7 simple signs that your massage therapist is thinking about your health and wellbeing.

You may have a go to therapist or are looking around for one. You may never have had a massage before. Do you know how to judge if your massage therapist is any good?

Here we show you what to look out for right up to the point where the massage starts.

There are many different types of massage and each has their own role. You may want to improve your wellbeing and reduce stress, keep your muscles and joints in good shape or speed your recovery from a specific injury.

Whatever you want to achieve, you will be thinking it’s my money and my body how do I know I’m getting the best massage therapy?

Thankfully you don’t have to be an expert. Just look for these 7 simple signs that the therapist is competent, professional and thinking about your treatment and wellbeing.

How do they warm and apply oil

Oil for massage is warmed in a bowl over a candle. It should be taken out with a wooden spoon to prevent the transfer of any nasties from you or the therapist to the oil.

Use a spoon to take warm oil from the bowl

At some massage salons Therapists dip their hands into the oil. Ughhhh! Worse still they use the same oil for multiple customers. Double ughhhhhhh.

If hygiene is important to you; and it should be, just avoid the hand dip therapists. If they can’t get the simple basics right how good is the massage going to be?

Which balm do they use?

Balm is applied to your skin. You should expect that it has been tested to make sure that it won’t cause you harm. There are many very good tried and tested balms on the market that have been tested. The “special” own brand balm used by some probably isn’t one of them.

Some salons use it because there is a higher profit margin to be had. Good for their business. Maybe not so good for you.

Which Therapist provides your massage?

You book your appointment and then it’s lucky dip time as to which therapist provides the massage.

Does this sound familiar?

Occasionally your schedule and your therapists shift pattern may not align. And it’s not really a problem if you only get an occasional relaxing massage. But, if you need a particular problem sorting out, over a period of weeks, then the very least you should expect is that the same trained and experienced therapist provides the full course of therapy.

For starters, you are likely to feel more comfortable and will get to know the drill. Every body is different. With each appointment, the therapist will notice changes and improvements and adjust the massage to suit. This will help speed your recovery. They will understand how much pressure they can apply to your muscles and what you are comfortable with. They learn about you.

The take it or leave it approach practiced by many spas is aimed only at maximising profit. Now we all want good salons to be successful just not at the expense of the quality of the therapy.

Qualifications, Training and Certificates

If the therapist is properly trained they will be proud to show you the certificates they have achieved after a lot of hard work and study. In fact you should expect to see them on the salon wall. In the UK, as well as certificates from good schools in Thailand you should also look out for a VTCT certificate. It is an internationally recognised qualification that is the industry standard requirement for the UK and confirms the competence of the Therapist. If they have this you know that the Therapist has achieved the level required to practise massage in the UK.

Massage benefits

Some therapists will tell you that massage is good for detox. This is a myth. Massage does not remove toxins stored in the body. A massage will help you relax, ease aches and pains, speed recovery from injuries and improve blood flow. It is very good for your health and wellbeing.

Despite what some therapists will tell you, massage doesn’t flush out lactic acid or metabolic waste,

If you want to detox, think about what you eat and drink, keep well hydrated, eat fresh food and lots of fibre and exercise more; because sweating does help you get rid of toxins.

The Therapist needs to know about your health, allergies and injuries

Before any course of testament starts a good Therapist will ask you about your health. If they don’t or are only bothered about aches and pains and they don’t ask about cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, muscle injuries, broken bones and skin allergies, then they are not bothered about how you feel and how much benefit you get from the massage therapy. They don’t even care if the therapy worsens your condition. The Therapist needs to be aware of your health so that, if necessary, they can adjust your treatment.

Your left leg!

This is where you find out how good the massage is going to be. First you get your feet washed with a warm towel. Then your muscles will be warmed up with some gentle massage strokes in preparation for the massage. If the Therapist has been trained at one of the best schools by experienced tutors they will then start the massage on your left leg.

