As a person who regularly works out and a massage therapist, I understand the importance of regular body work to maintain healthy muscles and help improve performance. "A growing body of evidence shows that massage therapy can be effective for a variety of health conditions and massage is rapidly being recognized as an important part of health and wellness," said Dr. Keri Peterson, board certified internal medicine physician. "Many of my patients come to me with chronic pain including back and knee pain, as well as migraines and injuries after exercise. I am now referring patients to meet with massage therapist as an alternative, before considering surgery or prescribing prescriptions."
Incorporating massage in your conditioning program has many benefits. It helps you get in to good shape faster, and with less stiffness and soreness. It helps you recover from heavy workouts, and relieves conditions which may cause injury. Most people don't know that receiving massage on a regular basis can greatly improve the quality of their life. The common believe is that massage is a luxury, not a necessity, and is too expensive to do as a routine. One thing to consider; how well does one function in daily life when your body is restricted with physical pain, stiffness, and fatigue. The beauty of massage is it tends to work quickly and easily. One session can help elevate the body and mind from stress and back in the feeling of empowerment. My clients have told me time and time again how much clearer their thinking is, how much better their workouts are, and how much better they sleep, after receiving a massage. No need to hit "rock bottom" if it can be prevented. Maintenance is the key. Developing a self-care routine that includes massage can increase personal effectiveness profoundly. One massage a month or every six weeks can make all the difference in your daily life. The cost against one's health and happiness is far greater when we deprive ourselves of this much needed healing time. The benefits of massage are endless and long lasting. Investment in regular body work is an investment in your health!
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Many people are not quite sure what Reflexology is and how beneficial it can be. Reflexology is based on the Chinese concept that certain areas of the sole of your feet or hands - known as reflex zones - containing millions of nerve endings, corresponding to other parts of the body. It is believed that energy runs through the body in channels known as meridians and that massage of the feet stimulate these energy channels, promoting healing and relaxation. Reflexologist believe that illness is caused by blockages in the meridians of these channels. These blockages inhibit the flow of life enhancing energy known as "chi" causing the accumulation of negative energy resulting in pain or disease.
Reflexology is beneficial for restoring balance and harmony in the body and releasing tension. It can help facilitate a deep state of relaxation, calm the emotions, and produce a serene mind. Specific studies have shown that reflexology can reduce pain and anxiety, decrease premenstrual symptoms, and reduce fatigue and insomnia. A study conducted by Brendstrup & Launse in which 78 reflexologists treated 220 patients, the majority of whom had moderate to severe headache symptoms found that after 3 months of completing reflexology sessions, 65% of patients reported that reflexology helped with their symptoms and 19% stopped taking headache medication. Reflexology induces a state of deep relaxation by opening neural pathways. A reflexology session stimulates more than 7,000 nerve endings, encouraging the opening and cleansing of neural pathways. It stimulates the central nervous system and balances the whole system thus revitalizing the body's natural energy flow. Ali Headeach, reflexologist from United Kingdom states, "reflexology is designed to restore the delicate balance between the different body systems and functions, and when this happens harmony is restored." I believe that the power of touch is instinctive in human nature. Massage is a powerful healing tool. The basic goal of therapeutic massage is to help the body heal itself and increase one's health and well being. Maybe you would like to come in for a healing reflexology session to calm your mind, body and soul. You may gain a clearer perspective on things in your life. I know for sure you will leave feeling relaxed and at peace! Massage Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Depression
Massage therapy has been used in China for roughly 3,000 years. Chinese practitioners believe massage can help ease feelings of alienation because touch releases hormones that bind us to another human being. An estimated 18% of adult Americans suffer from some type of anxiety disorder and approximately 10% suffer from some type of depression. Anxiety and depression are often treated successfully with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. However, massage therapy has also been proven to be an additional beneficial holistic approach in treating anxiety and depression. Massage therapy can reduce the cortisol levels (a stress hormone) which helps to decrease the stress symptoms like increased blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of anxiety. Massage therapy treatments can also affect neurotransmitters in the brain, increasing seratonin and dopamine that can help reduce depression. Of course, it is most effective when combined with counseling, diet, exercise, western medical treatment and/or naturopathic care. Although rarely a cure, massage therapy can help manage the physical symptoms associated with a variety of ailments. For those with depression, massage can alleviate sluggishness, back pain, joint pain, and muscle aches. It can also help with fatigue and sleeping problems. Living with anxiety and depression is a painful and distressing experience. Proper treatment is important. Depression and anxiety can be very serious and massage therapy should not be a replacement. However, one of the advantages of utilizing massage therapy as an additional treatment is the ease of access. No prescription is needed and one does not typically need to wait weeks or months for an appointment. Gentle massage should have no detrimental side effects. Mild benefits are often felt immediately and even greater benefit can come from a series of sessions. Humans are biologically wired to respond to touch. Perhaps it is the combined effect of focused, caring attention and tactile stimulation, or perhaps the muscular relaxation signals the brain to shift to a more calm state. As we learn more over time, it may help us understand how to optimize massage therapy's effect and help gain acceptance as an additional treatment for anxiety and depression. It's no secret that we live in a 24/7 society. Indeed how we live is affecting how we sleep. Do you suffer from sleepless nights? Most people do not realize that massage can in fact help improve your sleep. If your child couldn't sleep what would you do? You would probably stroke his or her head or rub their back because massage is a natural and instinctive way to soothe and relax.
There is strong evidence that sleep loss is a serious matter. The Sleep America Polls and several large studies have linked sleep loss with poor work performance, driving accidents, relationship problems, and mood problems like anger and depression. A growing lists of health risks have been documented in recent studies, too. Heart disease, diabetes, and obesity have all been linked with chronic sleep loss. Sleep is just as important for overall health as diet and exercise. Quality sleep is vital to health and wellness. It is estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans experience sleep issues that affect their health. Getting regular massages helps to increase relaxation, which can help to calm anxiety and improve sleep problems. Some studies have shown that the brain boosts the production of endorphins, dulls pain, and reduces panic and anxiety. Massage therapy can also trigger serotonin, a brain chemical that generates calm and serene feelings. It makes sense that when stress is alleviated, peaceful sleep comes. Sleep is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. Although there is no shortcut to good quality sleep, regular massage therapy treatments can be utilized as a natural remedy in achieving a deeper and a much more restful sleep. Well it's been a little over a month since I've been at my new space and I am loving it!!
Lately I have been giving some thought to the "power of touch". Positive touch is a crucial element of care giving and the primary way we show love to our young. As a massage therapist I know that touch remains essential to our health and well being. Clinical research on the efficiency of massage for pain relief:
Without the healing power of touch infants would not thrive as they should even when given adequate food. Elders isolated by loss of partners and friends become depressed not only because of the absence of social interaction, but also because of the simple loss of being touched. Massage is not just an indulgence or a way to work out tight muscles; it's an essential way to contact your entire nervous system. Therapeutic touch provides comfort and healing to the body, mind and spirit. No other form of connection is as powerful and universal as the power of touch. |