Headache Remedy: DIY Aromatherapy Blend

Headaches are a common by product of unmanaged stress. Sinus problems, dehydration, allergies, overworking, hormonal imbalance, insufficient sleep, excess toxins in the body, emotional distress, inflammation and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders are the root causes of most headaches.

If you are suffering from frequent headaches, drink more water, stretch, sleep, find a way to rid your body of excess toxins, stretch your neck, chest and shoulders and get a therapeutic massage. 

Aromatherapy from pure essential oils stimulates hormone receptor sites in the brain and can trigger a positive chemical reaction within seconds upon inhalation. Application and inhalation of a good blend could the release your nagging headache pain in a fairly short period of time. At least the headache tension will be reduced and at best your headache could be alleviated all together. 

Here is a blend designed to address tension, toxin and hormonal headaches. An alternative recipe can be used for sinus and inflammation headaches or TMJ.

For your headache blend you will need:

•  1/2 ounce of organic sunflower oil
•  Marjoram essential oil
•  Organic French Lavender essential oil
•  Fennel essential oil
•  Lemon Essential oil
•  Rosemary essential oil
•  Geranium essential oil (optional)
•  a 1/2 ounce  blue glass bottle and lid
•  7 clean pipettes or droppers

Blend 6 drops of Marjoram, 1 milliliter of Lavender, 6 drops of Fennel, half milliliter of Lemon, 8 drops of Rosemary and 12 drops of Geranium in your empty glass aromatherapy bottle. Close the lid and give it a shake for 10 seconds. Add your 1/2 ounce of organic sunflower oil. Not all of it will fit, just fill the bottle so that you have a 1/6 of an inch room from the top of the oil to your lid. Tightly fasten the lid and shake for 10 seconds. 

Let your blend sit for 30 minutes so the essential oils can merry together.

Apply your blend to pulse points, temples, sinus and or scalp for rapid headache relief. Inhale as needed. Wear your healing headache blend on your ears, neck or wrists for headache prevention. 

Use 12 drops or so in a warm bath or 5 drops for a facial steam or foot bath. 

Try a headache massage at Urban Sanctuary in Athens, Georgia. Relieving tension headaches is one of our specialties. Also recommended for chronic headache sufferers are our TMJ massage, neck, back and shoulder massages, Deep Tissue, Myofascial and Aromatherapy Scalp massages. It is good to get at the root cause of headaches to alleviate the problem holistically. 

Find ingredients for your headache blend online at Urbansanctuaryspa.com or in our spa store at 810 N Chase St. Athens Georgia 30601.   

Acupressure Massage Pillows: Neck Pain Relief, Sleep Aid, Amazing Health Benefits

Bed Of Nails Acupressure Pillows are available online and at Urban Sanctuary.

A new take on the ancient healing art of acupressure, Bed Of Nails massage pillows are wonderfully effective for pain and stress relief. They are newly available at Urban Sanctuary and we have clients and staff who are very happy about the extraordinary results from their short term use of the pillow. we are really excited to share! Head ache relief, greatly improved sleep and relief from chronic neck and back pain.

 The way it works is similar to acupuncture. Your body's natural happiness boosters, pain killers and calming agents are able to be released into your system as your skin and soft tissue make contact with the rounded acupressure nails on the surface of the pillow. Endorphins, oxytocin and circulation flows, creating a sense of joy, energy and pain relief as well as inducing a state of calm. All the good stuff...

Everybody reacts differently to massage, acupressure and healing agents. However the effects vary from person to person, the results are generally very positive. The acupressure pillow can be a great agent for healing by stimulating the body's own innate ability to heal, detoxify and regenerate itself. Possible benefits include:

• relief from chronic neck and back pain
• lower stress and anxiety levels
• headache relief
• improved sleep/insomnia relief
• better circulation
• improved digestion
• eased depression
• balanced moods
• enhanced vitality

Men and Massage

Many men are turning to massage to manage stress and to enhance their overall health and well being. Massage has become increasingly popular with men over the last two decades in both spas and clinics. The number of men booking monthly, bi-weekly and weekly massage sessions is at an all time high and growing steadily.

