Education

It’s always so sad to see elderly people who’s spines are so curved forward that they can  not longer stand erect. I’ve always thought- how do they get to that point? Little did I know that the majority of people with desk jobs are in a repetitive posture that can lead to this state of affairs.

As we hunch over our keyboards in the luminous glow of the computer screen, certain muscles are tightening while others are loosening. Our spinal curvature begins to change as muscles become weak and imbalanced. For every inch our heads moves forward, there is an added strain on our cervical spine to support our cranium and this leads to pain and discomfort in the upper back and shoulders and possibly headaches.

Unfortunately I’m all too familiar with this feeling, but fortunately I work in an environment where massage therapy is at my fingertips. Registered Massage Therapists are trained to address such specific pain and tension cycles associated with ergonomics.  Through regular work on the muscles as well as corrective exercises and stretches assigned for home care, your massage therapist can correct your postural alignment. That- I must say, is a relief!

With the end of the fiscal year looming ahead- it’s the perfect time to come in for a series of massage therapy treatments to use up benefits that have gone by the way side. Booking in once a week is ideal to create a corrective program for strains and pains. While the rest of us are hunching our way through our Holiday shopping, you’ll be enjoying an early gift!

Colorescience Pep Up Gel

This has become my favorite product to apply to my client’s skin as a serum under their finishing moisturizer and mineral cosmetics.  The key ingredients contained in Pep Up Gel are pearl powder, 10% hyaluronic acid and tripeptides. Now- these ingredients are certainly quite good for the skin on their own, but in this combination, I think they are superb.

Pearl powder is purported to provide the skin with amino acids and melanin inhibiting properties while creating luminosity. Hyaluronic acid is an extremely common- yet expensive ingredient used in skin care for it’s incredibly hydrating benefits, and at 10% in this formulation, the hydrating, cooling and voluminous effect is instantaneous.  Lastly- protein peptides are all the rage in cosmetics due to their ability to improve cellular metabolism and recovery of skin cells, thus significantly reducing wrinkles and loss of tonicity in the skin.

So after all this- the icing on the cake is how good it makes the skin look, it’s an addiction, and obsession, I don’t know if I can stop myself from using it or talking about it! I heart Pep Up Gel!

It’s sure to be a favorite at tonight’s Colorescience Launch Party!

Have you used Mineral Cosmetics on your skin? What do you like about it compared with traditional make up?

I’ve always been a fan of baths. Thirty minutes in a warm bath after a long day and I can cleanse away physical and mental stresses, emerging renewed.

Recently, I’ve made it a practice to always include salts in my bath as a way to boost my overall health and well-being. I was amazed to find that something as simple as magnesium sulphate- otherwise known as epsom salts could have such bountiful health benefits, a few of which I’ve listed below…

• Stress depletes our magnesium levels- epsom salts help to replenish this much needed mineral.
• draws toxins from the body
• sedates the nervous system
• reduces swelling
• relaxes muscles, relieves pain and muscle cramps
• helps produce serotonin improving mood and sleep function
• increases stamina and energy

I think the most important thing that people overlook is using the appropriate amount of salts in their bath in order to get the therapeutic benefits. The recommended dosage is at least three baths per week  with one to two cups of epsom salts per bath.

You can make it an aromatherapy experience by adding 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Mine is lavender for it’s anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, healing and soothing effects.

Integrating salt baths into your routine doesn’t have to break the bank. There are some more upscale bath salts that you can treat yourself to, like Sea Flora’s Soothing Sea Kelp Soak 250ml $23.95. But straight forward epsom salts are quite affordable-  

 4 cups / 32 oz.  for $8 or 2 cups / 16 oz. $5. Now that’s a bath that’s worth its salt! 

The inevitable cold and flu season is upon us and this year major media hype has been paid to the H1N1 virus.  

In the past, people would show up to work in the height of their illness in an attempt to be seen as a team player- not letting a pidley cold get in the way. These days, the opposite is true and you may be seen as a saboteur for knowingly bringing your infectious cold or flu to work.

While this is an improved attitude towards illness and being responsible towards our fellows, the fact is that we still need to live our lives, despite any lingering symptoms. So when is it safe to re-enter society?

The most contagious stages of the flu are about a day before you experience symptoms and then for about five to seven days into the illness. For colds, the first three to four days of the illness are the most contagious. 

If you’re feeling under the weather, it’s best to wait it out before you go back to work or come in for a treatment. However, once you’re through the contagious stage- a stint in the infrared sauna and a massage will do wonders for your recovery.

In the mean time, prevention is the key to staying well. So stay rested and make a habit of regular massage and sauna sessions to detoxify and stimulate your bodies natural killer cells- click here to read more.

There are many different techniques involved in massage therapy. Registered Massage Therapists in Vancouver need to have studied for 3000 hours and pass rigorous exams before they can be a practicing member of the Massage Therapy Association. This means that each hand placement and nuance of pressure has medical reasoning behind it.

That’s really the beauty of massage therapy; the fact that human touch has the ability to improve our physical health and sense of well being.

One of the most effective massage therapy treatments I’ve experienced is Geo-Thermal Stone Therapy.  This treatment involves the use of hot basalt stones and cool carved marble to create shifts in blood and lymphatic circulation to the muscles.

Have you ever experienced mild aches in your muscles post-massage? This is due to the lactic acid still present in the muscle tissue. Massage therapy helps to flush this out somewhat; however, the contrasting temperatures used in  geo-thermal stone therapy ameliorates this process, resulting in refreshed muscles full of oxygenated blood.

The warmth of the basalt stones is comforting, relaxing and grounding. The cool marble may seem like the farthest thing from relaxing, however after the initial temperature transition, the cold has a soothes muscle strain and helps reduce inflammation.

So if it’s been a while since your last massage, or you’re looking to intensify your treatment- I’d highly recommend you book yourself  in for some geo-thermal stone therapy.  It’s deep therapy for stressed limbs and the perfect warming treatment during the chilly fall and winter seasons.