CHARLOTTE – There’s been an uptick in stress related massages. What might you expect from getting a massage that focuses on reducing your stress level?

First, prepare to unwind. Prepare to relax and allow your massage therapist to use the expertise they’ve worked hard to obtain. I’ve seen more people lately with issues of headaches, in addition to a heightened stress load. What is most effective seems to be the manipulation of the occipital nerves located at the base of your skull. These nerves provide the sensations you feel on your scalp and your ears. Very sensitive, and normally people delight in getting their scalp rubbed.

Next we can concentrate around your ears, the ears themselves and the face. Facial massage might consist of the soft, but firm, manipulation of the skin starting at the jawline and progressing up to the sides to the forehead. Cheeks are massaged outward and upward in order to affect the sinus area. This might be a lovely way to relieve pressure and provide stimulation for your lymph.

Finally we can concentrate on the forehead, with sweeping motions from the center to your temples. A lovely way to relax is start at the top of the nose and up between your eyes, then out over the eyebrows to the temples.

Add the neck in to complete and you’ve successfully found a way to relax in a short amount of time. This massage can be scheduled in a 30 minute increment and done with minimal oil or lotion.

-Lisa Lane is the owner and lead massage therapist at Massage Sanctuary in Mint Hill. To book please visit www.ncmassagesanctuary.massagetherapy.com and click book appt.