Elements Therapeutic Massage - Mira Loma

Therapist Thursdays: Mothers Know Best!

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

What's the best piece of advice you ever got from your mom?

Sheela H.

"Treat others as you would like to be treated!"

Silvia M.
Elements Greenville

"Do what you love to do in life as acareer, not what you think you are supposed to do. Give it all that you have got and then give a little more. You'll be surprised how much more will come out!"

Vee S.
Elements Greenville

"Never trust a smiling dog ... or a talking snake. Never dive into a pool with no water. Always look both ways when you cross the street. God will always be there for you. He'll let you go if you decide to live without Him. But He'll always be waiting take you back. The trails He gives us are to test our faith in Him and to know everything is fully under his control, whether in the stormy weather or in sunny, blessed days."

Jana S.
Elements Glendale

"Pay the money for Levi's and shoes."

Joe B.
Elements Glendale

"Never let your house payment be more than a fourth of your monthly income."

Natasha W.
Elements Glendale

"Follow your heart. Do what makes you happy and the rest will follow."

AV Y.
Elements Mission Viejo Gateway Center

"Pay cash; avoid credit cards of any kind."

Pamela G.

Elements Mira Loma

"If you say you're going to do something, you follow through on that because you are only as good as your word."

Maylene M.

Elements Mira Loma

"Prevent is better than to cure."

Therapist Thursdays: Simple Stretches You Can Do At Work

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:08:00 -0500

Donielle W.
Elements Greenville

"A great stretch for clients and therapists is the doorway stretch for pectoral muscles. Standing in a doorway with arms braced on the side of the door and leaning forward with your body will help stretch pectoral muscles contracted from forward posture or a lot of computer work.

“Another great one for the upper shoulders, or the trapezius, is to lean your head to either side with chin tilted slightly toward the shoulder and stretch the opposite arm from where your head is tilted toward the floor. This muscle tends to hold stress and tension so this is great to keep it flexible.

“The last one would be for your rhomboid area, which also gets a lot of sore spots and trigger points from posture or working out. Take your arms out in front of you, cross them over each other, then put your palms together and push. This will give a delicious stretch to the upper back."

Norma R.
Elements McAllen

“For a nice shoulder stretch, place one arm across your chest and use the other arm to hold. Gently press on your upper arm for an additional stretch. Hold for about five seconds, and repeat five times for each arm.”

Doug J.
Elements Rockville Centre

“Be aware of your posture. Make sure you’re sitting and standing up straight. Don't lean on your arms. Keep your neck straight and head up.

“Take the time to stretch as much as you can. While at your desk, bring your arms all the way back and expand your chest. Turn your head to the side and then look over your shoulder. Stretch your right ear to your right shoulder. Then stretch your right ear to your right arm pit. Do the same on your left.”

Colleen O.
Elements Louisville

“Even though it isn't heavy lifting, computer work is hard on our bodies! Here are a few things you can do to keep your body in working order.

“Stretch your chest muscles every 20 minutes by standing up straight, looking straight ahead at a focal point on the wall and trying to touch your elbows behind your back. Hold for 20 seconds.

“To stretch your hands and arms: Stand up straight. Extend your left arm slightly in front of you, palm side up. Extend your fingers. Grab the fingers on your left hand (with your right hand) and gently pull your fingers back towards your body, keeping your arm extended. Do this for about 20 seconds. You’ll feel a nice stretch up the inside of your arm (your flexors). Repeat on the right side.”

Light Pressure massage is most beneficial for over all well-being!

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Exciting news for the entire spa industry! When the New York Times runs an article about a new study showing that “a single session of massage caused biological changes,” it is time for our industry to celebrate!

Here is the scoop. Researchers, from a division of the National Institute of Health, conducted a study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in which one group of adults was given a deep-tissue massage and another group was given a light massage. Blood samples were taken before and after these 45-minute massage. The participants who received the deep-tissue massage displayed (among other favorable results) decreasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol and an increase in white blood cells, an essential part of the immune system. Those who received the lighter massage had an even greater decrease in cortisol and increase in white blood cells, as well as an increase in oxytocin, a hormone associated with contentment. The study was published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

I found it amusing that the article mentioned the researchers’ reactions to the results as “a surprise.” Well…it’s certainly not a surprise to any of us in the industry, nor to most people who have had a massage and felt the physiological effects.

