Q: "what does a massage therapist do when we hurt our back?"

A: "I have personally battled low back issues about 8 years and my recipe for success for my body is as follows: ice, stretch, hot bath with Epson salt, rolly ball, heating pad, Aleve, lots of water and of course, MASSAGE.
Starting with ice will help calm down the inflammation and that sore, achy pain. 15 mins is all it takes, but you can do it as many times as you can throughout the day. Stretching helps to relax tight muscles and relieves the pressure on the joints. I always thought my mom was weird when she took a bath every night and added Epson salt, but it really does help the muscles to relax and eases inflammation. (Hint: Really want to relax, just add a little bit of lavender oil).
Rolly ball? You don't own a rolly ball? Try a tennis ball instead. There is nothing better to release those deep tight muscles then laying on the floor with a tennis or rolly ball digging into those trigger points. (Hint: can't take the pressure on the floor? try it lying in bed or up against the wall). It can be used on any muscle or muscle group and it works really well after using the heating pad to help ease the pain. :-) What is it about a heating pad that always feels good? Try to use the heating pad on the tight muscles and not on the joints (i.e. spine, hip, or knee) because it can increase inflammation causing more sore/achy pain.
Massage is great always, but if you like deep tissue like I do just beware that it can cause increased inflammation from the release of toxins so you might feel a little sore right after or a day after. Drink plenty of water and take some Aleve or Advil may help with the soreness. If you are experiencing shooting or burning pain or numbness, you may have some nerve involvement and you can try the above treatments, but if pain persists, you might want to go to the doctor and/or chiropractor. Physical therapy as well as yoga and acupuncture can also be very helpful in tackling many problems."

~~Relax, Rejuvenate and Renew at Spa Bleu~~

THE STAFF OF SPA BLEU

Top (L to R): Katie (massage therapist) , Jeremiah (front desk/everything), Me :)
Bottom (L to R): Cora (nail tech), Lynn (owner/aesthetician), Morgan (owner/massage therapist), Erin (nail tech/tanning)

Check out
http://www.spableu-sav.com/

These girls (and Jeremiah) are awesome and it is such a joy and pleasure to work with them! They are great people and wonderful clinicians providing the best services available in a spacious new location on Bull Street in the heart of downtown Savannah. There is plenty of room for bridal parties, girls weekends, princess parties or any special occasions. Locals get 10% off and free garage parking! Don't forget to try a Bleu Mojito too! Spend a whole day or just an hour to relax, rejuvenate and renew at Spa Bleu!

101 Bull St. Savannah, GA 31401

Hours: Mon - Sat 10am-7pm & Sunday 12pm-6pm

(912) 236 - 1490

Mommy's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely ladies!

Today has me thinking a lot about my Mom. She is an amazing woman who shaped my life in so many ways. She is the most selfless woman I know who gave up so much for us kids. She gave birth to five kids naturally and home schooled all of us until we hit high school. She works constantly, never stopping. We were raised on home cooked meals, no TV, no video games, but we had games full of imagination, hours of play and lots and lots of love. :-) Love my Mommy! She's the best!

So give you Mom and hug today and if you REALLY love her, get her a MASSAGE! :-)

~The Importance of Icing~

The Importance of Icing

At least once a day, I "preach" to my clients about using ice. I not only preach about it, but I am a true believer and user of ice. I pack it up some days and take it in the car with me. Most people like to use heat for everything, but if you are experiencing any kind of "sore, achy pain" more than likely you have inflammation and heat will make it worse. Ice not only takes away the pain, but it also numbs the entire area. I normally also recommend Aleve or ibuprofen at least for a few days. Ice and cold packs can relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation from injuries like a sprain back, tennis elbow or rotator cuff issues and other conditions, such as arthritis, plantar fascitis and bulging or herniated discs.

Types of ice and cold packs

• Ice towel. Wet a towel with cold water and squeeze it until it is just damp. Fold the towel, place it in a plastic bag, and freeze it for 15 minutes. Remove the towel from the bag and place it on the injured or sore area.
• Ice pack. Put about 1 lb (0.5 kg) of ice in a plastic bag or ice pack you buy at the store. Add enough water to barely cover the ice. Squeeze the air out of the bag and seal it. Wrap the bag in a wet towel and apply to the affected area.
• Cold packs.
  • Bags of frozen peas or corn are inexpensive, last 10 to 20 minutes, and mold well to your body.
  • Mix 3 cups (710 mL) water and 1 cup (235 mL) rubbing alcohol in a freezer bag. Seal the bag and place it in the freezer until slush forms. Refreeze the bag when the slush melts.
  • You can also buy cold packs that can be reused. Store them in your freezer. Some of them are designed to wrap around an injured area, such as an arm or knee.

