OUR FIRST COUPLES MASSAGE CLASS

Wow! Let me start off by saying thank you to the awesome couples that came out to our couples massage class. We had a great time, and we hope that you did, too. 

The class turn-out was awesome and made for such an exciting class. Angela had a great time teaching her students the basics of giving massage. Massage is such a wonderful thing in every person's life, but being able to give a proper massage to your special someone is even more wonderful. 

We hope to see some more faces at our next workshop, which is a Stretching Workshop on March 24th. You can learn more information or register by clicking HERE. 

Thank you again to all who attended, and we look forward to seeing you at our next workshop!

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

HAVE SCIATICA? MASSAGE CAN HELP!

What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a pain that radiates along the length of the sciatic nerve, according to MayoClinic. The sciatic nerve can be found from the lower back down the whole legs and goes through the hips and buttocks, as well. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the whole body. It is made up a large amount of nerve roots from the spine that combine at the lower back to form what we call the "sciatic nerve." Commonly, sciatica pain only happens on one side of a person's body.

Why Does it Happen?
Sciatica happens in patients with herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and an assortment of other back, spine, and hip conditions. Another common cause of sciatica pain is pregnancy. It is important to note that sciatica is not a medical diagnosis in and of itself, according to Spine-Health. In fact, sciatica is generally considered a symptom of many conditions including the ones listed above. 

When one is experiencing certain conditions, the large sciatic nerve can become irritated or compressed. This leads to what is commonly known as sciatica. Sciatic generally happens during middle age between 40 to 50. It is extremely rare for a person under 25 to experience sciatica symptoms. 

Almost all cases of sciatica are temporary meaning they last up to two weeks at a time. However, there are some cases that are very severe and debilitating that can last for extended amounts of time. 

Symptoms of Sciatica 
The most common and obvious symptom of sciatica is moderate to severe pain from the lower back down to the feet on one side. However, this is often not the only symptom of sciatica. Other symptoms include weakness, tingling, limited range of motion, and numbness in the same leg, according to WebMD. One may also experience a worsening of symptoms from sitting or standing for a long period of time and from any exercises that cause the spine to flex at all. On the other hand, one many feel a relief of symptoms while walking, lying down, or during any exercises that extend the spine. 

Treatments of Sciatica
In extremely severe cases, surgery may be the best option to help relieve the symptoms of sciatica. However, this is a very little percentage of sciatica cases. 

Most people with sciatica are prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medication and sent home, according to Cleveland Clinic. Although uncomfortable, sciatica is not a life threatening or severely debilitating condition in most people, so it often goes untreated by medical practitioners. Some doctors may recommend physical therapy and massage therapy as an option to try and increase range of motion, which will evidently reduce pain. 

Massage and Sciatica
There are three main ways that massage can help treat the symptoms of sciatica- increase range of motion, loosen lower back muscles, and release pain-relieving endorphins. 
Like was mentioned above, massage can help to increase the range of motion between the hips and legs. Increasing the limited range of motion cause by sciatica can help to reduce the stress and strain on the muscles. This can help lead to pain relief due to the relaxation of those overworked muscles.

The second way that massage can help with sciatica is by loosening the lower back muscles. When the low back muscles are tight, it can cause pressure and strain on the nerve roots associated with the sciatic nerve, according to Spine-Health. By receiving a massage, the therapist can work on loosening the lower back muscles, which can reduce the amount of strain on the sciatic nerve roots. Thus, reducing and preventing the pinch, strain, and pain of the sciatic nerve.

Releasing pain-relieving endorphins will also help with sciatica, by just that- relieving pain. According to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, massage has been proven to release multiple neurohormones and endorphins, which leads to a significant decrease in pain and stress. Massage can also help to decrease levels of cortisol, which aid in the lowering of stress. No one is relaxed when they are in pain, so this can help to lower the effects of sciatica pain on one's emotional and mental well-being. 

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

HOW TO: HELP DRY SKIN

This time of year can be horrible on all of our skin. From the constantly changing weather to the runny noses causing dry and

cracked skin, life can be rough this time of year for lots of people. How do can you help alleviate some of these issues though? We are here to give you eight quick tips on how to help recover from or heal dry skin!

