The standard massage treatment has flourished recently to include much more specific treatments concentrating on various areas of the body. You may not be aware that there is most probably a massage treatment for your particular ailment.

Swedish massage therapy: This is the most common type to be offered by masseurs because it is very gentle and relaxing. The masseuse will use long strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. The result is a refreshed, calm and renewed feeling for the body.

Aromatherapy: The reason why it is called such is because one or more scented plant oils are used during the session. During the session, you will select the oil you want to use. In fact, the most popular one is lavender as it is well suited for stress related conditions together with an emotional component.

Hot stone massage: Heated smooth stones are placed on certain parts of the body to help loosen those tight muscles and balance energy points in the body. At times, the masseuse may also apply gentle pressure especially for those who have muscle tension.

Deep tissue massage: The massage technique is specifically designed to target the deep layers of body muscle and connective tissue. Here, the masseuse will use slow strokes better known as friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. The distinctive feature of deep tissue massage is that it is used on those that have chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems and recovery from injury. You will often feel sore for the next day or two.

Shiatsu: This massage therapy originated from Japan. Here, the masseuse will use localised finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2 to 8 second designed to improve the flow of energy and help the body regain balance. Those who have tried it say that it is relaxing yet firm. The best part is that there is no soreness afterwards.

Thai: This is similar to Shiatsu because it aligns the energies of the body using gentle pressure on specific points. Part of the session also includes compressions and stretches as you are moved in a variety of postures just like yoga but in this case, you don't do anything except go with the flow.

Pregnancy: For women that are expecting, they can opt for a specialist pregnancy massage. The benefits it was designed for are the relief of aches and pains, reduce swelling, relieve stress and reduce the ailments of anxiety and depression.

Reflexology: The can also be known as foot massage as the procedure involves applying pressure to parts of the foot. It is believed that the foot in fact corresponds to certain body organs and systems so if this is worked on therefore the whole body will benefit.

Sports: This is designed for people involved in sports activities. This type is designed not only for professional athletes but anyone involved in sport since it helps prevent and treat physical injuries.

Back & Neck: Unlike reflexology that focuses on the feet because it represents special points in the body, this one simply relieves tension in the back and neck caused by lifting heavy objects or driving for long periods of time.

By: Michael Tasker
What if you could you could heal, improve, relieve, relax, even arouse just with the power of your hands? The beneficial effects of the various massage therapies available are too often ignored as a natural method of easing common ailments Discover how you can harness the power of your hands and be able to massage with confidence at http://www.massagedvd.info.

When anxiety attacks you unexpectedly you are caught unawares and put in a spot where you really don't know what to do to stop anxiety. As much as it is really handy to call people and rely on support, where possible, it is always handy to be prepared and armed with tips to combat anxiety - it helps you deal with anxiety in a prepared manner.

Here are some tips that you can try straightaway:

1. Stop whatever it is you are doing, become completely present to whatever it is that is happening to you. Find the nearest comfortable spot and sit down. Pretend you are a very limp and lifeless rag and let your arms and legs hang really loose. Slowly, expel the air from the the pit of your stomach.

Slowly, very slowly inhale air through your lungs until it reaches your abdomen. Do this a few times.

Lots of times, lack of oxygen can trigger off anxiety symptoms or a resemblance of anxiety symptoms.

This should help you in relieving anxiety. Plenty of times not breathing in properly, especially in the abdomen area can create similar symptoms of anxiety.

2. If you are at home when you feel an anxiety attack coming on, indulge in a soothing and relaxing bath. This should help in relieving anxiety. Warm water has healing and calming properties and invariably you come out feeling much more relaxed. Include soap bubbles and aromatherapy oils if they are handy. Even a warm shower can help overcome anxiety.

3. Keep a bottle of pure chamomile aromatherapy oil. When you need to control anxiety, just open the bottle and inhale the aroma from the bottle. Chamomile has very calming and soothing properties and should help you to overcome anxiety and earn a good night's sleep.

4. Try basic natural energy healing techniques. One of the simplest and basic things you can do for yourself is lie down comfortably. Rub your energy point in the middle of both your palms with your thumbs, rub the tips of your fingers and visualise a calming light blue healing energy flowing through your palms and finger tips. Rest your palms on your abdomen and visualise that the healing energy is melting away the anxious energy in your abdomen. Visualise yourself having overcome anxiety and feeling very relaxed and calm.

5. Living in the present moment can be the most powerful way of dealing with anxiety. Lots of times, we indulge in the negative past memories or we catastrophise the future or want to get rid of our current feelings of anxiety. None of these help. Think of it this way, this is what we have always done in the past and it has not helped you - if anything, it could possible have led you to the current anxiety situation. However, if you experience the feeling, be with it, and simply observe - it can disappear. Usually, feelings and thoughts are transient and have a short span of life. Sometimes the feeling that is being watched - simply disappears. Before you know it, you would have overcome anxiety.

6. Simple Physical Exercises can help you significantly in relieving anxiety. If committing to fitness regimes in a gym seems formidable, at least make the effort to go out for a walk regularly, even 15 minutes a day can do the trick. Physical activity certainly releases endorphins in the brain that makes you feel calm and uplifted.

7. Draw your anxiety - you certainly do not have to have pretty pictures or a professional artist. Keep a stack of colour pens/pencils/crayons. Express yourself in colours. Your anxiety may look like a grey cloud, or an angry black dog, or a brown rock or just a grey rough ocean. Whatever, it feels like just draw the first picture that appears in your head. The beauty of this is, having completed the drawing of your current state of mind - you can change that state of mind - by simply changing the drawing to something cheery - a sunshine filled flower patch, a simple smiley face, a huge cat chasing the anxiety down the road etc. Drawing actually interrupts your thoughts and can be used as an external tool to direct your thoughts towards sunshine, energy and cheerfulness. Try it for what it is worth!!

