Massage newbie? Here are 5 steps to help you become more comfortable with full body massage.

Over the past year I have been keeping an informal survey of which body parts have troubled clients the most. I wondered if there were differences between males and females.

Sorry baby boomers, I am not talking about Mrs. Calabash. I know you remember the secret signoff - "Good night, Mrs. Calabash -- wherever you are!

That is one of the names the jade stone is known by - another name is the stone of Heaven.

Try Lomi Lomi - a Hawaiian massage modality that addresses energy blockages.

The best cup of coffee I ever had was made by a Baltimore sailor. He used a dented pot, some egg shells, and God knows what else. It smelled heavenly and tasted divine. I have not had coffee like that since then.

Do you like unusual massage techniques? I certainly do. Here is one I would like to try.

Moms-to-be and new moms, are you having any of these symptoms?

For those who celebrate this holiday, it will be here before you know it. Since Valentine's Day is on a Monday this year, it might be best if you are prepared ahead of time.

Last month I had my first Korean foot massage, and I want to report that it was simply awesome!

I had a dream where Don Draper (Mad Men) came to see me for a massage. He made a joke about his name and draping. That man has such a way with words.

After a long hard week, does massage in the privacy of your own home appeal to you?

Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river. Who can forget Tina Turner singing Proud Mary?

What the heck was that? Several clients have asked me about it at the end of their sessions, but I find more are asking about it during the massage. Sometimes they are not sure if they are feeling my finger, knuckle, elbow or ...?

About a month ago I had a client who cried during and after massage. I immediately stopped what I was doing to see if the client was in physical distress and to ask if I needed to stop the session. My client asked for a tissue, said there was no pain, and wanted the massage to continue, saying she felt much better. Once the session was over, the client teared up again. She stated she was very surprised by the onset of tears.

A client asked me that while filling out the medication section of the intake form. My answer was this information would be helpful in determining if I needed to make any adjustments in the massage session. When I reviewed the form, I noticed that the client had left that section blank. However, under the conditions section, anxiety was checked and the client had placed a little star beside it.

Recently I had an opportunity to practice Thai massage on a client who was eager to try this modality. She was in the midst of a detox regimen and had also started a new exercise program and was experiencing some discomfort. I suggested a session because Thai massage can help detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system by encouraging lymphatic function and blood circulation. Thai massage would also be helpful in alleviating her muscle soreness.

After you fill out your new client form, at some point I will ask you whether you would like to have stomach massage. I find that most clients say they have never had it before, and the majority of them decline.

Last week I was working some trigger points on a client's neck when she asked me what that stringy stuff she felt was. I was in the space between her collarbone, the trapezius muscle on the top of her shoulder, and the V-shaped muscles (sternocleidomastoid) in her throat. What she felt was the stringiness or ropiness of the scalene muscles.

The world's population is approximately 308.6 million. Did you know that 4% to 7% of the world's population is over the age of 65? Our elderly population struggles with complex medical, emotional and financial problems on a daily basis.

Remember that photo of Gwyneth Paltrow with her having circles on her back?  Well, that was the result of cupping.

When I get a new client who requests deep pressure or the person who is gifting the massage has designated that deep pressure is needed, that presents a learning opportunity. During the intake process, I find out the when and where of their last massage if that applies. I always inquire about what issues the client is currently having and what their expectations are for the massage session.

Look closely... that does not say "tuna". Tuina (tui na) is a Chinese term that roughly translates to push-pull.

In honor of Rio de Janeiro being chosen for the site for 2016 Olympics, let's talk about Brazilian toe massage. Sounds relaxing and exciting at the same time, doesn't it?

You were enjoying your massage until "that spot" was touched. Remember last week you exercised and it hurt in that area afterwards? It also felt a little swollen, but that may have been because you kept poking it when describing it to people. A little ice and an analgesic seemed to do the trick.

Guest Blogger: Carol Rahaba Mathebula

by Jack Bleeker, Guest Author

In recent years the role of alternative therapies in cancer care has transformed the way many patients cope with illness and related side of effects. An older paradigm suggested that cancer could only be effectively treated with traditional treatments like surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Many patients refused this notion and sought alternative therapies outside of their treatment regimen not were not only relaxing but eased side-effects associated with traditional treatment regimens, including those caused by chemotherapy drugs.

We've come a long way in applying materials to the skin while doing massage therapy.  Hog's lard, powder, olive oil, and liniment are just a few of the materials that have been used in massage. Olive oil was believed to ease pain. Liniment was used to increase circulation. I'm not certain what the lard did other than being used to oil the skin. Some of these, such as powder, are still being used today.

Many people suffer from neck, arm, shoulder, and back problems that come from doing computer work...and sometimes having computer fun.

What feels good, releases stress, and can be done in as little as 3 minutes?

Seven Tips for Enjoying Your Massage.

Today's recession has many people evaluating their priorities in terms of trying to decide the best way to spend their money.  Obviously, some things, such as food and shelter, must be taken care of in order to survive.  However, everyone,  including those who have never had massage before and those who receive regular massage, who wants a massage in this economy has options.  There are ways to work around recent economic upheavals to allow the inclusion of therapeutic massage therapy in your lifestyle.

Here are 3 top ways to get a massage in a recession: