Natural facelift Massage: erase years from your face

by Paola Bassanese

Don’t you wish you had real-life Photoshop airbrush magic wand that can erase signs of ageing? A natural facelift massage is as close as it can get: it can help smooth out fine lines in one clean sweep and give you a healthier glow and flawless complexion.

When needles simply won’t do and a traditional facial can cause redness, blotching and reaction to the products used. A natural facelift massage will be the best non-invasive rejuvenating option you can have in one hour or less. Using simple yet effective massage techniques without the use of any oils or products, the natural facelift stimulates the production of collagen and elastin while gently ironing out fine lines and eliminating puffiness and dark circles.

There are some powerful reflexology points under the eyes which are related to digestion. Puffiness and dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of poor digestion or liver function. Massaging the area surrounding the eyes can have beneficial effects from a cosmetic and a health point of view.

During a facelift massage you can expect to experience deep relaxation and you may fall asleep. The movements are gentle, rhythmic yet powerful and some people reported feeling their muscles becoming tauter and more alive. The massage can help ease the tension in strained muscles especially on the forehead and bring a fresh supply of oxygen to the tissues, making them look healthier and more vibrant.

The natural facelift massage routine includes an opening sequence with some small circles around the main reflexology points in the face to stimulate both blood and lymphatic circulation, followed by some sweeping movements that mimic the “ironing” of wrinkles. The next phase consists of lifting the muscles using the fingertips using a “hook” technique, i.e. slightly twisting then lifting the skin. This is then followed by a stabilising and firming sequence and then a scalp and neck massage.

Looking back at your face in the mirror at the end of the treatment is a bit of a revelation: you rediscover how you are always supposed to look like when you are happy and relaxed. In a way, your true self emerges after the treatment. If Photoshop can make you look younger in pictures, then the natural facelift can help you look younger in the flesh.

Fact:
The face has almost 100 muscles and when we are stressed, tired and lack sleep these muscles can tighten making us frown and therefore we tend to develop wrinkles. Ageing and gravity are also responsible for lack of tone particularly around the jaw and neck areas.

Working on the muscles of the face can be extremely effective when considering that cranial nerves radiate from the brain to the face including eyes, ears and throat but they also affect internal organs and glands. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sleeping patterns tend to improve when gently massaging the muscles in the face as the massage will have a direct effect on the central nervous system. Of all the cranial nerves the most interesting one is the vagus nerve which regulates the autonomous systems in the body (breathing, heartbeat, digestion).

All About Paola Bassanese
Paola Bassanese is an award-winning massage therapist and healthy eating advisor based at The Hale Clinic and was voted Best Practitioner of Complementary and Natural Medicine in London.

An ITEC qualified massage therapist and member of the British Register of Complementary Practitioners, Paola specialises in deep tissue/holistic massage, Natural Face Lift Massage, manual lymphatic drainage, healthy eating advice, massage in pregnancy, abdominal massage and slimming massage. Paola worked in Harley Street as part of an integrated team of specialists including physiotherapists, osteopaths and psychotherapists to support clients in their own path towards better health through a holistic approach.

A confident speaker and presenter, Paola has appeared on Sky Tv’s The Active Channel and has lectured at the London College of Beauty Therapy. Paola has written articles on wellbeing that appeared on Holistic World, Spirit And Destiny, Mayfair Times, EZine Articles, Wahanda, Spa and Pampering.

Paola uses various massage techniques to offer completely unique and tailored massage sessions to each client. She has regularly massaged runners at the Flora London Marathon over the years.

To book an appointment with Paola call The Hale Clinic on 020 7631 0156 or email bookings@haleclinic.com

Thought for the Day

We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.
- Martin Luther King

Constipation: Food for Thought Pt 2

Foods that Help ease Constipation

Eat this. No don’t eat that. Don’t even touch that! It’s the kind of advice we keep getting daily. “If you eat excess fatty substances, you sure wont be able to poop”. From the media to even our friends and loved ones, all we get is advice on what to eat or what not to. How do you decide what is good for you? How do you know what food for constipation is best? Given the fact that there seems to be so many “proven experts” in the market telling us what to eat and what not to. Who cares anyways! What if you could eat anything you literally want to eat and be sure that if there is any form of constipation, you’ll eliminate it by nightfall. Would that be nice?

Well, there are quite a few people out there who can boast of providing a quick fix like that. However, if you’ve got constipation, you can help eliminate constipation by eating certain foods, however in some chronic cases Colonic Hydrotherapy may be the answer..

