Elements Therapeutic Massage - Orland Park

Put a Spring In Your Step By Relieving Lower Back Pain

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:51:00 -0600

Does the cold winter weather and grey skies leave your mind and body feeling fatigued and sluggish? Are your lower back muscles stiff and tight from shoveling snow over the winter and staying cooped up in your house during unfavorable weather conditions? If so, it is time to put a spring back into your step and relieve your lower back pain with the following four lower back healthy habits.

Focus on Good Posture: If you spend your day sitting at a computer or driving the family to/from activities/school/etc., it is important to focus on maintaining straight body alignment by elongating your posture. Instead of leaning forward with your shoulders and neck while in a seated position, pull your shoulder blades back, engage your mid-section and breathe from your core for healthier posture throughout your body.

Strengthen Your Core: The root of lower back pain can stem from weak core muscles. Strengthen your abdominal core and lower back muscles by adding simple core exercises to your regular fitness routine. Only 15 minutes of core exercises such as the Superman (extending both arms and legs while lying on your stomach) and Plank (holding your body off the floor by leaving your forearms and toes touching the floor) three to four times per week can help build a stronger core that can help to alleviate lower back pain.

Incorporate Daily Stretching: Loosening tight muscles and elongating your body with daily low intensity stretching exercises can help keep your body fluid and moving pain-free. You can relieve and revive tired back muscles with 10-15 minutes of light stretching per day by incorporating popular yoga movements such as Child’s Pose (kneeling on floor, lower head to ground, extending arms forward and hips backward) and Standing Ragdoll (bending forward, cross your forearms and loosely let your head and arms hang freely toward the floor).

Schedule Regular Therapeutic Massage Therapy Sessions: Therapeutic massage is a medically proven method for supporting your health and wellness by providing relief from lower back pain, reducing stress, increasing circulation and improving range of motion. A deep tissue massage can best be used to treat chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems or recover from injury, while a hot stone massage can help ease muscle tension without deep pressure. If you are new to massage therapy, a Swedish massage is a great way to experience muscle relaxation and stress relief for both you mind and body.

Whether you need relief from pain, release of tension, reduction of stress or simply to relax and feel your best, Elements Therapeutic Massage is committed to helping you put a spring in your step by reviving and rejuvenating your tired and sore lower back muscles. Call our local Elements studio today to relieve your lower back pain, while increasing your mind and body’s health and wellness.

Be Smart about your Heart

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:43:00 -0600

Heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year.

Heart disease kills more women than men, at an average rate of one death per minute.

Heart disease kills more women than all kinds of cancer combined.

At Elements Therapeutic Massage, we're ready to rise to the challenge and make this year a turning point in the fight against heart disease. We're ready to raise our voices and much-needed donations to fund vital research that can help save women's lives. And we're counting on you to join with us.

National Wear Red Day^® Elements Therapeutic Massage urges you to play your part. Here's how:

Schedule an appointment and Wear red on Feb. 1. and receive $10 off your service at Elements. A portion of the proceeds will go to Go Red for Women campaign.
Help raise funds through donations and fundraisers for lifesaving educational programs and the development of new treatments to fight heart disease.
Walk the talk by being physically active, eating a heart-healthy diet and learning about heart disease and its risk factors.
Invite others to get involved so we can advance further, faster.

Together, we can end heart disease. Women Go Red. For more information go to www.goredforwomen.org.

Waiting On You Hand and Foot

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:36:00 -0600

Give Your Hands the TLC they Deserve: Sitting by a warm fireplace or snuggled under your favorite blanket, pamper your spouse by massaging out all of the kinks and tension in his/her hands. Begin massaging at the base of the thumb area by applying circular pressure and hitting all of the pressure points around the thumb area. Gently move to the web area between the thumb and first finger, repeating the circular movements as you move to the padding between each finger at the palm. Massage both the palm and side of each hand, remembering to relax and breathe as you pamper your special someone.

Give Your Feet a Relaxing Treat: After shoveling snow all winter long and running around to school, work and family events, your feet may be feeling tired, sore and neglected. Treat your feet to a relaxing foot massage with your special someone. With your knees and feet propped on a comfortable pillow, roll a tennis ball forward and back on the arch of the foot, followed by side to side. Complete the foot massage by placing the ball on the heel and make circular motions to release all of the tension that builds up in your feet.

Rejuvenate Dry Skin with Overnight Moisturizing: The skin on your hands and feet should be soft and tender, but after frequent hand washing during the winter flu season and boot wearing during snow season, your skin can be left feeling rough, dry and brittle. To transform your hands and feet from unfavorable winter conditions, add moisturizing cream or warm massage oil to your hand and foot massages. Also, apply a moisturizing cream to your feet and hands before bed and cover them with socks and gloves while you sleep to allow your skin to absorb and soak in the much needed moisture.

Pamper Yourself and Your Special Someone with a Therapeutic Massage: Step out of the cold and into your local Elements Therapeutic Massage studio this winter for a warm, relaxing massage that will not only pamper your hands and feet, but also revive and rejuvenate your body’s cold, stiff muscles and dry skin. Whether you choose to warm up your muscle tissue with a relaxing Swedish massage or a therapeutic hot stone massage, the expert massage therapists at Elements will wait on you hand and foot to give you a truly pampering and therapeutic massage experience.

