Traditional cupping session.

They say there is a fine line between pleasure and pain, but there is no pleasure in those who have chronic pain or stress. As someone in the industry I often trade services with other massage and body work professionals to keep me in tip top shape. The past several months have been stressful ones (I won’t bore you with the details, but lets just say we kept getting hit again and again with situations out of our control that certainly piled up, literally, on my shoulders!). I did my ‘usual’ stress reducing plan: eating healthier, getting regular massage, heat packs and dry heat sauna, and of course my aromatherapy baths that usually melt me into a little puddle of joy… but this time, the pain upon my shoulders would not cease. It felt like a constant 50lb bar was being crushed into them non stop. Anti-inflammatory medications had little effect on me. What to do? Well, I believe that our bodies need to be ‘shaken’ up a bit – that’s why it’s a wonderful thing to experience a different touch or modality when your tried and true isn’t quite enough. A different approach at times, can truly make a difference in your body’s ability to heal itself. So lucky for me that I ran into Tzu, a fellow massage therapist that has now begun to offer cupping in her practice.

Cupping for those of you unfamiliar with the modality, is an ancient Chinese method of causing local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place. My session was done with the assist of a machine to which my therapist could control the suction strength.

The theory behind this practice is that the application will open up the chi (or the meridians), release toxins, increase and activate the lymphatic system and can penetrate deep into the muscles, similar, yet different to a deep tissue massage. The treatment is most often sought out for treatment of pain, congestion, coughing, and a variety of other issues.

Upon entering the office, Tzu warmly greeted me and took me to the massage room. There were no special instructions that I needed to follow. I told her that I was mainly looking to ease the pain and muscle adhesion that was plaguing across my neck and shoulders for the last two months.  Since much of my pain was stress induced and as the stresses were finally beginning to ease, I felt this would be a good adjunct therapy to get me ‘back to good’. I was excited to try it. I laid down and Tzu began on my back, placing one bulb and then the other on either side of my shoulders and adjusted the suction as needed. She moved them at different intervals across my back on either side of my spine and my neck. She increased or decreased the suction as required. As with regular massage much of my pain was referred pain from another area. This is quite evident when getting a cupping session because you are often left with marks (slight to medium bruising) that gives you a map of your soft tissue distress. The procedure wasn’t too painful – although I did have some ‘hot spots’ that flared up quickly. Mostly is feels as if someone is pulling at your skin, once the skin is released you can feel an immediate lightness in the surface area. At one point the therapist creates the suction on the spine and moves the ball up the spine. This was my favorite sensation of the actual cupping treatment. Tsu also combines heated pillow massage and a gentle muscle manipulation massage along with the cupping session, this brings her treatment to 90 minutes.

So what did I think?  Well, I am glad that I tried it and the results of my treatment were similar to a very deep tissue massage. I can’t say that my pain is gone, but it feels like the tightness has subsided a bit. My husband was appalled at the way my back looked with little circles of various colors of bruising from minor to a bright purple – even after I had shown him pictures of what to expect prior to it – it was unsettling to him. My body feels like it’s had a change in structure to the underlying fascia, which is what I had hoped. Although I do think I expected a deeper and more immediate relief than I experienced, I think this should be considered as another natural alternative to chronic pain and that others may have different results depending on what is being treated.

Would I recommend it? Yes – I believe that our bodies are capable of tremendous self healing and a good therapist can assist you with a treatment plan that is right for you. Since every therapist brings a different skill set and a personal philosophy to their table, it’s important to connect with different modalities when your tried and true are limiting your scope of healing. Cupping touts many benefits, some that I believe and a few I think are a bit far fetched depending on the research. You simply should do your homework and ask the questions before your appointment and convey your needs and expectations to your therapist. You know your body better than anyone and you know what is right for your body. As the ‘leader’ of YOUR health care team you owe it to yourself to try non-invasive treatments to assist with your quality of life. Also, on that note, as the leader of your health care team it is ALWAYS within your power to stop a treatment that is not what you expect or is painful. Listen to your body, listen to your intuition. Be pro-active in all aspects of your health.