Why the left leg? Well apart from tradition and training it’s all to do with your blood flow and energy lines. A trained and experienced therapist won’t start anywhere else.

Your Next Visit

So now you know what to look out for the next time you visit your massage therapist. If they pass with flying colours, the next thing to think about is the quality of the massage.

Have you chosen the right type of massage for what you want to achieve?

Does the therapist deliver it competently?

Do they adjust their technique and style to suit your requirements?

Are they thinking about your treatment and wellbeing?

I think I have a subject for my next blog.

Massage embarrassment!: How we maintain modesty using draping.

Customers who are new to professional massage often have questions about how we can possibly maintain their privacy during the treatment.

Well we can and we do using a technique called draping. It allows you to remain comfortable, covered and warm while you get the relaxation or therapy that you need.

With draping we only uncover the part of the body that is being worked on during a massage. Draping allows you to remained concealed whilst in your underwear under a sheet or towel and  feel safe, warm, and unexposed. That way we can maintain a professional and ethical practice while avoiding embarrassment to you or us.

Using draping, we only work on the part of the body that is exposed. We start by washing your feet with a warm towel, warm your muscles and then start the massage on your left leg while the rest of the body is covered. You are always concealed.

We are experienced massage therapists and handle draping in a quick, deft way that will make you feel safe and comfortable. We will give you precise instructions; the most common phrase during a deep tissue massage is “relax”! We talk with you so you know what is happening and what is expected of you.  

The Start

We have a massage table covered with clean towels and sheets.

You take off your clothes while the therapist is out of the room, then get on to the table according to the our instructions. You will start face-down for your massage, with your face in a padded cradle that allows you to breath with your body in a neutral position.

If you wish, we can work through the towels rather than exposing each muscle area. 

Time To Turn Over 

We let you know when it’s time to turn over, we will hold the towel up and instruct you to move down so that you are fully on the table, then turn over slowly onto your back. As you’re turning, we place the towel over your body, again, quickly, so you don’t feel exposed.

We then work back up your body while maintaining proper draping, massaging the front of each leg and both arms. The massage continues with more work on your shoulders, neck and head.

When the massage is over.

We will let you know when the treatment is over and give you further instructions before leaving you to dress.

We do have older customers who are not as mobile as they were and need help getting up. That is no problem as we are trained in how to assist while still maintaining modesty.

So that’s draping, a well practiced technique that we use to ensure modesty is maintained and no one is embarrassed. It means that you can relax and get the most benefit from our massage. Now that’s got to be a good thing. 🙏

Love yourself: Get a massage

Oh no it’s 6 a.m. again. The bedside alarm is shouting ‘another day; rise and shine’ Shine? Who is it kidding?

A good nights sleep; how many do you get these days? But then you are a working mum.

Right make breakfast for the kids, pack school bags, quick shower; you must plan a relaxing bath; you just need to find some time. When? Get in the car. School run traffic. Stand in the schoolyard; waiting for the bell.

Then to work. Another stressful day in the office. Late lunch. More work. Home time; the battle through rush hour traffic again, you get home, put dinner on the table, clean up, read school messages; have the kids done their homework? Where’s your cup of tea? Get the kids to bed. Where has the time gone? So much still to do.

Now stop.

Breathe.

Daydream.

You are in our massage room. You can hear soothing music. Tranquility. You relax. Stress evaporates. You have a full hour; an hour or more just for you. It’s you time. Unwind. Breathe. You need it. You deserve it. Enjoy.

At Bee Bee Thai Therapy we understand the extra stresses and pressures of being a woman. We have spent all our lives exposed to the expectations the world has of women. That’s why we know what works. We understand the specific problems women face and we know that Massage Therapy can make it easier to enjoy life in the 21st century.

Massage helps you sleep

You work hard. Good sleep is vital to you wellbeing. Massage therapy can reduce fatigue, improve sleep and is especially helpful for people with insomnia says the National Institute of Health and the American Massage Therapy Association.

Your body releases the neurotransmitter serotonin during a massage. This is essential for the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle.

