Healing Strands

GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL (Pelargoneum graveolens)

Geranium essential oil has a rich, sweet rose like odour that is often used with citrus and floral oils. It has a regulating effect on most systems of the body and I often use it when mood swings need to be balanced. Combined with calming lavender and uplifting grapefruit oils it makes a nice rounded blend for when i am feeling both blue and also when I need to calm down.

It blends well with a lot of oils including lavender, rose, jasmine, neroli, petitgrain patchouli, sandalwood, juniperberry, bergamot, and citrus oils.

Geranium is a balancing oil so it can be used to calm and ease nervous tension, stress and can help with PMS & menopause. It is often used in skin care to help balance sebum production making if useful for both oily and dry skin types.

Below are some suggested uses for Geranium essential oil:

• Burn 2-3 drops in an oil burner to create a calming, balancing atmosphere or blend 3 drops of geranium with 2 drops of grapefruit and 1 drop of ylang ylang.
• Add 20-25 drops to 50 ml of vegetable/ carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond or apricot kernel) for a great soothing body oil.

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint is used in a lot of things, from the gum you chew to freshen your breath to the toothpaste you use to clean your teeth. Peppermint oil is a common smell, that almost everybody could name something with peppermint in it!

Peppermint essential oil is used extensively in not only the food industry but also in perfumery and in aromatherapy. It has a penetrating grassy-minty, sometimes camphoraceous odour that most people associate with chewing gum or toothpaste. But did you know it can also be used to treat a range of ailments including:

• headaches
• nausea
• mental fatigue
• shock

Its therapeutic properties:

• make it a great stimulant if you need a clear head
• means blending it with eucalyptus or marjoram makes it a good massage oil for sore, aching muscles

It also makes a fantastic tasting lip balm too!

Below are some suggested uses for Peppermint essential oil:

• Burn 2-3 drops in an oil burner to create a refreshing, uplifting atmosphere or blend 1 drop of peppermint with 3 drop of lemon for a clean, headclearing atmosphere.
• Blend 6 drops of marjoram with 2 drops of eucalyptus and 2 drops of peppermint and add to 25ml of carrier oil for an effective muscle relief massage oil.

GRAPEFRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL (Citrus paradisi)

Grapefruit essential oil has a beautiful fresh, sweet citrus scent that is reminiscent of the fruit itself. It is historically used as a food flavouring and fragrance in soaps but can also be used in personal care products. I love grapefruit essential oil not only for its therapeutic properties such as being an astringent, antiseptic and anti-depressant, but also for its scent. Sweet yet with a tangy twist than orange essential oil it's my go-to oil when I want that sweet orange-like scent but with a bit of a kick. It blends well with a lot of oils including lemon, palmarosa, bergamot, lavender, geranium, rosemary as well as most spice oils. In any blend, it rounds out the scent very nicely, giving it a light, refreshing twist.

Grapefruit essential oil has many uses in aromatherapy including stress and nervous exhaustion, oily skin, fluid retention and even jet lag. it is said to enhance emotional balance, poitive energy, confidence, vitality and creativity and self-empowerment.

Below are some suggested uses for Grapefruit essential oil:

• Burn 2-3 drops in an oil burner to create a refreshing, uplifting atmosphere or blend 2 drops of grapefruit with 2 drops of black pepper and 2 drops of ylang ylang for a more exotic fragrance.
• Add 20-25 drops to 50 ml of vegetable/ carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond or apricot kernel) for a refreshing and invigorating body oil.
• Blend 7 drops of grapefruit with 3 drops of sandalwood and 2 drops of lavender and add to 25ml of carrier oil for a soothing yet uplifting massage oil.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

More than a massage, it is a whole body, systemic therapy that makes you feel good from the inside out!

Most people haven't heard of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Therapy or if they have , they're not really sure what it's good for. It is often linked with detoxing the body but it can be used for so much more.

