Summer seems so long ago

Couldn't resist marching down the road with torches, 
but we had no pitchforks!

It has been many months since my last post. I actually started writing this post in mid-July. Much of the summer was spent moving my parents off the farm, and trying to squeeze in the usual summer activities of gardening and camping. We made Indiana Jones style torches (with bison tallow that I rendered), rescued 3 week old kittens (Kibbles & Bits moved to town with Mom & Dad) and picked wild strawberries. 

In August we had a belated high school graduation complete with a parade and fireworks. It doesn't seem possible that we have an adult son now. He's now working at his dream job at the local museum!

Congratulations Donovan!!

Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massages have a long tradition, not only as a massage, but a beauty treatment and family care. Traditionally, women in India would massage all their family members. Oil is applied all through the hair as a cleansing and moisture treatment and left on for a period of time to soak through the hair before washing out. The massage was viewed as a way to keep the skin healthy and supple as well. Mothers would pass their skills on to their daughters who would grow up to massage their own family one day. I love the idea of massage being incorporated into everyday family life. 

Massage Chair

Indian Head Massages in a professional setting are a little different. We use a massage chair instead of a massage table, so the client is in a really relaxed and supported position. It still has a face cradle that holds the neck straight and allows breathing. There is an arm shelf in front to hold forearms and hands. If clients have cold hands or tight arm muscles, I can put a hot pack on the shelf to rest on. Every aspect of the chair is adjustable for height and tilt. 

Ladies are provided with a smock to wear. It's like a large terry towel with velcro to hold it shut, which wraps around the torso, under the arms, just like when you get out of the shower. Usually men just remove their shirt, but a towel covers the vinyl chest cushion for comfort. Pants and socks can stay on. Long hair should be tied up, to keep it off the neck and back.

The massage focuses on the mid-back, shoulders, neck and scalp. It's an excellent treatment for headaches, sinus pain and neck tension. Many elderly clients prefer it, not only because it's less undressing, but the chair is easier to navigate than the massage table. Some pregnant clients or people suffering from vertigo prefer not laying down. Those who suffer from sinus pain or headaches also find the upright position comfortable. 

If the massage focus is relaxation and stress relief, it is often combined with aromatherapy and spends a lot of time on the face and scalp. As a deep tissue treatment, it allows me to really focus on the problem spots that are giving my clients grief. Generally a chair massage lasts from 30-45 minutes. Some people only get chair massages, some switch back and forth between the chair and the table, depending on their current needs or as the mood strikes.