some simple ways to help your lymph system
Your lymph system is a very important system in your body that is composed of tissues and fluids that run throughout your entire body (much like your circulation system). However, your lymph system does not have the help of your heart to keep things pumping and moving throughout your body. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that you are helping your lymph system release and empty fluids to avoid any toxic build up (which can leave you feeling weak and unwell).
When your lymph system gets congested, it leads to your lymph nodes swelling, which causes pains and aches throughout your body. It will also result in your liver and kidneys becoming toxic, because the toxins and chemicals from your lymphatic system aren’t draining properly. As a result, this can lead to weight gain, poor circulation, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, and being sick more often… among many other things!
Luckily, there are quite a few easy ways that you can stimulate your lymph system every day to release toxins and cleanse your body.
Here are some simple ways to help your lymph system that can be incorporated into your daily routine.
- Drink a cup of warm water with a slice of raw fruit: Eating raw (uncooked) fruits on an empty stomach will allow the enzymes and acids in the fruit to have a detoxifying effect on your system. Grapefruit, lemon and lime work incredibly well to stimulate the lymph system to drain.
- Skin Brushing: This can be easily done before a shower by taking a dry brush and gently massaging your entire body using small circular movements always working up towards the heart. This not only will exfoliate your skin, but will also invigorate your lymph system.
- Hot And Cold Showers: While showering, switch from using hot water to cold water. The frequent change in temperature will stimulate your lymph system to move as well as your circulation by expanding and contracting your body’s blood vessels.
- Exercise: By walking briskly or engaging in intense exercise every day, you will encourage the lymph system and lymph fluids to circulate to your kidney and liver so that they can be filtered and released from your body. This is were hydration is key, to help the body eliminate everything with ease.
- Drink Water: To help remove toxins and chemicals, your body needs plenty of water to filter the lymphatic system! Drinking water throughout the day will ensure your body is not only hydrated, but also detoxifying the elements that can make you feel lousy.
- Massage: Not like you need another excuse to get a massage, but a massage (especially deep tissue or MLD) works to move the lymphatic tissue to drain. It basically “squeezes” the lymph system to release impurities and make room for healthy nutrients to come in and keep your system healthy and functioning properly.
- Laughter: Getting the giggles causes you to take deeper breathes. As a result, this stimulates your lungs and circulation to work together with the lymph system!
Why athletes should include massage into their fitness regimen
Why add massage into your fitness training regimen.
By: Claire Kenny 23/07/18
The overexertion of muscles through rigorous physical training and exercise can affect athletes’ performance and increase their risk for injury. In between those strenuous workouts, the body could use some pampering.
Regular massage supports the relaxation and recovery process after workouts, helping to prevent injuries; reduce swelling, muscle stiffness and fatigue; and achieve peak performance. And there are numerous other potential benefits that are conducive to your overall health and well-being.
Massage therapy helps improve muscle flexibility (which helps prevent injuries like muscle pulls and tears) and shorten recovery time as well as relieve muscle tension and pain, a remedy for common issues like delayed-onset muscle soreness.
But massage can benefit more than muscles, some research suggests that massage may also help:
- Lower anxiety
- Increase range of motion
- Improve your mood
- Lower blood pressure
- Enhance blood flow and alertness
Massage is good for the body either before, during or after athletic events. Sports massage incorporates Swedish (for improved circulation) and deep tissue techniques, among others. Athletes, or anyone who does strenuous exercises on a regular basis, should speak with a massage therapist about specific needs and concerns in order to determine how often massages are necessary and which techniques are most appropriate.
Your injury or needs will determine the focus of the therapy. Often times, an athlete has a specific area in which they are experiencing pain, limited range of motion, etc. That area, in addition to the supporting muscles and connective tissue, is addressed.
A full body massage at another time, maybe within a week or two, is also very helpful for the whole body compensates for an injury, and an injury heals more quickly when the rest of the body is free of limitations.
How massage can affect your overall health
How massage therapy can improve your overall health
By Claire Kenny 17/07/2018
Some people still believe massage therapy is an indulgence purely for relaxation. The health benefits of massage, however, have proven otherwise.
Today we know that our mind-body connection means excessive stress brings on or exacerbates illness by reducing our own natural immunity to disease. People who value their health know that, like a healthy diet and exercise, regular massage treatments are a valuable part of a stress-reduction plan.
Anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions can be better managed with massage therapy, according an article on the Mayo Clinic website (mayoclinic.org). In addition, massage helps reduce or alleviate headaches, joint pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia and much more.
Massage therapy has many forms, applied according to a therapist’s training and a client’s ailments. Some commonly known techniques are Swedish, hot stone, deep tissue, prenatal, and sports massage.
Holistic massage is a combination of various movements used to manipulate muscles through the application of pressure to either soothe or stimulate the whole body. It aims to balance the “whole” person and the effects will vary with each individual.
