There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:

 

Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.

Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits

Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.

 

 

Experts estimate that 80 percent 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. The physical changes massage brings to your body can have a positive effect in many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, massage lowers your blood pressure, increases circulation, improves recovery from injury, helps you to sleep better and can increase your concentration. It reduces fatigue and gives you more energy to handle stressful situations.

 

 

In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage and/or bodywork treatments?

- 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. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.

- 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.

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.
 

 

 

 

 

Hot Stones have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times, but only recently has Hot Stone Massage caught on as a popular massage treatment.

In Hot Stone Massage, smooth, flat stones are heated and placed on key points around the body. The stones are volcanic stones made from basalt which retain heat due to their high iron content.

The massage therapist holds the heated stones to massage certain areas. The heat of the stones benefits the muscles by warming and relaxing them. This enables the therapist to apply deep pressure while still promoting relaxation. Warmth creates expansion of the blood vessels, encouraging blood to flow easily. In addition, hot stones stimulate and increase the operation of the overall lymph system.

Clients find the treatment to be enjoyable and relaxing as the combination of warmth and movement calms the nervous system and relaxes the body.  Heated stones are also placed on areas of muscle tension and provide an incredible relief to sore, aching muscles.

Hot Stone treatments are most often used to treat back pain, poor circulation, osteoarthritis, stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

 

 

 

Reflexology is a therapy that works with pressure points on the feet that correspond to all of the organs, glands and parts of the body.

By working on the specific areas of the feet a response is elicited in the organs and glands connected to these areas. This stimulation causes physiological changes to occur in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. In this way reflexology can directly affect the functioning of all the body’s systems, helping them to function at their optimum level. Circulation of lymph and blood is improved, immune functioning is enhanced, assimilation of nutrients is increased, and elimination of toxins are enhanced.
Reflexology is certainly not a new therapy and was practiced by the Egyptians as early as 2330BC!

Not only does reflexology keep you healthy, but also it feels great. There are over 7000 nerve endings in your feet. Given that the most stimulation feet usually get is the bottom of your shoe and an occasional grain of dirt stuck annoyingly in your sock (and isn’t it surprising how small the grain turns out to be when it feels so big and painful!)  a reflexology treatment is a massive sensory experience.

Reflexology shifts the body from functioning in the sympathetic nervous system modality (i.e. flight or fight response to stress) to the parasympathetic system modality (i.e. rest and repair, stress-free). So it is an extremely relaxing treatment, if you don’t fall into that lovely place between sleep and awake you will at the very least feel completely blissed out.

 

Reflexology can help both acute and chronic conditions including:

 

 

 

 

Aromatherapy doesn't just smell good, it also benefits you in many ways. Some aromatherapy benefits that are more commonly known include:
 

 

• Relaxation and stress relief
• Mood enhancement, balance and well being
• Relief of minor discomforts
• Boosting the immune, respiratory and circulatory systems