Massage for Osteoporosis and Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis are two degenerative diseases that come with age. As such, they do not have any known cure. Aging is a natural process that cannot be reversed and there will be degenerative consequences. The main problem, where these become known as diseases is that they create a lot of pain and discomfort in the patient.

Certain experiments have shown that a person can live a painless, healthy life even with Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis if the muscles of the body are healthy enough. If you look at a car, it has shock-absorbers which not only protect the people inside it from jerks but even the car from damage if it goes on bumpy roads. Similarly, muscles act as the shock-absorbers of the body. If they are healthy and elastic, any jerks and shocks generated by any activity we do are absorbed by the muscles. But if the muscles are too tight, they can damage easily, while if they are too weak, the bones underneath them are more prone to damage.

This is why those who work out too much or participate in sports without enough warm-up and stretches have very tight muscles which are prone to injuries. And this is also why older people who have weak or under-exercised muscles, tend to easily fracture their bones with a fall. The central point here is muscle health.

The best way to keep the muscles strong and elastic is through Massage and Yoga Asanas. Yoga Asanas ensure that all the muscles of the body, external as well as internal, are used and kept healthy, like a well used and well oiled machine. Massage ensures that stressed and contracted muscles are relaxed through specific manipulating techniques and they get enough fresh blood supply to keep them healthy. Mental relaxation, which is a result of massage, help in improving body functions, including digestion and absorption of important nutrients like calcium.

Massage also helps in draining out toxins from the muscles and the body in general, which helps in better functioning of the body and has also anti-aging in property. Geriatric Massage is very important for the physical and mental health of senior citizens. However, it is important to note that degenerative diseases are a long-term process. They can start at a younger age and only show themselves through symptoms when we get older and when the condition worsens. And so, if we start taking measures at a younger age, it helps to slow down the degenerative processes and thus can even help in preventing these diseases to a certain extent.

Writer:

Mr. Pinakin Shah

Founder

Pristine Senses Academy

10 Steps to Reduce Pot Belly for Men

 'Pot belly’ or ‘beer belly’ is a very common condition that almost all men suffer from after the age of 25. Unfortunately, this condition is not taken very seriously, except in terms of aesthetics and looks. In fact, large abdomen in men is a warning sign for many diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, endocrine conditions, etc.

Why wait till it’s too late? Why not take some preventive or remedial measures from now. You do not need to go to experts to reduce the belly, unless it is an extreme case. There are some simple steps you can take to make small changes in your lifestyle that will work wonders:

1. Start Early: You may not even have a pot belly right now, but that does not mean that you will not in the future. Most diseases that occur at an older age are a result of our actions when we are younger. If you are a smoker or drink heavily, your lungs and liver will survive and struggle for a few years and so nothing will happen when you are in your 20’s. But the organs ultimately do give up in the future when they are not strong enough anymore. Cancer, liver disease, respiratory problems, all are a long-term result of the same. So do not wait until you are old. Start creating good habits from now.  

2. Food: Avoid staying hungry for long times, avoid overeating. Large meals put a lot of load on the stomach and intestine to digest. Chances are that a lot of food will be stored as fat instead of used for energy, especially if you are not physically active. Have a large amount of salad – especially cucumber and tomato just before every meal, reduce alcohol and sugar intake, processed food and fast food like soft drinks, fries and burgers. Eat more raw food like fruits. You will find that they are so much tastier and satisfying than cooked food. It de-toxifies the body, makes you feel light and healthy and, over time, you won’t even feel like polluting your body with unhealthy food.

3. Walk: Pot belly has two causes, one is high calorie intake and second is a sedentary lifestyle. A good one hour walk first thing in the morning helps improve blood circulation, improves digestion, improves stamina, prevents many diseases and is very refreshing. Try and walk amongst nature, in the park rather than in a closed environment like a gym. Spending quiet time with nature calms the mind.

