Remedies for Neck Kink.

Waking up with a stiff neck or a kink in your neck can ruin your entire day, and sometimes most of your week!  Or sometimes it's just from being in a particular position at your desk for too long, staring at a computer screen and all of a sudden your neck is as stiff as a board. We've all been there at least once and know how utterly frustrating a kink in your neck can be, but thankfully some DIY fixes that can ease the pain of a stiff neck in moments. Here are a couple of top tips to help you get back into proper working order if you're suffering from neck stiffness!

1. Applying direct heat or cold to the affected area can relieve you of pain and also relax those neck muscles and return them to their normal state. This isn't an instant fix, as it's recommended to use a cold source on the area first (typically in 48-hours) and then apply heat after. Do NOT use cold/hot compresses on your neck while you're asleep because this could lead to an even stiffer neck since you don't have control of its position as you're sleeping.

2. Stretttttttttch those muscles! Rotating your neck, arms and shoulders will help relieve the stress built up in your upper body. This is especially true for your neck, and it's recommended to take a few moments out of your schedule to stop, breathe, and stretch. A few stretching techniques for a stiff neck are;

Slow clockwise/counterclockwise rotations of the neck, letting each ear hit their respective shoulder and your chin touching your chest five times. (If this exercise causes too much discomfort, leave out the clockwise/counterclockwise motions and move your head slowly from side to side - letting your ears hit your shoulders).
Rotate your shoulders backward and down as well as squeezing your shoulder blades together roughly ten times.
Push your head gently back into a headrest or your hands and hold the position, straightening out your neck, for 30 seconds.

3. Don't stop moving! It's hard to want to move when you have a kink in your neck; most want to lie down and pray it goes away, but the smart thing to do is keep moving. Avoid any jerking reactions or moving too fast, ease into the movements and let your muscles strengthen again.

4. Over the counter pain relievers is a huge help. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are fast acting pain relievers that can numb the pain and make it easier to get through your day. On top of the other steps given, following the recommended dose of the over the counter pain reliever will help you recover quicker and more comfortably.

So the next time you're thinking about picking up a neck brace to work to keep the pain from taking over, just follow these steps to get yourself back on track. Stretching while at your desk, even when your neck isn't sore, is an excellent way to keep the blood flowing and will guarantee no stiffness while you sit. That way you can prevent having to go through any of the other helpful steps listed here!

A relaxing massage is also a great way to relieve pain from your neck and anywhere else. Schedule a massage with Kristin Churchill today! 

What is a cupping massage?

There's are few things more relaxing than enjoying a professional massage to ease your tension and get rid of any stress you're carrying on your body.  There are so many different types of massage out there, from a simple neck and shoulder massage to using various oils and ointments and creating a full body experience to remember. Some might even look like they could be painful, but aren't! A prime example of that would be a cupping massage.

What exactly is a cupping massage?
It's in the name! It is using a type of glass/silicone/bamboo/earthenware cups on specific parts of the body that need treatment. The point of using these cups on the skin is to create suction on those particular parts.

What are the benefits of a cupping massage?
When the cups are attached to the problem areas, suction form, and it's basically like pulling all the bad out of your body. Cupping helps with blood flow, general pain, inflammation, and has the same relaxation benefits as that of a deep-tissue massage.

Is this type of massage new?
Not! It might sound like a new form of relaxing massage, but it's been around for centuries. It goes back to ancient times throughout Chinese, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern cultures. Record of the use of cupping as a type of therapy dates all the way back to 1500 B.C.!

I've seen this done with fire before! Is this safe?
100%. As long as your cupping therapy is being done by a trained professional, there should be no worry of severe burns or anything unsafe. The flames never touch your skin as the therapist will either put a flammable substance (alcohol, herbs, etc.) or paper in the cup, set it on fire, and place the cup down on your skin once the fire is out. This is done because as the air cools, it creates a vacuum which provides perfect suction for the cup. If you're not a fan of fire being used, silicone cups are a great alternative since you can squeeze them before placing them on the affected area. Be advised that this method can leave the patient with very minimal burns that could leave them with a slight discomfort after the session.

Will this bruise my skin or make me bleed?
There can be light bruising depending on skin sensitivity. There should be no blood unless "wet cupping" is being done. Wet cupping is when the same process is used with the cups but the therapist will remove the cup after 3 minutes and using a small scalpel will create light, little cuts before replacing the cups and drawing out small bits of blood. During this type of cupping, it's not recommended to use more than 7 cups. 3 to 5 are the ideal number.

Cupping isn't for everyone, but it could be just the thing for someone who needs more than just a simple massage in a spa. An intimidating but highly effective form of massage might be the key!

Click here to schedule a cupping massage! 

Is a massage okay for older adults?

As we age, our bodies begin to slow down and give us reminders like pain and stiffness.  Seniors sometimes have a difficult time continuing to enjoy physical activities due to chronic ailments like osteoarthritis or Parkinson's disease. Physical activity is exceptionally vital for older adults, however, because exercise improves flexibility, mobility, and even good mental health.

Massage therapy for older adults is an effective way to help alleviate many of the age-related symptoms and conditions we experience. With regular massage therapy, seniors experience improvements in overall quality of life with increased energy levels and an overall healthier and younger feeling.

Massage therapy benefits older adults by:

Increasing blood flow to our extremities - Good circulation becomes increasingly challenging to achieve as we age. Massage therapy provides this most critical benefit for older adults by helping blood flow accurately to the limbs.

Improving our balance and gait - As we age, our bones tend to become stiffer, increasing the risk of falling. Massage therapy's ability to increase healthy blood flow improves our balance and reduces our risk of falls.

Stimulating our nervous system - Massage therapy tells our brain to release endorphins and hormones that are beneficial for a properly functioning nervous system.

Improving our mood - Massage therapy produces feelings of connection and comfort. Combined with the release of happy hormones and endorphins, massage therapy improves our overall mood, making us feel more comfortable and more relaxed.

Increasing flexibility - Massage softens up our tight muscles and joints, giving our bodies a full range of motion and an increased ability to enjoy the physical activities involved in daily living.

Kristin Churchill is experienced in many different massage techniques for people of all ages. Schedule your appointment with Kristin today.  

Can a massage beat the winter blues?

Aside from the commonly known benefits of soothing sore muscles, improving blood circulation and pain relief, massage has other, less widely known mental and emotional health benefits as well!

When you are always plagued with anxiety or depression (the winter blues), the stress hormone cortisol builds up in your body. Cortisol raises your blood pressure and lowers your immune system. 

Massage therapy works to combat these issues by increasing the flow of good hormones like serotonin and dopamine to your brain, causing instant relief from symptoms of depression and sadness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - otherwise known as seasonal depression or the winter blues, is often triggered by the shift from summer and fall, to winter. Decreased sunlight in the winter, combined with increased time spent indoors triggers SAD in many people and significantly reduces its sufferer’s quality of life.

Massage therapy tackles these issues head-on by:

• Reducing depression and anxiety 
• Decreasing heart rate 
• Reducing systolic blood pressure
• Reducing diastolic blood pressure
• Lowering stress hormones
• Improving mental health

While releasing the structural collapse associated with depression, you will also be releasing the breath process which will allow depressed clients to energize their system and have more energy. This additional energy will enable them to take part in their lives and move out of depression.

Massage Rids Body of Toxins

When it comes to seeing or hearing the word ‘toxin,' most people associate it with doing a cleanse; cleansing your body of toxins, detoxing your body, etc. But what most people don’t realize is that there are other ways to rid your body of toxins without having to drink a chunky green juice or any other odd tasting liquids. In fact, some methods of detoxing your body can be downright relaxing if done correctly! Massage therapy is a great way to rid your body of toxins in the skin and feel much better almost immediately.

According to the Pain Education Institute, there has been sufficient research to back up that massage helps release toxins from the body. It works just like a massage works, from insert to origin, massaging the muscles and helping break free any toxins riddled intense, sore muscles. The most important benefit from a massage is to increase blood flow in specific areas; this helps wake up the circulatory system and recognize if there is anything wrong in the way, it’s time for it to move. After a deep massage, it is highly advised to drink plenty of water to help flush those now loose toxins out of your body for good.