Improve Health and Well-Being by Beating Workplace Stress

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 09:41:00 -0500

Workplace stress is so prevalent that 69 percent of employees report that work is a significant source of stress in their lives and 41 percent say they typically feel tense or stressed out during the workday.¹ While eliminating stress altogether is unrealistic, there are some easy day-to-day techniques that you can incorporate into your daily work schedule to help reduce workplace tension and stress. Try incorporating the following stress busters before, during and after your workday to improve your health and well-being at work and at home.

Stress Buster One: Start the Day Early Feeling Refreshed and Relaxed

As soon as the hustle and bustle of the workday begins, it is easy to lose track of time, projects and deadlines. To help get a hold of your workday before it gets out of control, push your start time 30 minutes earlier before the majority of your co-workers get into the office. Setting aside 30 minutes at the beginning of the day can give you an opportunity to reduce daily workplace stress by planning your day, getting a jumpstart on lingering project deadlines and answering any left over e-mails/last minute to-do items from the day before. By the time your company’s workday begins, you are refreshed and ready to take on the day’s challenges in a more productive and effective manner.

Stress Buster Two: Break Up Workday Stress with Regular Relaxation Breaks

Stress can be a huge player in reducing company productivity, employee efficiency and project accuracy. In fact, 51 percent of employees said they were less productive at work as a result of stress.¹To help combat constant workplace stress, it is important to take regular breaks throughout the day to give your mind and body the opportunity to recharge, refresh and prepare for the next task on your list. Whether it’s a short five-minute water/coffee break in the employee lounge or a longer lunch break, make it a priority each day to get away from your workstation for regular short amounts of time, interact with co-workers face-to-face and step outside for a quick breath of fresh air.

Stress Buster Three: Finish Off the Day On Time and Organized

To finish off your day stress-free, find a good stopping point on your project/task list and shut down your work around the same time each day. Humans are creatures of habit so the more consistent you are with ending your day, the less stress you will carry with you as you return home from work. To create end-of-day closure, it also is important to clean up your workspace by organizing your paperwork and leaving your work area organized and ready for the start of the next day. Since chaos breeds stress, organize your thoughts and priorities before heading out the door by making a task list for the next day. By physically preparing your workspace and mentally preparing your mind at the end of each day, you are setting yourself up for a more productive and stress-free work environment.

Ongoing Stress Buster: Regular Monthly Massages Lead to Stress-Free Living

To keep your mind and body aligned and working in sync, monthly massage therapy sessions are important to restoring and reinvigorating your overall health and well-being at work and at home. Regular monthly massage provides relief and relaxation to people of all ages, occupations and workplace environments. Massage therapy can address a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension. Some of the most common massage therapy techniques include:

Deep Tissue Massage: Focuses on chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems or recovery from injury.
Swedish Massage: Focuses on relaxation, stress relief and overall health and wellness.
Hot Stone Massage: Specializes in easing muscle tension without deep pressure.
Trigger Point: Focuses on highly localized muscle knots where the body holds tension and carries stress.

Today is as good of a day as any to start taking steps toward living a more stress-free life at work and at home. By incorporating the above stress buster tips into your daily work environment, combined with regularly scheduled therapeutic massages, you will be on your way to increasing your productivity and efficiency at work, while improving your overall health and well-being. The expert massage therapists at Elements Therapeutic Massage can help you get started on establishing a stress-free lifestyle at work and at home by offering a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach to well-being through a truly therapeutic massage experience. Whether it is to provide relief from pain, release of tension, reduction of stress or simply to relax and feel your best, Elements Therapeutic Massage is committed to promoting your mind and body’s health and wellness.

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¹American Psychological Association. Stress in America 2009.

4 Massage Techniques to Boost Your Golf Game

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:07:00 -0500

Despite being a low-impact sport, golf can be physically and emotionally demanding. Here are some simple tips for golfers looking to enhance their game and de-stress the body and mind:

Pre-game massage: Though many people think massages are intended for after physical activity, relaxing before heading out on the green can make a marked difference in your game. It’s important to invigorate and loosen those muscles before working them, especially with the repetitive twisting and torqueing in golf.
Golf club hand massage: Golf clubs aren’t just for hitting the ball. In between holes, use the rubber end of a golf club for a quick hand massage. Apply pressure to the base of the thumb and your palm; make circles with your hand in that area and move it around to hit all the pressure points.
Mid-game foot massage: A quick foot massage on the course can go a long way towards keeping you relaxed. With your shoes off, start with a golf ball on the ground while seated on the golf cart or standing. Roll your foot forward and backward slowly; apply enough pressure to feel a pulling but not enough that you are in too much pain; then roll your foot side to side. Next place your heel on the ball to make circular motions; finally cross your leg over the left ankle and take the ball and roll it up and down the arch of your foot; repeat with the left foot.
Post play recovery: After a long day of golf, it’s important to get your muscles back in balance. Back and shoulder muscles are shortened on one side due to the repetitive motion of the golf swing, and tight hamstrings, especially in men, can play a tug of war with your back leading to lower back pain. Post-game massages help golfers avoid achy muscles and get back to the next round in tip top shape.