Where can you find it?  Cupping is available by Licensed Massage Therapists or Acupuncturists. Look for those who are accredited, licensed and certified in the practice. As with any health care, be it holistic or traditional, you should check with a physician or other trusted health care provider to be sure that the treatment is safe for you.

In the Dayton area you may wish to contact Tzu at www.massagerx.co for a cupping session. She is a consummate professional and will take great care of you. Tell her Brenda sent you!

But what if… we took BACK the waters? We might not get to go to those mineral springs, but we sure can create them for ourselves! Simply by elevating our evening bath to an art form. How? Treat yourself like you treat your clients – with a sensory experience that releases sore muscles, relaxes or re energizes your mind, softens your skin and leaves you feeling at peace. Here is my favorite at home bath that never fails to transform me to a kinder, gentler being.

Milk & Honey Bath for Therapists

2 cups Powdered Milk (Not liquid)
½ cup Raw Honey
1 ½ cup Epsom Salt
1 cup Mediterranean Sea Salt
6 drops essential oil (Lavender – Relaxing, Peppermint – Energy, Sandalwood – Sensual, Melissa – Focus, or Ylang Ylang – Sleep) Mix & match if you wish, no more than 6 drops total.

As warm water fills the tub add all ingredients. Let salts dissolve completely before entering tub. Float fresh herbs and flowers on the water, dim the lights, light a candle or read a good book but you must: Disconnect the phone and put our your own ‘In Session’ sign on the door. This is your sacred time. It’s time to take back the waters, and take back your life! Enjoy

Brenda Stansfield, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
Clear My Head Ltd
www.clearmyhead.com

We post many self care tips, spa trends holistic care news etc on our facebook and pintrest pages:

http://www.facebook.com/Clear.My.Head

http://pinterest.com/clearmyhead/

Announcing a versatile, detoxifying herbal bath bag from the makers of Clear My Head aromatherapy.

Wrap Me Up from Clear My Head provides a versatile detoxifying herbal wrap treatment or in spa bathing ritual that eases breathing, improves circulation and softens the skin. With Wrap Me Up, a 20-30 minute wrap is the ideal “wellness” offering in any spa or clinic.
Rosemary, peppermint, lavender, comfrey and eucalyptus highlight some of the body cleansing ingredients that fill Wrap Me Up’s convenient bath bag, with no messy loose herbs to contend with. Use as a rejuvenating wrap at the spa, in a soothing bath or as a pain-relieving compress, either hot or cold. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties make this unique herbal mix ideal for arthritis sufferers, athletes or anyone who may experience chronic pain. The SPA Professional pack includes 12 ‘double’ bags suitable for herbal wrap treatments and is available exclusively to spa professionals.
Spa professionals can also offer clients the opportunity to enhance their wrap experience in between visits with Wrap Me Up herbal bath bags. Each attractively packaged Wrap Me Up in- home treatment includes two bath bags for continuing the detoxification process at home for the next two days. Suggested retail price of $15.00 each.

Client Benefits:

• Increased Blood & Lymph Circulation
• Tighten and Tone Skin
• Soften Skin
• Ease Pain of Sport Injury and/or Arthritis
• Relaxation & Reduced Anxiety
• Helps Skin Appearance with Acne, Eczema & Psoriasis
• Increase Energy & Metabolism
• Possible Weight Loss
• Easier Breathing

-30-

The Lush Life.

 “Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.”

 Henry David Thoreau

Create a sensual palette for living life fully

Sight: Using colors to evoke a mood is nothing new to interior designers, but perhaps you’ve never considered the impact it can have on your daily mood. If you have a high impact fast paced work environment, a soothing calming color at home can truly begin the relaxation process. Reds, orange and yellows can be warm, exciting or hostile, depending on the hue. Blues, greens and gray can be cooling, calming or depressing. Working with a color wheel or a design professional can be helpful in choosing the tone you would like set for your home. Weaving the colors through your home with contrasting and/or monotones throughout can infuse different moods to maximize your enjoyment.

