I was recently asked to write a piece about the benefits of bolsters (yup bolsters!). In the spirit of honesty, I have to admit that I wondered quite how much I would be able to come up with. After all, a bolster is a bolster is a bolster. Right? Well, not necessarily. After a bit of outside research and some personal consideration, I’ve developed a newfound respect for our cushy little friends. Here’s the gist of what I learned (much of it rediscovered) in the process:

Bolsters have the ability to dramatically improve the comfort of a massage client. What’s more, bolsters help support practitioners in their goals for a bodywork session. There is more than one right way to use a bolster and bolsters vary in quality and innovation of design. Because clients are unique in their needs, their experiences with bolsters will be unique as well. It’s important to remember that the “norm” may not be ideal for every client. Practice and experimentation (within reason and based on the client’s comfort) are the two things that will – pardon the pun – truly “bolster” your long-term success.

At the end of the day, bolsters are all about comfort. Luckily, the massage therapist’s job is all about comfort, too. That makes the bolster (a seemingly innocuous prop) a crucial tool for the massage therapist. I chalk it up to this: bolsters improve client comfort and the more comfortable your client is, the better his or her massage experience will be. And that, my friends, can only serve to enhance your business. I’m pretty sure we call that a win-win.

In this modern age of computers, gizmos and gadgets your hands get a big workout. Simply keeping up with texts, emails, and anything else that involves electronics is a feat unto itself. As a result of increased hand function due to electronics many individuals have developed something called “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS is a common nerve condition in which one of the wrists main nerves, the Median nerve, becomes pinched or compressed. The result is feelings of acute pain, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling. This condition has become more common in the modern era thanks in large part to modern electronics. While electronics such as computers take blame for CTS the bulk of cases reported are idiopathic, meaning that they have no known cause.

Just about everyone understands the immense benefits offered by massage therapy. Massage can help with just about anything from reduced stress & anxiety to increased self esteem to improved circulation and immune function. But many fail to recognize the breadth of benefits that massage offers. Massage can benefit us physically, mentally and spiritually, which is why it makes sense that massage has been practiced for hundreds perhaps thousands of years.

For a person with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome there are few good options for treatment. Braces, steroid injections and surgery are the most commonly offered treatments for CTS and many do not realize these are not their only options. Using massage equipment is a viable treatment option for individuals with Carpal tunnel. Since massage helps to reduce muscle and nerve tension it can calm the median nerve, and relief some of the tension that is creating the problem. Massage also increases flexibility which reduces the swelling and tension in the muscles and tendons. An experienced massage therapist who has experience with hands and Carpal tunnel syndrome is the best way to cure your ailments.

Ergonomics

While many people cannot identify one source for their Carpal Tunnel problems it is quite clear that any undue stress affects your hands negatively. If you work in a computer related job make sure to take breaks especially when you feel pain or discomfort. Also be sure to mind your posture and the position of your hands. There are special pads that can reduce the stress during the use of mouse and keyboards. These ergonomic gel pads can do wonders for work related CTS sufferers. There are various types of massage equipment and office products that will aide in the relief of CTS, consult your doctor for further options.

Tribal people first started using plants for their benefit probably by accident. Over the years different parts of different plants were found to have various benefits to the human body. Some of the most popular herbal ingredients are well known and often come in teas. Lemon grass, chamomile, lavender, sandalwood and mandarin are all some of the plants most commonly used. Other common ingredients are essential oils like cinnamon, nutmeg, myrrh, cedar wood and cloves. Many of these same extracts were used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm the dead.

Today many methods are used to extract these valuable oils. One of the most popular methods of extracting valuable oils is through the use of alcohol. Distillation and cold expression are other ways to extract oils from plants. Alcohol was likely the preferred method of the ancients because it was readily available and the extraction process is exceedingly simple.

Many therapists use special oils and apply them to the skim, which is best for skin and muscles problems as well as burns. Some people ingest oils which isn’t recommended for every oil, however many do have internal benefits, helping the digestive track and the intestines. The same theory applies to inhalation which is beneficial to those with respiratory problems like infection or colds. For those with asthma aromatherapy is not recommended until you have consulted with a physician. Also be sure if you have allergies you know what ingredients are in the oils you’re using, otherwise this could be quite dangerous.

Massage and aromatherapy have been used for so long not because of falsehoods and superstitions but because they have mental, spiritual and physical benefits. Certain fragrances have the ability to affect the part of the brain that handles emotion, usually calm and relaxation. This is why oils like lavender are so widely used. For many years these techniques also helped humans get in touch with their spiritual side, in eastern cultures oils and fragrances were common. Tibetan monks used many earthly ingredients throughout their practices to increase awareness, relaxation and allow them to get in touch with the spirits. With all the benefits aromatherapy and massage have to offer, one obvious question remains. Why shouldn’t you get an aromatherapy massage?

We sell thousands of massage tables and massage chairs and then an incredible number of massage supplies such as the massage cremes and massage oils. You would think that these crazy guys would have been smart enough to find one of our talented massage therapist clients and solve their problems long before they ended up in a hospital stay and a visit to the local jail.

Come on people. Do yourself a favor and take some time off for yourself. GET A MASSAGE!