Massage reduces stress

It’s not just the soothing music, dimmed lights and sweet smelling oil that put you in a stress free space. Massage increases blood flow to the areas of the brain responsible for you mood and stress regulation. The International Journal of Neuroscience found that after treatment, the level of cortisol; that’s the pesky stress causing hormone, drops by around 30%. At if that isn’t enough to give your mood a boost, our happy hormones; dopamine and serotonin jump by the same amount.

Massage keeps you healthy

Not only does massage help ease every day aches and pains; that everyday lower back pain and the muscle soreness we can feel after exercise, but research by the Cedars-Sinai department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences found that regular massage helps to boost our immune systems by increasing production of the white bloods cells that help us fight off disease. What better way to keep those office bugs at bay.

Massage can also ease PMS symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain, mood swings and bloating. The improvement in blood flow promotes the balance of fluids in our bodies.

As we get older we face the prospect of conditions such osteoarthritis. A study published by AMTA found that regular massage ( 2x per week for a month then 1x per week for 4 more weeks) measurably improved pain levels by 23% and stiffness by 21%.

Massage combats the signs of ageing

With regular Massage Therapy you can not only feel a whole lot better but you can look better too. As we age our skin loses elasticity. Improving blood flow helps to circulate oxygen and nutrients to feed, tone and improve the texture of our skin. Massage oils; we use almond oil, soothe and relieve it. It is easily absorbed into the skin without clogging pores. It moisturises, has anti inflammatory properties, is packed full of vitamins A and E and is an antibacterial. It has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions and reduce the signs of ageing.

What are you waiting for?

Massage Therapy is not just a treat or a pamper to enjoy every now and then. You should think about massage as a regular treatment to help with the stresses and strains of life as a hardworking woman in the 21st century. The benefits have been known and enjoyed for thousands of years. Studies in the last 100 years have shown how it works. Isn’t it time to plan some time for you? Love yourself; get a massage.

Massage; The Journey to a Good Night’s Sleep

Massage helps us sleep

Massage therapy can reduce fatigue, improve sleep and is especially helpful for people with insomnia says the National Institute of Health and the American Massage Therapy Association.

Your body releases the neurotransmitter serotonin during a massage. This is essential for the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle.

In our salon we often find that customers fall asleep during a massage. We see it as a compliment. Helping you to relax and sleep well is what we do.

Why Good Sleep Is Important.

A good night’s sleep is just as important as eating healthily and exercising. Lack of sleep more than just being tired and grumpy. But we are now sleeping less than we did in the past, and the quality of the sleep we do get has diminished.

So why do we need good quality sleep?

Poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain and is one of the strongest risk factors for obesity. You are 55% more likely to be obese if you don’t sleep well. Good sleep helps us regulate the hormones that increase appetite and suppress those that stimulate it.

Good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory. You will have experienced the inability to concentrate and focus after even one night of poor sleep.

If you are an athlete, good sleep is part of your training programme. It has been shown to significantly improve speed, accuracy, reaction times and mental wellbeing. It’s not just about the hard miles and healthy eating. You need good sleep to perform at your peak.

The Goldman SE, et al. 2007 study of over 2,800 women found a correlation between poor sleep and slower walking, lower grip strength and greater difficulty performing independent activities.

A good nights sleep is what the doctor orders. The risk of heart diseases and stroke is higher in those who usually get less than 7 hours sleep a night. Your doctor also knows that sleep deprivation can cause prediabetes in healthy adults in as little as six days and there is a strong link between short sleep duration and type 2 diabetes.

A good nights sleep keeps us happier and supports our general well being. Medical estimates suggest 90% of people with depressive illness also experience poor sleep quality.

Want to beat the office bugs? Sleep Improves Your Immune Function. One large two-week study monitored the development of the common cold after giving people nasal drops containing the cold virus.

They found that those who slept less than seven hours were almost three times more likely to develop a cold than those who slept eight hours or more.

