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 There is no
doubt that proper massage helps to improve overall health and well-being. Nutritionists
and fitness counselors believe that the healthiest method to lose weight is to
combine well-balanced diet and sports. A special slimming massage could be a nice
addition to the exercise, which can significantly accelerate burning of fat. You
do not believe that massage can help in the fight against excess weight? You're
wrong there, as massage has a number of benefits.
Benefits of
Slimming Massage
Massage
stimulates blood circulation. It improves the exchange of useful substances
between blood and connective tissue, as well as increases the blood flow to the
muscles. The point is that during exercise muscle are strained, and massage
helps to restore them to healthy condition. In addition, this procedure stimulates
blood circulation, thereby improving muscles oxygenation. As a result, muscles
grow in size. And as we know, the bigger are muscles, the more calories it
burns.
Moreover,
massage improves muscle elasticity which increases stamina and strength. In
addition, it reduces the risk of injury or aids speedy recovery in case of
injury.
Massage also
promotes faster recovery after exercise sessions. The point is that while you
are exercising, lactic acid is formed in your muscles, which accounts for
post-exercise muscle ache. A massage helps to dissolve it thereby accelerating
the recovery of the body.
Fast and
rhythmic massage movements help to break subcutaneous fat, thereby killing two
birds with one stone: you are losing weight and get rid of cellulite.
However, even
such useful thing as massage has contraindications, including the following:
General Contraindications
to Massage
- First trimester of pregnancy
-
Fever
-
Wounds or lesions, skin irritation or
burns
-
Inflammatory processes in the body
- Heavy bruising of skin
-
Varicose veins and embolism
-
Infectious diseases of the skin
-
Cancer
- Fractures and dislocations
Types of
Slimming Massage
Probably,
you're wondering if all types of massage are suitable for fighting excess
weight. Of course, not. Pressing movements in slimming massage should be strong
enough in order to affect fat deposits.
Point Massage
It is a
popular belief that point massage or acupressure (a blend of «acupuncture» and «pressure»)
can help you to lose weight. This massage technique has been practiced for over
5 000 years and it has proven to be highly effective. There are several points in
our body which we can trigger to accelerate slimming process.
The first
point is located on the ear; it controls appetite. To find this point, put your
fingers on the jaw, open your mouth, find the hollow in a place where the ear is
connected to the jaw. Apply pressure and keep doing this for a minute.
Next, find
the point on the outer part of the legs by putting 4 fingers below your ankle.
By applying pressure to this point you can abate your appetite.
«Jian Jing»
is located on the back where shoulders are joined to the neck. Apply pressure
for one minute.
«Tian Shu»
are located on both sides of the navel. To find these points, move two inches
directly to the side outward from your navel in both directions. Press in and hold
for one minute.
This
massage technique is designed to address the principal culprit of obesity (in
most cases) which is overeating. By applying pressure to these acupuncture points,
you can control your eating behavior and be will be pleasantly surprised soon.
Anti-Cellulite
Massage
This type
of massage not only helps to fight cellulite, but also to get rid of the extra weight.
During the procedure, you will be rubbed, massaged and slapped. Theoretically,
this is believed that some fat pockets may be ruptured by massage and result in
a reduction of the pitted appearance of cellulite. In addition, you lose
weight. And if essential oils are used during the massage session, the
efficiency will increase significantly.
Anti-cellulite
massage can be done both at home and in the beauty spa, either with your hands,
or by special devices. The choice is entirely up to you, although when
performed by the professional the procedure yields much better results.
Swedish Massage
This is the
most popular type of massage. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in
reducing pain, joint stiffness, improving blood circulation and thus helping to
lose weight. This massage technique uses five styles of long flowing strokes
which are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), taponement
(rhythmic tapping), friction, etc. Essential oil is frequently used during the
massage.
These are
the most common types of massage that can be used to lose weight.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as slimming massage per se. Therefore,
for this purpose, any suitable type of massage which involves applying deep pressure
will do. Massage movements do not necessarily have to be quick.
Of course, massage
cannot compare with exercise, but it can accelerate the process of weight loss,
improve the appearance of skin and overall health.
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