Using an ice or cold pack

Apply an ice or cold pack to the injured or sore area at least 3 times a day for as long as you have pain, swelling, and inflammation. For the first 72 hours, ice for 10 minutes, once an hour. After that, use ice for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 times a day: in the morning, in the late afternoon after work or school, and about one-half hour before bedtime. Also, ice after any prolonged activity or vigorous exercise.

Always keep a cloth between your skin and the ice pack, and press firmly against all the curves of the affected area. Do not apply ice for longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and do not fall asleep with the ice on your skin.

~~Spring Fever~~

Spring Fever has taken Savannah by storm with an avalanche of pollen! :-) Boost your immune system with a massage! Drink plenty of fluids especially water and 100% fruit juice. Vitamin C, echinacea and garlic are excellent supplements for boosting immunity also.





I've been on my hands and knees spring cleaning. What about you? Dusting? Organizing? Don't forget to watch your body mechanics with lifting, squatting and get up and down off the floor. Keep twisting to a minimal and use those large leg muscles to do the heavy work not your back. Take breaks and stretch to keep joints limber and loose. If you do "tweak" something, make sure you get in for a massage soon! The quicker the response, the quicker the recovery.



Whether you are spring cleaning, working out in the yard, out in the boat, etc, staying hydrated is important for every cell and organ in your body. Lean muscle tissue contains about 75% water by weight. Blood contains almost 70% water, body fat contains 10% water and bone has 22% water. Skin also contains much water. The human body is about 60% water in adult males and 55% in adult females. Even if you don't feel thirsty, you should be drinking lots of water. Most research recommends 8 glasses a day, but new studies have found that to be truly hydrated, we should be drinking 50% of your body weight in ounces daily.

Hope you can all get out and enjoy this beautiful weather! Be safe~ be smart~ be careful! Lots of love

Just a few benefits of massage

This is a concise outline on the effects of massage with more details to follow! Please feel free to post any questions you may have...

THE PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF MASSAGE

• enhance tissue repair
  
• improve connective tissue health
• stimulate sensory receptors in skin
• increase superficial circulation
• remove dead skin
• facilitate healthy scar formation

• promote good joint function
• promote optimal joint flexibility and range of motion
• promote proper skeletal alignment
• "milk" metabolic wastes into venous and lymph flow
• promote specific and general muscle relaxation
• relieve myofascial trigger points
• release myofascial adhesions

• stimulate parasympathetic nervous system (i.e. relaxation response)
• reduce pain
• enhance body awareness
• release of endorphins

• increase general and local circulation
• enhance venous return
• reduce blood pressure and heart rate
• increase red blood cells in circulation

• increase lymph fluid movement
• improve immune function via stress reduction

• encourage diaphragmatic breathing
• relax muscles of respiration
• promotes good structural alignment and rib cage expansion
• digestion improved with relaxation
• enhances circulation to kidneys
• reproductive function improved with relaxation

• improve growth and development in infants
• relieve muscle pain from tension and poor circulation
• deactivate myofascial trigger points
• trigger complete relaxation response

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MASSAGE

• increase mental clarity
• reduce anxiety
• facilitate emotional release
• promote feelings of general well-being
  

Massage Therapy Etiquette by Ms. Emily Post :)

For all of you who have never had a massage, I have decided to take off my massage therapist "hat" and become a first time client. I actually had my first massage during the first day of massage school 4 years ago. It can be a nervous and anxious experience because expectations are unknown.
Most places will want you to fill out a medical history form that may take 5-10 mins so you probably want to get to your appointment before the allotted time. The massage therapist should come out and greet you with professionalism and politeness. They will proceed to bring you to the treatment area and explain what will happen next. The key to massage is just try to relax, take nice deep breathes and communicate with your therapist what kind of pressure you prefer and if you have any specific areas you would like him/her to work on (i.e. feet, head, face, etc.). A professional massage allows you undress, but keep on whatever undergarments make you feel comfortable. The area that is being worked on is the only area undraped. The pressure should be in your comfort zone and if it is not, you should let your therapist know right away to deepen or lighten the intensity. The first appointment for any person is going to be a learning experience for both client and therapist. If you continue to see the same therapist, they will learn more about your body (i.e. where you hold your stress) and can adapt the massage to what you need or want. A "good" therapist won't do a "cookie cutter" massage, the exact same thing every single time. After (and even before) a massage, your body must be well hydrated especially if you prefer deep tissue massages like I do. The next day you might even be a little sore. It just means that you need to drink more water and maybe take some Ibuprofen or Aleve. If you ever have any questions, always feel free to ask your therapist. He or she should dictate the massage atmosphere to what you want. If you want to talk, talk. If the music is too loud, please let your therapist know. I always think that it's better to know then to not know! Getting a massage is a wonderful gift of health and wellness that should always be enjoyed and loved!