The technique of Swedish massage uses five basic strokes: sliding or gliding, kneading, rhythmic tapping, cross fiber and rhythmic shaking. Research shows it is helpful for individuals who have poor circulation. By flushing the tissues of the lactic acid, uric acid and other metabolic wastes building up during an injury, circulation to the area is increased without increasing the load on the heart.

Stress
Swedish massage helps stimulate the skin and nervous system and reduces both emotional and physical stress. In fact, some psychologists suggest a regular program of Swedish massage for stress management.

Effleurage
This type of massage uses a sliding or gliding technique. While doing this technique the masseuse uses long, sweeping strokes covering more than one area. Although it makes one feel like your muscles are being broken down the purpose is to connect one part of the body to the others and is always done in a direction toward the heart.

Relaxation
The therapist makes the muscles relax by using friction to warm up the area being treated. Where other massage techniques may use warm stones or heated towels the Swedish massage therapist makes use of a friction technique by rubbing the palms of her hands vigorously on the surface of the skin or by rubbing her palms together and then laying them on the skin.

Petrissage
The act of kneading and squeezing the muscles of the body is known as petrissage. This technique does not target or focus on any particular part but allows for deeper and more penetrating affects.

Tapottement
Sometimes called rhythmic tapping,these strokes aim to energize the area of the body that is being treated. This technique is done by chopping the area with the sides of the hands or hitting it rhythmically with a fisted hand depending upon the desired results and the strength of the masseuse.

Traction
Usually in the last part of her routine,the therapist stretches muscles that are already relaxed and warmed up. This involves pulling at arms and legs and, interestingly, sometimes at the head.

Vibration
This is the last technique a Swedish massage therapists will use. It is used to shake the area that is being treated and is done by moving the heel of the hand and sometimes the fingers forward and backward across the skin to loosen up muscles in a particular area.

Some of these techniques may be tried at home to relax and calm yourself.  Just take care never to massage over areas that are injured, bruised, infected or have an open wound.

Special Treats for After your Massage:

Would you like to repair cells and fight the free radical damage to your skin? Venus Naturals makes a 100% all-natural intensive cream with Rosa Mosqueta from the Andes Mountains in Chile. It reduces and eliminates stretch marks and brown age spots on photo-aged or sun-damaged skin.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter. If you have tired, achy legs check this out!

It is a fact that exposure to ultraviolet light, whether UVA or UVB, that is derived from sunlight, accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging.

Since most of the photoaging effects occur by the age of 20, the amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the pigment protection.

Among the changes in the epidermis caused by continued exposure to the sun include, many harmful, thinning of the epidermis and the growth of skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas,

Prolonged exposure to the sun cause collagen in the dermis to break down at a higher rate than just chronologic aging.

Collagen fibers get damaged by sunlight and causes the accumulation of abnormal elastin and when this sun-induced elastin accumulates, enzymes called metalloproteinases are produced in large quantities.

Under normal conditions, metalloproteinases are responsible for fixing sun-injured skin by manufacturing and reforming collagen.

However, this process does not always work well and some of the metalloproteinases actually break down collagen, resulting to the formation of disorganized collagen fibers known as solar scars.

And when the skin repeats this flawed rebuilding process, wrinkles develop.

As the sun continues to be the principal suspect in causing wrinkles, the most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.

It would be best to consider the important factors with sunscreen use, especially with the spectrum of UV radiation absorbed, the amount of sunscreen applied, and the frequency of application.

As mentioned earlier, the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be divided into categories based on the wavelength.

UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage, while UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns.

UVB does not penetrate glass and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and season.

UVA radiation, on the other hand, penetrates deep into the skin and works more efficiently and cannot also be filtered by glass, but overexposure to UVA can also be dangerous.

The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year.

Regardless of their wavelengths, both UVA and UVB radiation can cause wrinkles as it breaks down collagen, creating free radicals, and inhibiting natural repair mechanisms of the skin.

A classification system of sun-sensitivity is the Skin Phototype (SPT) classification, which is being used to determine the potency and spectrum of protection that sunscreen formulations help protect from these radiation, as well as inhibit, if not minimize, wrinkles.

People with skin types I and II are at the highest risk for photoaging effects including wrinkles and skin cancer, thus the proper use of sunscreen to block both UVA and UVB radiation is an important in the battle against wrinkles.

