Massage Archives - Foot Palace

Pregnancy and Reflexology

March 27, 2018 By Heather

At the Foot Palace we are often asked about the relationship between reflexology treatments and how they can be beneficial to expecting mothers. The short answer is that they can help induce late pregnancies, help to improve circulation throughout the body and can generally help to reduce stress. With that being said, we always want to ensure the safety of our clients and prevent any complications that might occur during this strenuous time.

Earliest Recommended Pregnancy Massage Treatments

Most reflexologists advise against working with women that are not yet at least thirteen weeks pregnant. During this period there is a higher risk for miscarriage, and although reflexology generally isn’t known for causing complications such as these most therapists agree that it’s safer not to do it.

Often times women that are late in their pregnancy will try reflexology to help induce labor and as an alternative to pain relief medications. While this can be beneficial, it is often recommended that treatments begin four to five months prior to the due date. This allows the therapist ample time to minimize the amount of stress the client is feeling and help prepare the mother for delivery. While it is rare, reflexology can be performed during labor to help ease the pain of childbirth.

Get Some Relief at the Foot Palace

We know that carrying a pregnancy can be incredibly stressful and demanding, that’s why we recommend coming in to let us help ease the aches and pains of child expectancy. With Mother’s Day coming up, a Foot Palace gift certificate would make a wonderful gift to any expecting mother!

https://plus.google.com/+Yourfootpalaceathensmassagespa

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens, GA 30606
 (706) 521-5290

10 Wellness Tips to a Healthier You

January 30, 2017 By Heather

Much like babies, New Year’s resolutions are fun to make but hard to maintain. Here are a few tips that can help you stay on track.

1. Try wearing a pedometer. They say, “Out of sight, out of mind.” New research suggests that wearing a pedometer encourages people to walk about an extra mile each day, and in effect lose weight, and lower their blood pressure. Having a constant reminder helps, and you can get a decent one for about $20. Make your goal 30 minutes of walking a day or 10,000 steps per day.

2. Lift weights! Too many people neglect resistance exercise, especially women. Strength training is crucial for preventing muscle and bone loss with age. Lift weights for at least 20 minutes, two- to three-times per week. Don’t forget strength training, involving both the upper and lower body.

3. Eat more fish. Try eating least two fish meals per week. The evidence is strong that the oils in darker types of fish, such as tuna, salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring, are very beneficial for the brain and hart, and may even lower risk of cancer.

4. Drink water. You’ve heard it a hundred times before, because its true- drink more water! Water truly is essential and should always be the first thing you reach for when you’re thirsty.

5. Sleep 8 hours a night. Studies have confirmed that you really do need at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Some of the many benefits: You feel better, decreases risk for cardiovascular disease, and boosts memory.

6. Consider reflexology, acupressure and massage as valid therapies for chronic problems. Seeing a good massage therapist for neck strain may work better than taking extra strength Tylenol and/or Advil regularly. At the very least, these holistic options will help decrease stress and maintain overall wellness.

7. Keep sugar and caffeine to a minimum. Decreasing sugar actually increases your energy, by minimizing the highs and lows and preventing a sugar crash. People react differently to caffeine, but most of us are already overstimulated and could do without the additional boost. Drink green instead of coffee, the added bonus is weight loss.

8. Don’t pop too many vitamins, evidence for their benefits are low. Try getting your daily vitamins from foods and consider taking a multivitamin right before bed.

9. Don’t focus on dieting. Focus on eating, and WHAT you’re eating. If you’re hungry, just eat something- otherwise you’re more likely to overeat, especially in the evening. Instead, of sacrificing all day and gorging later, it’s better to eat enough during the day to avoid hunger pangs and uncontrolled eating at night. Eat every four hours or so, to keep your energy up and make you less hungry in the evening. And mix it up by eating different foods at every meal.

10. Don’t drink all your calories. It’s easy to drink calories without noticing: that eggnog latte at Starbucks has nearly as many calories as a Big Mac. It’s okay to have one as an occasional treat, but consider it a meal, not a drink.

Whether you need a spa treatment or relaxing massage therapy, Foot Palace invites you to melt away your pain and stress!

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Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens,GA 30606
 (706) 521-5290

How Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Can Improve One’s Health

December 27, 2016 By Heather

Our nose plays a huge role in our day-to-day emotional lives whether we realize it or not all through the smell of scents. The nose is a direct path to our limbic system which is our system that creates feeling and emotions. Our sense of smell is the most primitive of our senses and very powerful. We can detect at least one trillion distinct scents. The nose connects to the deepest part of the brain which triggers basic instincts, our emotions and memories. Offering your nose aromatherapy is a simple way to improve your overall health and quality of life.

What is Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy also known as essential oil therapy, is the use of naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to help promote the health of body. Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine that offers many benefits and has been around for thousands of years. Essential oils can either be inhaled through the nose, applied directly to the skin or added to a bath to work emotionally or physically to improve one’s general state of health. This alternative medicine can help boost energy levels, reduce stress, ease depression, eliminate headaches, improve sleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, improve digestion, and increase circulation just to name a few.

Types of Essential Oils

The most popular aromatherapy essential oil in the word is lavender. Lavender has a long list of uses and ranges from cosmetics to well-being remedies. Lavender oil is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant that is fragrant in nature. Having a light fresh floral-herbaceous aroma. Lavender when inhaled is used to reduce anxiety and emotional stress, improve sleep and alleviate headaches. The essential oil applied to the skin can heal burns and wounds, restore complexion and reduce acne and improves psoriasis.

Jasmine oil nicknamed “queen of the night” is derived from the jasmine flower that has a strong small at night. Known to be the most popular oil for improving mood, balancing hormones and low libido. It’s “seductive” strong scent is a natural aphrodisiac that can increase sensuality and has libido-boosting qualities.

Clementine oil made from the peel of the succulent fruit with a smooth and shiny appearance is used in aromatherapy owing to its rejuvenating nature. With an amazingly sweet and crisp aroma. It offers purifying properties and uplifts the mood and enhances mental clarity.

Rosemary is one of the most powerful essential oils on the planet and is considered sacred by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. This essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the plant and is part of the mint family. With a woodsy evergreen like scent this essential oil is used to improve memory, relieve muscle aches and pains as well as soothe digestion. Rosemary has become increasingly popular over the last few years for its ability to stimulate hair growth as well.

One of the most studied essential oils with numerous health benefits is peppermint. Peppermint is a cross between the watermint and spearmint plant and the oil derives from the leaves. This essential oil aids in indigestion, respiratory issues, nausea, fever, pain relief, blood circulation and has antifungal properties. Due to the extensive research on peppermint oil, you can purchase it in capsules and it is prescribed by alternative medicine doctors.

Benefits of Various Aromatherapy Scents

Expect a heightened experience when combining aromatherapy, acupressure (http://spainathens.blogspot.com/2016/09/acupressure-therapy-basics-benefits-techniques.html) or other massage services. Lavender, Jasmine, Clementine, Rosemary and Peppermint are only a few of many beneficial aromatherapy scents offered in the markets today. Each of these 5 aroma scents offer a different aid in promoting the health of body. As part of the Foot Palace Aromatherapy package you can chose one of these essential oils to be applied directly to your skin carried in our oil and lotions, all of which are from Pure Plant-Based Ingredients. This allows your skin to feel nourished, supple, healthy and youthful while rejuvenating your senses and physical well-being. Let your nose choose the scent to improve your senses.

https://plus.google.com/+Yourfootpalaceathensmassagespa/about

Foot Palace Massage Spa Athens

 1720 Epps Bridge Pkwy Ste 106, Athens,GA 30606
 (706) 521-5290

Beat the Summer Heat and Avoid Swollen Feet

June 28, 2016 By Heather

swollen feet ankle pain
The southern heat is officially underway as summer has arrived. This means we all look forward to barbecues and pool days ahead in the sizzling sun. The summer heat can be a real problem for most of us, in our feet and ankles. This extreme heat causes our bodies to be less efficient at removing fluid from the tissues. High temperatures can cause fluid retention, causing us to swell. Our bodies’ mechanism to cool down is swelling. Although, swelling is usually temporary, swollen feet can be very uncomfortable.

Extreme Heat Causes Swollen Feet

Swollen feet and ankles are no fun to say the least. Achy feet from pressure caused by heat, we would all rather avoid, but most of us suffer from at some point. Swollen feet and ankles that are caused from extreme heat is referred to as heat edema. Heat edema occurs when the blood vessels in your feet widen from prolonged sitting or standing. This causes pools of fluid to build up around the ankles and feet from gravity. Many women experience the discomforts of edema during pregnancy, especially during the summer months.

Benefits of Soaking Your Feet in Epsom Salt

A great and easy way to relieve this discomfort in your ankles and feet is with a foot soak in Epsom mineral salt. Soaking your swollen feet in Epsom salt reduces the inflammation because of the essential mineral “magnesium sulfate” that is found in the salt. Inflammation can cause a depletion of magnesium, so your body will absorb the magnesium from the soak, which reduces the swelling and pressure. Also, to help alleviate some pressure opt for shoes that have more support. For example flat shoes will help prevent swelling from occurring, and look for styles that offer arch and ankle support, which will prevent and relieve conditions such as arch and heel pain.

Reflexology Massage and Cool Aromatherapy Benefits

Another great treatment to help reduce swelling and discomfort is a soothing, and relaxing reflexology massage. A foot massage session starts with an Epsom salt mineral foot soak, then a reflexologist massages and stimulates acupressure points in the feet, which can reduce- if not eliminate, swelling completely by the end of a one-hour session. The stimulated pressure points boost circulation to help relieve the swelling. Reflexology encourages better blood flow in the lower extremities. In addition to beating the heat, and make your experience a little more “cool” (literally), consider adding cold aromatherapy. Cold aromatherapy consists of a cold eye pillow and neck wrap, which are filled with a lovely, lightly scented, 12 herb blend that can really cool you down, and help soothe your senses.

No matter what your summer plans are beating the heat should be a priority. Making sure you stay cool and well hydrated is key. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times when participating in outdoor activities to avoid dehydration. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing in the scorching heat to avoid swelling.
If you do find yourself suffering from swollen ankles and feet this summer, and have never had reflexology, I encourage you to give it try.

Book your appointment here www.yourfootpalace.com and relieve the pain and aches from the hot Athens weather.