1. Figs and Dates.

These are fruits high in fiber content. They take about twenty-four hours before results can be seen. Because of its nature, figs enhance the process of digestion and are a rich source of fiber and minerals. This is not to mention the fact that figs and dates produce serotonin.

2. Using Grapes

Eating one or two pounds of grapes in a day will greatly reduce the incidence of constipation. Grapes contain a high quantity of minerals and vitamins, high fiber content, and manganese. They are a great laxative and bring instant relief to the stomach.

3. Pawpaw

Pawpaw also known as Carica papaya is a well-known fruit containing the enzyme papain. But not many know it for its qualities as food for constipation. The high mineral content of the pawpaw reduces cell waste, gets rid of stomach mucus and colon mucus. To use them effectively, you can eat in between meals or add to smoothies.

4. Persimmon

Another important food for constipation, Persimmons have been reputed to be as highly nutritious as an apple and some claim it may yield better results for the heart. This is because of the high content of fiber and minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, sodium, iron et.c These minerals including phenolic compounds are anti-oxidants and as a result, colon cleaners. For quick results, eat two to three of it daily.

5. Plums

These are fruits with high mineral content in addition to having a gentle laxative property. They are very effective in clearing gas from the bowels.6. Prunes

These are plums that are dried. So the both of them can be used interchangeably. But prunes are generally more effective food for constipation than plums are. Because of the high iron content prunes are generally considered one of the best ways to relieve constipation.

7. Raspberry

The raspberry is a fruit rich in Vitamin A and C. It is also rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. Eating them during the day in copious quantities will relieve your constipation fast.

If you have tried this with no success, then seek support from a Colonic Hydrotherapist, who can help to kick-start the digestive system and get the colon working effectively in order to ensure regular bowel movements.

Thought for the Day

Be not afraid
of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
Chinese
Proverb

Thought for the Day

As human beings we all want  to be happy and free from misery.
 We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace.
  The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as
   anger and attachment, fear and suspicion,
   while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility
    are the sources of peace and happiness.

Dalai Lama

Probiotics: Good or Bad?

Bowel Control Probiotics

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially
beneficial bacteria or yeast. According to the currently adopted definition by
FAO/WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in
adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’. Lactic acid bacteria
(LAB) are the most common type of microbes used. LAB have been used in the food
industry for many years, because they are able to convert sugars (including
lactose) and other carbohydrates into lactic acid. This not only provides the
characteristic sour taste of fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, but acts as
a preservative, by lowering the pH and creating fewer opportunities for
spoilage organisms to grow.

Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the
body’s naturally occurring gut flora to re-establish themselves. They are
sometimes recommended by doctors and, more frequently, by nutritionists, after
a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for gut related
candidiasis. Claims are made that probiotics strengthen the immune system.

The rationale for probiotics is that the body contains miniature
ecology of microbes, collectively known as the gut flora. A number of bacterial
types are thought to be thrown out of balance by a wide range of circumstances
including the use of antibiotics or other drugs, excess alcohol, stress,
disease, or exposure to toxic substances. In cases like these, the bacteria
that work well with our bodies (see symbiosis) may decrease in number, an event
which allows harmful competitors to thrive, to the detriment of our health.

Maintenance of a healthy gut flora is, however, dependent on
many factors, especially the quality of food intake. Including a significant
proportion of prebiotic foods in the diet has been demonstrated to support a
healthy gut flora and may be another means of achieving the desirable health
benefits promised by probiotics.

Experiments into the benefits of probiotic therapies suggest
a range of potentially beneficial medicinal uses for probiotics. For many of
the potential benefits, research is limited and only preliminary results are
available. It should be noted that the effects described are not general
effects of probiotics. All effects can only be attributed to the strain(s)
tested, not to the species, nor to the whole group of LAB (or other
probiotics).

For more information visit one of our resident London Colonic Hydrotherapists at The Hale Clinic

Thought for the Day

To be at peace in any endeavour,
we must release our need
to control the outcome.

 Diane Dreher (from ‘The Tao of Inner Peace’)

Thought for the Day

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life we have waiting for us

 

Joseph Campbell 

Thought for the Day

To the weak, difficulty is a closed door. To the strong however, it is a door waiting to be opened. Difficulties impede the progress of those who are weak. For the strong however, they are opportunities to open wide the doors to a bright future. Everything is determined by our attitude, by our resolve. Our heart is what matters most.

D.Jkeda

Thought for the Day

The greatest mistake you can make in this life

is to be continually fearing you will make
one.
Keep trying.