The Different Types of Massage

The word “massage” might conjure up images of rich women with cucumber on their eyes, but relaxation massage is one small niche; there’s a wide range of massage techniques, for a wide range of health conditions. Here’s a basic guide.

Swedish Massage

This is the most common type of massage, and is characterised by long sweeping strokes, muscle kneading and rolling (like kneading dough), and rhythmic tapping.

Hot Stone Massage

This is fairly self-explanatory; hot stones are placed on the body, and the masseuse may (usually) uses hot stones to massage the body at the same time. This form is very good for releasing tension.

Chair Massage

This is the type of massage you’ll see at events or at kiosks in the mall (sitting face forward in a special chair). The major focus is on your neck and shoulders, and it’s used to get tension out of your upper body.

Deep Tissue/Trigger Point (Remedial) Massage

This type of massage, as the name suggests, applies strong pressure to points that are causing you trouble. It’s not “pleasant”, but you can ask your therapist to adjust the pressure if you’re finding it too much and it’s incredibly important to find a fully trained therapist who you trust (as untrained hands on an injury can make it worse).

Shiatsu Massage

Gentle stretches plus finger pressure are used to improve the flow of energy within the body.

Herbs to Improve Your Memory

  
If herbal medicines can help people with dementia and Alzheimers to retain and improve their memories, it stands to reason that they’d be able to help the rest of us maintain and improve this aspect of our health. Here are some herbs that have been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive function.

Ginkgo Bilboa

The Journal of the American Medical Association has published studies showing the positive effect of this herb on dementia leading to Alzheimers. It’s particularly effective in patients whose memory problems are the result of aging.

Ginseng

Studies have shown that ginseng is fantastic for all aspects of cognitive function, including memory. It’s easily available over the counter, but consult with a herbalist to ensure you’re getting the right dose and a good quality supplement.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb with a lot of carnosic acid; it’s an antioxidant, and goes directly to your cerebral vascular tissues to dilate them and improve memory. Just smelling rosemary has been shown to have a positive effect.

Sage

Scientists from the Universities of Newcastle and Northumbria performed trials which proved that those given sage performed much better on a word recall test than those given a placebo. Sage makes a great addition to many savory dishes, especially soups and stews.

Eating with the Seasons 

You’ve probably noticed that you crave different foods at different times of the year; starchy potatoes and filling soups in winter, fruit and sliced tomatoes in summer. And interestingly, these are the foods that are in season during those times. The synergy between our bodies and nature is really remarkable. 

We’ve become so used to seeing vegetables and fruit all year round in the supermarket, even though we feel the pinch in our wallet if we say, really want fresh mango during July. But it may be worth keeping an eye on grower’s guides, and figuring out what’s actually in season – and adjusting your shopping list accordingly.

When foods have been in cold storage for a long time, traveling from greenhouses or a long way interstate, their nutritional value starts to go down. They’re also more likely to have been sprayed or preserved in ways that just aren’t good for your body.

While we absolutely advocate eating widely and as much fruit and veg as possible, take the time to ask your local farmers at the market what’s in season where you are, and what they recommend. It lets you help the “little guy” (no big supermarket chains giving them a pittance while adding a huge markup), and you’ll be amazed how much better you feel.