A perfect addition to any massage session is the use of oils. Natural oils derived from plants can hold healing properties and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body during the massage. It also leaves the skin feeling hydrated and looking smooth, even with a possible glow.

Massage therapy is a perfect way to rid the body of nasty toxins, but keep in mind it may not be for everyone. As stated before, massage increases blood flow, and if a potential patient has any blood circulation issues, a massage could be a fatal mistake. Otherwise, there are many different styles of massage available to cleanse and detox the body and come out feeling relaxed, refreshed, and renewed!

Source

Why a massage is beneficial between workouts!

We all have experienced aching muscles after working out, especially if it has been a while since we hit the gym. The pain is enough to make you want to throw in the towel and never workout again. But we know to get the results we are looking for we must persevere and work through the pain. However, you don't need to suffer as much as you think, as long as you treat yourself to a regular massage between workouts. 

Getting a massage after an enduring time at the gym can help our muscles recover faster and greatly reduces the pain we often feel right after a rigorous routine. A massage after exercising not only improves circulation but also helps to remove lactic acid and other waste products built up in the muscles.

A post workout massage also improves our bodies’ flexibility by loosening and stretching tendons and muscles. Having great flexibility helps avoid injury and ensures a better work out every time. 

We all know working out not only improves our bodies physically but it can also have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing as well. The same goes for a massage, the better you treat your body the better you will feel mentally. 

A massage can be added to your over physical fitness routine to help you stay fit the best way possible. If you would like to schedule a massage with Kristin call today! 

Can a massage help chronic pain sufferers?

While chronic pain comes from many sources, the two most common conditions behind chronic pain are arthritis and fibromyalgia. Thankfully, massage therapy positively impacts both. 

Massage therapy improves the quality of life for chronic pain sufferers by improving mood and providing pain management. A toolbox of strategies for pain relief is essential to sufferers and massage is a powerful tool for both mind and body relaxation. For Fibromyalgia, massage reduces stiffness and improves physical function and range of motion. For those with arthritis, pain is lessoned, and functionality is improved. 

There are some of benefits to massage for the management of chronic pain, including:

• Increased serotonin - the body’s natural pain reliever
• Naturally deepened sleep - resulting in less pain
• Increased range of motion
• Lowered anxiety and improved mood

Massage Therapist and Chiropractor

Nicole Stevens

Finding a perfect match can be hard, but sometimes all you need is an adjustment, which is why I decided to move my office to a chiropractor’s office! (Get it…adjustment…chiropractor, ah you’ll laugh later.) Making this move seemed like an ideal situation that would provide my clients with even more accessibility to relief from body aches and pains.

During the massage, the therapist goes from insertion to origin. What this means is that the muscles are being massaged from the outside in, stopping at the origin which is the skeletal structure underneath the muscle. As a massage therapist, I am only trained to get right to that origin point, and that’s it. Here’s where the new move comes to my client’s advantage!

Chiropractors work with the skeletal structure, past the point of origin for a massage therapist. After the massageconstructed, a client could  needfor more intense therapy. At this point, the chiropractor can step in and adjust the client’s skeletal system into more comfortable condition.

Think of it as a one-stop-shop for your body’s everyday aches and pains. Keeping up with routine massage therapy as well as a chiropractic visit can result in many health benefits alongside relaxation of the muscles and bones.

Performing a Visual Assessment During Massage

Did you know that as massage therapists, we learn a lot about a client’s muscular structure just by looking at them? We perform a quick visual and postural analysis that gives us a good idea which muscles are shortened and therefore tight, as well as muscles that are lengthened and weak.

Massage Assessment

An assessment is when your massage therapist evaluates what he or she will do during the massage session.  This is the time when the therapist is thoroughly evaluating the client and becoming familiar with the conditions of their skin and muscles.

Visual assessments are broken down into three areas:

1. Skin inspection
   This is done when the client is in the massage room, and the therapist is performing an intake and is repeated if there have been changes since the last massage.
   The therapist looks at the skin on the arms for color, moisture level, temperature level, texture, and any skin lesions. Gathering this information assists the therapist in determining whether follow-up questions are needed.
2. Gait Analysis
   A gait analysis assesses how a person walks,  and the pattern of walking.
   Even a small injury affects the way you walk and causes mild pain, stiffness, or weakness.  Improper walking is both inefficient and causes other pain and stiffness in other areas of the body.
3. Postural Assessment
   When assessing posture, we view your body from each side. We check to see if your shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees are level and whether your head is sitting nicely on your shoulders or if there is an issue causing it to jut forward.

Using all of these assessments before your massage, we can determine which areas in your body need to be focused on during your session to improve your overall condition.

Does music make a massage better?

Music, like massage, is a healing art. However, experts say that the wrong music can ruin an otherwise good massage experience. This article (originally published in Massage Bodywork magazine) explains how music can linger in the subconscious mind for days or weeks following a massage, and the importance of knowing your massage therapist’s level of expertise with relation to both music and massage.

“Music is to massage what aroma is to a bakery: It may not be the primary draw, but it certainly does add to the enjoyment of the experience. And it can stay around in the subconscious for days or weeks afterward. However, the wrong choice of music can ruin an otherwise good massage experience, experts say.

"If I were a therapist, I'd never use music on a client until I've listened to it from end to end, sat in a chair with my eyes closed, and meditated with it, so I'd really have a feel for what my client will experience," suggests Jim Moeller, owner and founder of Serenity, a company in Maria Stein, Ohio, that specializes in music for the healing arts.

The genre known as ambient music has mushroomed in recent years, and massage therapists have hundreds of new titles to choose from.”

Ambient music works to calm your mind, body, and spirit - reminding you to inhale slowly and telling your muscles to relax, without using words. If you’ve never meditated or even just relaxed for a few minutes listening to ambient music, I highly recommend it. Once you have felt the physical and mental benefits of the music alone, you’ll want to add on the healing touch of massage to bring you back to center, in a way only massage can.

Medical Marijuana and Massage

by Nicole Stevens

A massage can be one of the most relaxing things a person can treat themselves with. It can also be a necessary aid for people recovering from various muscles strains and body aches, or those going through physical therapy. Few things make a massage even better; a relaxing atmosphere, light tempo music softly playing in the background, dimmed lights, and maybe even some calming marijuana. Now you won’t be subjected to inhaling a room full of smoke while you relax, there are many other ways cannabis can be introduced into a professional massage.

As most know, where legal, cannabis comes in all shapes and sizes, liquids to solids, and this is no different in the world of massage therapy. The most popular products are topicals such as body lotions and oils which are rich with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Though because these products aren’t coming into contact with the blood stream, it does not give the typical “high” associated with inhaling marijuana smoke. It does however, penetrate cannabinoid receptors in the skin, resulting in pain relief for the client being massaged.

So there’s zero chance of getting high/stoned from the products used?

Yes! The cannabinoid-enriched products are topical creams, rubbed into problem areas of the body during the massage. If there are traces of THC in it, it acts as a pain reliever and targets tired, over­-worked muscles and works as a natural calmer. Think of it as using essential oils, such as lavender, to help a person relax and unwind. These products work the same way.

Is it even legal in Florida?

Florida has recently passed a medical marijuana law, but of course, it comes with stipulations. While the active CBD in the products is a non-psychoactive, “the DEA’s position that all cannabis extracts, including CBD oil, are federally illegal Schedule 1 substance” (Mikesell) according to an article by the Florida Spa Association/American Spa Magazine. Technically, the DEA as stated that only certain parts of the plant are considered to be marijuana, and that includes the leaves, the seeds, and the flower itself. Other parts of the plant, such as the stems, stalks, and sterilized seeds, are hemp. In Florida, pure CBD oil falls under hemp products and is not considered to be a narcotic. THC derived products are a bit different, and can only be sold if it is legal in that area.

Besides the ultimate relaxation, what are some specific health benefits one can expect from a cannabinoid enriched massage?

CBD oil has many great effects on the body, and being applied to the outer part is no different. It has been shown to help with various skin issues such as acne, mild irritation (soothes and calm sensitive skin), and even bigger issues such as psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. It doesn’t cure these ailments, but it does make having them easier to cope with. It can even be beneficial for the outdoorsy type – CBD oil eliminates the irritation of bug bites and scratches, reducing swelling of the skin as a result.

