Massage

Massage Benefits The Elderly Too

elderlyOne group that is seeing an increase in the use of alternative therapy such as massage is the elderly. In fact, many massage therapists receive specialized training to work with them. As the “baby boomers” get older and this population group grows, it’s good to know just how they can benefit from massage.

Geriatric massage is geared towards the specific physical and psychological aspects of aging.

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Why Choosing Massage Will Be the Best Decision You Could Make

As we all know, life can get chaotic at times. Everyone has some sort of stress that is putting an invisible weight on their shoulders, and no matter what they do, they can’t shake it for long. However, there is a solution! Getting a massage, even if you do it just once a month, can have  incredible benefits that will help you navigate your day-to-day hurdles successfully.  continue reading »

Six Things To Know About Massage Therapy

There’s no denying the healing power of massage. The health benefits of massage therapy extend well beyond simply soothing aches and pains. Research has proven that massages can be a powerful collaborator in your healthcare regimen.

Whether it’s for pampering as a luxurious treat or rejuvenating for stress relief or therapeutic to manage chronic pain, everyone can benefit from massage therapy. continue reading »

The Most Popular Types of Massage to Get You Started

massageDeriving from the French word, meaning the “friction of kneading,” massage is a wonderful form of working or acting on the body with pressure using various techniques to obtain different benefits for the body and mind. During your post-holiday stress release, it can be a great way to sort of take a step back and relax. The following are the five most popular types of massage that can assist you with your post-holiday calm down routine.

  1. Swedish – This is the single most common form of the art in the United States, and is also what most people are referring to when they mention, “massage therapy” as a generalized term. It is very gentle and relaxing, while being a good choice for a first-timer to get acclimated to a new routine of relaxation.
  2. Aromatherapy – Think of this option as a way of customizing a Swedish massage with the addition of a selected scent to accompany the therapy. Often times the scent is selected based on what the massage recipient is hoping to accomplish with the therapy, whether it is to release stress or for other conditions that have an emotional attachment.
  3. Deep Tissue – Massage therapy that has a more physically therapeutic effect perhaps than any. The massage therapist will usually apply slower stroke techniques across the grain of the muscle to achieve a beneficial effect for chronically tired, sore, or injured muscles. Sometimes this form of massage therapy can involve a recovery period of a day or two of soreness, but is often the best medicine for the people who need it.
  4. Sports Massage – Geared more towards preventing injury and increasing athletic potential, you don’t need to be a professional athlete to reap the benefits from this type of massage. You just need to be physically active. Generally, a good sports massage involves faster strokes and a stretching routine to help loosen the muscles and increase flexibility.
  5. Prenatal – More and more pregnant women are citing the benefits of prenatal massage to increase their comfort level during pregnancy. This session can be customized to suit the recipients needs to reduce stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pains, and reduce anxiety and depression.

The preceding list is just a quick selection of five choices for effective massage therapy; many more exist, including: reflexology, shiatsu, hot stone, and more. Call your local licensed massage therapist today to make the selection that will be best for your individual needs, and start reaping the rewards of this effective therapy immediately.

5 Ways That Massage Removes Common Obstacles to Meditation

meditateIf you want a meditation practice but have never been able to stick with the program, massage can remove many of the common obstacles. Learn how a massage session can get you ready to feel more peaceful and connected.

Sleep: Many people complain that they can’t meditate because they fall asleep as soon as they sit down. That is a sure sign that you are sleep deprived. You’re not alone. Fifty to seventy million Americans experience sleep issues that affect their health according to the Institutes of Medicine. Research shows that massage enables better quality rest for people of all ages. continue reading »

Include Massage Therapy in your New Year’s Resolutions

fireworks-smThe end of December is near and Christmas has passed. New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. As old as the tradition of watching the ball drop in Times Square, there is our New Year’s Resolution.

Common resolution list items might look like this:

  • “I’m going to go to the gym 3 times a week.”
  • “I’m going to eat healthier.”
  • “I’m going to work less and relax more.”

More often that not, we find ourselves falling behind on our resolutions before January is even over. We have the best of intentions, and we are trying to take better care of ourselves and achieve a better work-life balance. But sometimes, we try to achieve those goals the ineffectively. continue reading »

Stretching Between Sessions to Sustain Results

stretchingWhether it is emotional or physical, stress takes its toll on our bodies overtime. This can cause chronically tight muscles and various aches and pain. In many cases this can be easily prevented with proactive self-care.

One of my many goals as your massage therapist is to prevent pain. While we all wish we could get massages on a daily (or even weekly) basis, there will probably be weekly gaps between your sessions. To keep your body in tune, stretching is an effective technique for self-maintenance. continue reading »

Better Sleep With Massage Therapy

sleepy-catWhen is the last time you can recall getting a good night’s sleep? More often than not, we find that it is harder to achieve (and if you have recently, good for you!).

A lack of sleep can cause a lot more damage than a few yawns the next day. When we don’t sleep we become less alert, with lower reaction times. We have a tendency to eat more. Long-term affects include increased blood pressure and risk for obesity and diabetes. continue reading »

Five Reasons to Give the Gift of Massage This Holiday

The holidays are officially in full swing. While it’s easy to plan for some of your family and friends, there is always that one person who “has it all”. Or they may not be articulate enough about what they want.  Everything that comes to your mind is something that they already have or isn’t something special enough.

Whether or not you have that person on your holiday shopping list, have you considered the gift of massage therapy?

This blog is full of articles and facts to explain the benefits of massage therapy, but I can give you five simple reasons why you should give the fist of massage therapy to your friends and family members this holiday season. continue reading »

Remember to Be Thankful for Health

thanksgiving-spreadWe’re already halfway through November and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  I know we all try to be thankful everyday for what we have, but it’s also nice to have a day where we come together with family and reflect on the things in our life we are grateful for. So in the spirit of the holidays, I wanted move away from a more informative approach this week and devote more time to reflecting on one of the best gifts of all: great health.  continue reading »