Rejuvenate your Body N Soul at these Top 10 Day Spas of Boston

Boston offers some of the best spa services in the world. These spas are the perfect refuge of peace and tranquility in this busy city.

The top Day Spas offer services such as glycolic acid facial, seaweed facial aromatherapy salt glow, moor mud facial, collagen facial, seaweed body wrap, moor mud body wrap, hair and scalp treatments, reflexology massage, hot stone massage, enzyme facial, waxing, manicure, pedicure, and many more…

The list is compiled by how frequently the Spas information is kept in people’s digital address directories. Spas that are most frequently visited are updated on the list. Since people store such information in their personal books only if they are satisfied with the services of a particular provider and wish to visit in future. So naturally the best service provider ends up on top of the list.


The Top 10 for Day Spas of Boston:


1. Grettacole (617) 266-6166 (This Day Spa got 112 recommendations!)

10 Huntington Ave - Boston, MA 02116


2. Skin Spa Clinic (53)

(617) 247-8488, 330 Newbury St - Boston, MA 02115


3. The Spa At Rowes Wharf Health Club (22)

(617) 439-3914, 70 Rowes Wharf - Boston, MA 02110


4. Suddenly Slimmer (15)

(617) 735-9119, 1674 Beacon St - Brookline, MA 02445


5. Escape Spa & Tanning (15)

(617) 423-1350, 53 Waltham St - Boston, MA 02118


6. A Spa Newbury (9)

(617) 262-9464, 115 Newbury St - Boston, MA 02116


7. 98 North Salon & Day Spa (8)

(617) 854-8998, 98 N Washington St - Boston, MA 02114


8. Jardin Day Spa (7)

(617) 227-5499, 115 Lewis Wharf - Boston, MA 02110


9. The Total Image Day Spa (7)

(781) 326-8822, 6 Allen Ln - Dedham, MA 02026


10. Day Spa Magi (6)

(617) 277-2339, 233 Harvard St - Brookline, MA 02446


Before dropping into any of these day spas, make sure to wait a few hours after eating and try to hydrate. This will encourage the removal of toxins and stress in a more efficient manner. Don’t eat or drink any thing just after the session. Wait at least half an hour.

This Top 10 List will help you to get the best rejuvenation services in this city. So, whenever you happen to visit this city don’t forget to drop into one of these Boston spas to take a moment for yourself.
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_556992_23.html

Full Body Massage As A Way Of Maintaining A Healthy Body

A full body massage is carried out using the hands to manipulate the soft tissue on a person’s body in order to reduce muscle tension and relieve pain. This kind of massage not only helps open up the pores on a person’s skin but speeds up the circulation of blood around the body.

Today a full body massage is often used in physiotherapy and begins with the physiotherapist massaging the upper and lower limbs before moving onto the chest, abdomen, back and hips and finishes off with them massaging the face and head. You will find that most massage strokes used are directed towards a person’s heart and certainly in the Western forms of massage that are now available they aim to release any muscular tension or joint stiffness felt by the person being treated as well as increasing the circulation of blood around the body and improving a person’s lymphatic system.

However, where Oriental Massage Therapy is concerned this is supposed to release any blocks and improve the flow of vital energy (through a person’s energy channels) around the body.

Any one who has a full body massage will find themselves lying down on a massage table naked (although towels or sheets will be draped over them to keep them warm). As massaging of a person's body produces heat, many therapists recommend that a client has a hot bath or shower about half an hour after a massage session. It is also advisable that people have a head bath (using luke warm water) after a massage session as well.

There are many varieties of body massage available from Breema Bodywork, to Hot Stone Massage (which we will discuss in another article), to Swedish Massage and on to Thai Massage.

Breema Bodywork is a form of massage which is usually performed with the person lying on the floor fully clothed and consists of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches for deep relaxation. This kind of massage not only increases a person’s vitality but also helps to stimulate the self healing process in a person’s body.

As you will soon discover most full body massage techniques help to improve the overall well being of a person but unfortunately there has been little research carried out which can agree the efficient of this type of therapy. But many people are now turning to massage therapists in order to treat many common ailments such as stress, pain, digestive disorders, headaches and insomnia by using massage therapy.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://massage.health-g8way.com where you can learn more about the benefits of massage.