Sound: Berthold Auerbach once said: ‘Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.‘ We love the sounds of the spa’s we visit. Carefully chosen music enchants from room to room. A water fountain babbles, a breeze waifs through a cabana… sound inviting? Close your eyes and you can imagine yourself there.  Turning the volume down in life is often a necessity for many of us. Too connected to television, our phones and the Internet, when you do ‘unplug’ – what fills the space?  Exploring music to create a home that functions better is a great project.  Music can energize (for getting chores done), relax and soothe (bedtime rituals) and seduce (no explanation needed here!).  Download new music – Amazon has many free songs for download and many new artists will offer them for the sampling.  Ask friends for new artists too.  Create many different playlists to help you unwind, rewind or windup!

Touch: Silky softness. Ahhhhh – another gift the spas can teach us. A perfect thread count on our sheets can make a difference so when purchasing items of clothing, furnishings or bedding or towels go for the softness. Envelope your body in things that simply feel great! Soothe your skin with lotion and oils to layer on the softness.  Give your partner a back rub, use feathers, sisal scrubs, and items that cool or heat the skin. Closing your eyes will allow you to intensify the experience and get in tune with your body and help you delve further into relaxation.

Smell:  Our sense of smell is so powerful and so connected to our well being it always amazes me that people don’t think twice about using it to their advantage emotionally. Create a welcome home fragrance – moving beyond the synthetic candles and toward the healing aromas of essential oils. Essential oils not only can evoke mood for you, they can help keep you healthier with their antibacterial & antiviral properties. Lavender & Ylang Ylang help quiet you for sleep, Lemongrass & Rosemary are great for bathroom, Citrus scents are wonderful for children rooms and kitchens are benefited by spice blends and herbal notes.  Room fragrance profiles are wonderful ways to engage your senses and to enhance a feeling of comfort in every home.

Taste:  The new concept of ‘Slow Food’ is really not so new at all.  Slow Food is the concept of using locally grown food and preparing them simply. It supports local farmers and fosters fair trade.  It also allows us to enjoy the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season. There is a huge taste difference, as any gardener will tell you, when you eat a ripe tomato fresh off the vine vs one that has been shipped, perhaps weeks ago via a truck to your grocer. Embrace the concept by buying smaller quantities of fresh meats and produce. Simplify your cooking with sautes in olive oil with fresh herbs.  Simple pasta’s and grilled foods are easy to prepare and clean up after.  Scout out farmer markets and ask the farmers the best way to prepare their offerings. 

Live simply that others might simply live. ~Elizabeth Ann Seton

How do YOU live a lush life?  Share with us on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Clear.My.Head

Clear My Head Herbal Care Products has bottled their classic aromatherapy into a pump spray mist to be applied directly to spa linens or released into the air. While most linen sprays contain a floral scent, like lavender or jasmine, Linen Mist offers three original Clear My Head formulas.

The Linen Mist 2go Formula contains the original Clear My Head aromatherapy sinus blend. Ache Linen Mist offers the classic combination of scents, ideal for relieving tension headaches. Finally, “Sky High,” adds a refreshing touch of lemon to the 2go Formula.

“Some of our customers set our herbal inhalation jar on the floor, beneath the face cradle,” says Brenda Stansfield, founder and owner of Clear My Head. “The Linen Mist line lets the client experience the full benefits of our aromatherapy, up close.”.

Linen Mist from Clear My Head comes in a 4 ounce pump spray and retails for $15. Eight-ounce, SpaPro bottles are also available. For more information, contact Clear My Head Herbal Care Products by calling (937) 847-2222 or go online to www.clearmyhead.com.

Linen Mists to help you breath easy at night.

Clear My Head goes Pink to bring help and hope to women with breast cancer by providing resources, awareness and sales through spas nationwide.