Kudos to the National Institute of Health for conducting this study. Now, if they could just relate this to the fact that, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stress helps account for two-thirds of family doctor visits (other studies show the percentage even higher), we would no doubt have people lining up outside of our doors to receive massages!

We found this fascinating article through Spafinder.

Did you know Massage can help with weight loss?

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:27:00 -0500

There is no question that having a massage makes you feel great. Even having a deep-tissue, sports massage makes you feel wonderful afterwards. Massage can relieve stress, help you recover from hard physical activity or injury and even reduce anxiety, but can it help you to achieve your weight loss goals?

Research shows that massage can have a positive effect on your muscle-building capabilities and fitness levels, which in turn increases your capacity to control or loose weight.

Healthy strong muscles burn calories and give you the freedom to participate in all sorts of sports and activities that can help you burn excess calories and improve your overall fitness and wellbeing.

Massage has the following benefits that can directly influence your ability to control or loose weight:

1. Massage has been shown to improve circulation and the supply of nutrition to the muscles. Massage increases the interchange of vital substances between the blood and tissue cells, which increases tissue metabolism. After muscles are exercised, vital nutrients must be supplied to them so that they can recover and rebuild themselves. Massage maximizes the supply of these nutrients and oxygen though increased blood flow, which helps the muscles to grow and burn more calories as a result.

2. Massage improves your muscles' range of motion and their flexibility. This allows them to maintain maximum power and performance while active, and burn the maximum number of calories in the process.

Improved range of motion and flexibility also reduces muscle soreness during periods of recovery and muscle repair.

Having a wide range of motion and maximum muscle flexibility also reduces the danger of experiencing injuries during exercise which can severely limit activity, exercise and weight loss progress.

3. Massage helps to shorten the recovery time needed between your workouts. Waste products such as lactic and carbonic acid build up in muscles during and after exercise. Increased circulation to these muscles helps to eliminate toxic debris buildup caused by these waste products and in doing so shorten recovery time.

Shortened recovery time means you can safely have more workouts over a given period of time, which in turn means that you have the opportunity to burn more total calories in your effort to achieve your individual weight loss goals.

4. Massage can also help reduce the chance of you over-training. Massage has a relaxing effect on the muscles and a sedative effect on the nervous system. By helping you to rest, which is a very important element of any exercise program, massage can reduce the likelihood of you experiencing over-training syndrome, which is known to limit your ability to build strong healthy muscles and therefore loose weight with maximum efficiency.

5. In addition to all of the above, massage may directly aid in fat loss. According to some research studies, massage is thought to be able to burst the fat capsule in subcutaneous tissue so that the fat exudes and becomes absorbed. In this way, combined with proper nutrition and exercise, massage may actually help in weight loss.

6. As we have already touched upon, massage helps prevent and heal injuries. By stretching connective tissue, massage improves circulation to help prevent or break down adhesions and scar tissue that result from muscle tears and other common muscle injuries. Massage also influences the excretion of certain fluids (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur) that aid in tissue repair. Fast and effective recovery from injuries means that you can begin exercising sooner after suffering an injury and getting your weight loss progress back on track.

So there you have it. Massage has a lot of benefits that can indirectly and possibly even directly aid you in achieving your weight loss goals.

Regular massage is just as important a component as regular workouts and correct nutrition in any comprehensive fitness and weight loss program, which is great news for those of us who thought that exercising and loosing weight was all hard work! Remember, weight loss is all about leading a balanced lifestyle and massage is an essential part of any balanced lifestyle.

If you haven't had a massage lately, what are you waiting for? Get on the phone and make yourself a booking. If you haven't had a massage before, just remember to have your massage done by a qualified massage therapist.

If you are unsure about a massage practitioners qualifications and experience, ask for referrals, professional training information, and make sure they are certified by reputable agency or institution.

And remember, have fun!