As you can see, there is a definite relationship between the sun and wrinkles and the age old adage still holds true that says, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

To Be or Not to Be

The important thing that you have to ask yourself is do you really need to go the drastic route in order to retain your younger looking skin. Everybody will eventually look old no matter how helpful science had been to you. In the manner of using beauty products and undergoing surgeries and injections, you are merely slowing the process.

If you are already considering your options about the said topic, you have to be ready for the results and the consequences. To lessen your worries, do a thorough research about what you want to be done. Ask around and ask for referrals for professionals whom you will trust to handle your skin, that is if you are going the scientific path to a more beautiful you.

Botox, Anyone?

Who haven’t heard of Botox? Many popular people like celebrities have gone through this procedure just to remove the unwanted lines on their faces. This is especially useful if your appearance is your bread and butter. So what do you know about this? This list will remind you of things that you already know and may want to know about this procedure.

1. Botox is known for removing wrinkles. But it will not help diminish other common skin problems caused by aging such as the age spots, sun damage and problems with pigmentation. This will also not soften your skin if your main concern is about its roughness.

2. This is a costly procedure. If you really want to undergo such, you have to save up for it. And do save up for it a lot because you will not undergo this procedure only once. You have to undergo the procedure after a few months depending on what your doctor asks you to do according to your skin’s reaction to it.

3. This is very risky especially if you do not go to the right doctor. The procedure entails injecting toxins into your skin. Not everybody has the same reaction to these toxins.

4. You have to tell your doctor the vitamins and medicines that you are taking before undergoing this treatment. They have to be informed about your body and your system so that they would know better if you are ready for it or not really fit.

5. If not done properly, instead of removing the unwanted lines, you may end up having more lines than what you had before going through it.

6. This is not for sensitive type of skin and veins. Botox includes injections. The one who will be getting the shots must first make sure that they are ready emotionally, physically and mentally.

Botox injections for wrinkles must be thought about very hard before committing to the procedure. Once you’ve done it, there is no turning back and you have to according abide by your doctor’s advice. If you are still at a loss as to whether to do this or not, research more about it and after gaining more knowledge, you will surely be able to decide what is best.

Prolonged sitting or straining during bowel movements can weaken leg veins and cause hemorrhoids. If you suffer from vein problems due to the effects of constipation, making these small changes in your diet can make a huge difference in preventing and eliminating varicose veins.

Eating Fibre:

Consuming at least 30 grams of fiber a day from whole foods will put you on the right path to feeling and looking great by reducing constipation and increasing energy levels.

Consuming plenty of steamed vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, carrots, turnips and cauliflower as well as whole grains, especially buckwheat and millet, oats, barley, beans, peas, lentils, baked potato with the skin on, brown rice and whole wheat will give you plenty of fibre. Raisins, figs and dates are excellent for good regulation.

Fruit Fasting:

Some people recommend a juice fast for four or five days once every month to cleanse the system. Others recommend going on an all-fruit diet for about a week each month. If you’re not used to fasting or it sounds to difficult for you, try eating melons, citrus fruits or fresh, unpeeled apples between meals. They are great for cleaning out intestines.

If you do a fruit or juice fast, it is best to introduce new foods gradually. Start with raw vegetable salads dressed in olive oil and lemon juice, steamed vegetables and fish – all easily digestible. Then add whole grains, seeds, nuts and other fresh fruits to your diet.

Foods that worsen varicose vein symptoms

Starchy, hard to digest foods such as peeled white potatoes and white bread should be avoided. They are constipating and they slow down digestion and circulation.

It is best to avoid refined foods, salt, fried foods, alcoholic drinks, coffee, strong tea, white flour products, white sugar and ice cream. All of these foods can be constipating if your system is sluggish.

Whenever possible cut down on red meat and restrict fatty animal protein in your diet to prevent worsening vein symptoms and slowing down your digestion.

Making these simple changes to your diet will go a long way in relieving constipation and thus reduce the strain and pressure that contributes to tired, aching legs and swollen leg veins. By changing to a high-fibre diet, leg vein circulation will improve and your leg energy will increase. Before long, you will notice that your legs have regained their former vitality and strength.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter.

If you’re fearful of what the consequences may be for your health, take heart – Calendula’s powerful healing therapy continues to be a primary choice for many varicose vein sufferers who prefer natural alternatives over invasive surgical procedures. 