As stated, it is more of a systemic therapy than a massage. What does this mean? It means that it stimulates various systems in the body, e.g. the lymphatic system, the immune system, even the digestive system! It does NOT work knots out of muscles and it does NOT use a deep pressure. What is DOES do is use is light, rhythmical strokes, designed to encourage the flow of lymph throughout the body. The lymph a clear-yellowish fluid that runs throughout the body, helping to rid it of toxins, infections and helps wounds to heal by taking away the unwated materials that build up in them. For this reason, MLD is an excellent way to help reduce recovery time after surgery and speed up healing of the wound.

Below are the answers to some of the more common questions about MLD therapy:

• What are lymph nodes?
  Lymph nodes are located in multiple sites throughout the body. The most common areas we find lymph nodes are: in the armpits (axillary nodes), down the side of the neck (profundus), in the groin (inguinal/ iliacal), in the inner elbow (cubital), behind the knees (popliteal) and deep within the abdominal region (cysterna chylii). The main sets of nodes that are worked within an MLD treatment are the axilla, profundus, inguinal/iliacal and cysterna chylii. Not all areas may be worked, as this depends on what the individual needs from the treatment. The most common nodes that most people recognise are the profundus, found in the neck, as these nodes are the ones that are most like to swell and become tender if we suffer from an infection such as the flu or tonsillitis.

• Why is MLD light touch?
  MLD uses a light tough for the simple reason that the lymphatic system is located close the surface of the skin. We don’t need to use a heavy touch to acieve great results. In fact, it’s better that we don’t because the firmer we push on the skin, the less effect it will have on the lymphatic system. Instead of a gentle pumping motion, all we would be doing is cutting off the flow of the lymph, rendering the treatment ineffective.

• What are the benefits of MLD therapy?
  The immediate benefit of MLD therapy is the sense of relaxation and calmness one feels after the treatment finishes. It is also a very detoxifying treatment so you may experience in increase in thirst or need to go to the bathroom. More long term benefits of MLD therapy include:

• • improved immune system functions (reduces frequency and duration of colds/flu)
  • increased energy
  • recover from injury faster
  • clearer skin
  • possible weight loss
  • improved digestion
  • reduced stress
  • better sleep

• Reasons for not using oil during mld massage
  Due to the types of movements used during an MLD treatment it is not necessary to use a lubricant, such as oil, cream or lotion. In fact, it is better that no lubricant is used as the purpose of the movements is to move the upper layers of the skin over the lower layers of tissue to gain the desired effects. To do this, we need skin-to-skin contact and to be able to “hang onto” the skin as it moves over the underlying tissue.

• What is the sequence for lymphatic drainage massage for the body?
  Unlike a Swedish massage where you can start anywhere on the body and then move to another part of the body, an MLD treatment has certain restrictions on the sequence of the body parts that are massaged. As we are trying to move fluid throughout the body and not work individual muscles or muscle groups, we need to take into consideration, where and how this fluid will and can be moved. For this reason, all MLD sessions will start with a basic sequence which is mostly done around the upper chest and neck region. This is because all lymph fluid drains into a node found under the collarbone (clavical) called the terminus. It makes sense to make sure that this node is working and ready to collect all the incoming fluid from the rest of the body. From here, we can choose which parts of the body to work on, depending on the individual client’s needs. If working the upper body and arms, the axilla nodes are then worked before continuing. If working the lower body, then the inguinal/iliacal nodes are worked before continuing. These nodular areas are like doors and need to be “opened” to allow proper lymph flow.

• What should I expect from mld session?
  Aall new clients will be asked to fill in a history and contact form before their first MLD session. This enables me to assess the client and ensures that the most suitable treatment is suggested for the client. Before the treatment begins the client’s medical history, reasons for coming in, treatment plan and explanation of the treatment will be discussed. Depending on the needs of the client, the first MLD session will last approximately 60 minutes, including a 40-55 minute treatment. I always re-assess the client after the treatment, to get reactions and feelings from the client so I can be sure that the treatment is the right one for them. A glass of water is also give to the client at this time. After treatment care is also discussed before allowing the client to leave.

• How much does MLD cost?
  My costs are based on an hourly rate, therefore a 60 minute treatment is €60 and a 90 minute treatment is €85. Usually the first 1 or 2 treatments are 60 minutes long and subsequent treatments are 90 minutes long. Again this all depends on the individual.