Get Out. Get Active. Get A Massage!

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:48:00 -0500

The only thing that may be missing in this picture is a physically conditioned body that is prepared to endure all of the strenuous activities summer has in store. To get yourself to the start line without injury and prepare your body for optimal performance this year, it is important for both men and women to incorporate frequent massage into their summer training, performance and recovery plan.

Massage is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, but especially if you live an active lifestyle. And, to be clear, an active lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean being a competitive athlete or extreme sports enthusiast. An active lifestyle can mean coaching your child’s little league team, regular recreational gym use or playing flag football with family on a summer afternoon. Either way, massage can play an active role in improving athletic performance for anyone ranging from weekend warriors to competitors.

Top Ways Massage Can Increase Athletic Performance

Increased Psychological Readiness. Athletic performance is 50 percent physical and 50 percent mental. If you take care of the physical part by putting in the training, mileage, etc. needed to accomplish your goal, massage can help prepare you for the mental toll of competition. Studies have shown that massage increases your psychological readiness to prepare you for tackling a challenging physical activity. Whether it’s running your first marathon, hiking a fourteener or playing 18 holes of golf every weekend, massage can help you block out negative energy (self doubt, anxiety, nervousness) and tune your focus toward accomplishing the physical endeavor at hand. Massage also is also a great mood enhancer that can help with mental preparedness by stimulating our natural endorphins.

Enhanced Physical Performance. The physical benefits of massage have been realized for years by professional and novice athletes across sporting events. In order to realize peak physical performance, it is important to keep the body’s engine in tip-top shape. Deep tissue and sports massage techniques play an essential role in maintaining and advancing physical performance by increasing blood flow, reducing muscle tension, flushing out toxins, lengthening muscles, increasing overall range of joint motion, and decreasing muscle stiffness. Massage also has been known to enhance overall performance by decreasing exercise-induced fatigue in athletes. In a British Journal of Sports Medicine study, subjects performed a warm up cycle exercise, followed by 30-second high intensity exercises that were interspersed with 30 seconds of active recovery. The subjects’ heart rates, peak power, mean power and fatigue index then were recorded after either receiving 20 minutes of massage or passive rest. The study found that a significantly lower fatigue index was found in individuals who received the 20-minute massage versus rest alone.¹

Reduced Injury Risk. By incorporating massage into your active routine, you are taking a proactive approach to not only avoiding injury, but also increasing your chances of enhancing and maintaining peak performance in the short and long term. The key to reducing injury, though, isn’t massage alone. The combination of massage, stretching and movement creates a more fluid, strong muscle and body structure that can endure higher levels of wear and tear. Massage also is an integral component to balancing muscle groups and soft tissues in your body, minimizing the tendency for stronger muscle groups to overcompensate for weaker ones, which eventually can lead to injury or strain to the stronger muscle group.

Increased Recovery Time. Each year as you get older and try to maintain the same level of physical performance as before, recovery times seem to become longer and longer. Recovery time is an essential component to overall peak performance because the longer it takes to recover from strenuous exercise, the longer you spend watching the game on the sidelines. Studies have shown that massage after exercise fatigue significantly improved quadriceps performance when compared to rest alone,² and muscle soreness intensity was significantly lower when massage was used within 48 hours post-exercise.³ Get back into your active lifestyle more quickly between workouts by incorporating massage into your daily routine. ³

As you embark on your summer activity adventures this year, make sure to always include a regularly scheduled therapeutic massage in your arsenal of must-have supplies for peak performance success. Massage not only supports greater training intensity by shortening recovery time between workouts and feeding essential nutrients to the soft tissue of the body, but it also can be attributed to improving range of motion and muscle flexibility that results in improved efficiency, power and performance.

Get out, get active and start expecting more performance results from regularly scheduled therapeutic massages this summer. The skilled therapists at Elements Therapeutic Massage will evaluate your health history, goals, challenges and lifestyle to determine the best massage for enhancing your physical performance. Call your local Elements studio today to start preparing your body for optimal performance this summer.

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¹Robertson, A., Watt, J.M. & Galloway, S.D. (2004). Effects of leg massage on recovery from high intensity cycling exercise. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 4, 173-176.

² Rinder, A.N. & Sutherland, C.J. (1995). An investigation of the effects of massage on quadriceps performance after exercise fatigue. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery, 1, 99-102.

³Hilbert, J.E., Sforzo, G.A. & Swensen, T. (2003). The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness. Br J Sports Med, 37, 72-5.

Shape Up Your Summer Body, While Rejuvenating Your Mommy Spirit

Wed, 02 May 2012 10:07:00 -0500

In celebration of Mother’s Day this month, it is time to start taking care of all the mothers out there who run their minds and bodies thin in an effort to care for everyone and everything that is important to them and their families. Caring for mothers starts with giving them the relaxation and rejuvenation they deserve with frequent massage therapy sessions tailored toward helping them reach their mind and body goals this summer.

