Most times, when thinking of massage, the first image that comes to mind is that of getting a body massage with the purpose of relieving tension in the neck, shoulders, back and other parts of the body. However, many of us are unaware of the facial that there is also the option of having facial massages which provide our faces with the same benefits that a regular massage does for our body. Like all other forms of massage, a facial massage serves the purpose of relieving tension, promoting relaxation and restoring energy to your face as well as your entire body by improving blood circulation.

Performing regular facial massages improves the general condition of your skin and allows it to look young, smooth, firm and beautiful.

The tension that is released during a facial massage also serves to minimize the appearance of fine lines as wrinkles. It increases the circulation to the face, reduces the amount of impurities and toxins that are in the skin, restore the moisture balance of the skin and gives the skin a more radiant glow. Increasing the blood flow to your skin is a critical factor in allowing your skin to look radiant. When there is decreased circulation in the body, for instance when you are sleeping, there is less blood being transported to the face. It is for this reason that your face appears to be puffy and paler when you wake up in the morning. In order to get the blood flowing again and achieve a healthy glow, it is necessary that you give yourself a facial massage.

Although in this tough economic time, many people may not be able to afford having professional facial massages done. The good news however, this is not something that should stop you since it is absolutely possible for you to perform a facial massage yourself, in the comfort of your home.

The massage may not be as thorough as compared to having it done by a professional therapist, it would still achieve its purpose which is to increase the blood flow to the face and relieve tension in the skin.  If you are performing a facial massage yourself, it is imperative that you clean your face first in order to remove excess oil and makeup. Cleanse with a defoliator so that the dead skin cells can be removed from the surface of your face. You should then apply a small amount of massage lotion or massage oil to the face so that your skin would not be pulled or stretched during the massage. The use of pure vegetable oil is advised since these provide great moisture to the can and are easily absorbed by the skin without clogging pores.

Keep in mind that you should not however, massage your skin for more than 20 minutes since this may lengthen or stretch the facial muscles. Massage your face using gentle strokes without exerting too much pressure, especially on the neck area. Some of the areas to pay attention to when performing a facial massage are the forehead, nose, mouth and cheeks as wrinkles tend to form in these places easily.

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Within the realm of massage therapy, one method that is quite often used in Asia is cupping therapy. I noticed it is not as popular in the US or Western countries. But as the name suggests, this form of therapy relies on the use of glass or plastic cups which the massage therapist uses to create localized pressure by a vacuum. This is an ancient Chinese method of therapy in which heat is used inside glass or bamboo cups. However, in recent times, cupping therapy uses suction instead of heat to create the vacuum inside the cups. The vacuum that is created facilitates the forming of blood in the area in which the cup is placed and that aids in healing the area. Whilst regular massage uses compression, cupping works in an opposite manner in which it suctions and lifts. It can penetrate as deep as four inches into the body’s tissues allowing for stimulation of blood flow and release of toxins.

Cupping therapy is derived from ancient Chinese medicine in which it was believed that the body was divided into Meridians. Meridians are pathways in the body through which the energy of life, called the chi, flows. The chi is believed to flow through all of the body’s tissues, organs and body parts. In general, cupping therapy is performed on the back since there are five meridians located on our backs and when these five meridians are opened, the energy that lies within the body is able to flow throughout the body and bring about healing.

Cupping also aids in the release of toxins form the body. The process of accumulation of lymph, blood or fluids in the body is referred to as stagnation. The release of toxins occurs as a result of the suction that is used in this form of therapy. The suction from the cups is able to penetrate deep into the body’s tissues and cause the tissues to release harmful toxins that have accumulated in the tissues of the body. The lymphatic system is also triggered and that helps to clear the blood vessels while stretching and activating the skin.

One of the benefits of cupping therapy is that it reduces the pain that is felt in the body since pain it believed to be caused by problems with the chi. This pain may be the result of stress in the body, hormonal imbalances, fluid imbalances, inadequate blood flow and temperature in the muscles and joints. The act of placing a suction cup on the area that is affected creates warmth and circulation in the area. This result in the dissipation of tension and you would experience a reduction in pain.

Another important facet of Chinese medicine is that it is believed that all organs are interconnected. Therefore, if there is a problem with one organ, it would be manifested in other parts of the body as well. Since cupping target all of the five meridians of the body, it is believed that its healing powers are extremely valuable. There are many benefits to cupping therapy and it has been used in the treatment of many illnesses. Some of these include constipation, diarrhea, headaches, back pains, skin problems, menstrual problems, arthritis, weight problems etc.

My family and I use it often, it helps to treat minor conditions I mentioned earlier. Invest in the right cupping therapy set, you will enjoy the benefits it bring to yourself or your family.

Read more on other types of massage therapy like bamboo therapy here.

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Asians such as the Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese typically use bamboo in their festivals and rituals as the bamboo symbolizes life energy, prosperity, longevity, sexuality and fertility. For the Chinese, the bamboo is a symbol eternal youth, strength, peace as well as prosperity. It must be said that bamboo massage is not as new as it may seem. It has been used in ancient times and its uses include more than just body work.

The process of bamboo massage employs the use of bamboo stalks which vary in length and thickness. These bamboo stalks are used to provide deep-tissue work. Some of the benefits of bamboo massage are that it promotes blood circulation, improves sensory nerve perception and drainage of the lymphatic system while also providing a sense of relaxation and relief from tension. Bamboo massage is also beneficial to the massage therapist as it lessens the stress that is placed on the hands and fingers while still affording the massage therapist to penetrate deeply into the body tissues.

The use of bamboo for the purpose of massages is beneficial since the pressure that is applied using the bamboo sticks can penetrate deep into the tissues of the body. This helps to raise energy levels of the body and it also creates an improved degree of fluidity in the body. This revitalizes the body, especially for someone who was feeling sluggish. Bamboo sticks relieves sluggishness by releasing the heat that accumulates when toxins build up in the body and there is inadequate circulation to get rid of them.

Another method for bamboo massage it the Tian Di Bamboo massage which was developed by Ernesto Ortiz who incorporated the Chinese five elements theory. This theory incorporates fire, earth, metal, wood and water into the massage technique. For this massage, bamboo is cut into different sizes and the stalks of bamboo act as an extension of the therapists’ hands, forearms and elbows. This allows the massage therapist to work more deeply into the body tissues and increases the effectiveness of the massage. Bamboo massage is definitely something that everyone should try as a method of tension relief as it provides instant and long lasting results. It aids in the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well being and improves the connection between mind and body.

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