Which is better...Massage or Stretching?

Which is better...Massage or Stretching?

Massage and stretching are both really helpful ways to keep your muscles relaxed, reduce tension and of course, help recovery after an injury. Stretching helps to get the blood flowing to your muscles, which is great if you've injured yourself, or if your muscles are stiff because they've contracted due to inactivity. 

Giving your muscles a really good stretch can stop your muscles from going into painful spasms or cramps, and stop the knots forming in them that take so much work to get rid of when you have a massage!

Regular massage on the other hand improves flexibility range of motion, keeping your joints more fluid and making them less injury prone in the first place.

What are the differences between massage and stretches - and how do they work together to promote muscle and joint health?

MASSAGE

What is massage? Well, stripped right down, massage is simply a word that is used to descrube the manipulation of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue. Of course, there are lots of different types of massage, and techniques that are suitable for different things, but when you go for a massage, this is what your therapist will be doing. 

WHAT'S A MASSAGE GOOD FOR?

We love a massage for general wellbeing, but medically massage is recognized for more than just making you feel good. 

MASSAGE CAN:

* Help strained muscles to heal faster
* Reduce swelling and scar tissue if you are injured
* Relieve stiffness and tension in your muscles
* Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and fatigue

STRETCHING

Stretching does have a lot of similarities to massage, but its main benefit is to relieve the tightness and tension that's built up in your muscles when you've used (and over-used) them.

Having a really good, effective stretch can increase the blood flow to your muscles, and this leads to a better range of motion that helps your joints to stay in alignment.

WHAT'S STRETCHING GOOD FOR?

Stretching properly can:

* Improve your circulation
* Boost your nerve health - a contracted muscle around a nerve can create pressure that can  
   constrict the blood supply to the nerve
* Make movement easier
* Improve flexibility

Did you know that we offer sessions just for stretching? Stretching sessions are designed based on the client's individual needs. Stretching sessions are offered in 15 minute increments at $15 per increment. Come on in and schedule your stretching routine twice a week, 15 min each session for $30 a week. Stretching is a great way to keep up your massage benefits between sessions. 

HOW CAN MASSAGE AND A STRETCHING ROUTINE WORK TOGETHER?

Daily stretching - to a point where you can just feel it pulling on your muscles - can really help to increase your flexibility, and you can feel the effects in a matter of a few weeks.

Enjoying a regular massage (regular typically refers to a full body 70 min, once every 4-6 weeks) helps to keep your body relaxed and flexible. Massage can release trigger points and muscles in spasm,  making your stretching routine even more effective.

While most of our Clinical (and all of our Sports) Massages include some kind of stretching to the areas that need specific attention, you can ask your massage therapist to include stretching of certain areas in your Infinity Classic Massage as well. You can even add extra time to your massage session to allow for strictly stretching at the end of your session. That way, you don't feel like you are losing out on your massage time...none of us want to lose out on that precious massage time! By doing something like that, an all in one session, it gives your muscles and tendons a really thorough workout. You can also ask your massage therapist for advice if you have any injuries or are experiencing stiffness in your muscles. 

Three Tips to Quiet Your Mind

If you are not extremely busy in today's society, you are the exception and not the rule. Seriously. We are all in high gear; we overextend, overachieve, and overstress ourselves to the point of breaking. This can have lasting negative effects on our health! It affects everything...our mind, our body and our spirit...inside and out. Here are a few ways to break the cycle:

Gratitude

It is so easy to be upset when things do not go our way. From the moment we spill our coffee, lock our keys in the car, and forget our lunch, a spiral of circumstances can set us off into a tailspin of negativity. We can choose to stay in a state of discontent and let that dictate our day, or we can be grateful for the other things in our lives even if they are not present in front of us right now.

Did you ever notice that when something nice happens, we tend to smile for a moment and then move on? However, when something goes wrong, we feel the need to tell everyone and anyone that will listen. It is in those exact moments that we need to focus on what we are grateful for, and THAT is how we can instantly change our perspective and attitude.

