the health of patients. It focuses on muscular development, nutrition, and postural and spinal correction. The Pettibon System involves the active participation of patients in their own care, both at the clinic and at home. Currently there are very limited chiropractic practices that offer the complete Pettibon System by certified chiropractors in Berkeley, CA and other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit PettibonSystem.com where you get all in the information you need about this advanced form of chiropractic care.

Neon Tank Tops for Summer Fashion

Neon tank tops have become one of the most prominent fashion statements this summer. If you are thinking about revising your wardrobe, these tank tops are a must have.

Neon tanks are versatile tops that pair well with several items. This allows you to mix and match them to get the exact look that you want.

Neon tank tops look amazing when you wear them with skinny jeans, skirts, and shorts. One of the main advantages of these items is that they are quite affordable. This means that you can get them in several colors. You can also wear them each summer.

If you are traveling for a vacation, you can fit in several neon tank tops in your suitcase. You can wear them on the beach on top of your bikini. They can be worn by both men and women.

For the men, these items offer a great opportunity for you to display your tanned and toned arms. It is easy to throw on a tank top when you are heading out for shopping or to the beach.

Pocket Tank Tops

One of the most popular styles is neon tank tops that have pockets. These are vintage classic items that were very popular during the 70s and 80s. They look amazing on various skin tones.

The bright colors make custom neon pocket tank tops stand out and this means that you do not have to over accessorize them. If you choose to accessorize these items, select dangling earrings and necklaces. Scarves in bright colors also pair well with these tank tops.

You can wear your neon tank top to work under a blazer. It can also look great with a mini-skirt. You can layer the pocket tank tops or wear them on their own depending on the weather and the kind of look that you want to create.

Customizing Neon Tank Tops

It is possible to customize your neon tank tops to make them look unique. You can include your name or a certain symbol depending on your preferences. You and your friends can get the same design if you are attending an event.

There are various sites that allow you to customize your neon tank tops. TheNeonSouth.com is the most popular option to use when you want to make something unique. This site specializes in custom tank tops for parties, corporate promotions, sororities, fraternities, and schools.

To customize your neon tank top, visit TheNeonSouth.com and select the 'Create Your Own Custom Tank Top' option at the top of the page. Once the page opens, select the product you want to customize. You have a variety of colors to choose from such as neon yellow, green, pink, sky blue, honeydrew, pacific blue, seafoam, and mango.

Choose the design that you want to use on the tank top. The design can either be a clip art or image that you have saved on your device. The site allows you to upload images that you want on the tank top. You can also add text and change color. TheNeonSouth.com has edit options to make it easy for you to make as many changes as you want to get the right design.

Best Exercises for Retirement Community Residents

There is no doubt that exercise is very important for people of all ages. As you grow older, you should not despair and quit exercising. To maintain a healthy body, everybody needs physical activity that keeps your body moving. This helps in keeping a good physique, strong mental health, and also weight loss.

For older adults in retirement communities, the amount of exercise to do depends on factors like sickness and age. There are several types of exercises that older adults can do. They are not very intense and will not affect your health. Below we suggest a few great options that go well with retirement communities.

Endurance exercises

Examples of such exercises are jogging, biking, swimming, walking and dancing. These types of exercise help to stabilize your breathing rate and are good for your heart. Do not over work yourself by doing so many exercises per day. Your goal should be to have 150 minutes of exercise in a week. Depending on your health status, you can choose to do any of the endurance exercises. If you cannot ride a bike then swimming and light jogging could be the right exercise for you.

Weight lifting

Weight lifting helps in making you gain enough strength for your body. There are several weights that are recommended for older people. Do not go for the heavy weights because you might overwork your muscles and get a bad injury. Weight lifting should be done for a maximum of three days in a week. You should make sure that you have a rest between sessions or days to gain your strength. In the rest day, you can have other exercises. If you feel like you have the energy to lift weights ever day of the week, then you should ensure that you interchange the working muscles.