Massage Therapy A Brief History

The history of massage therapy is quite lengthy. Touch is among the earliest and most basic forms of communication. It was also the first way that early humans tried to heal each other's wounds. When you bang your funny bone isn't one of your first reactions to rub it?

Massage therapy has a rich tradition in India. It is an integral part of the traditional Indian medicine known as Ayurveda. Practitioners use massage to help balance their patients' energy. Chinese acupuncturists also make use of a form of massage called Tui Na. Tui massage to push and na means to pluck or pull. Thai massage is another ancient form of traditional healing. All of these examples point to massage being used by different cultures for healing early in history.

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs have been found portraying people getting foot massages. The earliest known mention of massage comes from China though. A text called "The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" references the importance of massaging the flesh. This text dates from 2,500 BC. During the Tang Dynasty, which dates form 618 to 907 AD, there were 56 massage doctors in the imperial hospital.

The ancient Greeks also practiced massage therapy. Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, wrote, "The physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly in rubbing, for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid."

The most common form of massage practiced in the Western world today is Swedish massage. This style of massage came into being in the 18th century. Many people think that Peter Henrik Ling invented Swedish massage, but he did not. He did invent the Swedish Movement System and through some confusion this term became know as the Swedish massage system.

The names used to describe the strokes used in Swedish massage include:

  • Effleurage
  • Petrissage
  • Friction
  • Tapotement

These words are French in origin and were adopted by a Dutch man named Johan Georg Mezger.

Massage was introduced to the United States in the 1800's but didn't start to become popular until the 1960's when it was embraced by the flower children of the era. As time passes and people become more and more informed about health and alternative therapies, massage's popularity continues to increase.

Lovelyn Bettison is a licensed massage therapist who believes in a holistic approach to health. You can learn more about massage therapy and the conditions it can treat at her website. You can also learn how to treat yourself using self massage and how to give a massage to someone else.

http://www.massage-therapy-benefits.net

What Kind of Massage is Right for You?

Massage feels sinfully good, doesn't it? The truth is, massage is one of the best things you can do for yourself; especially during times of change such as menopause.

This soothing therapy has been shown to lower blood press, reduce muscle pain, improve joint flexibility and alleviate headaches, just to name a few of its healing powers.

Most people think of massage in terms of muscle aches, but it's much more than that. It increases blood flow to your muscles, tissue and every cell in your body which brings oxygen and nutrients to these critical areas. It also stimulates lymphatic flow, improving tissue drainage and the immune system.

Here are some of the different strokes you have to choose from:

Acupressure

An ancient Chinese technique involves the therapist using his fingers to press key points on the skin to release muscle tension and promote circulation and energy flow. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture involves needles. The pressure restores balance to the body and treats ailments such as headaches, menstrual cramps and constipation.

Swedish Massage

This is probably the most common form of massage in the US. Its main goal is relaxation and improved circulation. The therapist applies oil to the skin and uses flowing strokes and kneading movements to relieve tension from the muscles.

Deep Tissue Massage

This type of massage is more vigorous and uses various styles to loosen the muscles. It helps break patterns of tension, relieves chronic pain, including inflammation-related pain such as tendonitis and improves range of motion.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is Japanese for “finger pressure.” This technique is similar to acupressure where the practitioner uses their finger, thumb, palm, elbow, knee (and sometimes even walk on you) to put pressure on acupuncture healing points. This unblocks the flow of energy and encourages blood and lymphatic flow. It also promotes relaxation and strengthens the body against disease and restores balance.

Sports Massage

This treatment incorporates several massage techniques which is great for athletes. It keeps the body flexible, increases performance and assists in rehabilitation from an injury.

Hot Stone Therapy

During this therapy, heated stones are placed strategically on the body which dilates blood vessels and gets blood and oxygen flowing into tense areas. It can feel like a body “rush.” The soothing heat can also prepare the body for deep-tissue work as well as alleviate PMS symptoms.