Are all plants created equal?

Not. It is essential to know what product you are using and what ingredients it contains. Just because a product states it contains CBD (or in some cases, THC), it does not mean it is the right choice. The ingredients added in make a huge difference in theend result for the client receiving the service. As an example, the company Crave Skincare has done extensive research to figure out what fits best with their products, resulting in many positive reviews and return customers. The CEO, Janet Schriever, had this to say; “The formula the CBD is in makes a big difference to the effect of the ingredient and using CBD with other botanicals, and phytonutrients are vital. If you are going to use a product with CBD, it should be in a clean, botanical-rich formula.”

So the next time you’re setting up an appointment for a professional massage, ask your masseuse about their line of CBD-oil massage products, figure out the right kind for you, relax, and enjoy!

Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Why do I need a full body massage instead of just a regular back massage?

While a basic back massage might feel satisfying at the moment, the reality is that a back massage only targets a fraction of the issues that are addressable with a full body massage. Sometimes, we’re not even aware of the areas of our body that carry tension as much as our backs do.

Reduced anxiety and depression

The benefits of a full body massage offer multiple benefits, both physically and psychologically. Full body massage reduces stress levels. Massage also reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Pain relief

Full body massages relieve pain and stiffness in the body according to Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. The full body massage may release endorphins, which act as a pain reliever. Massage sometimes helps relieve migraine pain. Muscles that are tired, overused or otherwise sore  caton relax and soften through the massage. A massage may help an athlete's sore muscles after a hard workout or benefit a sports injury.

Increased Circulation

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals states that massage can increase circulation by assisting oxygen and nutrients to reach tissues and organs. A massage may help control blood pressure. While these benefits may offer positive medical benefits, you should continue regular medical care with your health care professional, particularly if you have a medical condition.

Immune System Function

A full body massage may increase your immune system's functionality according to Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. The massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which assists the immune system to protect the body.

Skin Benefits

A full body massage helps remove dead skin cells over the entire body for improved skin tone. The stimulated blood flow benefits the appearance and health of the skin. The massage can also encourage tissue regeneration, which may help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks according to Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. Depending on the kind being used, the massage oil may provide moisturizing and other benefits to the skin.

[Source]

Here is why you should drink water after every massage

Your massage therapist has finished and left you to get dressed. As you meet her outside the little room, she hands you a bottle of water and encourages you to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Are there real advantages in doing so? According to Michele Naumann Carlstrom, licensed massage therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, there are a couple. During the massage, your muscles are kneaded and worked, which releases fluids from the tissues into the circulatory system. From there it hits the kidneys, and you must flush it from your system. How many of you have to urinate shortly after a massage?

Your muscles produce metabolic wasted daily. The second reason to drink water after a massage is to get rid of that. When conditions that cause you to be on a massage table, to begin with, are present, such as knots and tight muscles, the body is somewhat inhibited from flushing metabolic waste. Massage releases those knots, relieves the tightness and improves circulation, allowing your body to purge the waste.

The American Massage Therapy Association backs these facts and recommends drinking water after a massage for similar reasons.

Drinking water is a good idea in general. According to MayoClinic.com, water is used for a variety of functions in the body, such as moistening tissues and protecting internal organs, dissolving nutrients to be absorbed by the body, lubricating joints and regulating body temperature. Water makes up about 60 percent of your body. In addition to the functions listed above, water helps the kidneys flush out waste products as well as help in oxygen transport to the cells of the body. Without enough hydration, you can become lethargic, have memory and focus problems, dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth, constipated, bloat, muscle cramps and more.

Daily water recommendations vary from different sources and from person to person. MayoClinic.com says three strategies are common: replacing the amount of water lost based on urine output, drinking eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day, or consuming a specified amount--roughly 0.75 gallons for men and a little more than a half-gallon for women.

And finally, as if we didn’t give you enough reasons to drink up, one of the best ways to boost your odds for not being sore after a massage the next day is increase your water intake after your appointment. If you want to feel better and be healthy, be sure to take that water your masseuse offers when you leave!

Is massage therapy good for fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia comes with a myriad of debilitating symptoms for which, so far the medical community has found no cure. The main symptom of fibromyalgia is mild to severe pain that may be characterized as burning, deep, shooting or an unrelenting ache. For some, pain improves during the day and worsens at night, and for others, the pain remains at all times.

Sufferers of this disease often experience accompanying symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive issues, unrefreshing sleep, headaches, depression, and anxiety. While improvement can be found through prescription pain medicine, the accompanying side-effects of such chemicals often cause more suffering to the fibromyalgia patient.

Massage therapy has been shown to benefits fibromyalgia sufferers in many ways over and above what traditional medicine can do. A few of these ways include:

• Improved sleep through relaxation - Evening massage therapy sessions provide the patient with better sleep quality, which helps the body utilize its natural resources to repair and rejuvenate more efficiently.
• Improved muscle tone - Massage helps aid and tone lethargic muscles and restores strength and vitality to your body.
• Improved mental clarity - Relaxation through regular massage therapy sessions raises healthy awareness and relieves mental stress. Cognitive issues begin to improve in the very first session.
• Headache relief - by increasing healthy blood flow to your brain, massage therapy relieves the physical source of your headaches and helps your mind stay in a healthier space.
• Diminished anxiety and depression - anxiety and depression can be contributed to many factors including fluctuations in hormones, interference in appetite and constant fight or flight mode. Massage restores homeostasis in your body, thereby helping diminish the effects of anxiety and depression.
• Empathy and massage - fibromyalgia patients often discover that real compassion and support are difficult to find from practitioners and even friends and family who do not take the condition seriously. A good massage therapist treats each client with empathy and respect, holding the client’s feelings in high regard and without judgment, empathy alone offers the greatest impact and produces the most favorable treatment results.

Five ways a massage cures the blues

The power of human touch is a power that cannot be overstated. We all know that touch through massage therapy heals by soothing sore muscles and improving blood circulation, but did you know there are a few ways massage also cures the blues? Here are 5 of them:

• Massage reduces stress - cortisol (known as “the stress hormone”) builds up in your body when you are anxious, leading to depression, higher blood pressure, and a lower immune system. Massage therapy combats cortisol by increasing the flow of good hormones like serotonin and dopamine to your brain, causing instant relief from symptoms of depression and sadness.
• Massage remedies “structural collapse” - structural collapse involves a shortening of the abdominal muscles and a tightening of the diaphragmatic arch which pulls the chest down and forward, limiting its ability to expand during breathing. 

There is an additional medial rotation of the shoulders and internal rotation of the arms resulting in a kyphosis that further restricts breathing. Without the support of the thoracic region, the head and neck will move forward and down and further into collapse.

All this distortion of the upper body will lead to further distortion in the lower body and give the structure an image of being fully collapsed. The degree of structural collapse will depend upon the severity of depression and its duration.

Applying massage with the goal of releasing the structural collapse associated with depression will bring the client from a hopeless, helpless collapsed structure to one that is supported and erect. This sense of support will give the client feelings of being stronger and more capable of dealing with the issues of their depression. [source]

• Massage encourages relaxation - When we are stressed, anxious, sad or depressed, our bodies naturally tense up. This impedes our brain’s ability to think clearly, make rational decisions and to feel happy. As we relax, blood flow is increased to our brain, and our emotions improve. 
• Massage connects us with the human touch - skin to skin contact is a fundamental physical act that bonds us to another human being. Many believe the sense of touch is a way of communicating through the skin. While receiving a massage, the body responds to the relaxing of the muscles and tendons. Toxins stored in the muscles have been massaged out of the muscles and are flushed out of the body. Natural endorphins course through the body, easing minor aches and pains. Psychologically, the body responds to the gentle touch of another human being. With a massage, you feel pampered and cared for. [source]
• Massage increases success in the workplace - Workplace stress and low productivity play a significant role in how we feel every day. Massage takes the blues way brought on by feeling drained and overworked. 

