It is heartwarming to see the many people that have already donated to the cause. In case you would like to donate and are wondering how to go about it, here is an easy way to donate. Just dial 90999 on your cell phone and you will be donating $10 to the American Red Cross and the money will go to Haiti. The charge will show up on your cell phone bill and you can do this multiple times if you choose to donate more than $10.

You can also send donations directly to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington DC or online at www.redcross.org. If you would like to donate specifically to the Haiti relief effort just indicate so on your check.

Donate online at www.clintonfoundation.org/haitirelief to help provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. Text “HAITI” to 20222 and $10 will be donated to relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.

This is a time for the world to come together and help a country in need. At Kinkz we have taken the steps to donate to Haiti and hope that you will too.

1. It is easier for the client to get on and off the massage table. Personally I have always found it awkward to get in and out of a massage chair. For those that have long legs, are pregnant or have a larger body build, it can be very awkward if not impossible to sit in a massage chair.

2. It is generally more comfortable. Who would not want to lay down for even 15 minutes at work with the boss’s permission! When you sit at a desk all day and you go to get your 15 minute chair massage, you have only moved a few inches from the position you have been in all day. The table allows you to get off your feet and feel rejuvenated.

3. It is easier on the massage therapist’s body. If the therapist is tense it will come through in your massage. If your therapist is comfortable and using good body mechanics you will ultimately have a better massage. The body mechanics that are utilized with a massage table are much easier on the therapist body.

4. We can do a full body massage even in 15 minutes. Check out the article titled How Effective is a 15 Minute Massage. It really is amazing how much we can get done in that short time, improving morale and the overall health of employees.

At Kinkz we are dedicated to making corporate massage a great experience for both the business and the massage therapist. We strongly believe that table massage is the way to go.

Here are 10 easy stretches that you can do at your desk:

1. Separate and straighten your fingers until tension of a stretch is felt. Hold for 10 seconds. Relax, then bend your fingers at the knuckles and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat stretch once more
2. Shoulder shrug: Raise the top of your shoulders toward your ears until you feel slight tension in your neck and shoulders. Hold for 3-5 seconds then relax your shoulders into their normal position. Do this 2-3 times.
3. With fingers interlaced behind head, keep elbows straight out to side with upper body in aligned position. Pull shoulder blades toward each other to create a feeling of tension in upper back and shoulder blades. Hold 8-10 seconds, then relax. Repeat several times.
4. Start with head in a comfortable aligned position then slowly tilt head to left side of neck. Hold stretch for 10-20 seconds. Do not overstretch. Then tilt head to right side and stretch. Repeat 2-3 times on each side.
5. From a stable, aligned position turn chin toward your left shoulder to create a stretch on the right side of neck. Hold 10-20 seconds. Do each side twice.
6. Gently tilt your head forward to stretch the back of the neck. Hold for -10 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
7. Interlace fingers, then straighten arms out in front of you. Palms should be facing away from you as you stretch. Feel stretch in arms and upper part of back. Hold 20-30 seconds. Do at least 2 times.
8. Interlace fingers then turn palms upwards above your head as you straighten and elongate your arms. Feel the stretch in arms and upper sides of rib cage. Hold 20-30 seconds. Do three times.
9. Hold left elbow with right hand, then gently pull elbow behind head until an easy tension is felt in shoulder and back of upper arm. Hold for 30 seconds. Do both sides.
10. Interlace fingers behind your back and slowly turn your elbows inward while straightening your arms.  This is good to do when you find yourself slumping forward from your shoulders. Hold 5-15 seconds. Do twice.

]]> http://www.kinkzmassage.com/ten-stretches-to-do-at-your-desk.htm/feed 0 http://www.kinkzmassage.com/stress-relief-through-massage-in-the-workplace.htm http://www.kinkzmassage.com/stress-relief-through-massage-in-the-workplace.htm#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:11:13 +0000 nina http://www.kinkzmassage.com/?p=109 “Stress in the workplace has been labeled the number one health problem in the United States, with costs to American industry estimated at billions of dollars”, said Paul Rosch, clinical professor of medicine and psychiatry at New York Medical College and President of the American Institute of Stress in Yonkers, NY.

What exactly is stress? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force, strain”. In today’s world we refer to stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life. The environments ability to affect any individual stressfully is more often than not determined by the individuals attitude of mind.

Of all the modern day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. It seems that everywhere we turn there are many factors that redirect us from a state of happiness to the feelings of stress. Today with pending layoffs and little to no pay raises, the work place is a major  factor in adding to our everyday stress.

Stress can manifest itself in our bodies in many ways, such as tight neck and shoulders, headaches, and nervous stomach. Too much stress in our lives causes constant muscular tension. This tension or tightness reduces the flow of blood and oxygen, nerve and lymph supply, or the more subtle energy, life force or chi. Reducing this flow leads to feelings of fatigue, and reduces flexibility and range of motion increasing the likelihood of injury and build up of toxins in the body. Generally blocked energy is felt as aches and pains but can eventually lead to a wide range of more serious problems. When we get stressed our immune systems begin to break down and become weakened making us more susceptible to illness.

What can Corporate America do to combat this problem? Regular massage is the ideal remedy to help relieve the stress of our everyday lives. More and more companies are offering massage to their employees right at the workplace. These companies report seeing great results such as reduced absenteeism. decreased health care costs, increased morale and reductions in repetitive injuries to name just a few. Improved health benefits both the employer and the employee making on-site massage a win win situation.

Massage can help the mind and body to deal with stress on a day to day basis and promote a feeling of well-being. When we hurt ourselves it is instinctive to rub ourselves where we are hurt. We have always used touch to reassure and calm ourselves and others. Massage makes us aware of how and where stress manifests itself in the form of tension in our bodies. First you might experience relief from massage by loosening tense muscle, but there are so many more benefits.

Massage will increase blood and lymph circulation, which helps your body to receive essential nutrients, dispose of waste products, and defend against disease by improving the immune system. Massage can restore suppleness and strength to your muscles improving flexibility and range of motion. It helps to release toxins, such as lactic acid, as well as relieving tight or sore muscles. Massage also improves sleep allowing your body that important time it needs to heal.

As you can see, massage offers more benefits than you may have imagined. Companies that utilize on-site massage therapy see amazing results in the overall health of their employees. It is good to know that something that feels so great can contribute to your long-term health as well.