DAYTON, OHIO – Clear My Head Ltd announced today their support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) by raising awareness and funds through the sale of their signature product, Clear My Head. For the months of October, November and December, their trademark green jar will turn pink and a portion of the sales will be donated by Clear My Head to NBCF. The product line is sold nationally at fine day and destination spas.

“We believe as spa owners and professionals that we have a unique role in the way women feel about themselves,” said Clear My Head founder Brenda Stansfield. “We have an opportunity to raise awareness and to educate in very personal ways; we felt the jars were just one way to do that.” Ms. Stansfield said that in addition to the limited edition jars, the spas who participate would also have fact sheets and resources to share with their customers and will be encouraged to host Pink Events during October. “Having been in the spa industry for so many years, we know our customers and they trust us. We have unique opportunities to talk to them one-on-one during a treatment or with an event. We’re going to encourage our spas to raise awareness in what ever way they feel comfortable. We hope that this first year will be an amazing catalyst to get more businesses involved and create something that goes far beyond our own company’s efforts.”

Clear My Head has often supported local charitable foundations, but felt it was time to give back on a national level since they have a national presence in spas. “Almost everyone I know has a mother, friend, lover, sister, mentor or co-worker who has been affected by Breast Cancer, including our own family,” Ms. Stansfield said. “I partnered with the NBCF because they give help and hope through research, support and mammograms. Their online resource, Beyond the Shock®, is an amazing place for anyone to start getting information, whether they are a patient, caregiver or part of a support team.” Ms. Stansfield also blogged about her reasons for supporting the NBCF at http://www.clearmyhead.com/blog/ – there, she shares her unique perspective from a spa professional’s point of view and some personal experiences she has had with her own clients.

About Clear My Head Products:
Clear My Head manufactures spa products that are natural/organic alternatives for sinus and headache relief. The limited edition jar (for sinus relief) will have a beautiful etched National Breast Cancer Foundation logo on the top with the pink band. To find a spa near you or to order the jar online during October, November and December, visit www.clearmyhead.com.

About the National Breast Cancer Foundation
Founded in 1991, the NBCF is committed to spreading knowledge and fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer. By funding free mammograms for women who could otherwise not afford them and supporting research programs in leading facilities across the country, the Frisco, Texas-based foundation helps inspire the courage needed to win this monumental battle. To learn more about the NBCF, visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org.

CONTACT:
Brenda Stansfield
Clear My Head, Ltd
422 East Dixie Drive
Dayton, OH 45449
(937) 847.2222
amusesings@aol.com
skype: brenda.stansfield

How to Choose a Massage Therapy School

Guest Post by Nicole Canfora Lupo, subject expert on choosing and getting accepted into a massage therapy school, at www.massagetherapyprograms.net.

Massage therapists undergo hundreds of hours of coursework and hands-on experience in order to become professionals in their field. But first, they had to find a reputable massage therapy school that fit their needs and prepared them for real-world success.

School administrators, instructors and graduates all agree that you can’t just head to the yellow pages and randomly pick out a school to attend. Learning as much as you can about what each massage therapy school you’re considering offers is the key to getting a proper education and finding success in the field.

So where should you start? “Getting massages and talking to the therapists to see how they went about their schooling is the best way to go about it,” recommends Winona Bontrager, a licensed massage therapist, vice president on the Board of Directors of the American Massage Therapy Association and owner of the Lancaster School of Massage in Lancaster, Pa.

Bontrager advises would-be students to ask about class hours and program start dates; some schools have rolling admissions, while others only admit new students once or twice a year. If you have a busy schedule, it pays to find out what the typical study time is, in addition to hands-on work.

Beyond logistics, take a close look at the curriculum, says Pat Russo, director of sales and marketing for the Institute of Massage Therapy, which is affiliated with four hospitals throughout the state of New Jersey. “The student needs to understand what massage therapy is comprised of – there’s more than just the hands-on aspect of a massage therapy education,” she says. “There’s a lot of anatomy and physiology, which are just as important, if not more so. You don’t want to accidentally hurt someone in your practice.”