Consider this: In a study performed by the International Journal of Neuroscience, Twenty-six adults were given a chair massage, and 24 control group adults were asked to relax in the massage chair for 15 minutes, two times per week for five weeks. 

On the first and last days of the study, they were monitored for EEG, before, during and after the sessions. Also, before and after the sessions they performed math computations, they completed POMS Depression and State Anxiety Scales, and they provided a saliva sample for Cortisol. At the beginning of the sessions, they completed Life Events, Job Stress, and Chronic POMS Depression Scales.

The findings were remarkable: the massage group showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power (suggesting enhanced alertness); the massage group showed increased speed and accuracy on math computations, anxiety levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions, and salivary Cortisol levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions. At the end of the five-week period, depression scores were lower for both groups, but job stress scores were lower only for those who had a massage!

Why a massage is the best gift for the holidays

A massage gift certificate nestled into a card may seem like an unassuming gift. But, the effects of this present are powerful. In addition to being pampered, the recipient of a massage receives relief from pain, stress, anxiety and more.

Here are just a few reasons why a massage is the best gift for the holidays:

• You’re giving the gift of stress relief
  The holidays are almost always a frenzy. From shopping, traveling and overeating to friends, family, food and fun - stress is an all too common side effect. Massage works to calm down the nervous system and provide a welcome respite from the holiday frenzy. Whether you gift a Swedish, Ayurvedic, or Stone massage, your gift recipient will surely thank you for the relief.
• You’re giving the gift of pain relief
  From hanging up Christmas lights to digging Hanukkah candles out of the garage, the holidays’ activities can create strain, sprain, and pain. Massage is the best holiday gift because it addresses pain and stiffness by increasing circulation, improving flexibility, and releasing tight spots from muscles.
• You’re giving the gift of escape
  Massage can transport the recipient to a place of tranquility, calm and well-being. The worries and the stresses of the world melt away as they focus on the serenity, peace and bliss massage brings.
• You’re giving the gift of better posture
  Poor posture can lead to musculoskeletal issues in addition to digestion and respiratory problems. Massage relaxes and loosens the sore muscles caused by bad posture, allowing the body to reposition itself in its natural pain-free-posture. Massage loosens the muscles and relaxes the joints for greater freedom and pressure points relief.
• You’re giving the gift of headache relief
  Tension headaches are by far the most common type of headaches caused by stress and improper posture. People who suffer tension headaches may also feel overly sensitive to light and sound. Massage can help instantly realign the body for tension and stress relief.

Long-Term Health Benefits of Getting a Massage Regularly.

We all love a massage. But it doesn’t have to be the occasional guilty pleasure. What if an hour on the table helped prevent cancer? Kept leg cramps at bay? Improved digestion? 

More and more scientific and medical proof is being discovered about the astounding benefits of regular massage. For example, instead of scheduling bodywork after you’ve injured yourself, you can be proactive and prevent strains and pulls with regular sessions which improve flexibility, range of motion and pain-free movement. Massage is used to treat chronic diseases, injuries and drastically reduces the effects of stress and anxiety. 

The Mayo Clinic states that massage is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a broad range of medical conditions and situations. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. Studies have also found massage helpful for:

• Anxiety
• Digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Insomnia related to stress
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Soft tissue strains or injuries
• Sports injuries
• Temporomandibular joint pain

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort, and connection (Mayo Clinic, 2015).

Studies show that the more massage you can allow yourself, the better you’ll feel. Here’s why:  When something hurts, you tend to rub it, right? The healing benefits range from treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our modern lifestyles. Experts estimate that 80-90% of disease is stress-related.  Massage relaxes, and this positive benefit carries over to many aspects of life, including lower blood pressure, fewer headaches, better sleep and more concentration. Having a massage does more than just calm your body and mind - there are specific physiological and psychological changes which occur, even more so when massage is utilized as preventative, frequent therapy. With increased circulation, more oxygen and nutrients are sent to the tissues and vital organs. By stimulating the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defenses are enhanced. Massage also plays a huge part in your health and how youthful you appear.

With so many amazing benefits, budgeting time and money for regular massage are truly an investment in you. So what are you waiting for? Schedule your massage with Kristin Churchill today!

Massage Etiquette: The Do's and Don'ts of Getting a Massage

Do These 3 Things Before You Arrive

First:  Try to fit in a shower if you can.  If you don’t have time to  rinse off quickly, wipe yourself down with baby wipes or unmedicated towelettes. Next, confirm with the office that they accept your usual method of payment and whether you need to bring cash for the tip. Finally, find out if they need you to be there early to complete any paperwork. 

Use Your Words

If your therapist is applying too much pressure or not enough, let them know. You should never be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.  A professional and experienced massage therapist will ask if you are comfortable during your session. 

DON'T worry if you haven’t shaved

Women commonly come in and apologize for not having shaved their legs. It happens almost every day, and your massage therapist isn’t worried about it. Unless your stubble is razor sharp, it won’t bother your massage therapist.

Reschedule your massage if you are sick

Massage therapy by nature is hands on work. Your massage therapist is exposed to your germs and therefore at a greater risk for catching what you have and even passing it on to other clients. If you’re sick, the right thing to do is to stay home until it passes. Your massage therapist will be happy to see you at a later date.

Be prepared to completely undress

To get the most out of your massage, plan on being completely naked. We are professionals; everything that needs to stay covered is going to stay covered. If your lower back or hips are stiff, do yourself a favor and skip the underwear or boxers so we can really address those areas. We will move the sheet around to access the areas that need work—we’re not going to move your underpants. Most good therapists will treat that as a boundary and leave areas that you choose to keep covered alone.

The Benefits of Foot Massage

Foot massage benefits are widely acknowledged in the rest of the world, but Americans are just now embracing this fact. Foot massage first dates back to the late 1800’s in ancient Egypt and China, and then Europeans invented reflexology. This is also called Zone Therapy, which is applying pressure to areas of the feet (and hands) that correspond to other parts of your body. Because the principles of foot massage are not in alignment with Western medicine, reflexology has been slow to catch on in the USA.

The benefits of foot massage are numerous. Consider this: we are on our feet all day. Our feet are used and abused. They’re often the last thing we take care of despite being one of the most important and relied upon body parts. We change the oil in our cars, maintain our homes but most of us take our feet for granted and fail to look after them properly. Maybe you’ll rethink that when you learn that a foot massage is far more than just a foot massage.

Benefits Include:

• Cure colds/minor ailments
• Prevent/cure diseases
• Increase energy
• Improved mental and emotional state
• Helps with headaches and migraines
• Lowers blood pressure
• Relieve stress, pain, and anxiety
• Improve blood and lymph circulation
• Prevent injury
• Relieve pain from MS and chemotherapy
• Stimulate activity of internal organs
• Excellent for diabetics and treating neuropathy
• Helps alleviate depression
• Successfully treat liver dysfunction, constipation, IBS, chronic headaches, and skin allergies
• Relieve pressure on legs and feet in pregnant women

Why Foot Massage?

The Chinese believe that different areas of the body can be treated through reflex points. Painlessly massaging these points have proved to be effective in stimulating the nervous system and healing it. The entire human body is reflected onto the soles of your feet. For example, the tips of the toes are related to the head. The reflex points on the ball of the foot are connected to the chest and the heart. The pancreas, liver and kidney points are found on the arch of the foot. You will find the reflex points of the intestines and lower back on the heel of the foot. Foot reflexology benefits your entire being.

How Does It Feel?

It should not be painful or tickle. Reflexologists are trained to massage within comfort zones. People have experienced great boosts in health with regular foot massage. Taking care of your wellbeing should always a priority. Try a reflexology foot massage and enjoy feeling more energetic and refreshed.

Why Summer is the Best Time for a Massage

As all massage clients would attest, any time is a great time for a massage. While that’s true, massage in the Summer carries it’s own benefits unique to the season and makes the summertime a perfect time to begin a regular massage therapy schedule. Here’s why:

With Summer comes activities like golfing, gardening, rollerblading, kayaking, swimming and boating. These activities bring with them muscle aches, fatigue and pain. When you learn to listen to your body and practice self care methods like massage therapy, you can enjoy these activities fully. Knowing your massage therapy session will provide you with relief to both your body and your mind, there’s no need to say no to the next volleyball game (and with increased flexibility, you’ll probably even play better!)