For more information on MLD therapy or for a personalised consultation to see if MLD can benefit YOU, please call us on 086 210 2791

Whether we like it or not, stress is part of daily life. But just because it's there doesn't mean we can't keep it at managable levels. Most of us have our own coping methods that work well for them, but some of us start to start to panic at the mere mention of the word! Work, family life, study whatever it is in your life that makes you start to feel under pressure and in turn feel run-down, over-stretched or over whelmed, there is something you can do about it. And it doesn't invlove taking a pill or shirking all those niggling little everyday things that take up your precious time and energy.

Here are 5 easy, natural things you can do when life starts to get you down:

1. Yoga: a gentle exercise system which is said to create a union between the body, mind and spirit, thereby bringing balance to the person practicing. On the physical level, yoga relaxes muscles, improves suppleness, fitness and function; it then relaxes the mind and teaches us how to deal with stress, destructive emotions and habits.
2. Meditation and Breathing exercises: Being aware of you breath forces you into the present moment - the key to all inner transformation. - Eckhart Tolle. These work quicly and can be done anywhere. Deep breathing exygenates the blood, relaxes muscles and quietens the mind. Begin by focussing your awareness on your breath. Notice how your breathing sounds, how and where you feel it in the body. Gradually deepen your breathing, drawing the air into your belly, allowing it to expand. Continue this inhalation into the ribcage and upper chest. As you begin to exhale, relax the ches, ribcage and finally the belly. Continue in this fashion, trying to draw deeper and deeper breaths each time. Practicing this technique each day will help keep your mind clear and your body more relaxed. Meditation: can be seen as a form of mind control, not by an outside force, but by ourselves and can give us feelings of inner calm and peace. If practice regulary, medition can give rise to profound changes in our daily lives an dhow we view the world.
3. Physical Activity: exercise helps to reduce stress by helping the body to release endorphins - "feel-good" hormones - and lower cortisol levels which contribute to stress levels. It also helps to refocus your attention on something other than what's bothering you. A simple walk through the park can be as helpful as a trip to the gym to pump some weights!
4. Warm Bath: having a warm bath is an easy way to fight stress. The warm water helps to ease tight and overworked muscles, and the flow to water on the skin can feel like the washing away of your problems. Enhance the experience by reading a favourite book, listening to some soothing music, buring scented candles or adding some bubble just for the fun of it! The different ways of enjoying your bath are half the fun!
5. Massage Therapy: is an easy and pleasant coping strategy that requires nothing more from you than to "let go" and receive. Massage provides immediate relief with soothing sensory input that refocuses your attention on the here and now, thus interrupting your cycle of mental agitation.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage is designed to stimulate the lymphatic system in order to drain the build up of waste fluid from the cells of the body. it is also a well known treatment for cellulite.

The lymph system is responsible for regulating the immune system and removing toxins and built up waste from the body. An obstruction in the system results in a build up of fluid and toxins leading to localised swelling, fatigue and possible systemic nausea. Cellulite prone areas such as thighs, stomach and bottom are common zones where this can occur.

Cellulite causes a lack of circulation which is necessary for healthy tissue. This lack of circulation leads to changes in the tissues in the affected areas and results in the dimpling, or "orange peel" effect that is often associated with cellulite affected areas.

MLD helps to improve the circulation of the lymph, which helps to keep the affected tissues healthy. The result is a reduction in the appearance of the cellulite.

MLD can also help with weight loss by ridding the body of dead and unwanted waste. This works to increase weight loss through 2 ways: through the loss of dead cells massaged out through the treatment and through increasing the efficacy of the lymphatic system, allowing the body to perform its elimination processes without undue delay. People who have a sluggish lymphatic system often have a sluggish metabolism, preventing them from losing weight.