Calendula (in its extract form) is made from a species of marigold flower called Pot Marigold.   Its Latin name is Calendula Officinalis and its flower petals are used as a powerful healing agent for a variety of ailments. It can heal external lacerations, abrasions and skin blemishes, rashes, wounds, chapped lips, diaper rash, gum and tooth infections, hemorrhoids, sore throats and tonsillitis. 

Creams made with Calendula can reduce the inflammation associated with varicose veins and can regenerate weak, damaged veins and spider veins. because it is a powerful circulation enhancer.  It prevents the tendency for legs and ankles to swell due to pressure or exertion. There is no need to suffer needlessly with unattractive bulging and discolored varicose veins, spider veins or tired legs.  Natural alternatives are available at a price you can afford and are popular and easy to use. 

Specially formulated creams containing Calendula help varicose and spider veins fade and flatten and legs look smoother.   If you have very bad ulcerated varicose veins you can make a poultice with this Calendula cream by placing a spoonful of the cream on a bandage and leaving it on the vein overnight to heal.  Before long you will notice the healing effect and pain relief.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter.

It is possible to meet all your body’s nutritional needs by eating only fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and legumes. Because there is no meat in the diet, vegetarian diets usually have less fats and cholesterol, although there will be some. It will, however, take some planning to ensure your teenager includes a variety of foods to get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need. By learning more about the vegetarian lifestyle, you will be able to guide your teen into making wise food choices.

Standard diets are based upon a food pyramid and it is possible to find a vegetarian food pyramid as well. If you’re concerned your teen may be missing vital nutrients, you may want to speak with a registered dietician to learn how your teen can compensate by eating other foods rich in those nutrients.

If your teen decides to become a vegetarian after having eaten meat all their life, they may find it’s not as easy as they thought. To be able to enjoy many of the same flavors, your teen can try meatless products made from soy. Protein is needed to keep bones, muscles, and organs healthy. Your teen can eat legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and soy products.

Everyone knows calcium is needed to build teeth and bones. Calcium can be found in dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, turnip, or collard greens.

In order to make red blood cells and help prevent anemia, it is important to have vitamin B-12 which is usually found in meat, milk, cheese and eggs. Some fortified soy products and enriched cereals provide this vitamin, but your teen may need to take a supplement to ensure they get enough of this vital vitamin.

Another component needed to make red blood cells is iron. Most people know liver is a good source; however, if your teen doesn’t like or isn’t eating meat they may not have enough iron in their system. Dark, leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are good choices as are dried beans and peas, lentils, and dried fruit. Be sure your teen eats or drinks foods rich in vitamin C so they can properly absorb the iron. Citrus fruits or juice, tomatoes, broccoli, and strawberries may be chosen.

Minerals, as well as vitamins, are needed to maintain good health. Zinc is important for cell division and for the body to form proteins. Your teen may want to eat whole grain breads, nuts, wheat germ, or soy products to ensure they get enough zinc.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the idea that your teenager may not get enough vitamins and minerals to maintain good health.  Vegetarian diets can be lacking some nutrients, but by eating a wide variety of foods and taking a multi-vitamin supplement, they should be fine. If you do become concerned, make an appointment with your teen’s doctor or a registered dietician to give you additional information on how to keep your vegetarian teen healthy.

What do you need to know about belly fat? Well, for men, extra abdominal fat occurs as you age. In women, during child-bearing years, fat accumulates in the hips, thighs and also in the abdomen. For them too, extra belly fat is a concern.

With men, belly fat is usually a result of lifestyle and age. As a person ages, they lose muscle unless something is done to preserve it. After the age of forty, muscle is lost at a faster rate. What replaces that muscle is usually fat. Our lives grow more sedentary and the pounds begin to pack on.

One way to tell if you have too much belly fat (besides your pants) is to take a measurement of your waist-to-hip ratio. Your waist measurement should not be larger than your hip measurement. Your waist measurement is taken at the level of your abdomen above the hipbone. Even without the hip measurement, a waist measurement above forty inches is a sign that you may need to lose a few pounds to come back into a proper waist-to-hip ratio. 