Are the kids home from school making you feel a little more stressed? Well, experts estimate that 80 to 90 percent of disease is stress related. Massage and bodywork is there to combat that frightening number by helping us remember what it means to relax, and what better season than Summer to learn what relaxing really means?

In addition to providing you with increased opportunities to enjoy the activities you love, massage therapy offers a tremendous amount of other benefits as well:

• Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
• Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defense system, against toxic invaders. Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body’s largest organ – the skin.
• Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles
• Reduces spasms and cramping
• Increases joint flexibility.
• Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.
• Releases endorphins – the body’s natural painkiller – and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
• Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.
• Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.
• Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

So, this summer is the perfect summer to say yes to massage therapy (and to that next round of golf!)

Why am I sore after a massage?

So you have just had a relaxing deep tissue massage, eliminating toxins, relieving depression and anxiety, getting your blood flowing and fully relaxing you. But the next day you wake up feeling some fatigue, maybe some muscle soreness and in general just not feeling like yourself. Massage is most likely the cause and this is perfectly normal.

Having muscles worked that may not be worked very often is much like working out. If those muscles aren’t used to being worked, they react to it by soreness. The soreness should not last more than one or two days and if it lasts longer, the massage may have been too intense and your therapist should be informed so they can adjust their technique for your next session. Even providing a different type of massage to relieve the soreness.

Unlike an ordinary backrub, a professional massage therapist can find every kink that has built up from day to day stress or too much or too little exercise. The entire point of therapeutic massage is to release all of the body’s tension, work out kinks and help your body relax, bringing it to the point of functioning at it’s optimal level. All of the work that goes into therapeutic massage stretches muscles pushes blood flow back into them and gets them working properly again.

So, what steps can you take to minimize the occasional painful after effects? Communicate with your therapist regarding what you expect from your massage as well as the current state of your body’s health. Your massage therapist can then customize the massage to your personal desires and needs and make adjustments in the intensity and technique throughout the session. In some cases, a shorter, soothing session may be more appropriate than a deep intense massage. A lot of this can be judged on how you are feeling and responding while the massage is taking place.

Using heat to relax the muscles on the days following the massage may help to relieve the temporary soreness, and if after a day or two it doesn’t disappear be sure to contact your therapist for further instructions.

Getting a massage combats depression and sadness

We all know that massage therapy helps soothe sore muscles and improve blood circulation, but did you know that it helps lift depression and sadness too? Using their hands, fingertips, elbows and arms, massage therapists use a variety of different pressures all over your body to relieve physical and emotional problems.

The stress hormone cortisol can build up in your body when you have anxiety, leading to depression, higher blood pressure, and a lower immune system. Massage therapy combats these issues by increasing the flow of good hormones like serotonin and dopamine to your brain, causing instant relief from symptoms of depression and sadness.

It’s important to understand that there are different types of depression. According to an article by Don McCann, MA, LMT, LMHC, CSETT (source)

Situational depression occurs in an overwhelming situation, typically during the mourning of a loved one. Family of origin depression occurs when there are unresolved family issues. Moderate depression appears cyclical and like family depression, will be longer lasting than situational depression. Severe depression often requires hospitalization and Chronic depression is usually moderate to severe.

Don McCann: “With all the above forms of depression there is a structural collapse in the client. This involves a shortening of the abdominal muscles and a tightening of the diaphragmatic arch which pulls the chest down and forward, limiting its ability to expand during breathing. There is an additional medial rotation of the shoulders and internal rotation of the arms resulting in a kyphosis that further restricts breathing. Without the support of the thoracic region, the head and neck will move forward and down and further into collapse. All this distortion of the upper body will lead to further distortion in the lower body and give the structure an image of being fully collapsed. The degree of structural collapse will depend upon the severity of depression and its duration.”

Applying massage with the goal of releasing the structural collapse associated with depression will bring the client from a hopeless, helpless collapsed structure to one that is supported and erect. This sense of support will give the client feelings of being stronger and more capable of dealing with the issues of their depression. Key areas to release for structural support are: 1) the abdomen and diaphragmatic arch; 2) the musculature and connective tissue of the front of the chest that cause a sunken chest and medial rotation of the shoulders; 3) the musculature and connective tissue of the anterior shoulder and upper arms that cause an internal rotation of the arms; and 4) the musculature and connective tissue of the anterior neck followed by the posterior neck and top of the shoulders. Follow this by bringing the legs out of hyperextension and more under the body. All of this will result in a significant structural change in a depressed client.

While releasing the structural collapse associated with depression you will also be releasing the breath process which will allow depressed clients to energize their system and have more energy. This additional energy will allow them to take part in their lives and move out of depression.

How Massage Therapy Completely Healed My Scar Tissue

A few years ago while playing outside with my dog he accidentally ran full speed ahead right into the back of my leg. The pain was intense and I immediately noticed a large indented bruise starting to form on my calf. Over the months the bruise slowly turned back to my normal skin color but it never healed all the way. I had a huge, permanent hard dent in my leg. It was painful to the touch, itchy, very uncomfortable and embarrassing. And it NEVER got any better!

Then I started seeing Kristin Churchill for massage therapy. During our first session she worked her way down to my legs. I told her about the dent and how it had been plaguing me for the last few years. She said it was likely harden old scar tissue and she could break it up and make it go away over time. She advised me to ask my doctor if it would be okay to work on it.

After the go ahead from my doctor she started massaging it during our monthly sessions. At first it was quite painful and she was very gentle. As the months went on it kept getting softer and now it is completely gone! The scare tissue was broken up and I am completely free of the painful spot I assumed I was going to have forever.

Turns out massage therapy is a great way to reduce scar tissues, new and old. Over time scars can harden and stiff under the skin making them very painful. Scaring of jointed areas can even become stiff and reduce motion. Some scars can restrict blood flow and cause other problems such as pinched nerves, numbing and pain, atrophy in surrounding muscles and restrict one's movements.

When the scar is massaged in the proper way it starts to loosen the harden tissue, relax tightening and increase flexibility in the area. When the tissue is loosen, the body reabsorbs it. Massage therapy can even reduce the appearance of superficial scars.

I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Of course, like with all medical issues, this should discussed with your doctor first before you begin any massage treatment to your scars.

So if you want a nice relaxing massage and to get rid of old nasty scars contact Kristin Churchill, you will be glad you did!

Get the Most Out of Your Massage with These Simple but Important Tips!

So you just got a brilliant massage and feel on top of the world. You're relaxed and your muscle feel like melted butter. As you head out the door your massage therapist starts giving you instructions to do afterwards. Like many people you nod and agree, not really paying attention to what she is saying. Is all that stuff really important anyway? Do you really need to pay attention? The answer of course is YES!

Getting a massage is the best way to treat yourself and relieve a whole lotta of stress. We all love that feeling during the massage and right after. Following the instructions that follow is a great way to extend that feeling and get the most out of your massage. So what did she say again? 

Here are a few things you should and should NOT do after a massage:

Drink Water!

One of the best health benefits of a massage is that it helps your body's circulation and lymphatic system.You may have been told that it helps flush out toxins from the body, and that is true! Since we humans are made up of around 60-75% water, we use the water help bring nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body as well as remove waste products, this includes muscles as well. Without water your body will have a hard time getting the toxins flowing out which will lead to you feeling sluggish with aches and pains. And no cheating, it has to be water, not soft drinks or coffee!

Eat a Light Snack

All this increase in circulation speeds up everything and gets all your organs going, including your stomach. You may have felt light headed right after a massage and that is because your body needs a boost because your blood pressure lowers during a massage. 

A light snack is recommended but NOT a heavy meal because eating a lot tends to slow us down and may feel uncomfortable. A light snack is okay before the massage as well to help stave off any hunger pains during. 

Rest and Relax

You may feel like you can take on the world but now is the time to let yourself rest and relax and take in what just happened. Your muscles have just been through a lot, being squeezed and manipulated. It is almost like they just went through their very own work out session and you never had to move. Now is the time to lay back, watch TV, read a book, or take a nap or even a nice bath. So save the gym for tomorrow and let your muscles recover for the day.

