To tip or not to tip?

If you get a massage at a spa or hotel, a 15% to 20% tip is standard if you were pleased with the services. If you get a massage from a freelance masseur, a 10% to 15% is normal for good services.

On the other hand, there are no real ground rules or norms when it comes to massage in a medical setting. Some massage therapists and massage associations I asked said tipping isn't appropriate in a medical or clinical setting.

If you're not sure, don't be afraid to ask if tipping is customary. You can call ahead to ask if you don't want to do it face to face.

If tipping isn't the norm, you can always show your appreciation by referring friends, family and co-workers to the massage therapist.

Steam me up, Scotty

First and foremost, saunas and steambaths should be viewed as leisure products. They provide a relaxing and enjoyable environment to help you kick back and unwind. A place to find peace of mind, relaxation and contentment. In other words, away to deal with daily stress with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

Having said that, there are all kinds of established and professed health benefits from saunas and steambaths. We have reviewed the literature and listed some of most significant health advantages:

- During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. The increased cardiac load is the equivalent to a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in skin to expand to accommodate increased blood flow.
- Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities. During a sauna, blood flow to the skin increases to as high as 50-70% of cardiac output (compared to the standard 5-10%). This brings nutrients to subcutaneous and surface tissue resulting in glowing healthy skin.
- Steambaths and saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Skin is the largest organ in the body. 30% of body wastes are passed through the skin. Profuse sweating enhances the detoxifying capacity of the skin by opening pores and flushing impurities from the body.
- When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever is part of the body’s natural healing process. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon (an anti viral protein with cancer fighting capability).
- Spas and other such therapeutic facilities utilize saunas and steambaths in conjunction with massage to loosen fatty tissue and assist in the battle against cellulite.
- Many regular steam and sauna users claim that a “good sweat” at the onset helps relieve and ward off the most severe symptoms of cold or flu.

Some of the other benefits associated with saunas and steambaths include:

- Relief from the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
- Steam is an excellent treatment for respiratory problems, such as; chest congestion, bronchitis, laryngitis and sinusitis.
- Revives tired and strained muscles after physical exertion.
- The cleansing effect of profuse perspiration helps provide healthy skin and a clear complexion.

Thai Massage... The New Swedish?

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage is a type of therapeutic massage and a branch of Thai medicine. It originated in India 2,500 years ago and was then passed to other parts of Asia including Thailand. Thai massage is called "Nuad Boran" in Thailand.

Thai massage was developed by a physician to Buddha named Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha who is regarded as the "Father of medicine". For over centuries, Thai massage was practiced by Buddhist monks in temples as a component of Thai medicine for medical and spiritual healing.

Thai massage is considered to be the most rigorous, relaxing and energizing form of massage. It is based on the theory that our body is governed by life forces, the imbalance of which may lead to many diseases. The basic purpose of Thai massage is to balance these forces, which indirectly helps in healing a person.

How is Thai Massage Performed?

Thai massage is also called as "Thai Yoga Massage" as it moves you to many yoga-like postures. Many people say that having a Thai massage is like doing yoga but without any efforts. This is because you have to do nothing; a massage therapist will push your body at various yoga postures according to his wish.

Thai massage is performed on a padded mat on the floor. You are fully dressed, as it doesn’t require application of oils unlike other massage techniques. You may be asked to wear loose and comfortable clothing.

You are asked to lie down on your back on the padded mat. A massage therapist will apply gentle strokes using his hands, knees, legs, and feet along the energy lines to open up your body. He usually starts off at legs and then moves on to other body parts.

Thai massage session generally lasts for about 1-2 hours and may be carried out on monthly basis. But depending upon the condition of the patient it may also be carried out 2-3 times in a month.

What are the Benefits of Thai Massage?

Thai massage is preferred by most of the people, as it doesn’t require removal of clothes as the other massage techniques do. There are many health benefits associated with Thai massage. Some of them include:

• Improves blood circulation
• Improves mobility and flexibility
• Increases energy levels
• Promotes deep relaxation
• Reduces muscle pains and muscle spasms
• Encourages muscle lengthening
• Reduces stress
• Improves joint movements
• Calms nervous system
• Relieves fatigue
• Clears wastes and toxins and from stressed and tired muscles
• Used in treatment of headaches, migraines, sciatica and menstrual pains

How do you find the right massage therapist?