Aromatherapy Massage

The therapist incorporates essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers and roots into the massage. They select the proper oils based on a particular physical condition and blend them into a massage oil or lotion. The end result is a relaxing massage tailored to your individual needs.

Reiki

This therapy is an Eastern method meaning “universal life energy.” It brings healing energy to the organs and glands in order to bring the body back into balance and help prevent disease. The massage practitioner places their hands on or just above the body to realign chakras and dissolve toxic substances from your physical and emotional being. People often feel warmth or tingling sensations during Reiki.

Pregnancy Massage

This massage focuses on a pregnant woman's needs including swollen hands and feet, stress on weight-bearing joints, exhaustion and lower back pain. And of course the practitioner positions you to accommodate your baby bump.

Craniosacral Therapy

This therapy involves the Craniosacral system which extends from the skull to the bottom of the spine and consists of the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid and surrounding membranes. The practitioner uses a light touch to restore cerebrospinal fluid movement. This can help treat such conditions as headaches, eye and ear problems as well as whiplash and back pain.

Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 26 years experience. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creativecommunications@cox.net or by visiting http://www.everythingmenopause.com and http://www.howtoconquermenopause.com and http://www.everythingandropause.com

Great Massage - Learn to Massage Pain Away

A great massage releases tension from the body, mind, and soul. It can be done in pairs as a date, or you may want to practice massaging one another. Either way, a great massage goes the distance whereas a poor one leaves you aching for no more.

What is a therapeutic massage?

From a professional stand point, if you are paying for a massage, then you should get a well balanced massage. A well balanced massage has these ingredients: the massage therapist is balanced, centered, and grounded. The massager should be completely focused on your body. Not to mention, you should be made to feel safe, special, and nurtured as your body is being rejuvenated. If you are not paying for a massage, remember these elements for they will empower you to give a great massage.

The therapeutic massage has a long history, dating back to ancient times. It has been used in such cultures as India, China, Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Its purifying effects touch the following organs in the body:

Skin
Through stimulation the pores are opened and poisons are released through perspiration.

Muscle pain
Lactic acid collected in the muscles from a rigorous work out is reduced and the tension is dissolved.

Blood circulation
The blood in the area of the body being massaged is sped up providing more nutrients. It also reduces swelling and increase the capacity of oxygen carried through the blood.

Nerves
A gentle massage with light pressure will relieve tension in the nerves increasing their overall efficiency.

The Digestive System
Massaging the abdomen stimulates the digestive system by promoting the elimination of wastes.

Urinary System
An overall body massage eliminates toxic substances from the body through urine secretion.

As you can see, a massage truly aids in ridding the body or impurities. It is a highly effective treatment for many of the body's ailments.

How do you give a good massage?

You don't have to be an expert to make someone moan with delight from a great massage. Apart from your hands, your ears and mouth will be a great asset. Listen to the person who you are massaging. They will tell you what they want. Too hard or too soft is easily remedied by asking how you are doing. With that in mind, add some baby oil, Cocoa Butter, or lotion and we will talk about giving a great massage. Working our way down the body, let's start by talking about a head and neck massage.

For a head and neck massage, you will need a chair, soft music, scented candles or incense.

1. Start with the comfy chair in the middle of a room.
2. With someone seated in the chair, use the tips of your fingers. Starting with small circles, work up the back of the neck.
3. Once you reach the back of the skull, move one hand to the forehead and leave the other one on the back of the neck.
4. Take the hand resting on the neck and gently work the part between the base of the skull and the shoulders massaging gently with the tips of the fingers.
5. With the gentlest of ease, rock the head forward and then back 3 times.
6. From behind, run the fingers of both hands across the scalp. Think about it like your shampooing hair. You'll want to contract and extend your fingers throughout the scalp pressing into the scalp with your fingertips.
7. After a few minutes of fingertip massaging, move one hand to the back of the scull. Place the other on the top of the forehead for stability. Use the palm of your hand to rub vigorously around the back of the head. You can rub in a horizontal, vertical, or circular motion. Do this for about 5 minutes working your way around the scull.
8. Now take two fingers, and ever so lightly rotate them along the temples in a circular position. If you start in a counter clockwise position, do a few rotations and then switch to clockwise. Alternate between the two rotations for a few minutes.
9. Move you fingers down the face and along the jaw line. Once you reach the ears allow your fingers to slip behind the ears to the pressure point. Press gently on the pressure point allowing your fingers to hesitate momentarily before you slide down the neck and complete the head massage.