Generally speaking, men are seeking the same results from their massages as women. Men are especially interested in the pain relief properties and enhanced athletic performance that therapeutic massage can create.

For men over 30 in particular, the health benefits of massage are a draw, as well as the stress relief and anti-aging benefits of massage.

Benefits most often reported by men from their massages include:

• relief from chronic pain
• relief from old injuries
• increased range of motion 
• neck and shoulder tension relief
• recovery from work related stress
• recovery from travel fatigue 
• decreased recovery time from sports injuries and pain 
• improved performance at the gym
• headache relief 
• improved sleep
• overall relaxation

Men are more likely than women to stick to a regular massage time slot. Our male clients are highly likely to get a massage series to save money on individual sessions. Massages favored by men include:

• scalp massage
• sports massage
• deep tissue massage
• myofascial massage
• foot massage
• our deep therapeutic foot massage
• hot stones
• our signature massage
• the massage and scrub combo

Urban Sanctuary is a man-friendly spa. We had men in mind when we designed our space and our service offerings. Spas are not just for women anymore. Times have changed. Everyone benefits from a good self care and stress prevention regime.

We like to say, "be kind and unwind"... 

Four Natural Allergy Remedies

Pollen allergies can put people in a miserable state. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.These four natural remedies will provide more than an ounce of relief with none of  negative side effects pharmaceuticals can cause. For fatigue, headaches, sinus pain, itchy watery eyes and congestion, try:

1. Vitamin C- It's a natural antihistamine and very gentle. 500-1000 mg is recommended
2. Spice-Chilly pepper and cayenne both help to remedy stuffy noses,sinus pain and congestion 
3. Peppermint Tea- Eases headaches and congestion.Green tea can be a preventative measure.
4. Aromatherapy-Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea tree and Peppermint ease headaches, lethargy and fatigue.

Vitamin C,being a natural antihistamine, reduces cold and allergy symptoms by reducing histamine in the body.Histamine is released by the body in allergic reaction to pollen causing itchy, swollen, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, swollen lips, shortness of breath, irritated skin and coughing. Vitamin C daily dosage amounts can be adjusted to bowel tolerance.

Chilly pepper and cayenne pepper both have a compound called capsiacin.Capsaicin can clear up sinus pressure, sinus pain and nasal congestion. It has natural pain relieving properties, as well. The healing properties in spices are truly amazing.

Peppermint boosts circulation, reduces drowsiness, aches and pains and boosts immunity. The tea is great for headaches, congestion and fatigue. Peppermint tea is a mild alternative to peppermint aromatherapy which is swift acting, strong smelling and potent. None of which are bad things, however people aren't always willing to deal with the strong smell of peppermint essential oil or the stimulating effects.

Aromatherapy offers world of natural cures, pain remedies and support for vibrant health and well being. Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea tree and Peppermint are four greats for headaches and fatigue. How to actually use aromatherapy effectively at home and on the go is a big topic. Easy effective and safe application methods for when you're on the go include:

•  inhaling aromatherapy directly from the the bottle to clear sinuses and get a boost
• applying your blend directly to pulse points, scalp or temples
• using an aromatherapy desk top or car diffuser
• carry a mists to spray and breath as needed

At home use aromatherapy in the bath, your body lotion or oil, for massage, facial steams, foot soaks, candles and room diffusers. Or get an aromatherapy massage, scalp and sinus massage, foot massage, body scrub or any spa service utilizing high quality, pure essential oils. Call Urban Sanctuary for an aromatherapy consultation or to book an appointment for a spa service.Send in a friend and make someone happy! Shop our aromatherapy candles, soaps, baths, scrubs, bath bombs, lotions, salts and soaks online.

Be Kind To Your Sinuses. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary in Athens, Georgia. Voted Best Day Spa 8 years in a row. Serving up aromatherapy seven days a week for 10 years.

Massage Pressure and Pain: How Much Is Too Much

Urban Sanctuary specializes in pain relief and deep tissue massage.

Does massage have to hurt to do any good?
Certainly not, but a good massage may bring your attention to areas of your body that do hurt or ache already. Massages should feel good to you and help you to let go of tension in your body.