Balancing exercises

As you grow older, you might start facing difficulty in balancing and maintaining your stability. Due to illness or aging, most people can only stand for few minutes without risk of falling. Stability exercises help in strengthening your lower body. You can walk on your toes for short distances or do the stark pose. This is where you hold your arms wide apart and stand on one foot. At first, you might find it hard to maintain your balance but as you progress with your daily sessions, you will start gaining your balance.

Stretching

It is good to stretch your muscles so that your body stays flexible. These exercises are very good for people who have difficulty in walking or movement. Although they do not increase strength, they make your body limber and make movement easier. Stretch your shoulders, calf, thighs, legs and upper arms gently.

Chair exercises

There are several exercises that are chair bound for those people who have wheelchairs. You can use resistant bands for muscle strengthening. As you pull and stretch you are stretching your body and also adding stretch to your hands. You can bind the bands to furniture or even door knobs. You can even stretch the parts of your body that you are able to move without causing yourself a lot of pain. If you are seeing a physiotherapist or any kind of doctor, you can inquire about chair bound exercises that are fit for you.

Chiropractic Techniques to Release Spinal Tension & Alleviate Back Pain

Spinal tension and back pain can cause a lot of pain and frustration if self-care fails to offer relief. This can make prompt medical attention a necessity.

If you suffer from low back pain and spinal tension, it may be in your best interest to consult with qualified chiropractor for treatment. Chiropractors rely on a variety of treatments to deal with these conditions. Here is a list of the most common chiropractic techniques used to alleviate these debilitating issues.

Spinal Manipulation

Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to treat lower back pain that does not resolve with simple self-care. This chiropractic technique can also help to enhance physical function. It has been know to offer mild or moderate relief almost immediately.

Research evidence reveals that spinal manipulation is just as effective as other traditional forms of treatment for this condition such as taking pain medication, sleeping on a firm mattress, and applying heat on the affected part. It's considered a safe alternative to standard treatment options but it has to be carried out by a qualified practitioner.

A professional chiropractor also needs to be licensed to perform spinal manipulation. You may experience some minor side effects after the procedure including discomfort, which usually goes away after a few days. However, this discomfort is completely normal.

Your chiropractor can perform spinal manipulation by hand or specialized device designed to apply pressure on the spine joints. The pressure that is applied on the spine has to be controlled to prevent damage. The amount of pressure used will depend on the kind of manipulation the chiropractor is using. The main objective of spinal manipulation is to relieve the back pain and allow you to walk and move with ease.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

This chiropractic technique involves using a motorized device referred to as the spinal decompressor to stretch the spine. Spinal decompression therapy is specially used to relieve back pain. It is a non-surgical alternative to surgical spinal decompression. This is an ideal option if your back pain is caused by a herniated, bulging, or degenerating disc.

Spinal decompression therapy works by producing negative intradiscal pressure. This pressure helps the bulging or herniated disc to get back to its normal position. Lower pressure is also created through this technique to make it easy for nourishing nutrients to find their way into the disc, promoting healing.

It is important to note that this therapy should only be offered by a qualified individual. The spine is one of the most sensitive parts of the body and adequate care is required to make sure that no further damage is caused during treatment.

Torque Release Technique

This is one of the most advanced chiropractic techniques. The torque release technique is gentle and this ensures there are no cracked bones after the procedure. It is also comfortable because patients are not required to be in a bent position during the torque release process. The technique offers relief for back pain. It targets your nervous system, enhancing your well-being.

Torque release technique is recommended for diagnosing and identifying spine subluxation. It is also an effective solution for those who suffer from spinal tension. The technique releases the tension throughout your nervous system allowing your body to function properly.

Adjustment is carried out using a special tool called an integrator. This tool directs impulses into your spine. The integrator makes quick adjustments compared to using the hand to manipulate the spine. It is also more accurate and consistent, making the adjustment powerful.

