The types I’ve seen so far are: deep tissue, swedish, and relaxation.

If you could help me I’d appreciate it… <3

A fine example of how a 48 year old Ironman triathlete has benefited from sports massage therapy was chronicled by Amy Lynn in an article at the Massage Envy magazine’s Spring 2008 issue online. She interviewed triathlete Terry Gerber of Phoenix, Arizona and his licensed massage therapist, Alan McGarrity.

Lynn describes the Ironman triathlon as being comprised of three arduous races done in succession with no pauses. These include a swimming competition for 2.4 miles, a biking competition of 112 miles and a running competition of 26.2 miles.

After the second year of Gerber’s competing in the Ironman triathlon, he suffered from a pulled back muscle and was in great pain. He approached McGarrity who successfully treated his injury and relieved his pain. Gerber realized that undergoing regular sports massage therapy had not only helped heal his injury but had actually improved his performance.

McGarrity explains that this is so because “Massage therapy increases blood flow to the muscles and, by doing that, it enhances athletic performance. The increased blood flow enhances a number of other body systems, including the immune system, which also contributes to improved performance.”

Gerber discloses that his regular sports massage therapy sessions make him less prone to sports injuries and enable him to recover more quickly from his arduous daily workouts. He adds that his flexibility has improved thrice over, further preventing injuries. It also enables him to train harder and boosts his actual performance in sports events. Of course, doing better in the competition is very important to him. He says he has more stamina and staying power than other competitors who do not undergo regular massage therapy. He also found himself running much faster than before.

Gerber asserts that “regular massage is a worthwhile investment to keep my muscles in shape.” He credits McGarrity’s being a licensed massage therapist with much of his beneficial experiences with sports massage. He recommends finding a reputable and qualified massage therapist who will be able to understand the client’s particular needs, and with whom the client can build an ongoing professional relationship.

McGarrity, on his part, recommends that his clients establish a pattern of regular massage therapy sessions at least once every two weeks or, better yet, once a week in order to make the most of its therapeutic benefits.

Hopefully, Gerber’s story proves to be inspiring to the athlete in your life, whether he or she be middle aged or much younger or even older. Your recipient does not even have to be an Ironman triathlete like Gerber. Sports massage therapy will give even a simple sports enthusiast or fitness buff the same health and performance optimizing benefits.

Giving an athlete or a sports enthusiast a sports massage therapy gift card to a massage clinic in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park sends the message that you care for his or her health and well-being, and that you fully support his or her sports activities. It will also make you a part of his or her success. You may want to show your support further by also booking yourself a session for sports massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or, if appropriate, pregnancy massage therapy in the same massage clinic in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park.

If there is an athlete in your life, whether a loved one, a family member or a friend, consider giving him or her a sports massage therapy gift card to a massage clinic in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park. He or she will surely appreciate the benefits that massage therapy will bring to his or her game.

Are you starting to plan your Christmas gift list? Take note that any adult in your circle of family and friends would love to receive a massage therapy gift card to a massage clinic in Valrico, Riverview, Bloomingdale and Brandon 33511. Availing of a massage therapy session through a gift card will definitely help improve anyone’s level of flexibility that is a major factor in achieving a feeling of wellbeing, optimum physical capacity and good health.

Jen Bondesen says in Massage Envy magazine’s Spring 2009 online issue that a person’s muscles tend to tighten with age, especially if the person is not very active. Tight muscles result in a loss of flexibility and decreased range of motion.

To loosen up tight muscles, lengthen them and prevent them from reverting to tightness, Bondeson recommends stretching. She points out that this produces a relaxed state by relieving tension and reducing stress. Since it has long been proven that mental and physical stress result in a weakened immune system, the state of relaxation in both mind and body logically leads to a stronger immune system and better health. Add to this the fact that circulation is boosted by stretching. Healing and recovery from illness is, therefore, facilitated other diseases are prevented.

Stretched muscles that are loose and elongated bring about wider range of motion and better posture. Even the American Council on Exercise or ACE advises that every fitness regimen should include stretching. This not only facilitates more efficient and powerful movement but also protects the muscles against susceptibility to strain and injury.

Bondeson interviewed Fabio Comana, one of the exercise physiologists of the American Council on Exercise. She says he recommends warming up first at the start of each stretching routine since stretching cold muscles results in temporary beneficial effects. He says stretching should start slowly and should be accompanied by rhythmic breathing. One should inhale first and then exhale during the slow and gentle stretch which should then be held steadily for about 15 to 30 seconds. Bouncing should be avoided since this will cause the muscles to contract and could cause injury.

Bondeson reiterates the American Council on Exercise warning that stretching should be done in moderation and should never be painful. A “pleasant tension” should ba aimed for. When pain is felt, the stretch should immediately be released lest it cause muscle tearing.

Bondeson also advises that a person should first consult a doctor and have his or her muscular and skeletal system evaluated first before undergoing a stretching workout. Once the doctor’s clearance has been received, the person should then ask for the appropriate stretching exercises and schedule the stretching workout for a minimum of three times a week.