1. Shower and wash your hands with lukewarm water.
I know when it is chilly outside you may want to bathe and shower with scolding hot water to try and get some relief, but this is actually terrible for your skin! Going from different temperatures rapidly can cause your skin to dry out. Taking a cold shower is also not recommended by most dermatologists and other skincare professionals as it closes the pores and may strip away some essential oils from the skin that are important to keep the skin moisturized. This all goes for when you are washing your hands, as well. (Hopefully) you wash your hands a lot more than your shower, so using the wrong temperature of water can make your skin turn into scales before you know it!

2. ALWAYS use lotion after getting out of the shower.
It is essential to use your lotion immediately after getting out of the shower. By moisturizing while the skin is still damp, it locks it the dampness into your skin. This keeps the skin from drying out throughout the day!

3. Choose a good lotion.
There are countless different brands and types of lotion on the market, so choosing the right one can sometimes be very difficult. Check with your dermatologist or skin care professional to find out which lotion would work best for you.

4. Protect your skin from the weather.
Whether it is sun, rain, wind, or snow, it is so important to always protect your skin. Your skin is one of the most important things in your body, so it should always be your first thought when going through your day. Make sure to wear a jacket or sunscreen, whatever it is that will protect your delicate skin from exposure to the outside elements. Even the most beautiful San Diego days can drastically damage your skin. 

5. DRINK LOTS OF WATER
This tip is so easy and so important. Every part of your body needs a lot of water, but your skin especially. If you are suffering from dry skin, simply drinking more water throughout the days can help to add some moisture. Even if you are not experiencing dry skin, drinking water is vital to your skin and overall health. Every person should be drinking AT LEAST 8 cups of water a day, but many health professionals recommend more.

6. Exfoliate your skin and body.
Exfoliating your skin and body on a regular basis helps to get rid of the dead skin on the surface. By getting rid of the dead skin, it allows moisture to better penetrate the skin and moisturize the skin from the inside out. 

7. Always wear sunscreen.
I know we briefly said this in tip # 4, but it is so vital that we need to say it again. Always wear sunscreen. It doesn't matter if you are walking around an outside mall on a cloudy day. Getting into the habit of always using lotion that has SPF in it and wearing sunscreen if you will be out in the sun for more than 30 minutes is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Not only does the sun dry out your skin if there is no protection, skin cancer is developing even more rapidly. Every year, more and more people are finding out they have some form of skin cancer. Do yourself the favor and protect your skin from the sun the best you can!

8 Get regular massage
Getting regular massage helps to open pores, increase blood flow, and moisturize the skin. By getting regular massage, you are not only helping the inside of your body, you are also helping to protect and bettering the skin. 

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

AGING- HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR HEALING

Most people know that as you age, you continually start to heal less quickly. The saying "children are resilient" is an example of this. Children heal at an astronomical rate that significantly differs from an adult in their 20's, and an adult in their 20's heals significantly faster than an adult in their 40's. This can continues all the way up- everyone wishes that they could recover like they did when they are younger, even in little things like a pulled muscle. We have clients often wonder why they cannot recover like they did when they were younger when they are trying to bounce back from an injury, so we decided to do a blog that explains exactly why a man in their 60's can't pull a muscle in their back and do an hour bike ride the next day. It is all because healing changes as you age, and there are three main reasons why this happens to everyone.

1. Cell Replication Slows
Cell replication is vital to the process of healing in the body. When an area is injured or wounded, the body replicates cells to either to close the wound or to strengthen the area and fix the injury. According to Science Daily, once a cell divides a specific amount of times, the cell then changes it's shape, slows it pace down, and will eventually stop dividing. The more you age, the more cells will slow or stop dividing, which causes a significant slowing in the replication process. With your body no longer replicating the way it used to, processes like healing are also decreased significantly. 

2. Elasticity of Tissues Decreases
Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly why the elasticity of our tissues decreases as we age. There are many theories and speculations regarding this. According to the author Kannus, some scientists believe that it is related to a decrease in collagen within the body, which is essential to the make-up of tissues. Others believe that it is related to the decrease in cell replication. Another theory is that the lack of water within the body is connected to the decrease in elasticity of tissues. As they continue to try and pinpoint the exact reasons that this happens, one thing is certain- elasticity of tissues decreasing is paramount in why individuals heal slower as they age. 