(picture courtesy exercise-works.org)

4. Play: Play sports, go for a swim, cycle. Why is this important? Because overeating and weight gain are related to emotions. De-stressing can solve a lot of problems. Playing with kids is the best exercise for body and mind and it is so enjoyable that it doesn’t even feel like effort. Spend time with family and maintain good relations. Care for others. This creates positive feelings and emotions which lead to a happy and healthy life.

5. Posture: When walking and sitting, keep your back straight. This helps to tuck in the abdomen automatically and keeps it toned. Erect spine also has many health benefits. Wrong posture affects the nervous signals in the central nervous system i.e. brain and spine. Keeping the spine erect keeps the channel clear and the spine healthy, which in turn keeps the body and mind healthy.  

6. Relax: Some relaxation time, especially for the mind is essential during the day. The entire day goes in stress where the mind and body are both tense. This leads to emotions, indulgence and irritability. Some Yogic relaxation techniques like Savasana, for at least 15 minutes during the day can work wonders.

7. Body-Mind Therapies: A full Body Massage or Foot Reflexology therapy twice a month helps to improve digestion, remove toxins from the body, tone the muscles and reduce excess fat and cellulite on the body. It not only relaxes you physically but it a very important therapy for relaxing and soothing the mind.

8. Yoga: Yoga is more than physical exercise. It involves correct lifestyle, habits and attitude. All this combined prevents all kinds of problems. Apart from walking, simple Yogic stretches and Asanas for the body and some breathing techniques and attitude changes for the mind are very effective. This is more effective than gymming because exercises in the gym lead to build-up of muscle mass which turns into fat if the exercises are discontinued for a little while. Yogic exercises are scientifically designed to exercise even the internal organs which improves their tenacity and functioning.  

9. Accept yourself: No one in the world is perfect. Do not worry of what others think about you. Everyone is busy worrying about themselves anyway. Accept yourself and your body, be happy and confident and that alone will free you from a lot of problems, physical as well as mental.

10. Health Checkup: A pot belly can lead to many diseases but it can also be a symptom of an existing condition. After the age of 40, regular health check-ups are a must for every individual. Early diagnosis of a disease can lead to quick cure or prevention. Make sure you consult a doctor and start taking regular calcium and vitamins, either through diet or supplements, as advised. Remember, the most important thing in the world is your own health.

   

These changes are not at all difficult to make in life. Start with one and continue it religiously till it becomes part of your daily routine. It is not much to ask, good habits are worth the effort. Slowly, keep adding more to your routine and watch your life and health change.

Why spend money on pills and doctors when your health is in your own hands?

Stay Healthy !!

Writer: Mr. Pinakin Shah

Founder, 

Pristine Senses Academy

www.pristinesenses.net

Geriatric Massage - Massage for Senior Citizens

What is Geriatric Massage?

Geriatric Massage is a specialized massage for senior citizens, that lasts for approximately 30 minutes. It is a modified form of Swedish Massage (soft tissue) that is suited to the sensitive and delicate skin and muscle structure or the elderly.

We have found through experience that gentle massage which is soothing and relaxing turns out to be all the more enjoyable for senior citizens as they are in need of caring physical touch and emotional support. Many of our elders experience loneliness, fear of death and disease, fear of being dependent and of course, suffer from certain age-related health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, nervous disorders, etc. This leads to tension, anxiety and physical weakness which are relieved through Geriatric Massage.

Need for Geriatric Massage

It is not necessary that all senior citizens are weak and suffering from disease. Many of our elders are more fit than us as they used to have a lot of physical activity during their younger days. However, those who are fit also require regular massage because with age, the muscles have comparatively less capacity and strength and blood and lymph circulation is also less.

Geriatric massage is especially important for those who are not very mobile or are on the wheel chair. It includes light stretching, reflexology and massage on hands and feet and gentle manipulation of muscles which helps in improving the posture, circulation, relaxation, gives relief in pain and in conditions like arthritis, gout, Parkinson’s, etc. It helps to release toxins from the body, improves respiration, digestion, better sleep, helps to maintain sensation in extremities and moisture, texture and tone of skin and muscles.