How do I know what kind of pressure to ask for?
You may need to experience a few massages to know what suits you best. As a general rule, levels of pressure are classified as light, moderate, firm and deep pressure. For your first massage, it's a good idea to start out with moderate pressure and graduate to firm pressure, if you find that your tissue does not feel quite engaged enough by moderate pressure.

What is the difference in effects between the different levels of pressure?
Pressure refers to the amount of weight your therapist puts into the massage or how heavy-handed the massage is.

     Light Pressure--increases circulation and pacifies the nerves. For people who bruise easily, have thinning skin or high levels of sensitivity to touch, light pressure is ideal. Approximately 15% of massage recipients do best with light pressure. If you get a light pressure massage and find that you are not quite letting go of tension, you probably need to go up a level in pressure.

     Moderate Pressure--is the next level up from light pressure. It involves more engaging massage strokes that knead and lift the muscles. About 30% of massage clients find moderate pressure to be ideal. Many people need a minimum of moderate pressure in order to feel that the massage is productive and truly releasing tension. It is just enough pressure to begin to loosen knots without being challenging for sensitive body types.

     Firm Pressure--is preferred by around 35% of spa goers and massage clients in the United States. It takes a nice firm massage to get a very wound up "type A" personality to stop thinking and planning their to do list during their massage. Firm pressure is good for people with dense muscle tissue, chronic tension, a racing mind, an athletic body type or people who really want to flush their system out during the massage.

     Deep Pressure--is often requested, but not always the best fit. About 20% of the population are ideal candidates for it. Because tensing up against the pressure and resisting the massage is counterproductive for the muscles and nerves, deep pressure is best for experienced massage clients who know how to breathe into painful areas of the body and work with the flow of the massage to truly let go of their knots and chronic pain. It's great for people who are committed to working through areas of chronic tension, deep pain or old injuries.

Why do people say that a good deep tissue massage actually "hurts good"?
A ghost pain or referred pain that releases the pressure, tension and pain in an area of your body, actually feels good and hurts a little at the same time. It's hard to describe, but those who have experienced this will be nodding their heads.There's an amazing feeling of letting go that accompanies the "good hurt", so to speak. Aggravating pain, however,causes your body to tense up and to resist the pressure or to fight the massage. Deep tissue massage aims to unwind and release the deeper layers of muscle and fascia in your body. It can be intense, but should not be torture. Aggravating massage inflicted pain is counterproductive.If you pay attention, you can feel the difference between the two.

Is it strange that some areas of my body are more sensitive and tender than others? 
That is actually very common. Many people enjoy more pressure on their back massage than their legs or vise versa. Shoulders can often take more pressure than low back muscles. Feet can often take more pressure on the soles than the tops and the list goes on. Inform your massage therapist of areas that need more or less pressure than the rest.


Deep Therapeutic Foot Massage, TMJ Massage, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Sports Massage and Deep Tissue Massage are modalities that mindfully work with peoples' pain threshold levels.
Each of these unique modalities is aimed at creating the ideal conditions, timing and technique to help your body let go of pain. Each modality offers increased range of motion and freedom within the body.

Somehow there is an appropriate level of pain involved in the healing and releasing process. It's not easy to find the right language to have this make sense on paper. However, once you find a massage therapist that is a good fit for you there are both verbal and non-verbal cues between the two of you that will allow the healing process to unfold like magic.

Our front desk staff at Urban Sanctuary is a great resource for you. They'd love to guide you in your quest for just the right service with just the right person. Please call 706-613-3947 to unwind at Urban Sanctuary...

Urban Sanctuary has been voted  Athens' Favorite Day Spa year after year.

The Benefits of Massage

Urban Sanctuary has over a dozen massage therapists on staff who specialize in pain relief and deep tissue massage.

     The health benefits of massage are too many to name all in one place. Massage therapy is greatly underestimated in its capacity to reduce pain and enhance well being. When used in conjunction with other good practices, massage therapy acts as very effective preventative medicine for both women and men... Here's a list of the benefits that our clients mention most often.

