Lymphatic Drainage massage- A relaxing expierence

On the weekend I took myself off for a Lymphatic Drainage massage to a therapist which I have had other massages before but not this. Lymphatic Drainage Massage has always intrigued me, in my mind I thought it was a hard massage getting the fluid moving around your body yet I was in for something completely different. 

It was explained to me that we picked areas which I was in need of the extra help which was my face, neck, chest and tummy, but let me explain about how the lymphatic system works before I get in to more details. 


The Lymphatic system is like the garbage express highway of your body, it is connected throughout your whole body and the largest lymph glands being where you sweat more.There are so many glands in your face which without proper drainage leads to additional congestion which is something I am constantly struggling with! Grrr...

The lymph nodes which form part of the bodys defense system remove microorganisms and other foreign substances. They act as a filtration system that keeps particulate matter, such as bacteria, from entering the bloodstream.Stimulating the lymphatic system through manual lymphatic drainage will activate all of the above functions as well as encourage fluid circulation and cell regeneration. Both actions promote detoxification, facilitate healing and support the immune system (view the rest of the article here).

The massage itself is done with the very softest touch as it is not trying to work the muslces but instead the fluid which sits on top of where the glands are.

The massage went for a hour and after the session ended my therapist said it was successful but that it took a while for my lymphatic system to respond (now how the hell did she know that) apparently as the body starts to respond and fluid begins to move about you become really thirsty as the fluid is being drawn from your mouth so you start to swallow... a lot...

The massage starts on my chest and my therapist works her way up my neck and face and scalp then to my belly and the glands which are on either side of your groin (well more like, think of where you think your ovaries are and then out a little more to each side) and then works her way up my abdomen.

Now that I think back, gosh I was as thirsty as someone going for a stroll in the desert... This is completley normal and very healthy. 

This is a treatment which I will have again as the benefits to my (very often) sluggish immune system as we approach Winter and the cold and flu system, by giving my immune system a boost I know it will help me cruise through this year. 


A treatment which can ward off cold and flus and minimise congestion on my skin not to mention get my gut moving AND relax me at the same time??


I like the sound of that!


Have you ever tried Lymphatic massage? What did you think?


miss chew


xx

Rejuvenating Facial- I mean, died-and-gone-to-heaven facial...

Let me take you on a sensory journey... It's with these words that my rejuvenating facial at Rejuvenate Salon + Spa in St Leonards began...
When I first entered this unsuspecting day spa I was whisked away from the busy main street to another world.
I was first asked to fill in your basic survey to find out exactly what your skin concerns are and to work out what earth sign you are (I'm water I think which is contributed to my skin which can be congested at times) and then you are taken to a change room to get ready.

The change room itself is beautiful and each guest is allocated a locker which if you see in my picture above is well equipped with a fluffy bath robe, slippers, hair wrap, and once you are all dressed you are asked back out to the front room where there is a bowl of hot soapy water for your feet to soak in whilst the sensory journey really begins.
You are asked to close your eyes and take in 3 different scents and asked which is your favourite. The one I ended up choosing was Rose this will form the basis of the scents in your treatments.
Once your feet are dried you are taken into a treatment room where the walls are painted beautifully dark and feels warm and relaxing. I laid down on the heated bed (yes heated) and the facial begins. This treatment isn't about everyone receiving the same type of treatment it's about your therapist really working out what your skin needs and any problems you may have and catering a treatment specifically to your skin.
After my skin was thoroughly cleansed and a mask was applied to my skin, a steamer was placed over my face to open up my pours and really let that mask work deep into my skin.
What I loved about this facial as there was so many different masks, scrubs, hot towels, massages, I was trying to keep a mental list of every treatment but it was really hard as there was to many to count.
She also had a good look at my skin under a bright light and performed some extractions which I was in desperate need of as I had a few pesky blocked pours which even undergoing the most stringent beauty regime this can still happen especially with my congestion prone skin.

I took a before and after pic as well so you could see how much my skin was glowing after this facial.



Before- All dressed in fluffy bath robe and ready to go!

 And then the after...



The "After" can everyone say GLOW-ING!

I really think everyone can benefit from having a facial at least once a month, it's like getting a tune up for your skin and your therapist will be able to assess your skin and recommend products that will actually treat your skin as they are trained to know about the ingredients in the skin care and will know what will work for you.

This spa uses Aveda products that are all natural and I will blog about my new favourite product soon.

You can find out more about this spa from visiting their website http://www.rejuvenatesalonspa.com/


miss chew


xx