3. Losing flexibility
Most people know that they can't do the cartwheels and splits that they used to do with ease, but that is very common. Less than ten percent of Americans participate in exercise on a regular basis, according to Ortho Info. This adds to the decrease in flexibility as you age. The lower the flexibility, the more likely you are to injure yourself, so not only does low flexibility cause more injuries, it also makes it harder to recover from injuries. One of the best ways you can help reduce the aging process is by participating in regular exercise and/or stretching. Some great options are yoga, walking, and pilates. By getting active, your body will thank you, and you will be able to recover quicker as you continue to age.

The two most important things to remember if you feel that you are not healing quickly enough is that you cannot put a timeline on your body and that it is normal. No matter how fast we would all like to heal from injuries, it is up to our bodies, so just take it slow!

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

INVIGORATING LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL

Lemon!

Lemon Essential Oil is one of our most invigorating and widely used essential oils here at Massage La Mesa. DoTerra explains that lemon is the top-selling oil and has a variety of uses. 

What is it?
Lemon essential oil is the oil extracted from the peel of a lemon, a very common variety fruit. However, the history of the lemon is not as common. There are many debates about where the lemon originated from. According to Dr. Eric Z, the lemon has been claimed to originate there by Burma, China, and northeast India. There are even some botanists who believe that the lemon is a hybrid fruit between a sour orange and citron, however, this is not yet proven to be true. No matter where lemons originally came from, there are many historical uses for lemons including medicinal uses and religious uses. Now there are many uses beyond that of which it used to be used for.

What does it do?
The most common use of lemon essential oil is to improve one's stomach and digestion. There are many different stomach problems that lemon oil helps. This includes cramping, indigestion, acidity, upset stomach, and improving metabolism. Because of the carminativ e properties that lemon oil holds, it is extremely helpful in all of the stomach issues listed before, according to Celestine Vision. Drinking enough water to stay hydrated alone has proven to increase metabolism, but studies have proven that adding lemon or lemon oil to the daily intake of water can improve metabolism by over thirty percent in both men and women. Not only will you be helping your stomach and digestion by adding lemon oil to your daily water routine, you will also improve metabolism, which helps to lose weight. I would say that is a win-win!

Another common use for lemon oil, is a cleaner for all of your home needs. Lemon oil has both anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which is why it can be found in so many household cleaners. The problem is that there are also a whole load of other chemicals found in those products, as well. Skip the grocery store, and use lemon oil added to citrus vinegar for a homemade cleaning solution. Some other home uses include adding lemon to olive oil for a natural furniture polish or adding lemon to water to make an odor neutralizing spray. 

There are countless uses for lemon essential oil that people have found over the years. Some other common uses are adding to honey or tea to help an irritated throat, diffusing aromatically to invigorate and help focus, adding to peppermint essential oil as an insect repellent, and adding to water to use an a natural immune booster. There are plenty of other awesome things that lemon oil can do for you.

How do you use it?
Like discussed in a past blog, essential oils can be used through topical application, ingestion, or aromatic application. The same goes for lavender essential oils. Topically, one could use lemon oil to help acne, however, would not be recommended for some skin conditions due to the acidity. It can be added to teas or water like was discussed above.  It can even be used through aromatic diffusion to improve overall emotions, mood, and upset within the body and mind. 

As you can tell, lemon essential oil is an essential part of everyone's natural kit of remedies. Through the proper use of lemon and other essential oils, you can improve your overall health- the natural way! If you would like to learn more about lemon or any other essential oils, feel free to click here to be brought to the official doTerra page.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME AND MASSAGE

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome, or RLS, "is a condition i n which you have an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually due to leg discomfort," according to Mayo Clinic. Patients generally explain that the discomfort happens in the evening or night most of the time. It also is common when sitting or lying down. It is most common in middle-aged men and women and tends to get worse as they age. There is no definite reason or cause of RLS, but doctors think that one factor has to do with one's genetic history, which causes this genetic disorder. 

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

There have been many different kinds of sensations that have been described by patients with RLS. Some of those sensations throughout the legs and other areas of the body include itching, pins and needles, pain, bugs crawling, falling asleep, and discomfort. RLS happens mostly while at rest, which often causes disruption of sleep and daytime tiredness. Symptoms can range anywhere from mild to intolerable from person to person. 