To help moms get their bodies and minds ready for summertime activities, regular massage can be an excellent tool for repairing, reinvigorating and reshaping a women’s body. Whether you are striving to trim down winter’s last pounds or tone your body for fun summertime activities in the sun, massage can produce positive results for losing weight and firming up your body. It is time to bring in the massage troops to shape up your body and rejuvenate your mommy spirit.

Waist Reduction: Scientific studies have linked massage therapy with a reduction in cellulite, as the firm pressure of a typical massage may aide in breaking up fat capsules in the body’s tissues, enabling the body to absorb and shed cellulite. Massage also can have a positive effect on weight loss efforts by reducing the production of cortisol (high stress hormone) in your body. When you are stressed out, it can be difficult for your body to lose weight, even if you are eating healthy, as cortisol inhibits the body from releasing fat and toxins.

Positive Attitude: Incorporating massage into your health and wellness regimen can also transform a weight loss program from a dreaded experience to a more positive one. Instead of focusing on cutting out your favorite foods and depriving your body to meet your desired body shape, massage can turn the experience into a rewards-based environment that is focused on caring for your body and rebuilding the mental and physical pieces you may have lost over time.

Body Cleanse: Deep tissue massage techniques can help cleanse the body by helping eliminate toxins that can collect in your muscles after strenuous exercise. Massage also is an excellent agent for minimizing toxic attitudes that can weigh down your self consciousness and self esteem. The relaxing environment of a therapeutic massage not only motivates your mind and body to achieve wellness goals by energizing your attitude, but it also can establish a winning attitude that can set you up for accomplishing anything you focus your mind on.

Repair Muscles: Sports massage is a key element to soothing common muscle aches and pains caused from increased activity during the spring and summer months. As your activity levels increase, you may not always stretch, ice, heat or rest your tired muscles as often as you should. Regular monthly massages can provide the tune up that your body needs to stay up and running.

All mothers, and women in general, want to look good and feel good about their bodies. Massage is the solution the help you accomplish both – but the secret is receiving regular massage therapy sessions. Start taking care of your mom today by giving her the gift of massage this Mother’s Day. If you are a mother, you don’t have to wait until your kids or spouse are clued in on the benefits of massage. You can start adding yourself to the list of things and people you take care of by scheduling monthly therapeutic massages for yourself for the rest of the year.

So, come celebrate your motherhood this Mother’s Day with Elements Therapeutic Massage. The skilled therapists at Elements can tailor a monthly plan for helping you accomplish your body shape and health goals this summer. Call your local studio today to begin shaping up for summertime fun.

Melt Away Tax Time Stress with Three Simple Relaxation Strategies

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 10:00:00 -0500

April showers may bring May flowers, but “stress storms”, common this time of year (April 17 tax deadlines, changes in seasons, failed New Year’s resolution attempts), can leave you feeling wilted, run down and even depressed. Instead of getting caught in a storm of stress this spring, blow away the winter blues by melting tension and fatigue with regular therapeutic massage sessions that will not only nurture your mind and body, but support your overall well-being.

In today’s plugged in, always on-the-go society, stress can be found in all aspects of your life. While some types of stress can be healthy for your mind and body, a January 2012 study from the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed deepening concerns about the connection between chronic disease and stress. Research continues to show that stress can negatively impact your health by:

Weakening your immune system, leading to common colds, sicknesses and even more critical medical problems.
Disrupting sleep problems, leading to fatigue and even insomnia.
Decreasing positive moods and feelings about yourself and others, leading to depression and an overall sense of unhappiness.
Causing headaches, upset stomach or digestion, and muscular tension.
Increasing irritability, anger, anxiety and nervousness.¹

Realistically, you may never be able to completely eliminate stress, anxiety and pressure from your life, but there are steps you can start taking today to stop the vicious cycle of being showered with stress. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month this April, you can start by incorporating the following three relaxation strategies into your daily life to promote a more stress-free lifestyle.

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Therapeutic massage is a medically proven method for supporting your health and wellness. Massage can help relieve physical tension such as back/neck pain, reduce stress, increase circulation, and improve your body’s full range of motion. And, by making massage a regular occurrence on your calendar, you will give yourself a designated time each month to release mental and physical tension, lowering the risk of stress piling up to levels that can lead to negative results.

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Whether you are sitting in front of the computer all day, chasing a toddler around the house or training for a sporting event (or trying to be successful at all three at the same time!), it is more than likely that your hips, back and neck may feel sore and fatigued at the end of the day. By loosening these common stress carrying muscle groups on a regular basis, you can instantly de-stress your mind and body. Deep tissue massage specifically can break up scar tissue and help muscles recover more quickly so you can bounce back faster from a hard gym workout or working on a computer screen for 12 hours a day. Not only will your body feel more revived and stronger after a massage, but your mind also will be sharper, helping you maintain a more consistent focus on all of your day-to-day activities.

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

Massage can help you establish a balance in your life that is not only good for your mental and muscle health, but also your body’s internal system well-being. Studies show that leading factors of medical problems and common illnesses can occur from overworking yourself, carrying too much stress and not dedicating enough time to relaxing your mind and body on a regular basis. It’s important to carve out 15 minutes a day (daily meditation), one day a week (designated “Me” time) and once a month (monthly therapeutic massage) to devote time and energy into establishing a positive mind/body connection.

