Tag: massage

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Facial Cupping

Using small cups for finer face features, facial cupping is a uniquely specialized service which improves facial circulation for firmer skin and decreasing puffiness. It may help relieve jaw tension, sinus congestion, tension headaches and assist with lymphatic drainage.

Preparing for Facial Cupping

If possible, please arrive to your appointment with clean skin. A gentle cleansing towelette will be available for use before your appointment if needed.

Facial oil is used to allow the cups to glide over the skin. Please inform your massage therapist if you have any nut allergies.

Cupping marks are uncommon because of lighter suction and consistent movements. Thin or sensitive skin may experience temporary redness that faces within a few days. Facial cupping isn’t painful. In fact, we believe it’s the ultimate add-on for a relaxing experience.

Immediately after treatment, people see reduced puffiness and firmer skin. Like massage, the effects of cupping are cumulative. Keeping it a regular part of your massage therapy routine is optimal.

Benefits of Facial Cupping

  • Improved Complexion: Cupping draws nutrient rich blood to the area. People may notice youthful skin, reduced puffiness and balanced skin moisture.
  • Relaxed and stimulated muscles: Cupping lifts tight muscles and can release connective tissue adhesions. This may help with tension headaches, jaw tension and softening scar tissue.
  • Increased detoxification and drainage: Cupping helps drain congested tissues. Cupping draws built up fluid toward the surface, relieves compressed tissues, and improves lymphatic flow. Cups are moved along lymphatic pathways assisting with drainage.

A 30-minute facial cupping session includes treatment for face, neck and decollete. A 15-minute session includes treatment for the face and neck. Facial cupping can be combined with a 60-, 75-, or 90-minute relaxation or deep tissue massage.

Schedule your facial cupping session today or talk with your massage therapist about adding it to your already scheduled session.

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Therapeutic Cupping and Muscle Flossing

Ever feel pain after getting up from bed in the morning or sitting at your desk? After a hard work out, run or even long-distance walk, do your joints feel tight or you feel overall tension? Pain doesn’t always have to be caused by a single knot or two in your muscles. Beneath the skin and around all muscles, organs, blood vessels and nerves are interconnected fibers called fascia (pronounced fash-ee-uh).

Unlike our skin and muscles, fascia doesn’t stretch. It responds to how we regularly use our bodies. Sitting for long periods of time, bent over gardening, or repetitive movement such as painting, typing or lifting weights causes the fascia to respond by adapting in ways that hold that shape. Then, as we stand or stretch from that position, the adjusted shape of the fascia, lessens the ability for fluid to move freely and can cause discomfort or pain.

Various bodywork modalities to compress or decompress the skin affects the tissues beneath to enhance how we feel overall. Hard foam rolling or deep tissue massage helps push fluid through layers of fascia. Movement coupled with decompression or compression further hydrates the tissue to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Cupping

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist places special cups on the skin for a few minutes. The most common form are dry cupping and massage cupping. Dry cupping places a cup on the body using suction where it remains in one location for a period of time. Massage cupping, known as glide cupping, involves moving the cup over the affected area to more effectively cause release. It decompresses layers of tissues to create a better environment and space to improve glide of fascia and allow systems to best do their job within the body.  

Muscle Flossing

Muscle flossing is a newer technique available. Often used to speed recovery for athletes after competition or intense training, muscle flossing is also highly beneficial for anyone seeking a non-pharmaceutical option for pain reduction and improvement in movement.

Muscle floss is a reusable mobility tool to improve range of motion, reduce pain and help improve joint and muscle movement. Flossing uses a compression band with a specialized wrap technique and a series of movements to enhance the glide of fascia. Target areas often include shoulders, elbow, wrist, hips, knees, ankles, legs or arms (never use muscle floss on your head or neck).

Increase Glide, Decrease Pain

Both modalities coupled with the benefits of massage therapy promotes blood flow and circulation, loosens adhesions, releases trigger points and flushes toxins in order to promote healing to issues in tissues.

DeAnn Gietzen, licensed massage therapist with Northern Mandala, has achieved functional movement therapy certification in both cupping and muscle flossing.  Specialized therapeutic sessions are available with either cupping or cupping combined with flossing to get you back to feeling your best and moving with more ease.

Learn more about sessions available or schedule your appointment online.

DeAnn Gietzen is the owner and licensed massage therapist with Northern Mandala, LLC, based in East Grand Forks, Minn.

Through a 750-hour training program at Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body, DeAnn received advanced training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology. The course also included clinical practice, practical application and certification in CPR, first aid and AED. DeAnn has successfully completed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.  She is licensed in massage therapy by the state of North Dakota. DeAnn has also achieved Functional Movement Therapy Certification in Cupping and Muscle Flossing. Schedule your massage with DeAnn today.

Schedule your appointment online today.

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Be Calmer through Breathing

Our breath is such a simple and essential thing. Each inhale and exhale ebbs and flows throughout the day and we barely give it a second thought. And yet, something as simple as the way you breath can improve your health.

Just Breathe with Mandala

Use your breath to calm anxiety and stress

Deep breathing when anxiety hits can make the difference between an unmanageable situation and an unwelcome blip in your day. It naturally lowers your heart rate, improves blood flow and helps you think more clearly.

Even more, when tempers flare, it seems almost impossible to think about anything other than the current situation. Simple breathing techniques can encourage calmness and help reverse the physical symptoms of anger.

To lessen anxiety and increase calmness

  • Isolate yourself from everyone for 15 minutes
  • Inhale slowly for the count of 4.
  • Exhale slowly for the count of 8.
  • Notice the space in between your inhale and exhale.
  • Repeat until you feel yourself calm.

 Breathing and Meditation

Focused breathing is an excellent addition to a meditation practice.  It allows more open hearts and minds.  Even more, it can move energy that is stuck.

During meditation

  • Quiet your body and mind
  • Slow your breathing to a calm steady level
  • Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth
  • Concentrate on the air that moves in and out of your lungs
  • Feel each inhale as it rises from your feet to your head and each exhale as it descends from your head through the bottoms of your feet.
  • Focus on how your body feels and moves as you inhale and exhale

Much like massage, breathing encourages relaxation and healthy habits. It keeps your mind and body functioning well and curbs your stress. Through focused breathing, your muscles naturally relax and may help you feel as if you go through your day a little easier.

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DeAnn Gietzen is the owner and licensed massage therapist with Northern Mandala, LLC, based in East Grand Forks, Minn.

Through a 750-hour training program at Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body, DeAnn received advanced training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology. The course also included clinical practice, practical application and certification in CPR, first aid and AED. DeAnn has successfully completed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. She is licensed in massage therapy by the state of North Dakota.

Schedule your appointment online today.