Keeping the focus on gratitude offers your mind something to smile about, regardless of outside circumstances. Focusing on people, places and even things that make you grateful, gives your mind a break from stress!

Stillness

Everyone has a busy schedule, that is a fact. We all tend to create schedules that are overflowing and then complain that we do not have time for ourselves! Take a good hard look at your schedule and see what you can delete and what you can delegate. If you are going to have a healthy mind, you need to take care of it just as you would your body, and that means giving it some love and rest.

One tip for quieting your mind is to put it on your schedule. Put it in BIG red pen on your calendar, text yourseld a reminder, and place it on your list of things to do this week. Take time for YOU.

Stay in the Moment

Being in the moment has become a cliche; however, if you really take the time to focus on what it means, you can start to practice quieting your mind. Focus on what you are doing at the exact moment you are doing it. If you are washing a dish, focus on the water, the soap bubbles and the dish in your hand. When you take time to do this, you will be in the moment and not two days from now when something big is scheduled.

Taking Time for You

Do things that YOU like to do. Things like reading a book, taking a bath, going for a walk/run, and getting a massage are all great ways to disconnect and be practicing all three of the mind quieting tips we have given you. Schedule them. Make sure that you are doing something for YOU at least once a week.

We have openings this week if you are ready to schedule some YOU time. Schedule yourself an Infinity Classic Massage, you won't regret it! You can schedule one of three ways:

visit our website: www.InfinityMWC.com

call: 847-363-4844

or email: info@InfinityMWC.com

I've Never Tried Reflexology - What Can I Expect?

There's nothing to be nervous about when you have your first reflexology session; it's a gentle, safe therapy that's designed to relax and rebalance your body. You don't need to undress for a reflexology session - you will only need to remove your shoes and socks so that the therapist can get to work on the soles of your feet.

It's best not to eat a heavy meal before a treatment, and it is not advised that you drink alcohol before your visit either. Other than that, just turn up as you are, in loose, comfortable clothes, and get ready to relax.

Getting to Know You

As this is your first session, before you get started your therapist will ask you some questions about your health, lifestyle, and any health problems you have had in the past. This is just so that they can build up an overall picture of your health. Like all holistic treatments, reflexology is designed to work on the whole body and not just one area, so it's important that you tell the practitioner as much as you can. You'll also be asked about your reasons for trying reflexology - whether it's to address a specific health concern or for your overall health and wellbeing.

Your Reflexology Session

Now the treatment begins! The therapist should give you a quick explanantion about what they will be doing and how reflexology works, then they will get to work. Often, you will be asked to wash your feet in warm water taht may or may not be infused with essential oils. Some therapists also like to use essential oils during a treatment to scent the room, and play relaxing music. If you prefer not have either of these, don't be afraid to say so.

They will look at your feet to see if there are any obvious issues that need addressing, and then start to gently press around different areas on the soles of your feet, toes, heels, and ankle areas. They usually work on one foot at a time, and will cover both feet during the course of a full treatment. Sometimes, they may go back to an area more than once if they feel more work is needed there. If you feel any discomfort from the pressure, you should tell the therapist. The sensation should be firm and you might feel a little discomfort in areas that are being worked on but it should never be painful.

A reflexology treatment usually lasts anywhere from 30-60 minutes and should leave you feeling relaxed and with a renewed feeling of energy. Afterwards, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and stick to light meals for 24 hours if you can.

If you are interested in scheduling your Reflexology appointment today at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center (Belvidere, IL), please check out our website: www.InfinityMWC.com, email us at: info@InfinityMWC.com or call us at 847-363-4844.

Should Massage Hurt?

Have you been wondering if a massage has to hurt to be effective? 

If so, you are not alone. Many people believe that a massage has to hurt in order to be effective. Well it definitely DOES NOT! You will be happy to hear that the saying "No pain, no gain" doesn't apply to massage therapy. Sometimes the most effective massages are the ones that don't cause you any pain. Something that feels marvelous, and it's good for you too? It doesn't get much better than that!

Deep Tissue Massage might cause some discomfort...