Pay Attention to What Your Body is Saying

As with all of massages, listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel. Sometimes you may hurt a little more if the massage was a little more intense, like a deep tissue. Your massage therapist may give you special instructions such as using a heating pad or ice pack. Soreness is normal but it shouldn't last more than a day or two. Always give feedback to your therapist so she knows she is working the right areas and not to hard or soft. 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me during our sessions or call me. You deserve to get the best out of your massage and feel amazing afterward!

4 Benefits of Massage Therapy that will surprise you

1. It reverses the negative effects of all the sitting you do at your desk
   Strains in your back, shoulder and neck muscles are most commonly from “postural stress”. When you sit in the same position at your desk all day postural stress manifests itself as pain or weakness in the lower back, neck and buttocks. Fortunately, regular massages counteract these issues letting you continue to work your desk job pain free.
2. It eases muscle pain better than any prescription or over the counter medication or muscle rub creams
   Unlike medications that mask muscle pain, massage therapy gets straight to the source of the issue by loosening up tense and tightened muscles. With massage therapy, blood flow and circulation are increased and improved, sending your body’s natural pain relief to the area that needs relief.
3. It soothes depression and anxiety
   It is a scientific fact that human touch and interaction is therapeutic and beneficial to your overall health. With countless individuals depending on medication for anxiety and depression (and all of the negative side effects that come along with them), massage therapy on a regular basis could reduce and even eliminate the need for these unnecessary chemicals in your body.
4. It boosts your immunity and adds protection from colds and flu
   As the weather gets cooler, the incidents of colds and flu begin to increase. Massage therapy actually boosts your white blood cell count which is what your body naturally uses to fight off viruses and infection. While others around you are coughing and sneezing, your simplest solution is to pick up the phone and book your massage appointment.

Sure, massage therapy is relaxing, luxurious and a nice retreat from the day to day stresses of life, but as you can see, the benefits go much further than that. Not only do you deserve a massage, your body NEEDS one today.

Like You Really Need One, But Here Are 10 Reasons Why You Should Get A Massage!

Oh yes, a massage feels oh so good! A good massage can reduce stress and melt your troubles away. There are so many reasons to treat yourself to a relaxing massage and we came up with 10 of our most favorite reasons to make you book one today.

Improves Circulation- A massage can get your blood flowing literally. It pretty much jump starts your circulatory system into high gear by moving oxygen rich blood through all parts of the body promoting healing and moving out metabolic waste.

Improves Posture- It corrects muscles moving them into the correct position and help resist any  unnatural movement and positions.

Relaxes tired muscles- Tight and strained muscles are the number one cause of back pain and jut one massage can loosen them up to relieve tension and pain. 

Lowers Blood Pressure- It has been proven that a massage can reduce both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. 

Improve Flexibility- Loosing the muscles improve movement and fluidity throughout the body.

Relieves Headaches- Massages loosens muscles in the upper back and neck that trigger muscle spasms that cause headaches. 

Helps You Breathe Easier- A chest massage loosens any tight muscles that may reconstructing air flow to the lungs. 

Break Up Old Scar Tissue- An old injuries with harden scars can be loosened and broken up with a proper massage. 

Strengthens The Imune System- Scientific studies have shown all the benefits of a massage can make you healthier an strengthen your immune system.

You Feel AWESOME Afterwards!- Getting a massage is the most natural way to promote the production of our bodies' natural "happy chemicals" Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins. The result leaves you floating on air for the rest of the day!

Take a Break From Pain

Pain is nature's way of letting us know something isn't right, that we should slow down and pay attention. Of course we all suffer from various pain and it should never be ignored. It is our body's way of telling us to back off or we could injure ourselves more. In most cases back pain can be avoided by simply taking a break from what ever repetitive activity we may be doing.

Say you are doing some yard work, raking leaves for example. You've been at it for an hour and the progress is coming along nicely, then a sharp pain hits your lower back. But wait, you are almost done! One more pile and it will be finished and you can go inside and plop down on the couch under the breeze of the ceiling fan. Most of us will just try to ignore the pain and push on until the task is done and wake up to regret it in the morning.

Of course you really don't even have to be doing anything for pain to creep up your back or into your shoulders. Many people with desk jobs who sit at the computer all day end up with lower back pain just from not getting up and giving themselves a quick break. We've all gotten so far into our work only to look up and realized it's been four hours since we've been out of our chair.

Experts will tell you, it is always best to take small breaks from work and move around, take a little walk and stretch. Just by changing your position you will improve your circulation and give your muscles a much needed break. When you start to feel stiffness your body is trying to say "Hey! Let's take a break!" Your body will definitely thank you later.

Which Massage Is For You

You finally decided to break down and do what's best for you get a massage. You've been dealing with headaches, muscle aches, backaches, fatigue and stress. A little pampering is just what you need to get back to feeling more energetic and to rid yourself of aches and pains. This is a great way to improve your quality of life and health without ever having to go to the doctor or take any pills.

You know exactly where it hurts and what part of the body needs work done, but which massage should you choose? Which is right for your lifestyle, body type, and level of stress? These are questions people ask me all the time. Most of the time for new customers, we don't find out until first session, because everyone is unique with their own needs.

Most people think a massage is something you do every now and then to treat yourself as luxury or reward. The truth is there is science in massage therapy! It can really get your blood flowing, lower heart rate and blood pressure, help heal injuries and provide incredible relief for migraine headaches. It's much more than just feeling good, it improves your overall health and well-being.

Today's massage therapist are well educated in all parts of the human anatomy and how it works. We can feel a muscle that is tense, know exactly how to loosen it up and how that will affect your body. We use this medical knowledge to help promote healthy blood flow and help the organ function. You will be surprised at how much better you feel just after one session.

There are three types of basic massages that I offer. It basically depends on how deep you want me to go and and the overall condition of your body. These cover a wide range of techniques and pressure points.

The first is therapeutic massage. This is rubbing, pressing, and manipulating your skin tendons and ligaments. This ranges from deep pressure to very light stroking over the muscles. It may include different types, such as sports massage, trigger point therapy, to prenatal and geriatric massage. They all have their own benefits and together we will decide which is best for you.

The second type is the Swedish Massage. This is the most widely known and most commonly used. This commonly involves long fluid strokes of tissues and muscle with pressure that varies from light to medium to firm. A Swedish massage is generally known to be the most relaxing and stress relieving massage therapy.

A Deep Tissue Massage is when it's time to get serious about relief to long term muscle ache, fatigue, strains, postural problems, or recovering from injuries. This technique involves slower strokes and more forceful direct, and deep pressure. This aims to break up and eliminate muscle knots and usually focuses on a specific area. This type of massage helps release toxins from muscles, allow blood and oxygen to circulating properly, and losing muscle tendons.

Massage therapy has proven benefits for all ages ranging from infant to age 100. We could all use a little pampering and help for our bodies to be at their best and perform in peak condition. If you are unsure about which massage is right for you, please contact me and we will work together to ensure you receive the best one for your needs and makes you feel alive again!

Surprising Medical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Despite massage’s reputation as a self-indulgent luxury, an increasing number of people are embracing it — not just as a “spa treatment,” but as a powerful therapeutic tool.

Americans currently log more than 114 million trips to massage therapists every year. Massage therapists are the second most visited complementary and alternative medicine providers behind chiropractors. All told, Americans spend up to $11 billion a year on massage. [source] And statistics from the American Massage Therapy Association project that over the next five years, that number is likely to grow considerably.

What we’re getting for our money, whether we realize it or not, is an access code of sorts — a healing key capable of opening the body’s stickiest and most difficult to reach locks.

Scrunching our shoulders, craning our necks, sitting for hours, driving in rush-hour traffic and other stress reactions we may not notice can create patterns of muscle tension (referred to as “holding”) in the body. And when muscles are chronically tense or tweaked, it can have a nasty effect on both our bodies and our minds.