When you are tired you just can’t be bothered.

Sleep loss reduces your ability to interact socially. Good sleep keeps you happy, focussed alert and able to recognize people’s emotional expressions.

Power naps are good for us as well. According to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol, naps affect the brain by giving it an opportunity to process information and enhance your problem-solving skills. Sleeping on it isn’t such a bad idea.

But beware, too much sleep is also linked to many of the health problems of poor. That is why you should work to maintain your circadian rhythm throughout the week.

How do you feel if you don’t sleep well?

Even just a couple of days of sleep deprivation can cause any of us to suffer hallucinations and physical symptoms. We have all experienced a reduction in our cognitive ability the day after a restless night. Concentration, response time and memory are noticeably affected. Deprived of a good nights sleep we are more likely to be impulsive and go for the quick fix over logical thought and waiting for a better outcome. We don’t operate anywhere near our peak capabilities. This can be a problem at work, in relationships and with day to day interactions and tasks.

In the short term our physical and mental performance is adversely impaired, in the long term the health consequences of sleep depravation can have a significant impact on our health, wellbeing and lifespan.

How much sleep do you need?

Eight hours of course. This is the figure that most people quote, but sleeping time varies between people and changes as we go through life. In a comprehensive review by 18 experts at the US National Sleep Foundation concluded that the ideal amount of sleep is between seven and nine hours for adults, and eight to 10 hours for teens. Younger children require much more of course and in my experience don’t align with an adult sleep pattern!

The study looked at quantity not quality. It may be that less but good quality sleep is better than more but restless sleep. However below seven hours they found compelling evidence for negative impacts on health. Too much sleep is also bad.

In the UK, at 6.8 hours, the average amount of sleep is below the lower threshold for a good night.

In a report released in January 2016, 46% of British women and 36% of men said they have trouble sleeping.

We lead fast-paced, 24/7, technology driven lives and this doesn’t help when it comes to switching off. Late-night work emails, social media chat, TV box box sets, disruptive blue-screen light, all conspire to make us feel wired not tired.

What should we do to help us sleep more?

Good sleep is essential if you are going to perform at the top of your game. Getting a relaxing massage is a proven method that helps us nod off and improves sleep quality. It should be part of your plan to get a good nights sleep. You need to do other things as well. research by Bird et al, Bonnar et al and the Centre for Sleep and Human Performance identified what else will help you improve your sleep.

• Healthy adults should aim for 7-9 hours sleep per night. Athletes may need 9 to 10 hours.
• Day time napping is good. 20 to 30 minutes should be sufficient.
• As your training load increases Train more=Sleep more
• Adjust your training to extend your sleep time. Change the time for late night or early morning sessions
• Have a regular sleep routine. Limit sleeping in to within 1 hour of your normal waking time.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in the hours before sleep. We didn’t really need to tell you that did we?
• Wind down before bed. Dim the lights and limit screen time
• Use relaxation techniques to stop your mind racing.

Good night.

Massage: A road to a good nights sleep

Massage helps us sleep

Massage therapy can reduce fatigue, improve sleep and is especially helpful for people with insomnia says the National Institute of Health and the American Massage Therapy Association.

Your body releases the neurotransmitter serotonin during a massage. This is essential for the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle.

In our salon we often find that customers fall asleep during a massage. We see it as a compliment. Helping you to relax and sleep well is what we do.

Why Good Sleep Is Important.

A good night’s sleep is just as important as eating healthily and exercising. Lack of sleep more than just being tired and grumpy. But we are now sleeping less than we did in the past, and the quality of the sleep we do get has diminished.

So why do we need good quality sleep?

Poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain and is one of the strongest risk factors for obesity. You are 55% more likely to be obese if you don’t sleep well. Good sleep helps us regulate the hormones that increase appetite and suppress those that stimulate it.

Good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory. You will have experienced the inability to concentrate and focus after even one night of poor sleep.

