International Massage Week starts every third Sunday in July. Even though this was celebrated on July 18-24, there's never a wrong time to treat yourself to a massage. Massages are suitable and irreplaceable for all people of all ages. Health and Beauty asked Eleni Pavlidu to share information about massages, the benefits, and home techniques among other things.
Massages constitute significantly to overall relaxation of body and mind. They improve the functionality of the lymphatic system, blood circulation, improve immunity, help degradation of harmful substances from the body, remove physical fatigues, rejuvenate and regenerate. It is an excellent anti-aging care for all skin types, especially for mature, dehydrated, tired and dull skin. Worries, stress, comfort and lack of rest are the main factors which increase the formation of toxins in the body. The most natural and pleasant method of preventing these is massage.
About Eleni Pavlidu
Good Life Spa masseuse Eleni Pavlidu is a massage therapist and aesthetician with 11 years experience. Eleni specializes in aromatherapy, reflexology, Ayurvedan (prenatal) and hot stone and deep tissue massages. One of her favourite quotes is by Gandhi: "Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in Harmony."
Growing up in the Czech Republic, she was always around beauty and health. Her mother is a masseuse-aesthetician and from a young age, Eleni knew she wanted to follow in her footsteps. Eleni's mom helped her to become certified and for a while they worked together as a team in her mother's business. Seven years ago, she migrated to St. Maarten and has worked at several spas on the island.
The best part of her job is seeing tense bodies walk in and leave as relaxed as melted butter. While it is her business to help others relax, often enough she too becomes tense and wound up. In their free time, fellow masseuses give each other mini sessions between clients; offering hand, foot or head massages. When she really needs to de-stress herself, she goes to a spa. There is no substitute for a massage. It's something that needs to be done. She proposes having one every month if possible.
Aromatherapy & revitalizing massage
More than just tentative hands working out knots and tensions in the body, to be effective the setting of a massage is important. Accompanying appropriate light settings, music or scents can increase the received benefits.
While massages can be used to cure many ailments, there are two main categories: stimulating and relaxing. To be energized, stimulating massage techniques are to be used. These are best done in the morning after a cold shower. Suggested oils are rosemary, lemon or pine tree. For relaxation and sleeping ails, relaxing techniques are to be used. These are best done at night (or in low light) after a warm shower. Suggested oils are English lavender, chamomile or orange. For increased effect after a relaxing massage, drinking tea made from the same plants is suggested.
Below is a listing of ailments and the matching oils that can be used during an aromatherapy massage session.
Balsamic – works on sinuses, laryngitis and certain respiratory diseases
Oils: eucalyptus, pine tree, thyme and rosemary.
Antiseptic – prevents influenza and colds
Oils: thyme, sage, eucalyptus, geranium and English lavender
Relaxing – for nervousness or insomnia
Oils: English lavender or orange
Preparing for your first massage
The purpose of a massage is to release tensions and toxins, but just thinking about someone touching you intimately may cause some to become even more tensed. Therefore, Eleni shares how to prepare for your first massage.
Setting the appointment – because there are so many techniques and options to choose from, consulting the masseuse or spa worker before hand is recommended. By discussing your desired results, you can get to know the therapist. That will help you feel more comfortable in his or her presence and will assure you of the best treatment. Most persons enjoy sessions that are 60-90 minutes in length. For shorter sessions, only part of the body should be focused on.
Before the session – not everyone has a whole day to luxuriate and pamper themselves. This is okay as a massage can be done anytime; even straight from work or the gym. Many spas have shower facilities that you can use before or after the session. Choosing to spend time in the sauna or hamam (Turkish steam room) opens the pores and releases toxins from the body, allowing for the oils and other treatments to work better into the skin. Using a body scrub treatment also helps to clean the skins of topical impurities and encourage blood circulation.
After the session, the light feeling of freedom and glow coming off the body is something we wish could last forever. To prolong this, relaxing after a massage is important. If you can't spend the rest of the day taking it easy, try to find 30 minutes or more to really enjoy the new feeling of peace. Between full body sessions, you can treat specific spots on your own. The face and feet are the easiest to work on.
Feet:
Care for the feet is extremely important especially for diabetics. Daily foot rubs and ankle rotations keep circulation in good order. After a shower or while soaking the feet in warm water, you can massage creams and oils into the skin to keep feet looking fresh and feeling right.
Face:
Face massage helps restore elasticity of skin, stimulates all the vital functions of the derma and rejuvenates to give a soothing and relaxing sensation. The skin is younger and smoother. Use oils or any desired facial product. Be sure to use fluid circular motions turning outward from the nose. When the circles are inward, they create or increase the look of wrinkles. Rubbing specific acupuncture points on the face called Taiyang (temples) and Yintang (midway between the medial ends of the eyebrows) may help relieve stress. By stimulating these points, you fortify mental energies and relieve ailments like migraine and fatigue.
For more information about massages, email Eleni Pavlidu at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