This therapy helps in the relief of a wide range of problems physiologically and psychologically, they include:
Relaxation of the whole body, reducing stress and anxiety
Gives a “lift” to the emotions and increases positive feelings
Encourages deeper and therefore more efficient and relaxed breathing
Relieves muscle fatigue, soreness and stiffness
Encourages sleep
It promotes suppleness of the muscles, improves circulation and reduces stress.
Balances digestion and waste removal.
With regular Holistic Massages you will find that you have increased energy levels as there is less energy spent in holding the body in a state of tension and strain. In this fast moving world, shouldn’t we all have some real time out!
Hot Stone massage involves the use of water-heated basalt stones of varying sizes in combination with Swedish massage techniques. The heat of the stones helps muscles relax more quickly than in traditional massage, allowing manipulation of a greater intensity.
The benefits of Hot stone massage
Muscular aches, pains, sprains and strains.
Poor circulation
Rheumatic and arthritic conditions
Back pain
Stress, anxiety and tension
The term deep tissue massage refers to increased pressure applied by a therapist aiming to alleviate chronic pain and increase range of motion. This type of massage can be painful. Although some call it a “good pain,” any massage therapy should be done only to the client’s tolerance.
Deep tissue massage is a specialized massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscles. This massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as adhesions).
PREGNANCY MASSAGE can help alleviate many of the symptoms and conditions associated with pregnancy. During this amazing time of physical and emotional change, pregnancy massage can be of enormous benefit to both the mother and baby.
Amoungst many benefits, massage during pregnancy has been found to help alleviate the following complaints:
Muscle tension,
Muscle spasm & cramping,
Sciatic pain ,
Swelling oedema
Back, neck and shoulder discomfort caused by hormonal and postural changes.
Improve quality of sleep
Reduce headaches
Relieve heartburn
Balance mood-swings and help depression.
It reduces stress and allows the mother to relax, both important for during the pregnancy and labour.
The health of the baby is enhanced by the pregnancy massage through increasing blood circulation, lymph circulation, reducing oedema and increasing cellular respiration. Massage helps the mother to feel nurtured and pampered and this can then be passed onto the baby. Pregnancy massage assists in reducing tension in the weight bearing joints and other bone and muscle structures.
It also helps maximize breathing capacity which is needed during labor and delivery.
Sports massage can help relieve soft-tissue aches and muscle stiffness to prepare for events or recover from exercise. This type of massage isn’t just for sports injuries though. It can be beneficial to anyone who engages in repetitive physical activity, which is hard on the body.
It’s always best to check with your doctor before starting any new health regimen, including massage therapy.
Massage therapy is good for almost anyone, whether they are active or sedentary. So the next time you’re stressed, overwhelmed or in pain, consider getting a massage. It may help your overall health to massage that issue out of your tissue
OPEN DAY
Tis the season to open our doors once again to all of you lovely people.
On saturday the 2nd of December from 2pm to 5.30pm we will be holding our annual Open day.
We will have all of our amazing therapists here to have a chat with about all of your Holistic and Health needs.
We will have some free taster yoga, sound healing, pilates, meditation and many more classes on offer for you.
There will be a raffle for one of beautiful salt lamps and maybe a voucher or two.
The kettle will be on, the heat turned up high, the smiles on our faces and vouchers available to buy all in this very special day.
If you would like to put your name down on the invite list just email info@riverholistic.ie and we may just have a little something special for you on arrival.
See you soon,
Claire
Ayurvedic Facelift Massage
Ayurvedic Facelift Massage
Mukha Abhyangam or Ayurvedic Face Lift Massage was created with a view to addressing current day concerns of people, particularly women, to look youthful and healthy without invasive interventions such as Botox and plastic surgery. Ayurvedic Face Lift Massage is a holistic anti-ageing tool and a real workout for the face. Just as regular visits to the gym can keep you looking fit and toned, so also can regular face massages lift and tone muscles, soften your features and keep you looking radiant with the renewed blood and oxygen supply to your face.
Kneading facial muscles brings nutrients to the treated area, helping the collagen fibres retain their elasticity. Stimulating marma points releases energy blockages. While nothing can permanently halt the ageing process, we can lessen the appearance of damage to our skins through massage, a more positive lifestyle and outlook, staying out of the sun and reducing our exposure to harmful chemicals.
Ayurvedic Face Lift Massage is tailored to an individual, using oils and techniques that are suitable to the person’s constitution (prakruti). It incorporates marma massage (the stimulation of vital points) to help with the unrestricted flow of energy. Its principles are based on ancient massage techniques that have been tried and tested over centuries.
-Benefits of Mukha Abhyangam-
- Reduces expression lines and wrinkles
- Tones and increases elasticity in the facial muscles
- Refines pores and tightens facial contours
- Improves blood circulation to the face
- Excellent help in insomnia
- Relaxes the face and jaw muscles therefore it can help with TMJ disorder
- It may help if you suffer with blocked sinuses
- Relieves tension headaches
- Creates a sense of calmness
- Helps with blood flow to the head and brain
- Re-energises your energy centres (Doshas)
This amazing face massage treatment can also be combined with any other treatment on request.