A deep tissue massage is when the massage therapist manipulates the deeper layers of your soft tissue. Soft tissue includes your muscles, ligaments, fascia, and tendons (it's pretty much everything that isn't bones or organs). Usually your massage therapist will use lotions or oil, and will work lighter at first (this is crucial) as it helps relax the top layer of tissue and muscle, meaning less pain for you. Then the deeper layers of muscle can be worked on more easily and with less pain. This will feel much better and you will get better results!

Typically, deep tissue massage is recommended for those with chronic pain caused by tight muscles or injuries. Deep tissue massage can be very therapeutic because it helps with relieving patterns of tension that have developed over time and helping with muscle injuries. With a good deep tissue massage session, you will feel more relaxed after the massage if no pain was endured during it. It's hard (nearly impossible) to relax if you are in pain, and muscle tension will release in a state of relaxation.

Deep tissue massage is not for everyone! You are not a wimp if you don't like it. It is one of the more involved and intense massage techniques around. Some people simply like the feeling of more pressure, and a firm massage isn't always deep tissue. Just be sure to communicate with your therapist at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center about what you prefer and need. Speak up about your needs and your therapist will appreciate your feedback. Happy clients are regular clients and we love our regular clients! Our therapist wants you to LOVE your massage!

Pain versus Discomfort

Muscles naturally react to any sort of pain. When your muscles feel that your body is about to be injured the reflex to deflect the pain is stimulated. If your massage therapist, at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center, is ever applying too much pressure, your muscles tighten together to naturally counterattack the force, and that is not a great way to relax. In fact, you will end up doing just the opposite. A massage is meant to relieve the tension of your muscles, so if you feel as though the massage therapist is applying too much pressure for comfort, please just ask them to use less pressure. Seriously, they want you to.

Don't go into the massage thinking that there won't be any discomfort at all though. Pain and discomfort are two different things. People usually describe discomfort as a "good hurt" - especially in reference to getting a massage. When you experience pain during a massage, it is more than discomfort and could even cause bruising or injury.

Everybody has a different tolerance for pain, so a massage that is painful for one person, may not be painful for you. If you find that your massage therapist isn't working between your tolerance levels for pain, then it's important that you say something. Massages should almost never cause you physical pain and very rarely is it okay for you to be left with marks on your body afterwards.

If you are booking your first massage, you probably don't want to start out with a deep tissue session. Ease your way into massage therapy and start with something less specific like a Swedish, in our case it would be our Infinity Classic Massage". Most therapists combine massage techniques and will try to give you the best massage for you and that is exactly what our Infinity Classic Massage is.

Are you ready to schedule your next (or first) Massage Appointment at

Infinity Massage and Wellness Center?

You can do it one of several convenient ways:

Online from our website: www.InfinityMWC.com,  click the "Book Now" button

Directly from our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/InfinityMWC

Email: info@InfinityMWC.com (evening appointments must be made via phone or email)

Phone: 847-363-4844 (evening appointments must be made via phone or email)

How Often Should YOU Get a Massage?

EVERY DAY! Well, okay maybe that's not practical, even though it would be awesome. Trust me...in massage school I was receiving massages almost every other day...it REALLY is pretty AWESOME! This is one of the most common questions clients ask about massage therapy, and it really all depends on WHY you get massages. Do you get massages for health benefits? Or, to help you relax and handle the stress of everyday life? Most likely it's a combination of the two, so let's take a look at some of the most commone reasons people get regular massages:

Relaxation and Stress Relief

One of the very best reasons to get a massage is for relaxation. Relaxation massage helps to support your body, including blood circulation and flexibility of joints. Regular massage can help prevent pain, muscle tension, and stress points from building up and causing problems. Why wait until you have a problem to get a massage? Massage is perfect for preventing issues with your tissues. Relaxation massage is usually recommended at least once per month, or as often as you want!

There may be times in your life where you experience higher levels of stress and more muscle tension than normal. It is especially important to practice good self-care during these times. When we "don't have time" for a massage, is usually the times when we need it the most. Make yourself a priority even during stressful times, your health (and YOU) are more than worth it.