If you are an athlete, good sleep is part of your training programme. It has been shown to significantly improve speed, accuracy, reaction times and mental wellbeing. It’s not just about the hard miles and healthy eating. You need good sleep to perform at your peak.

The Goldman SE, et al. 2007 study of over 2,800 women found a correlation between poor sleep and slower walking, lower grip strength and greater difficulty performing independent activities.

A good nights sleep is what the doctor orders. The risk of heart diseases and stroke is higher in those who usually get less than 7 hours sleep a night. Your doctor also knows that sleep deprivation can cause prediabetes in healthy adults in as little as six days and there is a strong link between short sleep duration and type 2 diabetes.

A good nights sleep keeps us happier and supports our general well being. Medical estimates suggest 90% of people with depressive illness also experience poor sleep quality.

Want to beat the office bugs? Sleep Improves Your Immune Function. One large two-week study monitored the development of the common cold after giving people nasal drops containing the cold virus.

They found that those who slept less than seven hours were almost three times more likely to develop a cold than those who slept eight hours or more.

When you are tired you just can’t be bothered.

Sleep loss reduces your ability to interact socially. Good sleep keeps you happy, focussed alert and able to recognize people’s emotional expressions.

Power naps are good for us as well. According to a study by researchers at the University of Bristol, naps affect the brain by giving it an opportunity to process information and enhance your problem-solving skills. Sleeping on it isn’t such a bad idea.

But beware, too much sleep is also linked to many of the health problems of poor. That is why you should work to maintain your circadian rhythm throughout the week.

How do you feel if you don’t sleep well?

Even just a couple of days of sleep deprivation can cause any of us to suffer hallucinations and physical symptoms. We have all experienced a reduction in our cognitive ability the day after a restless night. Concentration, response time and memory are noticeably affected. Deprived of a good nights sleep we are more likely to be impulsive and go for the quick fix over logical thought and waiting for a better outcome. We don’t operate anywhere near our peak capabilities. This can be a problem at work, in relationships and with day to day interactions and tasks.

In the short term our physical and mental performance is adversely impaired, in the long term the health consequences of sleep depravation can have a significant impact on our health, wellbeing and lifespan.

How much sleep do you need?

Eight hours of course. This is the figure that most people quote, but sleeping time varies between people and changes as we go through life. In a comprehensive review by 18 experts at the US National Sleep Foundation concluded that the ideal amount of sleep is between seven and nine hours for adults, and eight to 10 hours for teens. Younger children require much more of course and in my experience don’t align with an adult sleep pattern!

The study looked at quantity not quality. It may be that less but good quality sleep is better than more but restless sleep. However below seven hours they found compelling evidence for negative impacts on health. Too much sleep is also bad.

In the UK, at 6.8 hours, the average amount of sleep is below the lower threshold for a good night.

In a report released in January 2016, 46% of British women and 36% of men said they have trouble sleeping.

We lead fast-paced, 24/7, technology driven lives and this doesn’t help when it comes to switching off. Late-night work emails, social media chat, TV box box sets, disruptive blue-screen light, all conspire to make us feel wired not tired.

What should we do to help us sleep more?

Good sleep is essential if you are going to perform at the top of your game. Getting a relaxing massage is a proven method that helps us nod off and improves sleep quality. It should be part of your plan to get a good nights sleep. You need to do other things as well. research by Bird et al, Bonnar et al and the Centre for Sleep and Human Performance identified what else will help you improve your sleep.

• Healthy adults should aim for 7-9 hours sleep per night. Athletes may need 9 to 10 hours.

• Day time napping is good. 20 to 30 minutes should be sufficient.

• As your training load increases Train more=Sleep more

• Adjust your training to extend your sleep time. Change the time for late night or early morning sessions

• Have a regular sleep routine. Limit sleeping in to within 1 hour of your normal waking time.

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in the hours before sleep. We didn’t really need to tell you that did we?

• Wind down before bed. Dim the lights and limit screen time

• Use relaxation techniques to stop your mind racing.

Good night.