Discover the essential contraindications of Far Infrared (FIR) therapy to ensure safe, effective usage. This comprehensive guide outlines when to avoid FIR, especially for those with cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, recent surgeries, and more. Learn how FIR works, its benefits, and when to consult a healthcare provider to avoid potential risks.

In Mental Helath Awareness month, I found it only appropriate to talk about the benefits of massage in mental health.

You swing your feet over the side of the bed, stand up, and ow!

What is that pain in your heel that’s got you holding one foot while hopping up and down on the other? You gingerly step down again and you can still feel it, a sharp, stabbing pain deep inside your foot.

A quick Google search offers a diagnosis: plantar fasciitis. You read that it’s inflammation of your plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. When it’s under too much stress, it develops small tears and irritation. The pain usually goes away once you get up and moving, but according to the internet, ignoring plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic, debilitating pain and other foot, knee, hip, or back problems.

So what can you do to alleviate and prevent plantar fasciitis?

Sure, it feels great to pop in and see a massage therapist every now and then. It’s a great way to pamper yourself and relieve stress during a particularly crazy time. Self-compassion and the idea of splurging on yourself for once, otherwise known as “Treat Yo-Self,” means that it’s actually really great for you to spend a little time on self-care.

However, have you considered regular, monthly massage appointments? Besides having one day set aside each month, to treat yourself with a relaxing spa session, you will actually start to see some physiological effects of regular massages as well.  

Here are a few short-term, and long-term ways you may start to notice your monthly self-care trip is benefiting your health.

Pain is one of those “you know it when you feel it” kind of sensations. But it’s also a strange phenomenon, when you think about it. A snowball is cold, and so it feels cold when you touch it. A block of concrete is rough, so it feels rough when you touch it. But a knife isn’t painful on its own. Neither is a pot of boiling water or the leg of a table. We handle these things safely all the time, and experience their mass and temperature and texture. But pain exists only in the body, and even more specifically (as people who’ve experienced anesthesia know firsthand) in our minds. But that doesn’t make it less real! So what exactly is happening when we feel pain, and how do we stop it from negatively impacting our lives?

We all know that we should be drinking more water, right? Your doctor tells you to drink water instead of soda or juice. You’re told to drink water before, during and after physical activity and you may have even been told to drink water to flush the toxins from your body after a massage.

Hold on. Nope. Myth alert! 

We know massage will make us move better and feel happier, but not everyone can make time for regular appointments. Luckily massage is great preventive care and it can have some instantly-gratifying results. Check out these 3 things massage can help you with right now.

A massage is intended to be a calm and relaxing experience. But if it’s your first massage, you may feel a little trepidation. Don’t let that hold you back. With a little information about what to expect, you’ll walk into your first massage feeling like a confident pro!