However, do not forget to ensure you seek professional help to talk through your problems.

By: Vidhya Raghavan
The author is an experienced trainer/facilitator and coach based in Melbourne and has over 15 years experience in coaching people out of anxiety. She is also an author who has recently published an e-book "How To Overcome Anxiety in 7 Days Or Less". For more information, please visit http://www.howtoovercomeanxiety.com.

Oil aromatherapy is a popular method used by many to reduce stress and scent the interior air of your home with a pleasant flower or herbal fragrance. There are a wide variety of aromatherapy oils available, lending themselves to a plethora of different purposes. You will find aromatherapy essential oils available as or used in essential oil blends, massage oils, hand and body lotions, flower waters, as well as in herbal bags designed for use in your clothes dryer.

Oil blends utilizing aromatherapy oils are readily available for your use in an aromatherapy diffuser and other types of aromatherapy products. The key to getting the most scent out of your oil aromatherapy is to heat the oil, and in order to do that you will want to use some type of aromatherapy diffuser. You can apply heat to your aromatherapy essential oils by using a candle, a light bulb, or an electric heater. A light bulb diffuser is a hollow ring that fits over the top of a light bulb. You put a few drops of oil in the ring, and then turn on the light to begin heating the oil and releasing its pleasant aroma. This option takes up practically no room, yet can effectively scent a room. A candle diffuser places a shallow basin above a tea light. These aromatherapy products are highly decorative and function as both a useful and attractive room accessory.

Other aromatherapy supplies you might want to keep on hand include massage oils. Vegetable oils are combined with aromatherapy essential oils to create an oil perfectly suited for your next massage session, yet can also be added to your bath for a luxuriously scented soak.

Hand and body lotions can also contain fragrant essential oils. These wonderful lotions smooth your skin and moisturize it if it is feeling dry and flaky. At the same time, you will also enjoy the fresh scent of the essential oil, which may help to lift your mood and improve your emotions. Unscented lotions are also available, so that you can add your choice of essential oils and make your own custom fragrance lotion.

If you prefer a lighter fragrance, then you might enjoy flower water. A combination of distilled water and essential oils, it is a subtle way to add fragrance to your body, your bath or any room in your home or office.

Oil aromatherapy, used in conjunction with appropriate aromatherapy supplies such as light bulb or candle diffusers, will make a sensational way to add fragrance to your life.

By: Anne Harvester
Anne Harvester is a homemaker extraordinaire with years of experience in crafts and homemade gifts. She provides tips for home made gifts using aromatherapy oils.

Cortisol is a chemical substance produced by the adrenal glands. When the levels of cortisol in the blood stream become high the HPA axis feedback mechanism turns off the corticotrophin-releasing hormone. This is a signal for the brain and adrenal glands to decrease the production of cortisol. Under continuous periods of stress this feedback system becomes ineffective once it becomes stuck in the fight or flight mode.

Some amount of cortisol in the blood stream is essential for life. It is necessary for normal brain, immune, muscle, blood sugar function, and blood circulation. One initial symptom of adrenal fatigue is high levels of cortisol. If the high levels of stress continue and the adrenal glands are deteriorating, it causes a decline in cortisol production.

Cortisol deficiency can cause Addison's disease, which is a potentially fatal illness. Excessive production of cortisol is equally damaging. The Adrenal Stress Index is a saliva test that can determine if your cortisol levels are too high or too low. Too much cortisol can cause abdominal obesity, high blood sugar,muscle wasting, bone loss, immune shutdown, brain (hippocampus) atrophy, poor wound healing, thin wrinkled skin, fluid retention and hypertension.

High cortisol can cause increased fatigue/decreased energy, irritability, impaired memory, depressed mood, decreased libido, insomnia, anxiety, impaired concentration, crying, restlessness, social withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness.

Chronically high cortisol may also lead to many diseases like cancer, ulcers, heart attacks, diabetes, infections, alcoholism, strokes, skin diseases, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and possibly Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. High Cortisol may contribute to obesity as it causes metabolic disruptions including insulin resistance. It also induces "stress overeating," especially in women.

An Adrenal Stress Index is a simple saliva test with which you can determine if your cortisol levels are too high or too low. For the test you will have to collect saliva samples four times during the day, which determines a diurnal cortisol rhythm. If high cortisol levels or adrenal fatigue is discovered quickly it enhances your chances for recovery from more serious health problems.

Here are a few ways to reduce high cortisol:
1. Use cortisol-reducing supplement
2. Eat at regular intervals throughout the day: Avoid skipping meals, as it will create a cortisol release. 3. Excessive carbohydrate intake creates cortisol release in response to constantly elevated insulin levels. Have complex carbohydrates instead.
4. Utilize stress reduction techniques at peak cortisol times: meditation, self-hypnosis, or simply lying on the floor doing belly breathing for 10-15 minutes can help to reduce stress and thus cortisol levels.
5. Get to bed on time. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
6. Avoid stimulants: Stay away from energy drinks that contain ephedra-like compounds and caffeine. Stimulants shift the body into sympathetic dominance, or the "fight or flight" mode. Stimulants can also disrupt your sleeping patterns.

By: Valerie Balandra
minute workouts are even better. Valerie Balandra NP is the owner of Integrative Psychiatry a holistic mental health practice that offers adrenal stress testing, supplements, and natural treatment for adrenal fatigue, anxiety, panic attacks, and other stress related problems. For more information on adrenal fatigue and high cortisol visit http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/ad ... tigue.html