This therapy is mainly taken as a preventive therapy to help avoid health conditions and to keep the joints and extremities in good condition.

Requirements of a Geriatric Massage Therapist

A therapist performing Geriatric Massage needs to have knowledge not only of massage techniques but also knowledge of psychology, etiquette, nervous system, hygiene, diseases, medication and their repercussions on health and skin and how they would affect the massage procedure.

There can be some health conditions that are contraindicated in Geriatric Massage and so the therapist should do a thorough client assessment before beginning the treatment and ask for a doctor’s certificate where necessary. The therapist needs to be sensitive to the client’s feelings and reactions during the treatment. Even a slight excess pressure can cause pain and discomfort. There will be no fixed system of massage, it would differ from client to client. There is no place for deep tissue massage in Geriatric Massage. Even if the client may have excess cellulite, deep tissue massage may lead to pain and soreness after a few hours.

In this therapy, special care is taken to make sure the client is in a comfortable position and is kept warm. In most cases, clients will not be comfortable lying in the prone (face down) position and so massage has to be done in such a way that both sides are covered without moving the client.

Geriatric Massage is a highly underrated but a much needed therapy. There is still not much awareness of this technique in India. So it is our duty as trained massage therapists to spread awareness for the benefit of our elders. A good place to start our practice would be in our own family, hospitals and old age homes.

Our elders need to feel cared for and if done by a close family member, the feeling of well-being, positivity and happiness generated from Geriatric Massage can be manifold.

Writer: Mr. Pinakin Shah

Founder,

PristineSenses Academy

Training in Body-Mind Therapies

(image courtesy - ttuhsc.edu)

Testimonial - Audrey Gomes Kolb

Audrey Kolb (l) with trainers Ankita and Pinakin Shah

"This course has been a wonderful learning experience. Ankita has a wealth of knowledge that she happily shares. I would recommend this course to anyone who has a passion for wellness therapies." J

Audrey Gomes Kolb,

Dubai

Reflexology (Pro)

(18/07/2011)

10 Tips to Become a Successful Therapist (Part II)

In Part I of this blog post, we spoke of the first 5 important tips to be a successful therapist. Choose your trainer wisely, be genuine, be professional, learn by experience and hygiene and responsibility. Let us continue to the next 5 guidelines that will help you down your career path. 

6. Learn to Market Yourself – Learn the tricks of the trade, keep your eyes open for opportunities and be creative in marketing yourself. If possible undergo training in communication and marketing in the industry. Your trainer may be able to help you with it.

7. Exercise Mindfulness – Each client will have a unique response to your therapies. Remember their responses for future reference. Notice their reactions during the therapy and change your techniques accordingly. Anticipate the need of the client and they will appreciate your thoughtfulness. More than anything else, people need to feel cared about. A therapist and client relationship should be a professional but caring one. Be empathetic towards the client and mould the techniques accordingly. Avoid being mechanical just because you do the therapies day-in-day-out. Understand that you are healing a person, not just treating them for the sake of earning money.

8. Challenge yourself – Monotonous work does make the mind dull, but you should keep the interest alive in the job. Read, research, take refresher courses and keep learning. Remain updated of the latest developments on the industry and health.

9. Network – Attend conferences and workshops and participate in discussions on social media. It not only helps increase your knowledge base, but also is useful to increase business. Do not consider others as competitors. They are all in this field because they want to heal people. Keeping this in mind, if you maintain good, honest relations with others, they are sure to reciprocate. Friends in the same field can help and guide each other out in times of need.

10. The Power is in your hands – Whether you are a hired therapist, freelancer, spa/ salon owner or even learning a therapy just for the sake of hobby, the power to uplift yourself is in your own hands. There are abundant opportunities out there to learn, grow and diversify. Do not allow yourself to become lax and follow what everyone else in the industry is doing. Be original and pour your heart and soul in everything you do.