Scott Haywood is the editor of Australia's leading weight loss and healthy lifestyle website weightloss.com.au. Weightloss.com.au is a free weight loss resource that has healthy recipes, weight loss product reviews, a weight loss business directory and a very popular weight loss forum.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Haywood

Feel the heat! Hot Stone Massage

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:20:00 -0500

Feel the heat! Hot Stone Massage

Feel the heat! It puts your body-mind-soul into a place of relaxation, healing and bliss. Hot Stone Massage involves the application of heated basalt stones of various sized to key points of the body, giving a deep massage a creating sensations of comfort and warmth. Heated stone massage is said to be “five times more relaxing than an ordinary massage.” Heat causes vasodilatation, which is the dilation of blood vessels to increase circulation. The heat increases metabolic action to help flush waste products from the body. Heat also increases white blood cell count, helping to stimulate the immune system. Benefits of Hot Stone: * Relieves muscle aches and pains * Improves circulation * Helps with rheumatic and arthritic conditions * Relives back pain * Releases stress, anxiety and tension * Helps people with insomnia * Great for those with fibromyalgia

What Kind of Massage do you Need Right Now?

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:54:00 -0500

Choosing from a menu of massage techniques may sound like a heavenly dilemma (so many techniques, so little time …). But the choice you make is a weighty one — and it’s not just about your preferences for light or deep pressure, but also your health and physical condition right now.

So how do you know which massage therapy technique is best for your health concerns and priorities? Here’s how to know your options so you can get the greatest therapeutic benefit from your massage.

Swedish massage

Best for: Relaxation, stress relief, first massage

The most common form of massage therapy in the U.S., Swedish massage is designed to warm up the muscle tissue to release toxins, tension and soreness. The strokes are longer and slower than with many other forms of massage. It’s usually done using the hands, sometimes with the forearms. Swedish massage can be done using lighter or deeper pressure, but the strokes are long — from the shoulders to the low back and back up, for example, or from wrist all the way up the arm into the neck and then back down again.

This form of massage is typically very relaxing and is an ideal technique to experience if you’ve never had a massage before.

Deep tissue massage

Best for: Chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, recovery from injury

Deep tissue massage is a combination of various techniques used to increase the level of pressure applied to the body. It’s often done more with the forearm or elbow to help exert more pressure into the tissue. Two of the most common specific forms of deep tissue massage:

· Petrissage is a massage movement that is much like kneading bread; the therapist uses this technique to get the blood flow into a traumatized area of the body. It’s typically applied in a specific area of the body rather than used as a full-body treatment.
· Friction is another technique that produces heat and helps bring more concentrated blood flow to an area.
· Tapotement (tah-pōt-ment´) is often described as karate chopping but can be done in other ways as well, such as using the fingertips or with the hands cupped. The main characteristic of tapotement is a rapid, rhythmic tapping motion, usually with a higher intensity of pressure applied to the tissues than with many other forms of massage.

Most deep tissue techniques are done at a slower pace, with lots of communication between the therapist and the client. The therapist should check in with you during the treatment by asking, “With this pressure would you like me stay here or go deeper or lighter?”

There might be a certain level of discomfort — what we call ‘in a good pain range’ — for deep tissue massage to be effective. But it should not feel too uncomfortable. It’s similar to stretching — it may not feel very good to start, but if you breathe and hold the stretch, it starts to feel better.

Trigger point work

Best for: Highly localized “knots” where the body holds tension;

Trigger point work is designed to get into those little knots. It’s often done using the thumb, knuckle or elbow to apply static pressure to those points. The therapist can feel that knot to detect when it’s loosening up and is trained to know what a muscle is supposed to feel like normally versus what it feels like when it’s “in knots.”

Common trigger points — like that nagging area between the shoulder blades — are associated with the fact that toxins commonly accumulate in certain places in the body. When the therapist locates a trigger point and applies pressure, that pain will often “refer” or travel to another part of the body. For example, if the therapist applies pressure to your hamstring or back of your leg, you might feel it in your lower back.

Trigger point work will help get an injured client’s muscle tissue back to a more normal state, but the initial massage may be about getting everything around that injured area more relaxed. Sometimes a client’s tissue can’t take the deeper pressure work, or the client doesn’t like the feeling of the deep tissue work – it may be uncomfortable for some clients.

Hot Stone Massage

Best for: easing muscle tension without deep pressure; maximizing massage time

A hot stone massage might look and feel too good to be therapeutic, but these stones do in fact serve a clinical purpose.

The shape of the stones themselves enable the therapist to use special techniques that can deliver more therapeutic benefit — benefits you’ll really feel.

A therapist might use the rounded edge of a stone around the shoulder blade or in the low back or neck area to really relax the tissue between the muscles and the bone.

Then there’s the heat, of course. Beyond the “ahhh” factor of feeling those hot stones go to work on your aching back or neck, the stones transfer heat into your body. Thus allowing the therapist to work more effectively.

Still, you want the longest session you can get with a hot stone massage. The stones are pre-heated to 125 degrees at the time your session begins. You want an 80- or 110-minute hot stone massage to get the greatest benefit.

Prenatal Massage

Best for: Decreasing swelling, relieving aches and pains, easing the physical and emotional stresses of pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, it’s very important to work with a therapist who’s trained in prenatal massage. Prenatal massage training includes instruction in specific modifications used to help protect the baby, relieve symptoms like edema (swelling) and low back pain that are common during pregnancy, and make Mom more comfortable both during and after the massage.

Prenatal massage is typically done with the client lying on her side, or on her back with a wedge to support the back and knees to take pressure of the baby off the mom’s internal organs.

The therapist also needs to be trained on certain aspects of prenatal massage such as pressure points that may have the possibility of triggering contractions. Research doesn’t necessarily prove that, but you want to make sure the therapist is knowledgeable in this area.

Sports massage

Best for: Preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.

Sports massage is designed mostly for pre– or post–sports event work. For example, you might get a sports massage the day of or the day before an event such as a half-marathon to get the body really ready for the activity.

Sports massage is typically not as relaxing as other forms of massage — the generally more fast-action than Swedish massage; the techniques the therapist uses to apply pressure to the body move at a faster pace. Aided stretching is also a common sport massage technique; and it’s used to help get the lactic acid buildup in the muscles to dissipate.

But you don't have to be a professional athlete to get a sport massage. It's ideal for anyone who’s physically active — as well as someone who’s just starting out with a new workout program, running their first 10K or marathon, or doing anything else that’s outside their normal activity routine. Especially if you’re more of a novice athlete, a pre-event sports massage can make that a better event for you. And for regular marathon runners, there are specific techniques used to help a body that’s been through that kind of intense event.

Right technique, right therapist

The majority of massage therapists are trained in Swedish and deep tissue massage. Some have had advanced training in other techniques, and everyone has techniques in which they’re especially skilled or experienced. So a high-quality therapeutic massage provider will look at your health history, goals, challenges and lifestyle to match you with the therapist who’s best for your situation. You don’t want to just get put in a time slot – you need to be matched to the right therapist for you.

Your preference for light or deep pressure is another reason you want to be matched to a therapist vs. just a time-slot technique. Massage therapists’ level of pressure is not determined by the therapist’s stature, size or strength, but by how they leverage their body weight to do the deep bodywork.

Many people believe a male therapist is stronger than a female therapist and assume they’ll get a deeper massage, but that’s really not true. There are a lot of petite female therapists who know how to leverage their body weight and provide a deep tissue massage experience. So remember, gender doesn’t determine the type and depth of massage you will get.

At Elements Therapeutic Massage, our therapeutic approach is designed to match you with the therapist and the specific technique that’s best for your unique health and wellness situation. We specialize in customizing each massage session to the specific needs of every client. Therefore we often incorporate techniques from each type of massage to ensure that you receive the best and most appropriate treatment.

We also use a proprietary numbering system that indicates the level of work a therapist does. Level 1 is light pressure and Level 4 is deep pressure. Some conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, or diabetes are not appropriate for some massage techniques. Please consult your physician before beginning any massage therapy program.

Why a Prenatal Massage Should Be Different

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:48:00 -0600

Why a Prenatal Massage Should Be Different

Pregnancy can be so uncomfortable! Time for a massage — but do you need a special kind of massage when you’re pregnant? What’s different about it besides the fact that you might not be able to lie on your stomach? Here’s why the experience, techniques and benefits of a prenatal massage are different from a standard massage.

When you’re expecting a baby you’re likely to feel all kinds of aches and pains. The added weight you’re carrying, along with the way it’s centered in the front of your body, can cause changes in your posture and gait as your body tries to compensate for your changing center of gravity. But as the uterus expands, the baby grows and your hormone levels shift, it’s more than just backache that can ensue.

There are several ways in which a real prenatal massage is different than the average relaxation massage you receive at a typical day spa. These differences become more important and more pronounced as your pregnancy progresses — with more adjustments made in your second and third trimester vs. in your first trimester.

Prenatal massage techniques are designed to …

o Reduce swelling. Special manipulation techniques can be used to stimulate soft tissues to reduce edema (fluid retention). Edema is often caused by the fact that the heavy uterus can reduce circulation and increase pressure on major blood vessels, notes the American Pregnancy Association based on research published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology.

o Relieve sciatica. Sciatic nerve pain is a common complication during pregnancy because the uterus rests on the pelvic floor and lower back muscles. The pressure radiates pain through the sciatic nerve into leg muscles, in turn causing those muscles to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy can reduce inflammation in the nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many pregnant women experience significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain through regular massage.

o Balance hormone levels. Recent studies have shown that massage during pregnancy significantly improved regulation of the hormones norepinephrine, cortisol and serotonin — hormones associated with stress, relaxation and mood. These improvements can help expectant mothers balance out mood swings and reduce the risk of low birth weight or complications with delivery, reports the APA based on an article on massage therapy effects on pregnant women suffering with depression, in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology.

o Keep baby safe. The intensity of the pressure applied to the muscles and tissues, and the positioning of the mother’s body, should be adjusted to ensure that the baby is protected.

5 tips for getting the right prenatal massage for you

1. Tell your massage therapist how far along you are and when your due date is.

2. Ask for a massage therapist experienced in prenatal massage techniques. These professionals specialize in prenatal and postnatal massages.

3. Advise the therapist of any particular troubles, concerns, aches … Point out where you’re feeling pain or discomfort, when it tends to be at its worst, and what activities seem to aggravate it or cause it to flare up.

4. Be specific. “Feels like” comparisons are helpful here — does it feel like a needle in your back every evening, or a dull ache in your hip when you try to bend?

5. Ask about Swedish massage. Swedish massage is a recommended prenatal massage method because it is effective at relieving many discomforts related to the changes in hormone levels, spinal and joint alignment, and circulation that are often experienced by pregnant women. Swedish massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation. The therapist uses long, gliding strokes and kneading and tapping techniques on the top layer of muscles; and may also manipulate the joints gently to improve range of motion.

Be sure to consult your doctor first about whether a massage is suitable for your condition. When you’re nearing delivery, schedule yourself for a postnatal massage. This type of therapy is differs from a prenatal massage in that it focuses on toning a new mother's body and reducing fluid retention. And of course, it can help ease the stresses of all the change you’re experiencing at home (like getting up with the baby in the middle of every night) — and that release and renewal can help you be a better mom.

Can Massage Therapy Save You Money on Healthcare?

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Can Massage Therapy Save You Money on Healthcare?

You might think of a massage as a luxury. But can massage therapy actually pay for itself by reducing your medical bills?

There’s growing evidence that massage is a beneficial complement to medical treatments for certain chronic health conditions. Significant research is ongoing in this area, notes the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). While experts emphasize that the medical benefits of massage need more study, some research has shown evidence that massage therapy is effective in treating chronic health conditions that lead to billions of dollars in healthcare costs a year in America.

Ranging from back pain, migraines and fibromyalgia to anxiety and depression, chronic health conditions are costing Americans dearly in out-of-pocket medical expenses to seek relief at doctor’s offices, pharmacies and operating rooms. These are the types of conditions that massage can help with the most.

According to NCCAM, a 2008 review of 13 clinical trials found evidence that massage may help relieve chronic low-back pain.
The Mayo Clinic notes that some studies have found evidence that massage therapy is beneficial for anxiety and noted that ongoing sessions of massage therapy can reduce "trait anxiety" (general anxiety-proneness) — as well as improve symptoms of depression.
According to The Mayo Clinic, some research has shown that massage decreases chronic pain in people suffering with fibromyalgia or migraines.

Massage is even being used to help make cancer treatment less traumatic and debilitating. Massage therapy has been shown to bring a 50 percent improvement in symptoms including anxiety, pain and fatigue among patients being treated for cancer, according to the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. And a study of more than 300 advanced-stage cancer patients in multiple hospice facilities found that massage may help relieve pain and boost mood for cancer patients.

Increase the benefits with regular massage treatments

Regular ongoing massage treatments can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year, notes the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals group. Getting a massage at consistent intervals is an investment in your health, and just because massage feels like pampering doesn’t make it any less therapeutic.

Think of massage appointments as one of your ongoing health and wellness habits that you do to prevent the costs, stress, pain, discomfort and upheaval associated with illness and disease.

More massage! Better health!

At Elements Therapeutic Massage, we’ll work with you and your practitioner to create a plan for regular, ongoing massage therapy sessions that can keep you healthy while working with your schedule and lifestyle, your health concerns and your priorities. Call or come in today and let’s talk about how you can get more massage and well-being in your life.

Advancing the Art: Science and Practice of Massage Therapy

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:35:00 -0600

Advancing the Art: Science and Practice of Massage Therapy

Continuing education is encouraged and supported by the owners of Elements Therapeutic Massage in Fountain Valley. One of our massage therapists, Denise Bell, attended the AMTA* Advancing the Art, Science and Practice of Massage Therapy class on January 19^th.

Featuring Rhonda Wimmer as the guest speaker.

Key Highlights Denise took away from this lecture:

Always work both sides of the client’s body, even if the client asks for one area to be the concentration. When the body is injured the opposite of the injury compensates.
Therapists need to explain to their client the importance of massage throughout the entire body for better body balance.
Therapists should work the “good” side first. For example if the client is complaining about their right shoulder being injured or sore then the left shoulder needs to be worked first so the client can feel what will be done when the therapist moves to the sore area.
With sports massage there needs to be a variety of massage modalities, including but not limited to: shiatsu, acupressure and lomi lomi.

The goal at Elements Therapeutic Massage is to customize the massage to the client’s needs. As a premiere therapeutic massage studio Elements employs top quality certified massage therapists who are passionate about their work and dedicated to improving their skills through continuing education. With our unique level system our front desk team will match you with a therapist who will customize your body work session to meet your physical needs.

*AMTA= American Massage Therapy Association

Need to Detox? Massage Can Help

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:37:00 -0600

Need to Detox? Massage Can Help

Not feeling your best and not sure why? Might be time to detox.

You don’t have to go on a detox diet or drink special smoothies to detox. Start with a massage to kick-start your body’s own natural cleansing processes, which can slow down for a variety of reasons — lack of regular exercise, too little fluids or fiber in the diet … If you haven’t been taking the best care of yourself, a detoxifying massage can help set things right again.

How does massage help the body detox, exactly?

The rhythmic strokes and pressure applied to muscles, tissues and organs during massage therapy help stimulate the circulatory system. It works sort of like a sponge: When pressure is applied to the tissue and fat, toxins are literally “squeezed” out from in between the muscle fibers and cells. They’re released into the circulatory system for easier elimination.

The lymph system is key

Your lymphatic fluid system works with your cardiovascular circulatory system to flush out toxins and carry immune cells throughout the body to help defend against infections. If your lymph fluid circulation gets sluggish, toxins can accumulate and immune cells may not get carried to the areas of the body where they’re needed.

Since the lymph system doesn’t have a big central pump like the heart to keep things moving, it has to rely on gravity, exercise, breathing … and massage. So if you haven’t been as good as you should about your exercise, diet and “me time” routine (it happens to the best of us!), that can affect how you feel, causing aches, pains and swelling (lymph edema). It can also cause deterioration in organs and glands like the thymus that are vital players in your immune system.

It’s easy to see why detoxification is important to avoiding illness and chronic health conditions. So if you’re not feeling your best or haven’t been as good about your diet and exercise routine lately, try a massage to get back on track. Remember to drink a glass or two of pure water after massage to help the body flush out toxins more rapidly.