Treatments of Restless Legs Syndrome

Unfortunately, there is no cure for RLS. According to Web MD, lifestyle changes, such as beginning a regular exercise program, establishing regular sleep patterns, and eliminating or decreasing the use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, can be helpful in decreasing some of the symptoms or severity of the symptoms. Another thing that doctors recommend to help ease the symptoms of RLS is massage.

Restless Legs Syndrome and Massage

There are many studies and testimonies that show how beneficial massage can be for patients with RLS. One study explains how a 35 year old woman with RLS had a significant decrease in symptoms after two 45 minute massage sessions and continued to decrease with further treatments. There are three reasons that doctors and scientists have found that massage can help with RLS. The first is that massage increases circulation to the legs, which is one of the reasons that doctors speculate cause RLS. The second is that massage helps to activate the thalamus. The lac of activation of the thalamus is thought to have a huge connection and role in the frequency and severity of RLS episodes. By activating the thalamus, doctors suspect that episodes are shorter and less severe. The final reason that massage helps with RLS is through the release of dopamine. Dopamine helps with sleep, day time tiredness, and overall mood. By releasing dopamine, the patient will get better rest and feel better throughout the days.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

HEADACHES AND MASSAGE

Headaches.
A common and terribly annoying term that is used to describe a mild to moderate pain found anywhere above the neck. There are many different types and causes of headaches, and they are different in every person. Tension headaches are the most common type are are caused by tension within the overworked muscles of the head and face. Headaches of any kind can cause other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and irritability. Every person has experienced a headache at one point or another, but according to the World Health Organization, one in every twenty adults suffer from headaches every- or nearly every- day. Needless to say, headaches affect a lot of people on a regular basis in our world, but what can help?
There are countless remedies for headaches from medication to essential oils to massage. Today, we will be discussing how massage can help with headaches and a personal story about how massage has helped with chronic headaches.

The suboccipital muscle group is a group of muscles on the back of the head that works tirelessly to balance your head on top of your spine, according to Pain Science. Even if you are sitting down perfectly still, the suboccipital muscles are still working hard to maintain balance and posture of the head. Because of how overworked this muscle group is, there are a few trigger points that are very common that cause tension headaches. There are also common trigger points within the jaw and the forehead that are also known to cause headaches. Because the massage therapist has extensive anatomy training and can locate and work on a trigger point that is causing a headache, massage can be a very effective treatment method for headaches. Regular massage can also help to lower the stress and tension within the head and neck muscles, which can help to lower the chances of getting a headache in people who suffer from chronic headaches or migraines. 

From personal experience, massage is one of the most effective treatments I have ever received for headaches. I have suffered from chronic migraines since I can remember. It got to the point when I was 17 that I was going to have to get on a daily preventative medication. Rather than doing that, I researched and found that regular massage has been proven to be an effective treatment. I started getting massage on a three week schedule and within three months I had significantly lowered my rate of headaches and migraines. Before I began getting regular massage, I had a headache almost daily and a migraine two to three times a month. After beginning a regular massage regimen, I have a headache only two to three times a week and a migraine only once every one or two months. That is a vast improvement and it fits my lifestyle much more than taking a daily medication. I personally would recommend massage for anyone who has regular headaches or even can't find relief from a headache every once and a while.

Home Remedies
If you are not able to get a massage and need some instance relief, try out some of these home remedies that may be able to help!

• Peppermint Essential Oil- Rub a drop of peppermint essential
  
  oil along the base of the neck, temples, behind the ear, or any specific point that you are experiencing pain. The oil can help to rid or lessen the pain of a headache.
• Self Massage- You can do self-massage of your head and neck to try and get rid of a headache. Areas like the base of the head, jaw, temples, and right in front of the ears can be self-massaged to try and release tension and trigger points that may be causing your headache. 
• Eat and Drink Water- Sometimes headaches occur because your body is trying to tell you that it is hungry or dehydrated, so eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water if you are experiencing a headache.
• Take a Nap or Go To Bed Early- If you are not well-rested, our bodies sometimes acts on in weird ways. Headaches are a common symptom of over-exhaustion or sleep deprivation, so taking a nap or going to bed early can help to get rid of your headache.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.