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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : September 25, 2014 2:11 PM IST
People normally do not like to go for body massage during the winter, but an expert suggests that winter season is the best for massages.
Gyurme Tenzing, founder of Alaya spa and salon, says massages are very good during winters and it is perhaps the best time around the year to go for oil as well as dry massages.
'When you talk about massages, it is always the blend of the oil that leads to body warmth. Dry massages help in blood circulation and benefit the muscles. A few oils like cinnamon leaf oil, cinnamon bark oil are recommended the most during winters as these oils have heating properties,' Tenzing told IANS. (Read: 6 expert tips to keep your skin looking gorgeous in winter)
He suggests a few more options:
- Hot stone therapy: In this, the therapist places smooth and water heated stones on certain parts of the body. The heat that is generated by the stone works fine on the body and is especially very effective during winter.
- Thai traditional massage: It is a dry massage that incorporates stretching of body parts which improves the blood circulation of the body.
- Shiatsu: It is another dry massage which only focusses on the release of muscle tension, which ultimately gives you deep relaxation. It is a Japanese technique, which involves working on back body with pressure.
- Traditional Balinese: It is an oil-based massage - a combination of acupressure, reflexology, stretching and aromatherapy. It helps you during winters by stimulating circulation. The problem of joint pain is also taken care of.
Body massages good after a workout too!
According to Ramona Braganza, a celebrity fitness trainer with clients like Jessica Alba, body massages are an important part of a fitness programme especially when training with resistance. They have physiological benefits and are a great way to treat yourself after hard workouts. According to a recent study by researchers at McMaster University, deep massage after an intense workout caused muscles to enlarge and grow new mitochondria the powerhouse of our cells, responsible for converting nutrients into useful energy.
She recommends scheduling your massage according to your workout plan. 'Ideally, if you train for 5 days a week, a massage a week would be best, if you train 4 days a week, I would say get a massage every 2 weeks and if you train 3 days a week, a monthly session will suffice, ' says Ramona. (Read: Is a body massage really needed?)
Health benefits of a massage:
A word of caution!
Even though massages are good for the body, there are certain situations when they should be avoided unless prescribed by your doctor. These include:
Though a very gentle massage surrounding the area may be fine, it is best to consult your doctor and massage therapist before you opt for one. (Read: Massaging your baby: Not the best idea say doctors!)
With inputs from IANS
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