1. Identify your goals and health status The first thing you should do is set goals for the massage session(s). Are you interested in:

Reducing stress? -Reducing muscle contractions or tightness? -Living without chronic or acute pain? -Improving your work performance? -Enhancing your general health and well-being? -Improving your ability to participate in sports? -Secondly, think about why you want to see a massage therapist:

Did a licensed medical professional such as physical therapist, medical doctor, or chiropractor suggest you try massage? -Are you managing any conditions your doctor is not aware of but hope that massage might alleviate? -Do you know someone who has many of the same aches and pains as you and who has benefited from receiving massage therapy? -Are you looking for a sensual touch by a man? -Your answers to these questions will help you determine what skills you are looking for in a massage therapist. (You may want to look at the explanation of massage styles in our Learn:Styles link above)

2. Get some names Many people are most comfortable getting a personal referral from a friend. Sometimes your friend can answer questions about the massage therapist and explain how they benefited from visiting this therapist.

Another great source for referrals is right here - Gay Massage Now. Our directory of masseurs can help you narrow down your search.

Remember: Most advertising venues do not screen for therapists. It will be up to you to do some homework.

3. Consider your personal preferences You may want to include or eliminate potential therapists or styles based on personal preferences. For example:

Would you be most comfortable with a certified therapist or someone self-taught? Is location important? (If you plan to go once or twice a week, you may want to find a therapist close to work or home.)

4. Make a phone call to find out more about the therapist If you don’t already have this information, call and ask about:

Style or techniques used
-Philosophy of care
-Years in practice
-Specialty areas, experience with particular conditions
-Training, advanced certification
-The type of atmosphere and room decor
-Does he use a massage table?
-If there is any doubt or apprehension on your part, it is always appropriate to clarify the style or techniques that the massage therapist uses.

5. Ask about costs and logistics Ask about the fee. Specifically, ask:

What lengths of sessions are available and what is the fee for each. Typically, therapist will offer you a number of options, generally 30, 45, 60, 75 or 90 minutes. Ask if the rate is for hands-on time or if the intake is included in the time. -Are there different fees for different techniques? -Are there any additional fees? -Do they offer any special or discounted package rates? -Also ask about logistics:

How far in advance do you generally need to make an appointment? -What does the scheduled time mean—when you should arrive or when you should be ready to start the massage? -What is the cancellation policy? -What is the therapist’s draping policy? -Finally, to arrive more relaxed, get clear directions and learn about parking options.

Steam Room Benefits

Relaxation. A steam room helps to help relax tense, stiff muscles. Spending time in a steam room can ease tension headaches and make you feel more loose, relaxed and limber.

Detoxification. A steam room will raise your body temperature and cause you to perspire. An increasein body temperature and perspiration, stimulates your immune system. The increased temperature destroys bacteria and toxins, flushing them out of the body through perspiration.

Respiration. The warm, moist air in a steam room helps clear and sooth your nasal passages, throat, and lungs, making it easier for you to breathe.

Cardio Workout. Being in a steam room puts a mild strain on the cardiovascular system, raising your pulse rate by as much as one third to one half. Your blood pressure does not increase, however, as the heat causes blood vessels to expand to accommodate the increased blood flow. The result is that you get a cardio workout without moving a muscle.

Difference between a sauna and a steam room?

Sauna air is heated by hot, porous rocks that emit a long-lasting heat. Because the humidity in a sauna is low, saunas are usually made of softwoods. In a steam room, the water vapor carries the heat. The wall construction is typically acrylic, tile, marble, or other stone. Steam rooms are much cooler than saunas although they often feel warmer.

Hot Stone Therapy

This is a relaxing technique that is not modern, It origins comes from the Far East almost five thousand years ago and also practiced in the baths of ancient Rome.

A hot stone therapy is different then a more traditional full body massage or a therapeutic massage in that it requires a more gentle touch and in some cases the therapist may not even touch you, other then to position the hot stones.

The wonderful thing about this type of massage is that it doesn't hurt, unlike other forms of massagethat require deep and sometimes painful kneading.

This makes it perfect for those whose pain threshold may not be very high and are not accustomed to hot stone therapy.

The combination of the heat and light massage strokes in hot stone therapy it will help with clearing toxins and unblock the body's natural channel of energy and in turn relieves stress and tension.