Writer: Mr. Pinakin Shah, Founder & Trainer at Pristine Senses Academy

To learn more about Pinakin Shah's Pristine Senses Academy, click here.

10 Tips to Become a Successful Therapist (Part I)

Whether you are an employer or employee or working on a freelance basis, there are some qualities that make an exceptional therapist of you. Read on if you want to stand out of the crowd and make a sure and happy future of yourself.

1. Choose your trainer wisely – For an aspiring therapist, there is nothing worse than a ill-informed teacher. Half-baked knowledge will only make half-baked therapists who have no idea what they are doing. A trainer should be one who is always ready to answer questions, is available to you during and even after your course is over to share experiences, questions and guidance. Enrolling for a course may not be cheap, but it is a very good investment. However, like with every investment, be careful to do your homework and check if the course you are joining for is in your best interest. Read online reviews, meet the trainers beforehand, ask as many questions as you like, study the body language of the trainer and judge his / her genuineness. Take your time to decide and once you do, have full faith in your teacher.

2. Be genuine – Be honest in your interaction with your client. Do not take the client for granted. They can be even more informed and experienced than you and can make out how genuine you are. If they are happy with you, they will spread the word among family and friends and help you increase your business.

3. Be professional – If working in a spa / salon, there is no question of being unprofessional or casual. You must follow the rules of the trade, even when your boss is not looking. However, the problem arises when one is working as an individual or hobby. Many things are taken for granted. However, you can be different if you have a professional attitude. Not just the way you communicate with the client, but also your preparations, equipment, planning, etc. can be innovative and professional. For example, when going on house-calls or treating clients at your own home, keep a portable stereo with soothing music to create a mood and ambiance. Add some interesting twists or complementary additions to your therapy.

4. Learn by Experience – A trainer can only teach you the techniques and share their own experiences. However, real learning happens when you have experienced for yourself. So make sure the course you join allows you to have enough practical experience to gain confidence. Before beginning commercially, treat your family, friends and relatives for free. Get as much feedback and learning from them as possible. This will increase your field experience and confidence.

5. Hygiene and responsibility – Hygiene is extremely important not just for the client but also for your own health. Make sure you use sanitized equipment, sanitize your hands, keep your nails short and make sure that the client is not suffering from any infections or other disease that can be transmitted. It is your responsibility to ensure the client is fit for treatment and to see that no disease is spread to other clients through you. Explain patiently to the client the reason you have to refuse them in such cases. They will only respect the decision, understanding that you care about your clients’ safety.

(To be continued...)

Writer: Mr. Pinakin Shah, Founder and Trainer at Pristine Senses Academy

To learn more about Pinakin Shah's Pristine Senses Academy . Click Here

Testimonial - Mr. Chirag & Mrs. Nikky Bhatia

Mr. Chirag Bhatia with Mr. Pinakin Shah

"Earlier I thought, massage is about knowing the right strokes and techniques. But at Pristine I understood that KNOWLEDGE is most important.

Through very comprehensive theory classes we accumulated lot of knowledge and in regular practicals we mastered the techniques.

TODAY I FEEL CONFIDENT.

Mr. Pinakin Shah and Ms. Ankita Shah have asked us to come back whenever we have any doubts. This leaves us with a very comfortable and relaxed feeling that they are always there to back us.

To sum it up : IT'S AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO LEARN MASSAGE."

- Mr. Chirag Bhatia

03.11.2012

Reflexology (Pro), 

Swedish Massage, Balinese Massage, 

Body Scrubs & Body Wraps

Ms. Ankita Shah with Mrs. Nikky Bhatia

"We came here to learn the program and are walking out as experts. I like the professional approach Pristine followed.

After visiting a couple of spas I realized that what I have learnt at Pristine is much more professional and ideal. I would rate Pristine as one of the best places to learn such healing therapies."

- Mrs. Nikky Bhatia

03.11.2012

Reflexology (Pro), 

Swedish Massage, Balinese Massage, 

Body Scrubs & Body Wraps