By implementing these three stress reducing habits, you are well on your way to avoiding a stress storm this spring and giving yourself the opportunity to stop and take time to smell the flowers. The skilled massage therapists at Elements Therapeutic Massage are available to listen to your individual needs and will use the proper techniques to deliver a truly therapeutic experience. Call your local Elements studio today to begin experiencing all of the stress management benefits of massage therapy.

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¹Stress in America™, Our Health at Risk, American Psychological Association, January 2012.

Spring Back to Life: Get a Massage

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:00:00 -0600

Winter was brief and mild this year, which was a bit disappointing to me, as I find the crisp cold, drier air invigorating, and enjoyable, with more opportunities for warm, toasty evenings by the fire with loved ones, or curled up with my pups, yummy coffee, and a favorite book.

Winter can also be a challenging time for many people, with shorter days and less sunlight, and a tendency to withdraw from life, burrowing into our cave until the arrival of spring. Seasonal affective disorder, known as SAD (no coincidence, right?) is common in winter months, typically beginning in the fall and abating in the spring. Experts are uncertain about the actual causes of this seasonal depression, but suspect that lack of sunlight may interrupt the sleep-wake cycle, affecting other circadian rhythms, and the production of the brain chemical serotonin, which is a powerful mood regulator.

On the other hand, winter can also be a time of restoration, reconnection and preparation for the arrival of spring. Like the flowers and trees, we require nourishment and rest, to replenish our resources, for the next season of our life. Maybe you're ready for spring, as many people often are, or maybe you're feeling a bit rushed with spring's early arrival, like I am.

Either way, this moment, be it in winter or spring, summer or fall, is always the perfect time to listen to what your body, mind, heart and soul is telling you. Maybe you're feeling a bit sluggish waking up from your long winter's nap, or trying to break the winter doldrums by adding a little "spring" into your step.

Jeanie

There's nothing quite like an invigorating and therapeutic massage to clear out the mental and physical cobwebs, shake off the winter blues, and help you "spring" back to life. If you've never had a massage, well, you're in for a treat, and if you've had wonderful massages, well, you know what I mean.

Anytime is a great time for a professional, therapeutic, relaxing, restorative and healing massage. Transitioning from winter into spring is perfect time for a massage, giving your body, and your mind, an opportunity to relax, renew, refresh and reconnect.

In twenty years as a licensed massage therapist and mind-body energy practitioner, it never ceases to amaze me how many people are disconnected and out of touch with their bodies. With the arrival of spring, signaling that summer is around the corner, now is a great time to prepare your body for the active outdoor months ahead.

Massage is often misunderstood, with people thinking it is a luxury, and that it's all about pampering. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not that massage can't be pampering at times, and may still be considered a luxury by some. Therapeutic massage offers many benefits, from pain and stress management to anxiety reduction and improved flexibility in muscles and joints. Doctors often prescribe massage for their patients, finally recognizing the proven multiple therapeutic benefits derived from appropriate, professional massage.

As research continues on the efficacy of massage, more evidence continues to support the effectiveness of appropriate, therapeutic massage on many physical and mental health conditions. Self massage is also another tool that I encourage people to use, as it is a wonderful addition to our self care practice to help ourselves feel better, stay healthy and enjoy life.

Schedule an appointment today with a licensed, professional massage therapist, and spring into abundant health and well being. Your body will love you for it, and your mind will enjoy the peace, calm and quiet, and the opportunity to release the mental chatter and clutter.

Every Body needs to be kneaded! The benefits are endless.

Get "in touch" with you, and enjoy your life to the fullest! You deserve it.

When you feel your best, you give your best, and everyone, including you, benefits!

Be healthy! Be whole! Be happy!

Client Reviews Updated Every Day

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 09:41:00 -0600

You can now see all of our client reviews! To read the reviews from real Elements Therapeutic Massage Orland Park clients, please click on the Customer reviews by Systino button below:

The reviews are updated every day so feel free to visit often!

Good Night, Sleep Tight, It’s Time for Restful Sleep Tonight!

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:02:00 -0600

Schedule a Consistent Bed Time

Bed times aren’t just for children anymore. Adults can gain huge benefits from consistently going to bed around the same time each night. Research indicates that adults need an average of 6-8 hours of sleep per night in order for their minds and bodies to function properly. Sleep not only rejuvenates and refreshes a tired brain, but a good night’s rest also helps muscle recovery by repairing tired muscles, ligaments and body systems.

To ensure you give your body enough downtime at night to recuperate, determine what time you need to go to bed in order to log 6-8 hours of restful sleep. Set your alarm for your determined bedtime to remind yourself to turn off the television, shut down your house and head to bed at the appropriate time for a good night’s rest.

Lights Out Before Bed

At least 30 minutes before your determined bedtime, turn off all electronic devices (television, mp3 player, computer, eReader, etc.) to unplug your mind and body from technology and prepare for a restful night’s sleep. In today’s over wired, always connected to an electronic device society, your brain can easily become over stimulated throughout the day. Your brain needs at least 30 minutes of no technology and distractions to decompress before bed so your mind and body are prepared for a relaxed state of sleep as soon as your head rests on the pillow.

Breathe Easy, Relax Often

During your 30 minutes of pre-bed downtime, you can take your relaxation to new levels by practicing some self-meditation techniques such as slow deep breathing. You can choose to either rest on your bed or on a mat on your bedroom floor, dim the lights, close your eyes and practice taking a slow, deep breath that originates from your stomach versus a typical day-to-day short breath that starts in your neck region. After a few deep breathing rounds, you also can work on relaxing the tight muscles in your body by doing some light stretches to elongate your neck, back, legs and arms.

Enhance Sleep Quality with Regular Massage Therapy

To maintain healthy sleeping habits and to enhance the quality of your sleep each night, it is important to incorporate consistent relaxation techniques into your lifestyle like regularly scheduled massage therapy sessions. One of the main benefits of therapeutic massage is relieving muscle and stress tension that builds up in your mind and body throughout the day. By engaging in regular massage therapy, you can enhance your sleep quality each night by establishing deep relaxation and relief for your mind and body that can carry over throughout your day and into the sleeping hours of the night.

If you need help with incorporating healthy sleep habits to unwind and de-stress your mind and body at the end of the day, give our Elements Therapeutic Massage studio a call today. Our expert massage therapists are committed to promoting your overall health and well-being, including restful and quality sleeping and relaxation techniques.

Valentine's Day on a Dime: 12 Fun, Relaxing Gifts to Keep the Spark in Your Relationship Year Round

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:51:00 -0600

An inexpensive way to revitalize your connection and reinvigorate your relationship is to show your valentine that you love him/her year round with monthly love notes.

Monthly love notes are easy make-at-home gifts that can be as simple as 12 sticky notes with couple activities listed on each one. On Feb. 14, you can spread the sticky notes around the house and have your significant other collect them before ending the love hunt at a candlelit dinner set for two. Or, monthly love notes can be as elaborate as a bound sentimental book with pictures of you and your valentine on each page, followed by your favorite love quotes and a date activity. The options are limited only to your creativity!

Having trouble coming up with 12 love note ideas to keep the flame of your relationship burning strong throughout the year? Try the following fun, relaxing and inexpensive ideas to spark your creativity.

1. Kick Your Feet Up: Treat your valentine to a relaxing evening by propping up his/her knees and feet on a comfortable pillow and rolling a tennis ball or golf ball forward and back on the arch of the foot, followed by side to side. Complete the foot massage by placing the ball on the heel and make circular motions. Make sure to remind your valentine to relax, enjoy and breathe.

2. Chocolate and Bubbly: Dip some strawberries in chocolate (or purchase them pre-dipped) and pair with your significant other’s favorite bubbly beverage. Enjoy this sweet dessert during a quiet winter evening in front of the fireplace or on the deck during a warm summer sunset.

3. Extra Z’s: With daily commitments piled high, sleep can sometimes seem like a long lost friend. Give your valentine the gift of snooze with a sleep in late love note. You wake up with the kids, feed them breakfast, keep them entertained and fulfill family obligations until your valentine is ready to get up. Just make sure to have a cup of coffee ready for them when they rise to make this gift the perfect start to your valentine’s day.

4. Quality Snuggle Time: Enjoy an uninterrupted evening of quality time with your valentine by turning off all electronics and locking them in the office. Rather than checking in with your social media friends or texting your pals, check in with you valentine with some one-on-one conversation, snuggling and relaxation time.

5. Light a Candle: Spice up your evening at home with a candlelit home-made dinner set for two. Pull out the linen napkins and the holiday china to serve your valentine’s favorite meal.

6. Sit Back and Enjoy a Hand Massage: Have your valentine pick a favorite chair and begin massaging at the base of the thumb by applying circular pressure using the eraser end of a pencil. Hit all the pressure points near the thumb, and then gently move to the web area between the thumb and first finger. Repeat the circular movements, moving to the padding between each finger at the palm. Massage both the palm and side of each hand, reminding your valentine to relax and breathe.

7. Sunset Picnic Time: Pack your favorite picnic foods, grab your bikes on a weekend evening and pedal off into the sunset. Stop halfway to enjoy your picnic goodies, the sun slipping below the horizon and the company of your valentine before heading home.

8. Breakfast in Bed: Who doesn’t enjoy their morning coffee and eggs in the comfort of their bedroom? Surprise your valentine with all of his/her favorite breakfast treats served in bed.

9. Sports Mania: Put on your valentine’s favorite sports team attire and set up a reservation at your local sports bar for the two of you to sit at the best seat in the house during the big game – the table with all TVs visible from every angle.

10. Get Your Groove On: Many communities host free concerts of local and popular bands throughout the summer months. Load up your lawn chairs, a blanket and snacks for some snuggling under the stars while listening to great local music.

11. Hit the Trails: Hiking/walking is a great activity to breathe in fresh air, exercise your legs and share some one-on-one time with your valentine with limited interruptions.

12. Knock Out the Knots: Most couples have achy necks, shoulders and bodies resulting from too many hours leaning over computer desks, doing household chores and horsing around with the kids. Reduce you and your valentine’s stress and muscle tension by scheduling a couple’s massage therapy session.

Take the time this year to reconnect with your significant other by celebrating Valentine’s Day year round. Whether it’s the relaxing touch of massage or preparing a special home-made meal surrounded by love and candlelight, personalized monthly love notes are the perfect gifts to show your valentine that he/she is special. Spark your creativity and spark your relationship during this year’s Valentine’s Day holiday.

Call Elements Therapeutic Massage today to restore your body and revive your relationship while relaxing with your valentine. Elements’ highly trained massage therapists offer a variety of massage treatments, including couple’s massage sessions for you and your valentine.

Bust through the Resolution Rut by Focusing on Overall Health, Well-Being for the New Year

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:45:00 -0600

To grasp the unlimited potential the New Year can bring, people can be as frantic about New Year’s resolutions as they were on Black Friday racing to purchase the top toys on last year’s holiday guide.

Statistics show that almost half of American adults make one or more resolutions each year. Although many resolutions fall to the wayside shortly after the journey begins, research shows that making resolutions can be useful, as people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than those who do not.¹

Make Resolutions Likely to Stick

The key to making resolutions that you can live by is to keep it simple. Write down two or three goals at most and set benchmarks for achieving the goals so you can enjoy incremental successes along the way. According to a resolution list from the U.S. government, many of the most popular resolutions fall within the category of overall health and well-being.² Whether your resolution this year addresses reducing stress, increasing fitness, losing weight or improving sleep, the following tips will help you combat the resolution rut and keep you on the road to achieving overall health and wellness for the New Year.

Start Your Mornings with a Dose of Mental Health and Physical Relaxation

To establish a lifestyle routine focused on healthy living and well-being, it is important to start your day with some easy and simple mental health and physical relaxation exercises that focus on preparing you for whatever obstacles you may have to tackle during the day. By combining stretching/yoga poses with meditative breathing and positive thinking, you are well on your way to the road of living a restored and vibrant life.

Clear the Mind and Relax Your Body: Before rolling out of bed to greet the morning sunrise, take a few minutes of long, deep breathes to clear out the cobwebs from the night before and prepare your mind for a productive, stress-free day. By focusing on the positive aspects of what you plan on accomplishing for your day, you are setting yourself up for a happy and healthy mental wellness day. Research from the Mayo Clinic has indicated that health benefits from positive thinking may range from increased life span and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease to lower rates of depression and distress, better psychological and physical well-being, and improved coping skills during hardships and stressful times.³
Balance Your Body, Balance Your Life: To get your day started off on the right foot, begin your morning routine with some quiet meditative and muscle relaxation time. In as little as five minutes, you can loosen your back, neck and leg muscles with common yoga moves such as child’s pose, downward dog and standing tree.

Power Down Your Brain at Night to Reset and Revamp Your Mind

Ending your day on a relaxing note will promote overall health and well-being by creating an environment focused on recharging your mind and body. At least an hour before going to bed, make it a habit to turn off all technology – television, phone, e-mail, Internet, social media, music, etc. This will help you power down your brain at night to prepare your body for a restful and fulfilling night’s sleep. Another key component to resetting and revamping your mind is ensuring that you allow yourself an adequate amount of sleep each night. When you get home from work, set your alarm clock for whatever time you need to go to bed to ensure 7-9 straight hours of shut eye. When the alarm goes off at night, you should be in bed ready for sleep. An adequate amount of sleep will help you have a more energetic, productive and healthy attitude during the day.

Refuel with Weekly Appointments with Friends and Fitness

Work, family and personal everyday commitments can leave your mental tank empty and craving some “ME” time. Refuel your tank by picking one stress relieving activity that you enjoy and schedule it on your calendar on a weekly basis. This could be as simple as reading a book/magazine for an hour, arranging a coffee date with a friend, volunteering or playing racquetball. By taking time out for yourself on a weekly basis, you are fueling your tank of self worth and demonstrating not only to yourself, but to your friends and family, that your mental health is important enough for you to set time aside each week for emotional and mental fulfillment.

Similarly, it is important to fuel your body by incorporating fitness activities into your weekly routine. Physical activity not only helps your body’s fitness levels, but it also is an excellent source for preventing and managing stress. Whether it’s taking your dog for a 30-minute walk, going for a jog, biking the kids to/from school, taking fitness classes or swimming laps, consistent activity is good for not only relieving stress in your muscles/body, but also the stress in your mind.

Restore and Revitalize with Monthly Massage Therapy Sessions

To keep your mind and body aligned and working in sync, monthly massage therapy sessions are important to restoring and reinvigorating your overall health and well-being. Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension. Some of the most common massage therapy techniques include:

Deep Tissue Massage: Focuses on chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems or recovery from injury.
Swedish Massage: Focuses on relaxation, stress relief and overall health and wellness.
Hot Stone Massage: Specializes in easing muscle tension without deep pressure.
Trigger Point: Focuses on highly localized muscle knots where the body holds tension and carries stress.