When you have extra belly fat you are at greater risk for certain conditions like:

* Diabetes (Type 2)
* Heart disease
* Stroke
* High blood cholesterol
* High blood pressure
* Sleep apnea
* Cancer

These conditions can be treated with proper diet and exercise. Foods which are lower in fat and higher in fiber are more filling. Insoluble fiber helps to clean out your digestive system and takes a bit of fat from your food along with it. Fiber is also instrumental in lowering your blood cholesterol levels.

Stroke is caused when a blood clot or piece of plaque breaks loose and travels to the brain. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can increase your levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Good cholesterol helps to prevent dangerous plaques from forming in your blood vessels in the first place.

Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing during the cycle of sleep. Your airway closes off several times during the night. People with sleep apnea often snore a lot as a means of keeping their airway open. Returning to a healthy weight often resolves the situation.

Men who are more likely to gain weight around the middle can have several conditions arising from carrying too much belly fat, but they can be dealt with successfully once the weight is lost.

When young people are going through hormonal fluctuations during puberty the skin is pulled by the rapid growth or stretching. These periods of growth tend to damage the elastic fibers inside the skin, deep beneath the skin’s surface. Girls will notice these marks on their hips, breasts, thighs and abdomen. And while they’re more common in girls, guys can get stretch marks, too.

Overstretching reduces the production of collagen in our skin,normally very elasic and resilient. A natural protein, collagen acts like a glue and is the body’s major support structure. Without it we would literally fall apart. Our skin is our body’s largest organ and it produces collagen every day. This essential protein gives the skin 90% of its volume.

After the age of about 25-35, our bodies produce less collagen. It is reduced at a rate of about 1.5% a year. When this happens, you will begin to notice signs of aging and stretch marks will appear if skin is stretched too much.

To prevent stretch marks, we need to stop the disruption in the body’s production of collagen. If the elastic fibers that help our skin to stretch are kept more elastic, you are less likely to get stretch  marks.

Body builders who have ‘pumped up’ too quickly can cause stretch marks from overstretched muscles. Men and women can cause stretch marks as a result of gaining or losing weight too quickly. Adolescent girls may notice stretch marks on thighs and breasts as a result of new growth and development.

Pregnancy

During the second half of pregnancy, to accommodate a growing baby, elastic fibers in a woman’s skin can break down, causing skin damage. Stretch marks may appear on hips, breasts, belly button, abdomen, back and even the buttocks.

Use an all-natural stretchmark cream that is safe for a pregnant mother and her unborn baby. A natural cream containing natural, cold-pressed oils and essential oils can be massaged into the belly while preganant to prevent marks from forming.

Rosehip Oil from Chile

Known as Rosa Mosqueta, this rosehip oil is pressed from the rosehip seeds of one type of wild rose grown in the Andes of South America. It contains an extremely high percentage of essential fatty acids and Vitamin C.  
Scars even 20 years old respond well to this oil when other therapies fail, and burned skin heals faster because of the regeneration of tissue. A natural cream containing Rosa Mosqueta is especially suited to treat damaged skin conditions and can completely eradicate existing stretch marks.

Carefully selected for their gentle healing properties and to minimize existing stretch marks, these essential oils reduce and prevent stretch marks: geranium, lavender, frankincense and myrrh.

Natural Oils

The following cold-pressed oils have soothing and healing properties to get rid of stretch marks: sweet almond oil, olive oil, avocado oil, carrot oil, coconut oil as well as cocoa butter.

Anti-Oxidants such a vitamins A and C rejuvenate tissue and promote collagen production.

Drink plenty of water! This simple remedy strengthens the skin.

Avoid (or reduce) caffeine drinks and alcoholic drinks which dehydrate the skin.

Avoid excessive weight gain to prevent stretchmarks from getting worse.

Massage the skin in the area of the stretch marks.  This act alone increases circulation to the affected area and stimulates new tissue growth. Any cream or massage oil will do for massage. However, creams containing oils with healing properties such as vitamin E and Rosa Mosqueta oil are the best choice to prevent scarring and limit the amount of damage.

Special Treatment for Stretchmarks and Aging Skin:

Would you like to repair cells and fight the free radical damage to your skin? Venus Naturals makes a 100% all-natural intensive cream with Rosa Mosqueta from the Andes Mountains in Chile. It reduces and eliminates stretch marks and brown age spots on photo-aged or sun-damaged skin.

If you are among the many people that are looking for natural therapies to relieve pain and pressure in your legs due to varicose and spider veins, these five natural ways can help you. Invasive surgical procedures are no longer a popular solution in most cases.