Do Your Homework
You’ll also need to ensure that the program you choose is legit. “The most important things to look for in a massage therapy school are accreditation and affiliations,” says Russo. In addition, instructors should be seasoned and have a minimum of two years’ field experience, so Russo encourages students to ask the admissions office at the massage therapy school under consideration about the backgrounds of its instructors.

Russo also advises that you get beyond the admissions rep by setting up interviews with alumni, current students and instructors, if you can, to ask about their experience. Bontrager suggests an additional tactic: “Ask where the school’s graduates work, and how long it takes them to find a job.”

See for Yourself
Visiting the campus can be crucial. “People may want more of a college experience or a more relaxed atmosphere – you get a sense of what suits you by going to the school,” explains Russo. “Someone who goes to three or four different schools before deciding on a massage therapy program is an educated student.”

Adrienne Dyer, a licensed massage therapist from Allentown, Pa., agrees that you shouldn’t just pick the first school you come across. “When I was first looking at schools, I immediately narrowed it down to accredited schools in my area,” she explains. “Then, I looked at the curriculum. The school I chose went above and beyond what I needed for certification.”

Her program gave her a well-rounded foundation in Eastern philosophy, such as shiatsu massage, among other techniques. “You get a basic foundation, and when you come out of the program, you hopefully know in which direction you want to go,” she explains.

Finally, it pays to ask about job placement services. “Most schools offer career placement guidance, which is important,” says Dyer. A massage therapy school that offers lifelong employment assistance can lead to continued success long after your schooling is completed.

• 

  Our Roll-on's are great for travel.

   

  One of our favorite tools on line is a Packing List planner. Just click on http://www.packinglistonline.com/and fill in the blanks.  A handy list will be generated to make packing the easiest part of the trip. 

•  Long car trip?  Clear My Head Ache Roll-on at the temples is perfect for keeping you mentally alert. Clear My Head ‘fresh’ disks can be hung on the rearview mirror or tucked in the cup holder.  Activate with oils to keep you awake.
•  Before you go, make two copies of all travel documents. Pack one and give the other to a relative or friend at home.
•  Email yourself important phone numbers, reservation booking numbers, etc. If something should happen to your wallet, you can access the information from anywhere in the world. 
•  Flying?  Apply Clear My Head 2go Roll-on under your nose. You’ll breathe easier and help protect against airborne germs.  Keep the whole family healthy when you fly.  Roll-on’s are sized to take with you on the plane – just remember to bring your plastic bag for all your toiletries. 
•  The threat of developing blood clots on long flights is very real.  Get up and walk around as much as you can, wear support hose and do self massage on legs during long flights.  For warning signs and more prevention information:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2009-mchi/5202.html
• Prevent Jet Lag before you even take off.  Enter in flight information and your sleep/eat and daily routine at http://www.jetlagprevention.com/en/jetlagprevention/itenerary.php and print out your custom jet lag prevention guide. Make one for each traveler so everyone can arrive as fresh as possible.
•  Musty hotels or suitcases?  Carry the Clear My Head ’fresh’ disks with you - 2 disks in the travel tin.  Use one activated disk in your luggage to keep it fresh smelling and hang the other activated disk on the lamp in the hotel room to keep the smell of smoke or mustiness away.  Sew ‘bean bags’ and fill with baking soda and
  

  'fresh' disk for hotel and auto.

  lavender flowers – stuff into shoes to absorb moisture and odors.   

