Over the last few years, I have been asked where I get some of the things I use in sessions, like my heating pads, the table warmer, and essential oils. I’ve put together a list of items that massage lovers in your house might like to have. Although I include some specific links, in most cases, these items can be found at bookstores, bedding departments or at health food stores.
Heated Mattress Pad
When clients sink between the warm sheets of my table for the first time, they often want to know what I use to warm the table. Although there are professional massage table heaters available, they only come in twin size, and most people have full-size or larger beds. Look for a heated mattress pad like the ones I found at bizrate.com (Search Online for “Heated Mattress Pad” or “Electric Mattress Pad”). This heats the surface of the mattress, and often has coils distributed so that more heat goes to the feet than the head/neck area. Some even come with two controls – one for each side of the bed.
Please follow the directions for use that come with the product. Some people even set a timer that turns the mattress pad on an hour before they get into bed, and then turns back on about an hour before they usually get up. Conventional holistic medicine has negative things to say about sleeping all night on (or under) an electric heater. However, using the mattress pad to warm the bed before you slip between the sheets, or leaving it on for just an hour or two after you go to sleep, is probably OK. Note that people with neuropathy or any problems with limb sensitivities (like diabetics) should probably not use these kinds of appliances, or should check with their doctors before they start.
Microwaveable Heating Pads
Smaller heating pads that heat and treat a portion of the body are also excellent gifts. There are a couple of tips I give to people searching for heating pads:
- Get a heating pad that heats in a microwave rather than one that plugs into an outlet. They are easier to get in to a position on different parts of the body. Microwaveable heating pads also lose their heat slowly, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving them on.
- Purchase a heating pad that has natural fillers in it rather than a gel. The ones I use have rice, flax seed, corn, or other filler materials that are easily microwaved. Gel heating pads don’t seem to last as long, and don’t heat as evenly as one with natural fillers. Also, when they fail, the gel can discolor clothing and ruin sheets when it starts to leak out.
- If you’re buying a large size heating pad – or one that is long – make sure it has sectioned compartments of filler. If all the filler can go through the whole length of the heating pad, inevitably, it all ends up at one end or the other, and can’t be easily distributed so the whole heating pad generates an even amount of heat throughout its length or width.
I use a heating pad on clients about 12-15 times a week (more in the winter). The heating pads I like to use are wide and thick, and retain their heat for a long period of time (30 – 45 minutes or more). I use the Nelly Herbal Heating Pads available at www.massagewarehouse.com. They can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer before use.
- Double Wide Nelly Pack $26.99 (25” x 10”): I use this one the most in my practice. It’s the perfect length to drape across the shoulders or lower back, and it can also be used on the abdomen for cramping. It’s heavy and keeps its heat a long time.
- Nelly Herbal Neck Wrap $15.99: This smaller heating pad is perfect to drape around the neck or a limb. It doesn’t keep its heat quite as long as the double wide, but is much easier to manipulate if you’re trying to heat a small area.
- Nelly Herbal Eye Pack $6.95: These are the eye pillows I use on clients during sessions.
Essential Oils
I primarily use eucalyptus oil on a small tissue underneath the face cradle to keep the sinuses clear while clients are face down on the table. A few drops in a mug of hot water (not to drink, but to create a warm vapor), or a few drops in a bath will help clear congestion. Peppermint essential oil can be used in the same way. If you’re planning on using essential oils frequently, you might look for a diffuser. I purchase my essential oils at Wild Oats or Massagewarehouse.com.
Stretch and Acupressure Books
I use stretch techniques and acupressure in almost every massage. There are two books I use to make photocopies of pages for my clients. I suggest both books to clients interested in learning more about stretching techniques. The first is The Whartons’ Stretch Book. The second book, Active Isolated Stretching: The Mattes Method by Aaron Mattes is the basis for the Wharton book, but has full color pictures of all the stretches, and lists ways to self-stretch and directions for assisted stretching.
The best acupressure book I’ve come across for general use is Acupressure’s Potent Points: A Guide to Self-Care for Common Ailments by Michael Reed Gach . The book is arranged by problems (allergies, depression, anxiety, menopause, etc.) so you don’t need to read the whole book, just the sections which interest you. I use this book all the time to show clients how to perform acupressure on themselves.
Self-Massage Tools
There are a number of self-massage tools available. One of the simplest is putting a tennis ball in a tube sock. Drape the sock across your shoulder and position it between you and a wall. Lean back against the wall, pressing the tennis ball into your back, neck or shoulders and move your body back and forth or up and down to massage yourself. Another idea for the feet is to use golf balls and roll them on the arch and sole of the foot.
The Theracane (www.theracane.com) at $40 looks like a short shepherd’s crook with balls and short handles extending from the shaft. It’s the perfect way to massage your own back and neck. Check out the website to see how is uses leverage from the arms to work the back and neck. A similar tool is available on Amazon.com called the Body Back Buddy.
Paraffin bath
I recommend these to clients who have problems with stiff, sore or achy hands. Early in my practice, I used a paraffin bath to heat my hands in the morning before going to work. Search online for “Paraffin Bath” or go to any department store, bedding store or Target/Wal-Mart. Make sure you read and follow the operating instructions. As with any product that heats the body, do not use a paraffin bath if you have issues with neuropathy or limb sensitivities without consulting your physician first.
Stretch Software
For those of you that missed part one of my December newsletter, there are software downloads available online with tools that tell you when to break and what kinds of stretches to use during your breaks if you use the computer regularly. Go to Massage News Dec '06 Part I for more information.
Enjoy these gift ideas and send the newsletter to those who might still be shopping for you if any of these look appealing to you. Have a wonderful holiday, and enjoy the recipes below if you try them. Happy Shopping!
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