Persistent musculoskeletal tension can restrict blood circulation and nutrient supplies to the body’s organs and tissues. As the weblike connective tissue (fascia) that envelops the muscles gets increasingly dense and less mobile, it can negatively affect posture and breathing. The experience of low-grade, habitual tension can contribute to chronic hormonal, biochemical and neurological problems of all kinds. Intead of turning to alternative medicine practices like massage, we are spending far too much money on pharmaceutical “cures” which cover up the problem rather than addressing the underlying issues.

Massage interrupts such stress-inducing patterns, and helps nudge the body back into a natural state of balance, clearing your mind and body of tension.

So what is massage, exactly? Scientists who study its health benefits often use the therapy’s broadest definition: “The manipulation of soft tissue for the purpose of producing physiological effects.”

Massage Therapy helps Alleviate Anxiety

In conventional medicine, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are the gold standard. But massage and most other forms of bodywork don’t lend themselves well to such studies.

For example, in 2004, Christopher Moyer, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, published a meta-analysis on massage therapy research and found that, on average, research subjects who received massage had a lower level of anxiety than those who did not.

“My research consistently finds that massage does have an impact on anxiety,” says Moyer. “We don’t know exactly why, but people who get massage have less anxiety afterward.”

One popular explanation is that massage lowers the body’s levels of cortisol, the hormone notorious for triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response. “No matter how we measure cortisol — in saliva or urine, or how often, we always find that massage has a beneficial effect,” says Tiffany Field, PhD, a researcher at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

Although Moyer is yet to be convinced of the cortisol connection, both he and Field agree that massage is potentially very therapeutic for what’s known as “state” anxiety. Unlike generalized anxiety disorders, state anxiety is a reaction to something you can pinpoint, such as a troubling or traumatic event, circumstance, or setting.

Although more research is needed, says Moyer, “some experts posit that the reported alleviation of state anxiety could be a result of something as simple as the social and psychological environment where massage takes place.”
Relieve Lower-Back Pain

Aside from stress, if there’s one thing that drives people to the massage table in droves, it’s pain. Especially lower-back pain, which up to 85 percent of Americans experience at some point during their lives.

In 2008, the Cochrane Collaboration (a global, independent, nonprofit organization that reviews the usefulness of healthcare interventions) published an examination of the evidence linking massage to relieving lower-back pain. Reviewing 13 clinical trials, they found massage to be a promising treatment. [source]

“Physical pain is like the alarm system of a house,” says Andrea Furlan, PhD, a clinical epidemiologist who specializes in massage at the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto. “With acute pain, like a burn or a broken bone, the pain signal indicates something is wrong. But, if you have pain every day, like chronic back pain, the alarm is malfunctioning. Massage may not be able to turn off the alarm, but it can lower the volume.”

Given how positively it affects the rest of the body and mind, and how well it moderates stress, it probably comes as no surprise that massage therapy can also benefit the heart — in part by reducing blood pressure. In his meta-analysis, Moyer found that massage significantly lowers blood pressure, at least temporarily.

He notes that the findings are consistent with the theory that massage can trigger the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which helps prompt the body to return to biochemical balance and emotional ease after enduring a stressful event.

But perhaps the bigger takeaway here is that massage can help unlock the body’s healing potential not by any one means, but rather by many. As epidemiologist Andrea Furlan points out, “Well before drugs or surgical procedures were developed, people used massage to treat almost everything.” Still, today, she notes, “when we get hurt, our first instinct is to rub.”

Amy Buttell, for one, doesn’t need any more evidence than her own transformation. “I don’t know if it’s the touch, the warm table, or the fact that I get to turn my phone off for an hour, but I do know that massage is worth every penny.”

What Can I Expect at my First Massage Therapy Appointment

BEFORE THE MASSAGE

First things first: make sure it is a good time for you to have a massage. Reschedule your visit if have a fever, skin irritations (such as poison ivy or sunburn), or if you are trying to stabilize your medication (because massage can affect the dosage needed).

In the days before your massage, drink plenty of water. Do not eat just before your massage. Give yourself enough time to arrive on time and relaxed. If you are rushing and arrive stressed, it will take longer to get into a relaxed state.

HEALTH HISTORY

Generally, first appointments begin with an intake process, starting with a detailed health history. The health history paperwork may be mailed out to you so you can complete it beforehand. If not, arrive early for your first visit to fill it out. Generally, a health history will ask you about:

• Medical conditions
• Areas of concern
• Your level of pain or discomfort on good and bad days
• What helps reduce the pain and what makes it worse
• Contact information

You will also likely be asked to sign the standard forms that explain your right to privacy such as HIPAA Consent and Disclosure.

INTERVIEW

Because massage can affect multiple body systems, such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, be honest with the massage therapist about your health. You should also let the therapist know about any pharmaceutical drugs or botanical medicines you are taking, because massage can pharmaceutical drugs, such as blood pressure medication. Knowing your history allows a therapist to determine if there are any reasons you should avoid massage or a particular technique.

The massage therapist will ask you questions to better design a session that meets your needs and goals within the time allotted. Let the therapist know what areas of your body you would like worked on, if there are any areas to avoid, and if you have any techniques that you would like to use or avoid. If you are concerned about undressing, discuss it with the therapist, who should be able to offer you some options. Don't be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. All information you give is confidential and your comfort is our utmost concern.

DURING THE MASSAGE

Generally, you will lie on a massage table, covered by a sheet or large towel. Make sure you are comfortable and let the therapist know if you are not. Tell the therapist if you are cold, want to be covered, don't want an area of your body touched, don't like the music, or are experiencing discomfort with the technique or how it is being applied. Remember, you are in charge, and can ask for changes or stop the session at any time.

The therapist will outline what will happen in the session and then leave the room so you can undress to your comfort level.

When you are ready, lie down on the massage table and cover yourself with the sheet or other draping on the table. A professional massage therapist will never expose genitals or breasts, or any other areas you identify. Only the area the therapist is working on will be exposed. The therapist will knock before re-entering.

MUSIC

The therapist may play music, but be sure to tell your therapist if you would prefer a different type of music or if you would like quiet. Typically, you can also bring your own music to play during the session.

HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MASSAGE

Be as open to the process as you can.

Relax and try let your thoughts go. One way to do this is to focus on how the touch or technique feels.

Remember to breathe, as this helps you relax. Sometimes people hold their breath when a sensitive area is massaged, but it is best to breathe through it.

In the same way, tightening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. If you can't seem to relax your muscles, let your massage therapist know. They may need to adjust the massage technique.

The Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

The moment you hear, “you’re pregnant,” an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation takes over with the realization a new life is developing inside you. Your world is about to change, in ways you may not have even considered. Sure, you expect an expanding waistline but throw in stretch marks, heartburn, leg cramps, swelling and morning sickness; you begin to realize just how uncomfortable this miraculous journey is about to get.

Implementing Massage Therapy during pregnancy can help reduce and relieve many of the uncomfortable symptoms you’ll experience. “When my patients are hurting, the first thing I suggest them to do is to go get a massage,” said Dr. J. Morgan Lloyd, III M.D. FACOG who has been practicing OB/GYN for over 27 years. “I found prenatal massage a superb adjuvant therapy for my pregnant patients.”

Massage Therapy has helped mothers placed on bed rest experience relief from the worries that haunted them and the discomforts associated with skeletal and circulatory changes. Your body is going through a major event. Your skeletal structure begins to change as it takes on more weight, your ligaments start to lengthen and soften, organs shift, and you are on an emotional roller-coaster.  Prenatal Massage helps relieve the pain you feel in your back, neck, shoulder and hip as well as increase circulation and relaxation. It helps oxygenate and rejuvenate you.

Massage lowers stress hormone levels and helps to relieve the fatigue and aches and pains that are so common in pregnancy. I am highly skilled in pregnancy massage. I recommend them to my patients in the prenatal and postnatal stages of pregnancy.

Even after you've given birth, massage therapy helps your body recover. Everything is trying to go back to normal and it’s doing so at a very fast rate. If you’re nursing, your ligaments won’t be back to pre-pregnancy for two years; your body still thinks you’re pregnant, for non-nursing mothers it could take a year. Some women want to start working out to lose the baby fat shortly after they've given birth but your ligaments and muscle tissue are still weak making you more prone to injury. Massage Therapy will help get that good, oxygenated blood back into your system.