The Graston Technique

This is a manual form of therapy chiropractors use to treat back pain. The Graston technique manipulates the soft tissue using some special instruments. A unique form of massage is used to touch the skin gently. This technique makes it easy for a practitioner to determine if there are any restrictions in the soft tissue. Injuries that affect your soft tissues can cause pain. The manipulation can help to break up any scar tissue that may be causing the back pain.

Only select chiropractors offer the Graston technique. One of the most renown is Dr. Timothy Bly of Bly-Hillman Chiropractic in Bloomington, Illinois. Dr. Bly has a reputation the leading chiropractor Bloomington, IL has to offer, as he offers over 30 years of experience and the most cutting edge techniques in chiropractic.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Chiropractors also use laser therapy to treat back pain. Low-level laser therapy is used because it enhances the body’s natural healing process. Red and near-infrared monochromatic light is used to penetrate your skin.

A light source is put on the skin to enhance circulation and restore cell function. It is recommended for back pain but it has to be performed by a qualified chiropractor to determine the precise location, cause, severity, and frequency of your pain.

With these chiropractic techniques (especially when used in conjunction) your chiropractor can help you overcome your low back pain. Look around and ask prospective chiropractors in your area if they provide some of these specialized treatments, and if they're able to put together unique programs given your circumstance. 

3 Peoria Vacation & Travel Ideas

If you're planning a Peoria vacation or just passing through the area, then this short post is for you. There are many interesting things to see and do in Peoria, too many to mention here.

With that in mind, and to help make your Peoria vacation as memorable as possible, we have put together a few places and things we recommend anyone who is planning to travel to Peoria, IL should visit and do.

Peoria Grandview Drive

Ideal for any Peoria vacation, the Grandview Drive is a must. The former U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt described Grandview Drive as the 'World's Most Beautiful Drive' when he visited Peoria in 1910, and it is not too hard to see why he made such a claim. The views Roosevelt saw during his time there are still visible and in fact, unchanged since Native Americans settled there many centuries ago.

The drive itself is a lovely two and half mile drive that rewards visitors with an amazing panoramic view of the Marshall, Tazewell and Woodford counties. On an especially clear day it is thought that you can see over 30 miles of the picturesque Illinois River Valley.

Caterpillar Visitors Center

While this is perhaps one of the most popular and obvious attractions in Peoria, no trip to the city should be complete without visiting the Caterpillar Visitors Center. Caterpillar is probably Peoria's most famous export, and the Caterpillar Visitors Center offers you a chance to learn about and look back at the history of the company from its small beginnings as a tractor manufacturer into one of the leading companies in the building industry.

While it is not free to enter, the price is extremely reasonable and a family of four can easily take a self-guided and interactive tour round the center for just under $20. One of the highlights is the 24 ft. high 797 mining truck which also doubles up as a movie theater. It definitely makes the travel to Peoria worth it for those interested in big equipment and machines.

Peoria Zoo

Peoria Zoo, formerly known as Glen Oak Zoo, is based in Glen Oak Park is home to over 100 different species of animals. The Peoria Zoo opened a new exhibit called Africa in 2009, which features a boardwalk that allows you to walk around its main area, giving you the perfect view of the whole enclosure.

The area is divided into two distinct sections - the north which is home to gazelles and giraffes, and the south which is home to rhinos and zebras. The lions that most people come to see have their own den. The mandrills also have their own enclosure. While the Aldabra giant tortoise and African crested porcupines; and Columbus monkeys and Red River hogs live together.

The Peoria zoo also features a small animal building that is home to Taveta Golden Weavers, Madagascar tree boas, African rock pythons, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, dung beetles, pancake tortoises, giant Zambian mole-rats and Zebra mice amongst others.

Peoria is said to be the oldest of Illinois’s European settlements and was first established by Henri de Tonti, a French explorer. He named it Peoria after the tribe who originate from that area and it is also the largest city that sits on Illinois River. As a result, Peoria makes for a great vacation spot that many people travel to all year around.