If you are in a high-stress job or you work in an environment where you stay in a certain position for a long period of time (at a computer for example), you may begin to develop tight or "knotted" muscles. This will frequently occur in your shoulders, arms and back. All of this increased muscle tension will make movement harder and can cause a great deal of pain. Regular massage can help to keep you loosened up and will help to prevent pain and stiffness.

Living with high levels of stress for a prolonged period of time increases the risk of contracting heart disease and other diseases. It has been estimated that 75-90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related illnesses/problems. The good news is, massage CAN help! Just knowing your massage is coming up in a few days can relieve stress, and a massage every 2-4 weeks will help with stress related tension.

Sports Recovery

Are you a weekend warrior, or do you just like to stay in shape? Either way, massage can help with sports performance and recovery. Many athletes and physically active people receive sports massage because it enhances their performance, prevents injury, and speeds up their muscles' recovery. Competitive sports can put a lot of stress on a person's muscles! Research conducted at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging at McMaster University in Ontario shows that massage reduces inflammation and stimulates growth of new mitochondria, the energy producing units in the cells, after strenuous exercise. This means that massage can help relieve pain, build muscles and help with muscle recovery too! For these benefits it is recommended that you get a massage up to three times a week or at least three times a month.

Chronic Health Conditions


People with ongoing health issues often find massage very helpful to alleviate symptoms. Chronic health problems that greatly benefit from massage therapy include back pain, joint pain, and localized inflammation. If you get therapy for specific issues, the frequency of getting massage therapy varies with the type of condition you have and how severe it is. Relief from pain can usually be achieved with 2-4 massage sessions per month. Your massage therapist at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center will work with you to help you get on the best schedule for your body.


Pregnancy
Pregnant women can greatly benefit from massage therapy! Prenatal massage is popular among expectant mothers, who often experience a lot of aches and pains as their pregnancy progresses. Many women suffer from back pain, hip & sciatic pain, headaches and tired legs/feet. But you don't have to be one to suffer, a licensed massage therapist from Infinity Massage and Wellness Center can help you to relieve those discomforts.

Going to your massage therapist about once or twice a month can help with the symptoms associated with pregnancy. Symptoms such as low back pain, swollen ankles, headaches and anxiety that are caused by pregnancy, and as a bonus, it can also help you sleep better!
Of course, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor and your massage therapist to ensure that you don't have any pregnancy related conditions that would contraindicate massage therapy for you. Most women experiencing a healthy pregnancy can and should enjoy regular massage sessions.

If you are ready to schedule your next appointment with Infinity Massage and Wellness Center 

(860 Biester Drive, Belvidere, IL 61008), you may do so in several convenient ways:

Click the "Book Now" button on our website: www.InfinityMWC.com

Email us: info@InfinityMWC.com (evening appointments can only be scheduled by calling or email)

Call: 847-363-4844 (evening appointments can only be scheduled by calling or email)

Click the "Book Now" button on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/InfinityMWC

Massage Can Relieve Workplace Pain and Stress

Relieve tension and stress at work and create a more positive and productive work environment through the use of on-site massage? ABSOLUTELY! Infinity Massage and Wellness Center now has a new program called "Workplace Massage" where we will come out to your place of employment and provide chair massages for your hard-working employees. What a great way to boost morale, promote health and well-being and reduce workplace injuries/absenteeism/sickness!

For more information about specifics on this new program...please visit our website at: www.InfinityMWC.com and click on the "Workplace Massage Program" tab on the left side of our page.

Your employees will see you as the hero, prospective employees will be eager to apply and your work environment will be a healthier, happier and more productive place! Use the program for rewards, incentives, general health and well-being, bonuses, events and more! Offices, schools, assembly line factories, police and firehouse stations, hospitals and more can utilize this wonderful program.

Contact us today to set-up your Workplace Massage Program!

Still need more convincing? Take a look and read the article below on the research that was done on this very same subject:

Massage Can Relieve Workplace Pain and Stress