• Sunburned?  Take a tube of H2O Aqua Therapy - our healing salts and essential oils will help you feel cooler and  the red clay salt naturally soothes your skin. After your bath, mix 4 drops of lavender essential oil into aloe vera gel and apply to skin.  Always wear sunscreen to avoid burns, even on over cast days.
• Indulged a bit too much?  Clear My Head Ache Roll-on can help alleviate a pounding hang-over.  Massage at temples and drink plenty of fluids (lemon water absorbs quickest and will help you rehydrate more quickly). 
•  Nausea can be alieved by drinking peppermint or ginger tea.  Alternatively, gently rub peppermint oil or ginger oil (diluted in jojoba or almond oil) onto abdomen in circular motion.
•  New sites – new allergens.  Many travelers are exposed to new plants, pollens and other allergens – so stocking up on Clear My Head in the summer makes sense. 
• High Altitude?  Spas in higher altitude regions report that our Clear My Head 2go is effective on reducing High Altitude Sickness symptoms.  Use during treatments and offer the Clear My Head 2go for your customer to purchase when they leave.    

Limited Edition Pink Jar - October - December only

Like many of you, our family has been directly affected by breast cancer.  My mother, one of the strongest women I know is a breast cancer survivor.  Her sister, my aunt, succumbed to the disease at the age of 34, leaving behind two small girls and her loving husband.  The tragedy is, it’s one of the most treatable cancers if caught early enough.  Education is key. This year Clear My Head is proud to be a part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with our limited edition PINK jar.  We’ll donate a portion of each sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for each Pink jar sold beginning in October and through December. 

Welcome to Clear My Head

Hi!  So what do you think?  I know, I know, ‘It’s about time!’ is what most of you  are saying.  We’ve had so much growth in the past five years that we just couldn’t keep up with the web site.   So, OmniSpear to the rescue.  Brad, Greg and their team of ‘techy wizards’ took my vision for a new improved site and made it happen!  I am so excited!  It’s our new window to the world and we couldn’t be happier about the results. (Well, let me take that back, I asked for a ‘scratch and sniff’ site and they said they just couldn’t do that … yet!)

Let me tell you what’s new so you can navigate around easily.

• New photos – aren’t they lovely?  Dan at Visual Edge did an amazing job and he’s also the one who created the new ads you’ll see this year in major magazines.  In addition to our wonderful products, he also took the photos of the interior of our offices.  Yep, that’s right,  those beautiful pictures of the lobby and our amazing copper tub are part of our corporate offices and concept spa where we develop protocols and test drive our products in development.
• Sign up for our newsletter. (Nope we won’t spam the heck out of you, we promise, we hate that as much as you do).  We have a newsletter for our Wholesale customers and one for those of you who just want to learn more about our products, spa life, or aromatherapy.  Our Newsletters will focus on product application, trends, oil profiles and featured spas plus more.  We think you’ll love the content, and if you don’t you can opt out at any time.
• I have a blog (but you knew that didn’t you?).  I’ll be linking my Herb Companion Magazine blogs here and also posting other exclusive ones here as well.  What would you like to see here? We will also have a few ‘guest’ bloggers too.
• LIVE Chat!  Woooo hoooo – You will see when we’re online to take your real time questions or comments.   You will most likely talk to me, Bob in Customer Care or Craig.  If you get Craig, be easy on him, he’s learning the ropes.  Of course you can email or call too, just like before. We just like to give you options!
• A map of where to buy in the United States and Canada.  You should know this is an ‘opt’ in for the locations listed.  So if you are a spa you WANT to be listed.  You can even do that on our site too!  If you are a customer looking for us – it just got a whole lot easier.  Look for international locations at a later date.
• Oh! Our wholesale customers have their very own portal to order from and see what’s new.  Contact us for access information if you don’t have it already.  Did you know we have products for your back bar and some exclusive items that are only available to spas?  No?  Well, we need to get you logged in – pronto!  (You must qualify for wholesale access)
• Contact information for our Sales Representitives and Corporate Offices.
• More ways to connect with us and our spas partners!  We have direct links to our fan page on FaceBook and our Twitter page.  We’re featuring spas, products, giving tips, recipes and so much more.  Join us!

So there are the top features of the new site. We have a few more surprises coming too.  Keep in touch and come back often to find out.

Thanks so much for stopping by. We appreciate each and every one of you!