Investment: 1 Hour €60
Course of 6 (Recommended for full benefit): €330
*Course of treatments must be paid in full in advance*
For treatments contact:
Reception: 018310888
Katie: 085183002
Holisticsouldublin@gmail.com
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Bergamot your new BFF
Healing with Bergamot
Bergamot is valued for its uplifting aroma and stimulating properties.
Refreshing Bergamot oil is extracted from the almost ripe citrus fruit of the bergamot tree. It’s fruity, citrus scent with delicate, woody undertones has made it a valued oil through the ages.
Bergamot is refreshingly uplifting and stimulating. It acts on the central nervous system and is a good tonic for treating symptoms of stress, tension and anxiety. It is invigorating but not over-stimulating, helping the mind to achieve balance.
Using Bergamot Oil
Holiday survival
- Apply a few drops of bergamot and lavender oil to some lengths of ribbon or string. Hang these on your balcony at night to keep the dreaded mosquitoes away while you sleep like a baby.
- Ease travel sickness and feelings of nausea with a cold compress of bergamot.
Cleanse the skin
To eliminate pimples:
Dilute 2 drops of bergamot and 2 drops of thyme in a tablespoon of grapeseed oil. Massage into the skin daily to clear the skin of blemishes.
A cooling body oil:
Add 5 drops each of bergamot and lemon, 3 drops of neroli and 1 drop of rosemary to 50ml of sweet almond oil and apply when needed.
For Oily Skin:
Mix 25mls of witch hazel, 75ml of distilled water and 15ml of glycerine. Add 5 drops of bergamot,geranium and 3 drops of sandalwood. This makes a beautiful soap for the face and the entire body.
Boost Concentration
This invigorating oil improves concentration by awakening the mind and promoting clearer thinking. Keep it close when you need an extra boost.
- Sail through that exam or interview with a fragrant and confidence-boosting blend of bergamot, lavender and grapefruit oil. Apply a few drops onto a handkerchief and place were its handy.
- Computer screens bombard the body with positive ions. In the office, home, desk, restore the natural balance of your body’s energy with a refreshing room spray of negatively-charged bergamot.
- Fight drivers Fatigue by adding a few drops of bergamot to a cotton ball and place near an air vent.
Mood Lifting
Use Bergamot’s invigorating properties to treat tiredness, anxiety and stress.
- If you have trouble getting up in the mornings start the day with a refreshing and uplifting shower using the soap mix from above. You will have a new spring in your step and smell like summer. Win Win.
- Soothe feelings of agitation and anxiety by using calming bergamot in a room vapouriser or oil burner.
- To alleviate tension headaches, try a firm neck and shoulder massage by adding a few drops of bergamot and neroli to grapseed oil.
10 Reasons to Incorporate massage into your life
10 Reasons to Incorporate massage into your life
When you think of massage, odds are you think of an hour of relaxation – a little “me” time. Massage certainly offers a great way to escape from the stresses of our everyday lives, but more and more studies are showing that regular massage gives you so much more: a range of emotional and physical benefits. Here are the top 10 reasons to incorporate more massage in your life.
- Massage reduces stress – A single massage can lower your heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels, all of which are tied to how stressed you feel.
- It helps you relax – Long after your massage is over, you will still benefit from a host of brain chemistry responses that encourage feelings of relaxation, lowered stress and improved mood.
- Improves posture – Massage helps your body to reinforce healthy and natural movements, which will help correct any posture problems you may have.
- Improves circulation – The pressure from massage moves oxygen-rich blood through the body to damaged, tense muscles so they can heal, while removing lactic acid and other metabolic waste.
- Lowers blood pressure – Studies have shown that massage can lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
- It relaxes muscles – Sitting causes a lot of chronic back pain and massage can help with persistent pain by relaxing those tense muscles.
- Improves flexibility – Sedimentary lifestyles and age can make joints less flexible.
- Massage helps improve fluidity and range of motion in your joints and connective tissues.
- Massage helps you breathe better – Massage can relax muscles in the upper body, which, if they become too tight, can constrict breathing.
- Relieves headaches – Regular massage reduces your chance of developing a headache in the first place by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. Already have a headache? It can decrease the pain.
With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder today’s client is beginning to see massage as an integral part of their well-being journey. As we all re-examine our wellness choices, massage therapy is shedding the stereotype of being an occasional indulgence. Instead, it’s become a highly integral body maintenance experience that offers any number of health benefits when consistently incorporated with other total body care actions.
Holistic Relaxation Package Day’s
Are you looking for something a bit different to do with your friends? Well here at River Holistic Centre, we can tailor any package to suit your needs and occasions.
From Baby Showers with a difference, why not book the mum to be in for a soothing pregancy massage and reflexology while you too can relax with any of our holistic treatments,
Birthday’s for that someone special, give the gift of relaxation, stress management days for your hard workers, or just a weekend of pure bliss.
Then relax in our chill out studio with a hot cup of herbal tea and a bit of a chat.
We can even arrange your reservations for the local resturants to make your day as stress free as possible.
Just call reception on 018310888 or email info@riverholistic.ie and let us do the rest.
For a full list of our therapies on offer just click here
