Massage

5 Reasons to Get a Massage This Winter

For many people, the winter months are more difficult to get through than other times of the year. With shorter days, less sunlight, colder temperatures, inclement weather and less social interaction, people tend to become depressed as the season of winter approaches. Just like our wild cousins, winter is often a time of hibernation and rejuvenation. But there are ways to combat the winter blues.  

One of the best things anybody can do for themselves during the winter months is to get a massage. There are many benefits to regular massage and here are just a few reasons why you should consider booking a session this winter. continue reading »

How Massage Improves Circulation

By: Kim M. Filkins, L.Ac.

There are many different types of massage. And each type has a specific purpose and benefits that are unique. While every massage can be relaxing and relieve pain and tension in the body, some of the forms of massage go even deeper than that. Lymphatic drainage massage is one example of a specialized massage technique that can benefit almost everybody. continue reading »

The Importance of Drinking Water

By: Kim M. Filkins, L.Ac.

Everywhere you go these days, you see people carrying bottled water.  And because of the emphasis that has been placed on drinking water, it is now the second most popular drink in the United States.  This is really important because every cell in our bodies depends upon water to function.  And with every hour that passes, our bodies lose water.  Unless we replace that, we literally can shrivel up and die. continue reading »

5 Reasons to Get a Massage This Fall

As summer slows down and fall takes hold, so too should we allow our bodies to relax and recover. Summer is generally the most active of all the seasons for many reasons. The kids are out of school, family vacations happen more frequently and outdoor activities are more plentiful because of the warmer weather and longer hours of daylight.With all of this taking place, it’s not uncommon for many people to feel exhausted by the time fall begins and the kids head back to school.  continue reading »

5 Ways Getting a Massage Can Help With Allergies

Allergies affect millions of people all over the world, and for most, the spring and fall seasons tend to be when allergies flare up for the worst, making it miserable for those enduring the symptoms. The term allergy is used to describe a reaction produced by the body when it encounters something foreign that it’s not responding well to. The body may react by producing antibodies or releasing specific chemicals known as histamines to prevent the foreign invader from attacking. Thus, the histamines trigger an allergic reaction or inflammatory response.  continue reading »

How Massage Can Help With Postoperative Pain

A survey showed that 48 million inpatient surgeries were performed on health issues that ranged from eye surgery to musculoskeletal surgeries. 80 percent of the people undergoing these surgeries reported that they had some form of postoperative pain, and 10 to 50 percent of these patients then develop chronic pain from the surgery itself. That’s a whole lot of people who didn’t get relief from their pain, even after a surgery was performed that may have been deemed as a correction for the initial pain. continue reading »

Self-Massage Techniques to do at Home

Massage therapy has been around for centuries and has been discussed in the ancient texts of many languages, including Chinese, Indian, Greek and Egyptian. While the exact roots of massage therapy are not known, it is known that getting regular massages can be very beneficial for those who receive them. Massage can treat everything from aches, pains and digestive issues to insomnia and more, which everyone experiences at some point in their lives.

continue reading »

5 Reasons to Get a Massage This Summer

While many people think of massage as a treat for special occasions, the truth is that regular massage can be extremely beneficial, especially during the summer months. Here are five reasons why you should consider getting a massage this summer:

  1. Aches, Pains, Sprains and Strains – Regular massage helps soften and relax injured or overused muscles. Muscles being used more frequently can lead to aches and pains. Regular massage increases circulation and oxygenation, which helps the muscles heal more quickly. Massage also releases endorphins from the brain that are natural painkillers.
  2. Improved Mood / Mental Attitude – The added stress of having the kids in the house, all day, every day, during the summer months can lead to anger and frustration. Getting a massage will help the mind and body relax. Studies confirm that regular massage can be beneficial for stress. Massages increase the feel good hormones known as serotonin and dopamine, while reducing the stress hormone known as cortisol. This leads to an improved mental state.
  3. Decreases Joint Swelling – The increased amount of heat and humidity can frequently cause swelling of the joints, particularly the knees and ankles. Massage helps to decrease the static accumulation of fluids in the joints by increasing circulation. Lymphatic massage is especially good at this because it pushes fluids through the body, releases toxins in the cells and keeps things flowing to reduce swelling.
  4. Increases Immunity – With all the added activity and fatigue from running around, summer colds can be common. Regular massage increases circulation in the body and oxygenation of the cells. This can help bolster the body’s immune system, allowing it to heal faster by increasing the amount of lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that fight off disease and infection.
  5. Lowers Blood Pressure – Regular massages can be very beneficial to the circulatory system and a person’s blood pressure. Because massage is so relaxing, it can help lower blood pressure, while also decreasing the risk of stroke or a heart attack. When stress increases, so too does the blood pressure. As mentioned before, massage is a great way to decrease stress levels.

This list represents the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why massage can be beneficial to everybody during the summer months. So whether you’re suffering from aches and pains, high blood pressure, a summer cold or joint swelling, finding a massage therapist might be exactly what the doctor ordered. If nothing else, you get a few minutes of relaxation and no worries. Who can’t use that?

7 Ways to Improve Energy Using Massage

Massage therapy has been around for centuries. The ancient texts of many languages, including Chinese, Indian, Greek and Egyptian mention it. While the exact roots of massage therapy are unknown, it is known that getting regular massages is beneficial for the recipients. Massage can treat everything from aches and pains, digestive issues, insomnia and more.  continue reading »

Benefits of Using Sesame Seed Oil for Massage

When most people think of sesame seed oil, their mind drifts to things like Asian cuisine or cooking. But sesame seed oil has been used for thousands of years for more than just cooking. Sesame seed oil was first mentioned in the Vedas, which is a large body of texts originating in India. Sesame seed oil is a vegetable oil that is derived from sesame seeds and it is commonly used as a massage lubricant, like coconut oil. And just like coconut oil, sesame seed oil has many health benefits. Sesame seed oil is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Oils because of its many uses and health benefits. Here’s a small sampling of why sesame seed oil is so amazing. continue reading »