Why massage therapy?

The benefits of massage therapy can be different for each recipient; however, some of the more common benefits of massage therapy are that it:

• Helps ease pain caused by T.M.J.
• Alleviates pain and improves range of motion
• Assists with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shortens maternity hospital stays
• Eases medication dependence
• Enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
• Exercises and stretches weak, tight, or atrophied muscles
• Relaxes and softens injured, tired, and overused muscles
• Helps athletes of any level prepare for and recover from strenuous workouts
• Improves the condition of the body’s largest organ, the skin
• Increases joint flexibility
• Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Promotes tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks
• Pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation
• Reduces post-surgery adhesions and swelling
• Reduces spasms and cramping
• Releases endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller
• Relieves migraine and headache pain

A Powerful Ally

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:

• Decreased anxiety
• Enhanced sleep quality
• Greater energy
• Improved concentration
• Increased circulation
• Reduced fatigue

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

Profound Effects

In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body, with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:

• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain
• Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow
• Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping
• Preterm infants have improved weight gain
• Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles.

Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits

Getting a massage can do you a world of good, and frequent massages can prove even more beneficial. 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. Keep in mind just because a 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.