Do You Have Trouble Falling Asleep?

As a Massage Therapist, I often hear from people that they have difficulty falling asleep. An interrupted sleep pattern can be cause for many other discomforts and have a negative effect on our immune system. Receiving a massage on a regular basis will benefit you in many ways, including regulating your sleep patterns. “A regular basis” for massage varies from person to person. Once a month is an ideal regiment for most people to receive a full body massage, however someone with specific or serious discomforts may find that more often would be more beneficial.

There are several things you can do between your massage appointments to improve your sleep. Controlling your breathing and educating your muscles will help your body get ready for sleep each night.

Controlled breathing is a fantastic way to relax. While you are lying in bed, breathe deeply through your nose into your abdomen. Be sure that your abdomen rises with each inhale, try not to breathe through your chest. Fully and slowly exhale each time. We should relax our muscles as we breathe out. Begin with concentrating on releasing your jaw and the muscles in your face as you exhale. Next, relax your neck and then your upper back. Work your way down your body, exhaling through and relaxing each group of muscles, all the way to your toes.

Another great way to remind your muscles how to “let go“, is to tighten and release them. Begin with flexing your toes and feet and then relaxing them. Follow with your calves and work all the way up to your head. Tighten and release your arms, hands and even your face. Continue with your controlled breathing as you go. Work your way back down to your toes and repeat as many times as you like. You may soon find your way off to a wonderful, relaxed sleep!

In Health and Happiness,
Samantha E. Mullen, LMT
CNY Healing Arts
Latham NY
(518) 724-5750

Lymphatic Drainage Massage – What’s it good for?

The Licensed Massage Therapists, at the CNY Healing Arts Center in Latham, NY offer many different modalities of Massage Therapy. One of the most important of these modalities is Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM) is a very gentle and rhythmic massage technique used to increase lymph flow through the body. Lymph is the fluid that passes through our lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of lymph vessels, nodes, ducts, our spleen, thymus and our tonsils. This system filters harmful substances from the fluids in our tissues.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage stimulates our immune system by moving stagnant fluids more quickly through our lymphatic system. This massage technique is also very relaxing. The slow rhythmic and gentle movements stimulate the body’s parasympathetic system, reducing the “fight or flight” response.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is useful for improving a variety of physiological conditions including:

• Edema (Swelling)
• Scarring
• Allergies
• Stress
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Enhances skin appearance and health
• Reduces and prevents cellulite
• Detoxifies our bodies

**People who suffer from allergies benefit from this type of massage by clearing the sinus passages and boosting their immune systems. Swelling in and around joints can be lessened in just one session of LDM. Patients have reported “..feeling lighter and more mobile than [they] have in years..” The movement of lymph through the body detoxifies our tissues and increases our overall health.

Please contact Samantha or Kristen at our Latham, NY office if you have any questions about this modality of massage. We are both Certified to practice Lymphatic Drainage Massage and would be happy to assist you in anyway we can!

In Happiness and Health,
Samantha E. Mullen, LMT (518) 724-5750
CNY Healing Arts
Latham NY

**We work closely with patients after Cosmetic Surgeries to reduce edema and significantly decrease healing and recovery time. This is especially important for eliminating unsightly scar tissue at incision sights. Patients who undergo LDM treatments, for as little as one week, have shown significant improvement compared to patients who did not receive the treatment.

Therapeutic Massage at CNY Healing Arts in Latham, NY

The art of Therapeutic Touch has been practiced for thousands of years in cultures all over the world. It is physically, mentally and spiritually beneficial to all of us! In conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, massage therapy can help you obtain great self-awareness and an over-all well being.

Benefits of Massage Therapy:

• Promotes Relaxation
• Relieves Anxiety
• Improves Mood
• Increases Circulation Read more