Massage Therapy 

• quiets and clears the mind 
• decreases frequency of headaches
• improves circulation
• increases flexibility
• eases joint pain
• eases muscle pain 
• relieves cramps
• releases overall tension
• improves confidence and esteem
• increases range of motion
• decreases recovery time
• helps to heal injuries and scar tissue
• decreases chronic pain
• enhances overall energy levels
• improves physical performance
• improves quality of sleep
• soothes frayed nerves
• strengthens the immune system
• improves ability to breathe deeply
• detoxifies the body
• improves body awareness
• helps people through times of grief and loss
• improves one's ability to cope with the everyday stresses of life
• enhances overall sense of well-being

 
     The healing properties of touch are immeasurable. They can be felt by both the giver and the receiver. Specific techniques can be employed by our massage therapists to achieve very specific results. General relaxation techniques can be employed to help your body let go of stress and tension. Both specific and non-specific massage techniques work to recharge all of the body's systems... This has a great impact on a person's overall energy level and sense of well-being.

     Massages scheduled at regular intervals tend to yield more noticeable long-term results. Putting an hour aside every 2-4 weeks to provide something nourishing for your body is one of the best gifts you could give yourself.

    Urban Sanctuary has very attractive massage series rates available to make having massage at regular intervals much more affordable. With a spa series you'll save $45-$145 for every 6 services you purchase. Inquire by calling us at 706-613-3947.
     

Gift certificates for massage, facials, waxing and all Urban Sanctuary services can be purchased online.

FoodsThat Heal Aches and Pains

               One of my favorite topics to explore is the healing properties of food. There is little cost involved in trying a food to cure what ails you and there are few negative side effects. If a given food does not provide the relief you seek, you will enjoy a boost of vitamins at the least.  

My favorite 3 foods for relieving pain and boosting energy are pineapple, leeks, and cabbage. All three are great for boosting immunity and are relatively inexpensive to buy.  While not as inexpensive, berries, cherries, and foods with Omega-3 fatty acids are very effective as well.

Pineapple

Pineapple makes a great snack, dessert, or side dish. It produces an enzyme that reduces swelling due to sinusitis, arthritis, sore throat, sore muscles, or inflammation. It is also packed with Vitamin C, and great for runners and cyclists.

Leeks

Leeks are anti-arthritic, anti-septic, and high in Vitamins B and potassium. This makes leeks a great food for people who lose potassium due to excess sweating, such as athletes or those spending a lot of time outdoors.

Cabbage

Cabbage was nicknamed “the poor man’s medicine” in China. Cabbage eases pain resulting from headaches, rheumatism, arthritis, stomach ulcers, and constipation. Raw or cooked, it is an amazing food cure.

Celery

                Celery has over 20 compounds that ease muscle and joint pain. It has lots of potassium, sodium, magnesium, and Vitamin C.

Berries and Cherries

Cherries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries relieve inflammation and boost energy. Making them part of your daily diet is a good idea for those of us who experience workout soreness, body aches, headaches, or joint pain. Some doctors have claimed that cherries and blackberries are more powerful than aspirin. Why not give them a try?

Food with Omega-3 fatty acids

These foods decrease pain and inflammation, especially arthritic pain. Salmon, cold flax seed oil, and raw walnuts are excellent sources of Omega-3. They are also really good brain foods.

All of the foods I’ve included are good for improving immunity and mood. The experience of reducing your own aches and pains by using healthy, beautiful food is a great confidence booster. When something works, you’ll feel so happy you’ll just have to tell somebody.

Urban Sanctuary has a number of ways we offer you pain and stress remedies as well as information on healing foods. We have 2 blogs. Our website blog has a foods that heal tab to help you search efficiently for the posts that interest you and a stress and pain remedies tab.We sell pain and stress relieving baths, aromatherapy and body products online and in our store at 810 north Chase street Athens, Georgia. We offer massage for pain and stress relief, foot massage, scalp massage and specialty massages. And we have a foods that heal board on Pinterest as well as a stress remedies board. Take advantage of our offerings!

Our motto is Be Kind and Unwind...