We welcome your calls with any questions you have about your changing body during pregnancy. We are here to help you feel more comfortable throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Give us a call today to schedule your soothing and relaxing pregnancy or post natal massage.

The Importance of Paying Attention to Pain

We’ve all suffered pain and most of us try and avoid it - sometimes to our own detriment. Pain should never be ignored; rather, it should guide us to listen to our bodies. Pain in this sense has a purpose; to keep us from further injuring ourselves. Take for example, lower back pain. By the time you’ve reached your thirties or forties, you’ve most likely experienced some episode of pain, stiffness, and limitation in movement of your lower back. Often this results in missing time from work, missing fun activities, and losing adequate sleep, to say the least.

Knowing this, future episodes of lower back pain should guide your current decision making. If you’ve been raking the yard all morning and your back starts to hurt, do you pay attention to it and stop for the day or push on into the afternoon until the task is complete (regretting it the next morning)? How about road trips? You can drive until the full tank of gas is gone and ignore the dull ache that has slowly started creeping up your spine or you can stop every two hours to stretch and move around. With this change of position you improve your circulation through movement and it will make a big difference in your body.

Most of us work with computers these days and know how time consuming they can be. Before you even realize it, you’ve been sitting in the same position for hours. One way you can deal with this lack of motion is by varying your job tasks so you are reminded to get up and move around. Keeping supplies, the trash can, the printer, even the stapler out of your reach has its benefits by getting you up and moving. If you have to, set a timer to go off every 30 minutes and then stand for a minute, shift your hips back and forth, and then sit back down. If you’re working on a laptop, try moving it to a higher surface, like a counter top or cabinet, where you can stand and work for a while.

Make sure you’re not slouching and leaning into the screen either, which can wreak havoc on your neck or upper back as well as contribute to your lower back pain. The rule of thumb is, your line of reading should be approximately two inches below the top of the screen. Adjust the height of your chair, if you can, or elevate your monitor in some way books are a good way to give your monitor a lift. The point is, don’t ignore your pain or be afraid of it; instead, let it guide you in your decision making process. For those of you who spend your entire day at the computer, you may be interested in office yoga or online apps with pop-up reminder exercises you can do at your desk. Remember to pay attention to your other body cues too, such as:

• Numbness, burning or tingling;
• Soreness, aching or tenderness;
• Pain, throbbing or swelling;
• Tightness or stiffness;
• Weakness, fatigue, or cold.

Of course, this blog has been about physical stressors on relatively healthy individuals. The stress most of us are more familiar with, anxiety, also plays a significant role in contributing to pain. I should also mention there's a lot we don't know, both in clinical practice and research, about lower back pain. The recommendations made here are observations from my own experience with massage clients and the science literature I've reviewed. However, there is growing evidence that massage therapy has the potential to help you manage both anxiety and pain while increasing your awareness of body cues, thus reducing your risk of injury and illness.

The Many Benefits of Massage Therapy for Anxiety and Depression

So many of my clients have tried various medicines, self-help books and other methods to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression in their life before turning to massage therapy. With a planned massage therapy program, I've been able to work together to achieve a goal that once felt impossible.

Living with anxiety or depression is not only harmful to your mind but it is harmful to your body. Prolonged depression and anxiety can start affecting a person physically, leading to several physical issues and pains. For this reason, it is even more important to treat it at the right time and using the right method, one of which is massage therapy.

Massage therapy works naturally as an alternative to pharmaceuticals and nasty side effects. Massage has beneficial properties far beyond the reach of medicine:

• Massage treatment directly helps with the feelings of depression and anxiety. It increases your feelings of energy and helps alleviate your anxiety. It targets your physical symptoms which occur due to the tension in your body from anxiety. 

• Another reason why massage therapy is so beneficial for curing anxiety and depression is because it reduces your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone brought on by stress, which when reduced leads to reduction in heart rate, anxiety and the problem of increased blood pressure.

• Massage therapy or treatment can also affect the neurotransmitters found in your brain which leads to an increase in your serotonin and dopamine levels. This increase helps in the reduction of depression and a better overall feeling of contentment and happiness.

• Massage therapy increases your overall energy, restoring your confidence and decreasing a certain degree of anxiety and the feelings of depression.

• The combined effect of caring attention and focused hand massage treatment can lead to the shift in your brain signals to a more calm state, thus reducing your anxiousness and tension. The tactile stimulation also helps in treating the depression since it is known that humans are biologically programmed to respond to touch.

If you are living with the daily struggle of anxiety and depression, one of the best steps you can take is to find a licensed massage therapist that works well with you. In my practice, I work one on one with each of my clients to confidentially discuss any mental or physical issues I can directly address through massage.

I will develop a massage schedule that works for you and track your progress toward overcoming your anxiety and depression. So please call today and book your massage appointment.

What's the difference between Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage and which is right for me?

Everyone enjoys a relaxing massage, but are you familiar with the different types of massage therapies and their benefits?

Today, we’re going to look into the difference between Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, their benefits and techniques, so you can determine which one is right for you.

Swedish Massage focuses on improving your blood and lymph circulation and relaxing superficial muscles (muscles at the surface). According to Robert Noah Calvert, founder of Massage Magazine, “Swedish massage didn't really originate in Sweden. In Europe, it is generally referred to as classic massage, which was originally organized and described by Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger.”

When I perform Swedish massage on my clients, I use a specific set of massage techniques: Sliding movements (called effleurage); kneading movements (called petrissage); rubbing or friction; and percussion or vibration. I traditionally also include both passive and active joint movements, wherein I gently stretch and bend your joints to improve your flexibility and pliability.

Spa treatments such as aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, body wraps, chair massage and pregnancy massage are subcategories of Swedish massage as are medical massage, manual lymphatic drainage, infant and children massage and geriatric massage.

A Swedish massage increases the flow of oxygen in the blood and releases toxins from the muscles in your body. It also shortens the recovery time for a muscular strain.

The beauty of my Swedish massage is that it simultaneously stimulates the skin and nervous system to soothe your nerves. My clients enjoy the relief it brings from both emotional and physical stress and this massage is a staple in nearly every stress management program. There are so many therapeutic benefits to the body: it flushes lactic acid, uric acid and other types of metabolic wastes out of the tissues of your body.

Deep tissue massage address issues like small muscle injuries or chronic muscle problems. Deep tissue massage is an excellent way to handle a sports injury or even whiplash. Often times, physicians prescribe deep tissue massage for Fibromyalgia pain or Osteoarthritis. It also helps with correcting posture problems.

Deep tissue targets three central muscular regions, specifically: The neck area, the back, and the fascia (connective tissues). The Deep Tissue Massage got its name because it is really intended to penetrate deeper into the underlying muscle layers. The massage is meant to carefully ease out strained muscles below the surface and is rather more intense in nature than the softer Swedish Massage.

In order to decide whether a Swedish Massage or a Deep Tissue Massage is more appropriate for you, you will need to ask yourself exactly what you are expecting as a result of the massage. For example, if you are looking for an overall relaxing massage that eases the tension in your entire body, then perhaps a Swedish Massage is what you’re after.

However, if you have specific pain or tension that needs to be addressed, then a Deep Tissue Massage is probably the direction we’ll take. In some cases my clients and I decide a combination of the two is the most appropriate choice.

If you are still having trouble deciding whether a Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage is best for you, please feel free to give me a call. Together we can discuss your expectations from your massage, decide together whether a Swedish Massage or a Deep Tissue Massage would be most appropriate.

Massage Therapy Can Help Alleviate Symptoms of Various Physical Conditions

The word is out! Massage therapy is proven to help alleviate symptoms of many different physical and mental ailments. Read more from "Youth Health Magazine" at by CLICKING HERE. After reading...book your massage appointment with me!

Massages...they're good for your health!

Did you know that scheduled regular massages can improve your overall health? Take a look at this article from the American Massage Therapy Association to learn the benefits of massage and your health! CLICK HERE TO VIEW ARTICLE!

Need a Reason to Have a Massage?

Need a reason to get a massage? Sounds like a question you might already know the asnwer to, but our friends over an Organic Health have an awesome article on 5 Great Reasons for You To Have Regular Massages. Check it out HERE!!