Massage Envy Spa Membership

As a Massage Envy Spa member, you have full access to both Massage Envy and Massage Envy Spa. This includes customized spa massage therapy and Murad® Healthy Skin facials, which are similar to most day spas but without the steep price. Memberships include a one-hour massage therapy session with a professional massage therapist every month, or for only $10 more a one-hour affordable day spa facial. Members also receive unlimited additional spa massages and facials at the member rate, free upgrades, special splitting and sharing privileges and more. And since your membership is valid nationwide, you can find relief at over 850 Massage Envy and Massage Envy Spa locations…hard to find that at a traditional day spa.

Massage Therapy Relieves Tension Headaches

In the United States alone, more than 60% of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches suffer from migraines. The disorder can be debilitating and typically results from high stress levels and/or lack of sleep. So it’s no wonder why so many people want to know how to relieve tension headaches.
Massage has two roles when it comes to treating migraines and tension related headaches:

In a proactive role, massage treatments are performed on a regular basis to help the body maintain an optimal level of relaxation and stress-relief. This approach reduces the chances of migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points.

In a comfort role, massage is done to ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache. By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraine or tension headaches.

A recent study showed that massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quality during the weeks they received massage, and the three weeks following, than did participants that did not receive massage therapy. Another study found that in adults with migraine headaches, massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

Benefits of Relieving Tension-Related Headaches

Decreases occurrences of tension headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms
Allows one to maintain a level of relaxation and stress-relief, reducing the chances of stress induced migraines
Massage for headaches can also reduce muscle spasms and trigger points

Murad® Healthy Skin facials

Murad® Healthy Skin facials feature groundbreaking Murad skincare products that are specially formulated for Massage Envy Spa facial treatments. All four types of facials offer essentially therapeutic solutions for guests with skin disorders and concerns.

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Massage Envy: Mother’s Day 2013

Cranial Sacral Therapy

Cranial sacral therapy (also known as craniosacral therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum. The goal is to release compression in those areas which alleviates stress and pain.
Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore the natural position of the bones and can decrease stress from chronic injuries as well as provide relief from migraine headaches, neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (the inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) and more.

According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Often, migraines are triggered or exacerbated by stress and poor sleep. In a study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, researchers found that participants who received bodywork like Cranial Sacral Therapy had better quality sleep and fewer migraines than participants who didn’t. Effects even lasted up to three weeks after therapy ended.

Another way to address pain in the head is through scalp massage, which can be extremely relaxing. “Many people don’t realize we have muscles on our scalp,” says Melissa Wheeler, a massage therapist and the teacher training coordinator for the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, California. “Those muscles are responsible for making our facial expressions, and there can be a lot of tension there, especially when staring at a computer all day or when we are under a lot of stress.” Not only that, but the scalp tends to get ignored on a daily basis. “It’s tension we’re not usually aware of,” Wheeler says. “Many people feel that tension melt away when their head is massaged.”
You can add Cranial Sacral Therapy to any massage session by asking your professional massage therapist before your session begins.

Reflexology Massage

Benefits of Reflexology Massage

Foot Reflexology massage can be a deeply relaxing and therapeutic modality for those suffering from plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries or even everyday work and play. At Massage Envy, your massage therapist will apply traditional Swedish and sports massage techniques to the foot, calf and upper leg. This will not only help relieve toe pain, ankle pain, plantar fasciitis and common forms of arthritis, but can also decrease stress and anxiety in the entire body. In addition, a variety of stretches can be beneficial. With pain and sensitivity in the foot, heel and calf areas, be sure to communicate your pain levels with your massage therapist during your treatment. It is also a good idea to rest after receiving the reflexology massage.
If you enjoy the therapeutic benefits of foot Reflexology massage, you should know that the benefits are compounded when utilized as a frequent therapy. The more you go, the healthier you feel. With a Massage Envy membership, you can enjoy these benefits as often as you’d like. Monthly dues include a one-hour massage session and unlimited additional one-hour sessions at the low membership rate­­. To make things even easier, there are hundreds of Massage Envy and Massage Envy Spa locations nationwide. So you can relax, rejuvenate, and continue to grow healthier wherever you go.

Put Your Best Face First!

Have you ever wondered what they key is to achieving fresh, healthy looking skin all year long? A great skincare routine. Whether you have normal/combination skin, oily skin, dry/mature skin or sensitive skin, there are some basic steps you need to follow to keep your face looking its best.

Step 1: Cleanser
First, we all need to use some form of cleanser daily. Face cleansers are formulated for the face and for specific skin types to remove make-up, dead skin cells, dirt and oil without removing moisture or clogging pores.

Step 2: Day Lotion
All skin types need some SPF protection, whether you need extra moisture or not. Find a daily lotion that fits your skins’ hydration requirements, be they oil-free or humectant-rich, and offers a SPF of 15 or higher.

Step 3: Night Treatment
Your nighttime skin treatment is where you should be addressing issues such as wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone and acne. Depending on your skin type, look for ingredients such as retinol or alpha hydroxy acids for skin firming, fine lines and clogged pores; topical retinoids for plumping wrinkles and improving skin tone; or antioxidants, such as green tea, to repair signs of aging and neutralize free radicals.

Step 4: Troubleshooter
Finally, each skin type needs some sort of troubleshooter. Oily skin may need a spot treatment to treat blemishes and absorb excess oil. People with sensitive skin may want to apply an antioxidant underneath their day cream for the anti-aging benefits and extra moisture. Normal/combination skin should apply a mask once or twice a week on the T-zone to absorb oil, while dry/mature skin should consider a weekly hydrating mask.
Whatever your skin care needs, another way to keep your skin healthy is with regular facials. There are many benefits to receiving facials including reducing blemishes and breakouts. Massage Envy’s four facial offerings—Environmental Shield® Vitamin C, Clarifying Enzyme Acne, Anti-Aging and Sensitive Skin—can help.

Health and wellness go beyond stress relief.

Massage Envy memberships double as Massage Envy Spa memberships. That means easy access to massages, spa facials, Murad® products and more at hundreds of locations nationwide. Now you can enjoy less stress, more energy and improved wellness on your schedule. Best of all, the benefits of spa facial treatments and massages are cumulative. So the more you go, the healthier you feel.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful complementary choice for prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling). In addition, massage reduces stress on weight-bearing joints, encourages blood and lymph circulation, helps to relax nervous tension-which aids in better sleep-and can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes.

At Massage Envy, our therapists take extra care to ensure our prenatal clients are comfortable. Sideline positioning with supportive, soft cushions is used which alleviates the extra strain on the lower back and pelvic areas when the pressure of massage techniques are applied. Extra strain in these areas can cause unnecessary back pain and discomfort. Through the second trimester of pregnancy, it is also acceptable for clients to lay on their backs with a small cushioned wedge placed under one hip which provides a slight elevation.. Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, your therapist may utilize such massage techniques as reflexology, Swedish massage or certain techniques that address your specific requests and needs.

Here are benefits of prenatal massage:

• Relieves headaches
• Relaxes muscle tension Reduces fatigue
• Alleviates backaches
• Relieves leg cramps
• Reduces swelling/edema
• Relieves pain
• Enhances sleep

Women with normal, low-risk pregnancies can benefit greatly from the variety of massage techniques offered by a Massage Envy professional massage therapist. However, women in high-risk pregnancies should consult their doctor or midwife before beginning one of our massage therapy programs. If at any time during the prenatal massage you experience discomfort, tell your therapist immediately.