What is Therapeutic Massage?
Massage Therapy is defined as; the manipulation of the soft tissue of the body, done with knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the structures, applied in a scientific, non sexual manner for therapeutic results. Massage is an ancient healing art based on the natural instinct to touch in response to pain. Many athletes use massage therapy as a fitness aid.

Some Benefits of massage
• Relieves mental and physical fatigue
• Improves circulation and general body tone
• Enhances the function of joints
• Supports general health and well-being
• Beneficial for low back pain, arthritis and bursitis
• Relieves stress and tension

Who could benefit from massage?
Care givers, white collar workers, the aging…..nearly everyone. It is so important to keep our muscles and joints flexible. We can help you do this with therapeutic massage.

What will my first treatment be like?
Your treatment will take place in a warm, quiet room. Soft music and the smell of essential oils will be used to help you unwind and relax. Your therapist will ask you to fill out a brief and confidential health history form.

After discussing your health history, the therapist may discuss goals and a treatment plan for you. To help you relax, you may be given instructions on breathing techniques.

It is important that you let the therapist know of your pain level, (too deep or not deep enough, etc.) but keep talking to a minimum.

What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the inhalation and application of volatile essential oils from aromatic plants to restore or enhance health, beauty and well-being. Due to the vast number of natural phytochemicals produced by the plants, essential oils can have many different effects on the body, mind and spirit.

Essential oils are the highly concentrated volatile extract of flowers, herbs, grasses, shrubs and trees. They can be sedative or stimulating. Many are antispasmodic, anti-fungal, and most are antibacterial. They are easily introduced into the body by inhalation through the nose to the brain. This very short pathway leads to immediate registration of any smell and a rapid reaction by the body. Massage and bath therapies are some other ways to utilize essential oils. Only therapeutic quality essential oils are used at Healing Garden Therapies.

Chronic conditions that often respond well to aromatherapy include: stress, insomnia, menstrual problems, menopausal symptoms, digestive problems, hypertension, muscle spasm, joint stiffness, low energy and tiredness as well as on the emotional level.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine said, “the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage everyday”.

Facial Basics:
The one part of our body we see everyday is our face. If we don’t approve of what we see in the mirror, we eventually develop a dislike of ourselves. It’s important that we take care of our skin, especially the skin on our face because it reflects our inner health and life. One way to achieve this is with professional facials.

Making monthly facials part of a regular self-care routine can help prevent the rings of aging, improve skin, reduce acne, and even improve health.

What is a facial? The basic European facial generally involves five steps: 1. Skin Analysis- an evaluation of your skin type, work with you to determine your skin care goals, and decide what products and techniques will help you best meet those objectives. Skin conditions change depending on your general health, seasonal influences, and stress factors. The professional may be even to see signs of stress before you’re aware of them. 2. Cleansing – This step gently removes dirt and environmental toxins. She will choose a cleansing product based on her analysis. She will also teach you how to effectively clean your skin. Improper cleansing can be the cause of many facial problems. 3. Steam- Gentle steam helps soften blackheads and opens skin follicles to remove impurities embedded deep with the skin. During the steam, an exfoliate or deeper cleansing agent may be applied to remove embedded impurities. If needed, this is the time that she will perform extraction of the blackheads, which clog pores and can be the cause of acne. Once, unclogged your skin can produce its own natural moisturizers more easily. 4. Massage- The muscles of the face are delicate. Many of them are attached solely to the skin of the face, so great care must be taken to avoid overstretching. A professional is trained to massage those muscles to help improve tone, relax the muscles, and increase circulation while working along muscle fibers. Facial massage can delay the appearance of wrinkle and stimulate lymphatic flow helping the skin eliminate waste. 5. Facemask- A mask will be chosen for your skin type and specific condition. Specialized masks help hydrate, tone, and replenish collagen in the deeper layers. Others may have powerful antioxidant effects to help pollution, sun damage and other environmental conditions. As part of the service she will recommend products for you to use at home. If you are not clear about your home skin care routine, feel free to ask questions.

Facial Frequency: We replace our skin cells every 28 days or so. Normally, monthly facials are recommended to help remove dead skin cells and pollutants. By doing this, we can maintain healthy glowing skin. In some cases, facials are required more often for best results.

Teens are discovering that facials can help manage that tough acne that comes during junior high and high school. Leslie our Esthetician can instruct them how to take care of their face. By stating early, many skin conditions such as dryness, premature wrinkles and adult acne can be avoided or managed. Men can benefit from a regular facial regimen too. Men experience the same effects of aging as women, but they may be exacerbated by shaving, which damages the skin. Men are more prone to forget sunscreen. For both sexes and all ages, feeling and looking better boost self-confidence. People are living longer and healthier lives, and they’re learning that skin care is an important part of a regular routine.