Alternative herbal treatments for this condition are becoming more popular and, in some cases, are a better choice because they rejuvenate veins, reduce pain, and provide a more permanent solution than surgery. Honest plastic surgeons recommend using alternative methods such as natural creams before resorting to surgery.

Five Natural ways that you can prevent and even get rid of varicose veins:

- increase blood circulation in the legs – exercise such as walking, cycling and running moves blood up the legs by strengthening leg muscles. These types of exercise not only keep the condition from worsening but they improve blood flow which reduces your leg pain and also prevents leg pain cramps.

- reduce weight bearing – start by losing excess weight, handling less heavy articles and reducing activities that put excessive strain on your legs.

- wear varicose vein stockings – supports the veins with a steady pressure that helps prevent your legs from aching and swelling because they help to increase leg circulation. Stockings can help increase energy and reduce pain while you’re wearing them but are not a permanent cure. When they come off, the spider and varicose veins will still be there.

- eat a diet rich in fibre – include fruits, berries, fresh vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Their fibre strengthens leg vein walls, reduces pressure on veins and prevents constipation. Reducing high-fat animal protein in your diet as well as heavy, starchy foods and drinking plenty water will help stop varicose veins from forming.

- use circulation enhancers – check for therapeutic grade essential oils and natural herbs in leg veins products. The herbal extract Calendula is known to compensate for circulation deficiencies. This herbal extract is known for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative capabilities. Gingko biloba and Horse chestnut are used to reduce varicose veins pain and swelling. These herbs heal damaged tissue and are very beneficial for leg vein health.

It is preferred to use these herbs externally in a cream or lotion rather than internally to get quick and dependable results. According to the Mayo Clinic, “using these powerful herbs can significantly reduce pain and vein size and may actually be as effective a treatment as compression stockings.”

By following these five natural ways to remedy varicose veins, you are using the best therapy for varicose veins that not only prevents them from getting worse but may also reduce and eliminate them completely without any surgery. You can also prevent new ones from forming in the future.

If you continue to follow these steps throughout your life, you can get rid of varicose veins permanently.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter.

When it comes to using colon cleanses to lose weight, there are many individuals, possibly just like you, who wonder how the whole process works. Before understanding how colon cleanses may help you lose weight, it is important to remember that there may be a variance. There are some colon cleanses that advertise that they are designed to help you lose weight. These types of colon cleanses are also commonly referred to as weight loss cleanses. With that in mind, there are colon cleanses that advertise that they are not guaranteed to help you lose weight, even though some of them may.

When using a colon cleanse, it is important that you follow all of the instructions given to you. For instance, there are some colon cleanses that require that you do not eat anything for one or two days. These types of colon cleanses are often ones that are in liquid format. The colon cleanses in pill format may request that you only eat and drink certain products, like fruits and vegetables. If you buy a colon cleanse that asks you to restrict your diet, you are advised to do so. This diet restriction is what makes it possible for you to lose weight, as well as allow the colon cleanse to work properly.

Breakthrough: Lose 90 lbs in 45 days!

When you use a colon cleanse, you are essentially detoxifying your body. The colon cleanse will work to push toxins out from your colon and sometimes even your intestines. This is not only ideal to promote a healthy well-being, but it can also help you lose weight. It has been said that the average person has anywhere from four to eight pounds of stored waste in their body. When using a colon cleanse, that extra waste will be expelled from your body. This is why many individuals are able to lose weight with a colon cleanse.

If you are able to use a rapid colon cleanse, like one that works in three to seven days, you may notice a rapid weight loss. There are some individuals who use colon cleanses to quickly lose weight before a special event like a wedding or a vacation. While you may be able to achieve rapid weight loss with a colon cleanse, it is important that you proceed with caution. If you do not change the way that you eat or add exercise to your daily activities, you may see your weight add back on in as little as a few weeks or a few days. This typically happens if you were asked to restrict your diet when using a colon cleanse. While you do not have to keep up with your restricted diet, you are advised to reduce your junk food intake and start a daily or at least a weekly exercise program.

Since losing weight is more than possible with a colon cleanse, you may be interested in giving one a try. Before buying a colon cleanse, you may want to search for product reviews online or speak with a healthcare professional. This will help to ensure that if you do buy a colon cleanse that your money is well spent.