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Ugly lumps and bulges on the hips, thighs and buttocks afflict millions of women. If you squeeze an area on your hips, thighs or buttocks and notice a quilted appearance, much like an orange peel or cottage cheese effect, you could have a problem known as cellulite.

There has been some debate as to whether this should be called cellulite or just plain fat. Many American doctors believe that cellulite cannot be distinguished from fat, but for years the French have been successfully treating cellulite as a different and specific problem unto itself. Since from its external appearance, cellulite doesn't look like ordinary fat, the French seem to feel they're on the right track.

Four of the body systems that contribute to the formation of cellulite are the blood supply; the adipose tissue, which is made up of fat and other cells; interstitial fluid, which is the medium surrounding the adipose tissue; and the lymphatic system.

Cellulite begins to develop if an imbalance occurs in the normal function of these four systems. When a change in the rhythm of blood circulation occurs with an increase in the volume of the adipose tissue, a monthly occurrence in menstruating females, there is a decrease in the movement of the lymph and in the clearance of the interstitial fluid. As this process continues, the interstitial fluid stagnates, begins to harden and traps toxins causing the dimpled, orange peel-like appearance often associated with cellulite.

Other contributors to cellulite include anything which affects the hormonal fluctuations, such as stress, anxiety, drugs, and insomnia.

What Is Cellulite?

Put simply, cellulite may be just a collection of waste materials and excess fluids that have become imprisoned in the interstitial tissues. Theoretically, waste materials collect in the fibrous tissue of the hips, thighs, stomach, arms and buttocks, and cannot be easily carried away by the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. This may be because these small pockets become increasingly difficult for the body's circulatory flow to reach. The pockets or pouches continue to harden and grow, getting more difficult to reduce as the problem progresses. They also tend to become increasingly obvious, often appearing as unsightly lumps, bumps, bulges and dimples.

Why Is Cellulite Mostly A Women's Problem?

There are many reasons why this problem afflicts women more often than men. First, women have thinner skin and a thicker layer of subcutaneous (beneath the skin) fat. So, by having more fat cells which are closer to the skin, women naturally have more places where these fluids can collect and less to cover them with. Second, hormones appear to play a role in the buildup of water in and around fatty tissue. The female hormones, progesterone in particular, tend to encourage water retention. For instance, that "pre-menstrual bloat" experienced by many women is usually attributed to the high estrogen levels present during this particular time of the month. Another example of this is the water retention frequently experienced with the use of birth control pills. This too is usually caused by an increase in the body's estrogen levels. Estrogen, by causing water retention throughout the body, encourages the "filling-up" of those cellulite-prone tissues with even more water. Though little can or should be done to change a woman's fat-to-skin ratio or hormonal makeup, these do not appear to be the primary culprits when it comes to cellulite. Rather, poor circulation to certain areas of the body may be the major problem when it comes to those ugly bumps and ripples. Moreover, you can do something to improve circulation to those trouble areas.

You Cause Cellulite!

If poor circulation is the major problem, you might wonder why cellulite tends to appear only on certain areas of the body. Well, the answer to this question has much to do with certain elements of your lifestyle. Sitting in one position for long periods of time; crossing your leg over your thigh; lack of exercise; tight, constricting clothes (especially girdles); constipation; and pregnancy can contribute to poor circulation in the areas of the hips, thighs and buttocks. In addition, greasy and refined foods tend to raise the body's fat level. Being overweight can significantly contribute to your cellulite problem. The more fat tissue there is within the body, the more places there are for water and waste products to collect. Stress, poor eating habits, poor breathing and cigarette smoking are also culprits when it comes to cellulite. All have some negative effect on the removal of waste from the body. Therefore, the first step in any cellulite control program should be an all-out effort to improve your overall good health.

Integral components of an effective cellulite treatment should include detoxification, stimulation of blood circulation, increase in lymphatic system movement, focus on nutrition, physical activity and reduction of stress.

During the treatment series, clients are asked to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day to flush the liberated toxins from the system. Therefore, any client with a restricted fluid intake should not receive this treatment. Additionally, this treatment cannot be performed during pregnancy or when a client is nursing. Anyone with a history of medical problems should obtain a physician’s approval before beginning this or any treatment series.

The Aromatherapy Cellulite Reduction Therapy Program has as its central method a pleasant treatment that uses essential oils targeting cellulite. It has both physiological and psychological benefits. The basic treatment takes a little more than an hour and may be followed by a quick full body massage. This would add about an additional ½ hour to the treatment. Your comfort and modesty is always foremost in importance. The nature of this treatment however, requires more body exposure than is usual in massage. Any potential discomfort due to the need to access those parts of the body where cellulite resides will be handled in a professional and discreet manner. Be sure to have all your modesty concerns addressed before the treatment begins!

In the course of the treatment you will be dry skin brushed along the general paths of lymphatic drainage. This also stimulates blood circulation and helps remove dead cells. Dry skin brushing is followed by the application of an essential oil blend designed to specifically provide slimming/detoxification to the surface of the body. (Be sure to let your therapist know whether or not you wish your breasts included in the cellulite reduction treatment.) You will then be wrapped or cocooned (with an electric blanket as a heat source.) During this phase the essential oils work to break up the trapped toxins and regulate the fluid balance. The heat serves to stimulate blood circulation and improve lymph movement that clears the liberated toxins from the tissue. The kidneys and the bowel will later eliminate these liberated toxins. After about 45 minutes of wrap you will be unwrapped and your skin will be manually cleansed with an essential oil cleansing blend and dried. A light layer of detoxifying essential oil blend will then be applied to the back, arms, buttocks and legs and torso. This will nourish the skin and continue the cellulite reduction process.

To maximize effectiveness, this treatment should be given in a series of ten treatments; two treatments per week for five weeks. The cost for a package of 10 treatments (paid in advance) is $765.00. Purchased singly a treatment is $90.00. The addition of a 30-minute full body massage would add $50.00 to a session charge.

Send mail to Cliff@WindhamHealthCenter.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 11/23/2008