Flexation Body Work And Massage
  • LIVE PAIN FREE
  • Products
  • IN THE BIZ PROGRAM
  • Free Chair Massage
  • SERVICES
    • MASSAGE
    • MOBILITY & RECOVERY ROOM
    • FIT By Flexation
  • WHO WE ARE
  • ARTICLES & EDUCATION
  • TALK TO US!

EDUCATION.

Mystery Massage Nose Explained

8/28/2016

0 Comments

 
The mystery behind massage nose:

Have you ever gone for massage and after about 15mins you feel as if your nose may never clear again? But when you go to blow out all the mucus and snot, nothing comes out? Well, although there hasn't been any Harvard medical studies conducted specifically to this phenomenon there is actually a very simple, and positive explanation!

When you are receiving a massage, two major things are happening. This first is the therapist is breaking up adhesive tissue or scar tissue. Some of this adhesive tissue could have been “stuck” for days to months to years! And along with the muscle tissue itself is all the stagnant blood, toxins, and dead cells. So as this tissue is broken up, all of the stagnant “junk” is released back into the blood stream so that the body can break it down and process it out as waste.

The second major thing happening, is that from the pressure and strokes of the massage itself, Lymph fluid is being moved throughout the entire body.
Lymph is a clear and colorless fluid; the word "lymph" comes from the Latin word lympha, which means "connected to water," according to the National Lymphadema Network. 

You may have no idea what lymph is or what is does, so here is a quick simple break down of the lymphatic system:

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help to rid the body of toxins. It is also responsible for the distribution of white blood cells throughout the body through the fluid called Lymph. White blood cells is what helps to fight diseases and infections. Lymphatic fluid flows through the body in vessels very similar to our veins in the circulatory system; but these vessels are much more superficial, and require very little external pressure to be affected.
The tonsils, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.

The tonsils are the first line of defensive for the body, and are the largest collection of lymphatic cells.

The spleen is the largest Lymphatic organ, and this is where white blood cells are produced.

The Thymus is where T-cells (type of white blood cell) are store to mature and then released into the lymphatic system for circulation; T-cells directly help the body with immunity.

The simple break down of how the lymphatic system functions, is plasma flows through the body in a continuous loop. Once the plasma has delivered all the vital nutrients to a cell, picked up any debris, most of the plasma fluid returns to the venous circulation through tiny blood vessels called venules and continues as venous blood. The remainder becomes lymph, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Lymph, unlike the circulatory system, only travels in one direction; up towards the neck. And because it does not have a heart to pump the fluid, it is through the motion of the joints and muscle to keep it moving. Along its way to the neck, it passes through hundreds of lymph nodes (500-700 in a human body) which filter it to remove debris and toxins. Once it reaches the final destination at the neck, it reenters the blood stream as a protein rich, toxin free fluid. From here the cycle continues.

So now that we have a basic understanding of the lymphatic system, I'm sure you're already starting to piece everything together.

As we said, the first thing that is happening during massage is the break down of old stagnant tissue and blood; so we are already upping the “toxin dumping” and causing a higher white blood cell response (more lymph fluid and flow).

Secondly, the pressure and gliding movements from the massage itself will help to move the lymphatic fluid faster; which we already established finishes its cycle at the base of the neck.

So with a higher amount of lymphatic fluid, and a faster flow, with the added pressure of gravity (laying face down) it is very likely that the fluid will start to backup a bit at its drop point in the neck. This can without a doubt cause an external force and create a sensation of clogged sinuses. Which is exactly the reason why 1. nothing comes out when you blow your nose, and 2. when you sit up and allow gravity to help push the lymph fluid back down to reenter the circulatory system, the sensation clears within a minute (remember there is no “pump” to move the fluid”.

So why is this a good thing? Well the Lymphatic system is extremely vital to our bodies immune system and overall survival. So when we have such a great output and response during body treatment, it is a GREAT sign that our bodies are working! On the other end of things, if you receive regular body work and are continuously experiencing severe lymphatic congestion, your body's toxin build up may be too high, and a full body cleanse should be considered, along with some dietary or environmental changes (chemical based body products, laundry detergents, ect.)