Massaging the shoulders and back is easier to do from a laying position; however, it is achievable from a sitting position.

1. Start with a comfortable position.
2. Allow your hands to rest on the trapezius muscle or shoulders.
3. Flex your hands into the muscle squeezing gently. Follow through with the thumbs in a clockwise position pushing into the muscle.
4. Work your way down the spine. Using the tips of your fingers, press in a circular motion. Soothe with your hands, palms, forearms, or elbows to work out the tension.
5. Continue with this motion until relaxation is achieved or until one of you has had enough.

Massaging hands and feet have a similar approach. The following steps you can use for either massage.

1. Place the hand or foot in a comfortable position.
2. With both of your hands, allow them to wrap around the object you are massaging.
3. Tighten your grasp while pressing into the soft spots. For example, use the tips of your fingers to press into the palm and allow your hands to wrap around the hand offering a gentle squeeze. Think about it like your giving the hand or foot a hug with your hands. With the foot you will do the same but you will concentrate on the arch.
4. Pressing toward the kinked area, you will attempt to work the pain out using the circular approach discussed earlier. On a side note, I have found that knuckles are very helpful in digging into soar arches. Feel free to use some imagination here. You have nothing to lose but soar feet.

One last thought, it is important to remember that a great massage is designed to relax and soothe. On occasion, a great massage has been known to lead to sex. This is an interesting contradiction. A great massage will relax the body lulling it into a slumber like state whereas sexual arousal will heighten the body's senses often leaving a feeling of euphoria. So was Vincent Vega, John Travolta's character in Pulp Fiction, right when he argued with Jules, Samuel L. Jackson, that a foot massage is just a foot massage?

Well, yes and no.

If you are massaging to relax, then you probably won't be doing so with chocolate sauce. Just like if you are massaging for nookie then you won't want to put the other person to sleep with relaxing music and deep tension twisting muscle rubs.

With that in mind, be aware of what you want to achieve and remember that a great massage is an investment in tomorrow's relationship, today.

Ian Lawrence Campbell is a college student in the Miami area. He is currently pursuing a degree in psychology. In his free time he operates a romance based website at http://www.tethered-passion.com

The Hidden Health Benefits of Massage

Many people love to get massages because they feel great, but what most people may not realize is that massage also provides health benefits. When massage therapy and techniques are done properly, massage can decrease stress levels, provide muscle relaxation, and improve your immune system. Massages can help to relive pain in the body and cure headaches. Massage can also be used for healing injuries and retaining muscle and joint mobility. If you are having any type of problems with these areas, and traditional medical procedures are not working for you, talk to your health care provider about alternative therapy options like massage.

There are many different types of massages and a professional will usually practice one or two of these. Do your research and visit someone who can help you with your specific problem areas. There are Swedish massages that focus on relaxation or deep tissue massage and others that focus on loosening up muscle tissues.

There are various types of massages that target certain parts of the body. A Cranio-Sacral massage will focus on your neck, head, and spine to get it properly aligned and working normally. This massage also loosens up tight muscles in the body. Chi Nei Tsang is another type of massage that focuses on a person's abdominal organs to help with digestive pain or disease. If your joints are giving you problems, consider using the Trager Approach. This type of massage is able to improve your life when it is done properly. You can also use this massage in connection with the Swedish massage or other types of massage to target specific problems and relax the whole body.

Other types of massages provide relaxation or relieve stress like the Rosen Method. All massages should make you feel physically and emotionally better. There are a few types of massage, like the deep tissue massage, that can be a little painful and should only be used if your physician recommends this type of treatment for you. An example of this type of technique is rolfing. Rolfing works to align tissues the right way and straighten the spine. After this type of massage, you should feel better and not worse. If your condition worsens, you need to speak to your doctor and take alternative measures immediately.