The Benefits of Regular Massage

How often do you lie down in a warm room with a blanket and soft music? Regular massage is part of a good self-care program, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. The benefits of massage are cumulative and are enhanced by receiving on a regular basis, such as weekly, twice a month or monthly - as often as the schedule and budget allow. Here are some "feel-good" reasons for having a massage on a regular basis:

Say Goodbye to Pain!
It's not clear why, but several studies show massage reduces levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, while boosting the "feel-good" hormones seratonin and dopamine. Those changes slow your heart rate, reduce blood pressure and block your nervous system's pain receptors.

The Return of Brain Power!
The Touch Research Institute study that connected massage to sleep also found that a 15-minute chair massage boosted alertness. Tests also show that brain-wave activity stimulated by massage is linked to improved attention.

Blues? What Blues?
Massage is a "feel-good" therapy. The simple act of touch can be a very powerful thing. When we hurt we can often make ourselves feel better by getting a hug from a loved one. Lidewise, a massage should convey a comforting touch. Physiologically, massage may lower cortisol and increase seratonine and dopamine in your system leading to less stress, anxiety and depression.

Stress Be Gone!
Life is becoming busier and more stressful, so what are you doing to keep your stress at manageavle levels? It is estimated that 75% of all illness is related to stress and tension. Something as simple as regular massage can help reduce that stress. Massage therapy not helps reduce stress but is also delivers results FAST! it can have dramatic results in as little as an hour.

So the next time you find yourself feeling run-down, stressed or tired, think of booking in for a massage rather than taking a pill. In the long run, your body will thank you for it! 

As much as we might like to ignore it, winter is often synonymous with colds, excessive indoor heating, less exercise and poor diet. Most of us believe that now winter is upon us, the inevitable cold or flu is just around the corner. It’s expected that if someone in the office comes down with something then it’s only a matter of time before we catch it too. So we start thinking about stocking up on cold and flu tablets (just in case) and start hitting the vitamin C tablets hard in an effort to keep the dreaded winter sniffles at bay. But it doesn’t have to be this way. What if there was a way to not only help keep the winter sniffles at a minimum this year but also to feel healthier and happier too? Its all about consistency and routine, things you can fit into your everyday life to help you stay healthy and strong this winter.

Here are 5 things you can start doing right now to boost your immune system and feel healthier, no matter what the weather is like outside:

1.     Drink more lemon juice: this helps to restore your acid-alkali balance, maintaining your body’s internal pH levels, in turn supporting healthy bacteria instead of viruses and bacteria that make us sick. Try adding a squeeze or two to your daily intake of water.

2.     Don’t skimp on sleep: it’s natural to sleep more in the winter months and studies show that the body heals itself in our sleep, including strengthening our immune system.

3.     Increase your intake of immune-boosting herbs: herbs and supplements can help to boost your immune system when taken regularly. Try Echinacea whose antiviral and antibacterial properties are commonly used to help stave off the symptoms of colds and flu or adding more garlic to your evening meal. Replace your daily coffee with herbal tea, it will not only keep you warm, but be healthier to boot!

4.     Water, water, water: drinking more water is something we should all strive for. Headaches and thirst are signs of dehydration which in turn can cause a slowing in the overall functioning of the body.

5.     Nurture yourself: taking the time to slow down and “stop to smell the roses” can do wonders for an over stressed body. Getting a therapeutic treatment such as a massage or better yet, manual lymphatic drainage is a great way to unwind, relax and let the body do what it needs to do to keep you healthy. A manual lymphatic drainage treatment is not only soothing and relaxing, but is in itself a way to boost the immune system, and best of all, you do have to do anything except lie back and receive.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using and blending essential oils – concentrated plant extracts with healing properties. Aromatherapy massage is an alternative and complementary therapy that uses essential oils to promote healing and enhance physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This holistic treatment affects some of our most powerful senses – touch and smell. The therapist will use a combination of cold pressed vegetable oils and top quality, pure essential oils to create a beautiful smelling, highly therapeutic, individualised massage oil.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils differ from vegetable oils in that they are highly volatile and odorous. They are extracted, in various ways, from all different parts of the plant – leaves, flowers, twigs, bark, wood, roots, and resin. Some plants even produce different oils from different parts of the same plant e.g. we get neroli oil from the petals, petitgrain from the leaves and bitter orange from the peel of the fruit, all from the bitter orange tree (not to be confused with sweet orange). For this reason it is important for the user of essential oils to be aware of the part of the plant the oil was extracted from so that they know the differences in the therapeutic effect of the different oils. It is also a good idea to be aware of the method of extractions of the oil as some types of extraction methods produce inferior oils compared to other methods.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage is different from a normal relaxation massage in that it utilises certain techniques to compliment the oils being used. At Healing Strands, an aromatherapy massage uses techniques such as reflexology, lymphatic drainage, acupressure and traditional Swedish movements to create a totally unique massage experience. For this reason, our aromatherapy massage is extremely gentle and relaxing to both mind and body and because of the use of aromatic essential oils, the massage becomes a multi-sensorial experience. Depending on the oils chosen, it can leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed, uplifted, alert, energised or even just plain happy! Aromatherapy massage can be used in more ways than just to feel happy.