​
0 Comments

Fabric softener- stop craving chemicals

8/19/2016

1 Comment

 
Beyond the cost of these products, how is it affecting the longevity of your clothing? Most importantly, how is it affect your HEALTH?

Most of us grew up using fabric softener and just became so accustom to the long lasting scent, wrinkle free, and soft outcome that we could never imagine our clothes without it. But did you ever stop to think what EXACTLY you are putting on your clothes? Do you really think it's natural for bed sheets to smell like lavender for 2 weeks? The answer is no. In fact, true lavender scent only last upwards of 12 hours.


Here is a list of just SOME of the toxic chemicals found in commercial fabric softeners:


  • Alpha Terpineol: can cause central nervous damage and respiratory problems
  • Camphor: causes central nervous disorders, is easily absorbed through skin
  • Chloroform: a carcinogenic neurotoxin preferred by Ted Bundy
  • Benzyl Acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer
  • Benyl Alcohol: respiratory tract irritant
  • Ethanol: on the EPA’s “hazardous waste” list, can cause central nervous system disorders
  • Ethyl Acetate: a narcotic on the EPA’s “hazardous waste” list
  • Limonene: a known carcinogen that irritates eyes and skin
  • Linalool: causes central nervous system disorders and depresses heart activity


    So what happens when you wash lets say your spandex based, moisture wicking active wear? You know, the clothes you typically wear when you hit the gym hard,or know you'll be doing lots of outside activities and sweating hard. Well let's break this down piece by piece.

    First off, the garment you're wearing was designed to absorb sweat and dry quickly. So when this garment is spinning around in bat of water, with some fabric softener, it's absorbing EVERYTHING. Sure, during the rise cycle some of the chemicals will be rinsed out (eventually into the ocean I might add), but a large majority remains; hence why they still feel so soft and smell so great.

    So now you put on this chemical soaked garment and you go to the gym to sweat out all your stress. As you sweat what happens to your skin? Well your pores start to enlarge, your epidermis (top layer of skin) becomes extremely permeable, and your sweat starts to seep into the garment you're wearing; in turn reactivating the fabric softener. So now those big enlarge and now very permeable pores are now subjected to absorbing the newly released fabric softener. And where does that absorb into you ask? Your blood stream. All those chemicals listed above, that most of us actively try and avoid, are now seeping into your entire body while you're trying to actually workout, sweat, and detoxify yourself. Counterproductive if you ask me!

    To add to the counterproductive things that happen by using fabric softener, after prolonged use on both microfiber and/or spandex based clothes, a build up of the product will occur and actually clog the pores of the fabric. So now your very breathable, mesh based, vented, moisture wicking workout tee, just became a clogged, non breathable, toxic filled tee.

    So where does this leave us? No more good smelling clothes? Not exactly. A great alternative would be essential oils. Not only do essential oils help to leave a clean fresh customized scent to any of your clothing they have natural anti-bacteria and anti-microbial properties. So those workout tees you let sit in your laundry basic for 2 weeks, fermenting in bacteria filled sweat, will actually be helped by using essential oils such as eucalyptus and tee tree during the wash cycle.

    If you fancy a stronger more intense smell then simply using oils in the washer (does not leave a strong smell), make an eco friendly, no toxic drier sheet. Simply take a dry hand towel and add anywhere from 5-20 drops of pure essential oil of choice, and throw it in with your laundry in the drier. Customize your scents, and enhance areas of your life; use lavender on bed sheets to help induce restful sleep, or lemongrass on gym clothes to help stimulate senses and combat body odor. Unfortunately I have yet to find a natural de-wrinkler that isn't bad for you. If and when I find it I'll keep everyone updated!

    For now, dump the scented detergents and fabric softeners, use dye and scent free detergents, and customize your laundry with all natural essential oils! Oh, and you'll prob save a decent amount of money in the long run!






1 Comment

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


  • LIVE PAIN FREE
  • Products
  • IN THE BIZ PROGRAM
  • Free Chair Massage
  • SERVICES
    • MASSAGE
    • MOBILITY & RECOVERY ROOM
    • FIT By Flexation
  • WHO WE ARE
  • ARTICLES & EDUCATION
  • TALK TO US!