There are some types of massage that are used specifically for healing. These include the Alexander technique, acupressure, feldenfrais, reflexology, Reiki, and Shiatsu methods. There are different ways to use these techniques and research should be done before attempting to use these alternative therapy methods for healing. You can also find information on how to perform simple massage techniques on yourself to improve your comfort level, or you can purchase a massage chair for your home or office. Your doctor or massage therapist can help you decide what form of massage therapy would be best for you and what your body is able to handle.

So the next time you need to relax or relieve body aches, consider using massage therapy to obtain relief.

A self-proclaimed information addict, Sandi H. has come to the conclusion that knowledge is power when it comes to finding alternative healing methods to traditional medicine. Go to http://www.alternativemedicineinfoguide.com to find more information on alternative healing methods to meet your specific needs.

A Hot Stone Massage Can Put Stress and Anxiety to Rest

While New York City is the "city that never sleeps," Earth seems to be the "planet that never stops." Modern life has made us busier than ever, and it has had a significant effect on our lifestyle, including our sleeping patterns. Between the errands and the yard work and bookkeeping for our home, it seems that we barely have enough time to relax, let alone sleep. In addition, a hectic lifestyle could also result in more anxiety, which can keep us awake when the sandman should be paying us a visit.

Sleeping "enough"
How much sleep is enough? Many of us have the notion that we always need eight hours of sleep. But is that accurate? It is, and it is not. Healthy adults require about 7-9 hours of sleep nightly. However, just as every person has a unique set of DNA and fingerprints, every person has unique sleeping needs. As a general rule, if you wake up in the morning without the aid of an alarm clock, a nudge, or a bucket of cold water, then you have slept enough.

Sleeping well and long
Also, you should consider that the quality of the sleep, and not just the quantity. In fact, your brain needs to experience five complete sleep phases, and it needs to stay in each phase for a particular amount of time. When those stages are disrupted, then you feel less rested. And not getting enough sleep can have more consequences than just feeling drowsy. Sleep depravation can cause you to function less effectively during the day, and is a significant cause of accidents involving automobiles. Besides the time factor, other causes of poor sleep patterns include:

• Biorhythm changes (light-dark cycles)

• Caffeine in beverages and drinks (caffeine has a half-life of 7.5 hours)

• Cigarettes, which include stimulants

• Hot flashes

• Limb movement disorder

• Medications

• Pain and disease

When parasympathetic sympathizes
Fortunately, hot stone massages can help. Therapy via massage can reduce the stress and tension in one's body. But that is not all! Massage therapy can also improve the quantity and quality of your sleep. How does it accomplish that? First, keep in mind that the two parts of our automatic nervous system are the parasympathetic and sympathetic portions.

When you get a massage with hot stones, the parasympathetic portion of your nervous system is switched on. This allows your body to relax. However, when you feel like pulling your hair out, the sympathetic part of your automatic nervous system is switched on. This causes your body to choose one of two options: "fight" or "flight." In other words, your body will either try to deal with problematic situations, or avoid them. So the parasympathetic can actually balance out the sympathetic. And when that happens, falling asleep becomes a piece of cake.

The magic stone

As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. Various scientific studies have proven that therapeutic massages, such as those with hot stones, improve how much sleep we get and how good it is. Other benefits of hot stone massages include:

• Anxiety reduction

• Back pain reduction

• Circulation improvement

• Depression reduction

• Endorphins (think natural painkillers) release

• Immunity boost

• Joint flexibility increase

• Medication dependence reduction

• Migraine relief

• Muscle improvement

• Range of motion improvement

For many of us, getting four hours of sleep seems like a major accomplishment. However, a lack of sleep not only affects our body, but also how well we can function throughout the day. Fortunately, hot stone massages can allow our bodies and minds to relax, increasing our ability to get enough quality sleep each night. It will put your stress and anxiety to rest.

To learn more about hot stone kits for hot stone massages, go to http://www.tirmassagestone.com to find the best stones and the best prices.