Some of the most common benefits an aromatherapy massage can have are:

• induced sense of relaxation & rejuvenation

• relaxes tight muscles

• reduces stress & tension

• encourages natural sleep

• stimulates blood circulation and boosts the immune system

• relieves pain

• enhances mood and encourages a sense of wellbeing

The Massage

 

Every individual oil is different and while each essential oil has a set of specific properties, they interact as differently with each other as they do with you as individuals. Based on your unique circumstances, a personalised blend of essential oils is created and then applied to your body through a specialised massage routine which includes pressure points, reflexology, lymphatic drainage and Swedish massage techniques.

As the main purpose of the massage is for the oils to be applied to the skin so they can work internally, you may find that the pressure used is lighter than you are used to. The massage is designed to help you relax, so make the most of it!

The lymph system is part of the immune system and is made up of a network of vessels, similar to blood vessels, that carry a clear liquid called lymph. It consists of lymph vessels, lymph nodes/ glands, and organs such as the spleen, thymus, tonsils and adenoids. It has 4 main jobs in the body:

1. Draining fluid into the bloodstream - As the blood circulates, fluid leaks out from the blood vessels into the body tissues. This fluid is important because it carries food to the cells and waste products back to the bloodstream. The leaked fluid drains into the lymph vessels. It is carried through the lymph vessels to the base of the neck where it is emptied back into the bloodstream. This circulation of fluid through the body goes on all the time.

2. Filtering lymph - The lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid as it passes through. White blood cells attack any bacteria or viruses they find in the lymph as it flows through the lymph nodes. If cancer cells break away from a tumour, they often become stuck in the nearest lymph nodes. This is why doctors check the lymph nodes first when they are working out how far a cancer has grown or spread.

3. Filtering the blood - This is the job of the spleen. It filters the blood to take out all the old worn out red blood cells and then destroys them. They are replaced by new red blood cells that are made in the bone marrow. The spleen also filters out bacteria, viruses and other foreign particles found in the blood. White blood cells in the spleen attack bacteria and viruses as they pass through.

4. Fighting infection - When people say "I'm not well, my glands are up" they are really saying they have swollen lymph  nodes because they have an infection. The lymphatic system helps fight infection in many ways such as:

• Helping to make special white blood cells (lymphocytes) that produce antibodies

• Having other blood cells called macrophages inside the lymph nodes which swallow up and kill any foreign particles, for example germs.

This is where Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Massage comes in. A properly functioning lymph system will maintain a healthy immune system and in turn allow us to feel healthier and enjoy life more. Manual lymph drainage massage helps to reduce your stress as well as instil a feeling of peace and relaxation. It is a pain free treatment which has benefits like:

• improved immune system (reduce frequency and duration of colds/flu)

• increased energy

• recover from injury faster

• clearer skin

• possible weight loss

• improved digestion

• reduced stress

• better sleep

When you think of it, it can be seen as a top-to-toe rejuvenating make-over, not just a way to boost your immunity. Why not try it for yourself today! Call 086 210 2791 today to find out how manual lymphatic drainage can benefit you! You body will thank you for it!