Like stretching, massage therapy has been proven to loosen, lengthen and relax tightened muscles, according to Bondeson. It stimulates the body’s production of natural lubricants needed by connective tissues. This improves flexibility and increases the person’s comfortable range of motion. Massage therapy also dissolves any build up of lactic acid within the muscles. This eases the soreness that is usually experienced after exertions, such as in workouts or sports. Healing is hastened by the improvement in blood circulation brought by massage.

Giving a family member or friend a massage therapy gift card to a massage clinic in Valrico, Riverview, Bloomingdale and Brandon 33511 will enable him or her to incorporate massage therapy into his or her stretching regimen, thereby improving flexibility and overall health. He or she can choose among Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or, if pregnant, pregnancy massage therapy from your chosen massage clinic in Valrico, Riverview, Bloomingdale and Brandon 33511.

Choose gift cards that may be used for therapeutic massage therapy given by skilled therapists trained professionally in Atlanta GA. It would be best if the massage facility you choose is conveniently located in Buckhead, maybe even in Lenox Mall, GA.

Make sure that your recipients are allowed to choose from Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage or – if necessary – pregnancy massage. The experience will be both relaxing and invigorating at the same time, such that it would be like getting a mini-getaway right here in the middle of Atlanta, GA.

Therapeutic massage is recognized as a potent wellness treatment. Whether your recipient is in tip top health or suffering from minor illnesses, massage can only be beneficial. Professional therapists in Atlanta, GA guarantee it.

Healthy individuals will be made to feel pampered, and relaxed muscles will improve posture, flexibility and range of motion. More importantly, along with stress relief their immune system will be given a boost of protection, their blood pressure will be regulated and their circulation improved.

For individuals with existing health problems, massage can help manage pain, such as those caused by chronic headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), musculo-skeletal disorders or injury. It can also contribute to the treatment of asthma, bronchitis,allergies, depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Give the recipients of your gift cards a brief run through on what to expect from their massage session. Swedish massage will be the most relaxing and is the best choice for newbies. They will receive long, gentle strokes along the length of their muscles. It will definitely make them forget all their worries and shed their stress. No wonder it is the most popular massage choice not only in Atlanta, GA but also around the world.
Deep tissue massage is recommended for those who have been feeling some aches and pains in their muscles. Highly skilled therapists will dig deep with their fingers to search for knots and kinks hidden in layers of muscles. These are points of tension that need to be released. Warn your recipients that deep tissue massage may be quite an intense experience and they may feel some soreness for several days. It will be worth it, though, because this will be followed by liberation from the chronic pain they had been living with.
If your intended recipients are fitness or sports buffs, definitely recommend the sports massage. It will prepare them for every workout session or sports event, and help their bodies recover afterwards. It will also be a good complementary therapy in case they suffer from sports injuries.
Special pregnancy massage may be given to expectant mothers. They definitely deserve the treat and will surely appreciate it. This prenatal massage will be given by specially trained therapists who know how to safely relieve the discomforts brought about by pregnancy.
The best proof that your massage gift cards are much appreciated is if your recipients decide to go for regular massage therapy afterwards. Then you will know that you have truly given them a gift of wellness that will have a long-term impact on their health and wellbeing.
Why just give it away? Why not give yourself the same gift, too? After all, you, too, deserve not only to feel good but to reap the therapeutic benefits of massage, as well.

Then we have busy schedules, the high costs of gym memberships and simple inertia from dragging ourselves from our homes just to get to the gym, check in, get our towels and trudge ourselves through our workouts.

The myth is, we actually have to be at the gym to get a total gym experience. A total gym experience doesn’t really need fancy equipments, French windows clogged up with the steam from the Swedish sauna. Less is more sometimes and simplicity can be more effective, without the bells and whistles of a premium membership. The denominator is here is to work a sweat and get a good workout in with an effective environment. With so many of us having busy schedules, we cannot afford the journey time of, going up and down to a gym.

Online videos can give anyone a total gym experience. With basic weights and an effective aerobic programme that utilises much of your own body weight, you can sweat it out, burn the calories and tone up in the comfort of your own home.

Don’t believe it?

Believe it. An online video isn’t like a personal trainer. You can’t rewind a personal trainer and ask for their services again. This means that you have to pay them again for another session. An online video is accessible anytime of any day, so you don’t have to stick to schedules and you can work out whenever you want. What you need is valuable advice to get you on the right track to losing weight and stop wasting time working out ineffectively. This is why personal training is big business. But sometimes it is simply too expensive. And don’t believe all the hype. When you go online to look for valuable advice, make sure the source is both credible and professional.

Over the years, I have developed powerful training methods that have produced astonishing results for the people I have trained. I have compiled my knowledge into Shape Your Body Now, and offer it as a humble resource for anyone who wants to make a significant change in their lives.

Forget high costs to losing weight. Forget designer diets and personal training. Advice, common sense and a step by step tutorial combined with a sensible diet are the only tools you need for a total gym experience. Online videos are the next generation in top of the line fitness advice. Combined with e-books that give advice on dieting and step by step instructions on how to effectively exercise and match your schedules with your work life, what you get is a priceless experience that will ensure you will get a toned body in absolutely no time at all.

Need to shape your body now? Need a total gym experience? It is just a click away.

Thank you in advance