As you sit down to make your resolutions this year, it is important to focus on reasonable and attainable goals that are easy to incorporate into your everyday life. By using the daily, weekly and monthly tips in this article, you will be well on your way to not only making resolutions that will stick with you throughout the year, but also help you establish a well-rounded lifestyle focused on overall health and wellness. Resolutions are a journey, so enjoy the ride this year to a healthier and happier you. Call Elements Therapeutic Massage today to begin revitalizing your health and well-being for the New Year.

Sources:

¹ University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Volume 58, Issue 4, 2002.

² USA.gov, Popular New Year’s Resolutions, October 2011.

³ Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, May 2011.

Sit Back, Relax and Enjoy Your Summer Vacation

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:56:00 -0500

Combat the natural stressors that can arise on a vacation by scheduling a therapeutic massage before you take off this summer for your family adventure and shortly after the plane lands on your return trip home. You, your body and your family will thank you. You will return from vacation revived, restored and vibrant – the key ingredients to happy summer memories!

To help you sit back, relax and enjoy your summer vacation, we want to share the following suggestions for reducing your mental and physical stress while on the road, in the air or sailing around the world.

The Problem: Mental Stress Associated with Chaotic, Busy Vacations

Booking two weeks at a lake cottage with your parents, brothers, sisters and all their kids might sound like a good idea initially for a family get away. However, when 15+ family members all descend on the cottage, kids running wild, parents and children bickering and grandparents spoiling the kids, stress can rise up quickly, creating a tense environment that doesn’t support a relaxing, enjoyable experience.

The Solution: De-Stress Before Your Summer Vacation with a Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage is a medically proven method for supporting your health and wellness. You'll enjoy benefits of reduced stress, heart rate and blood pressure, as well as an improvement in mood and increased relaxation. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to wait until you are stressed or injured to get a massage. Massage is like a health supplement or preventative care for your body and mind. Schedule a massage a week or two prior to your vacation to prepare yourself for a successful trip. Since eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether during a family vacation is unrealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help you manage your stress.

The Problem: Physical Stress Associated with Traveling

The body can undergo a high degree of physical stress while traveling. From sitting for long periods of time during your travels to sleeping in different beds and using various pillows during vacation, your body can be left in knots after you return from vacation. Additionally, irregular bowel movements can be a common side effect of traveling, eating different foods, drinking new water and being in a new environment. These physical factors can greatly increase the stress associated with a family vacation and leave you in physical pain upon your return.

The Solution: Schedule a Post-Vacation Massage Before You Leave for Vacation

You can take some easy preventative measures during your vacation to reduce your body’s physical stress such as bringing your own pillows, drinking bottled water and keeping your diet as balanced as possible, but there still will be many factors contributing to your physical stress that will be out of your control. To combat the physical stress associated with travel, schedule a post-vacation massage 3-5 days after you return from your trip. A deep tissue massage can release tension from tight neck and back muscles, as well as get your irregular system running smoothly by releasing toxins and loosening tight pressure points.

The Problem: Post-Vacation Exhaustion Related to Fatigue and Lack of Sleep

The fun part of any vacation is catching up with friends and family, visiting all of the area attractions and taking part in family activities. This means staying up later than you are used to, running around town non-stop and trying new activities that may take more energy than you are used to exerting. The result? A sleep deprived family upon return from vacationing.

The Solution: Therapeutic Massage to Balance Your Body’s System and Enhance Sleep Quality

According to American Bodywork and Massage Professionals, massage has been proven to be beneficial in decreasing anxiety, enhancing sleep quality and reducing fatigue. Therapeutic massage also is known to increase energy levels and body circulation. Following your family vacation, you can relax your mind and body with regularly scheduled therapeutic massage sessions. This will help you with catching up on lost sleep, as well as increase your energy level.

To schedule your pre- and post-vacation massage sessions, call Elements Therapeutic Massage today. Our highly skilled massage therapists will tailor your sessions to prepare and revive you for an unforgettable summer vacation experience.

Add Massage to Your Summer Training Regimen for Increased Health and Wellness

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:19:00 -0500

Do long runs/rides, brick workouts or lap swims fill your summer training calendar? Are your upcoming weekends full of family hikes, golf tournaments, beach volleyball games or family camping trips? If so, then regularly scheduled massage therapy sessions should be an essential element to your active lifestyle. Whether you are a seasoned marathoner, weekend warrior, activity enthusiast or your ultimate goal is to finish your first 5k, incorporating massage into your summer routine will not only revive your health and well-being, but get you to the start (and finish!) line healthy and happy.

According to 2010 research published by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, massage to support a healthy lifestyle dates back to early civilization and it is a common technique today for the management and prevention of sport injuries. Massage also has been used to successfully increase flexibility and provide a greater range of motion. J Strength Cond Res 24(7): 1917-1924, 2010.

To prepare you for your active summer lifestyle, we offer the following tips for feeling restored, pain free and vibrant as you trade in your suit and high heels at the end of the workweek for athletic gear and fun-filled weekend adventures.

TREK DOWN THE TRAINING TRAIL

Just as every training program lays out a master plan for you to succeed in your big summer race, event or tournament series, don’t forget the most important element to any training schedule – regularly scheduled therapeutic massages to repair your tired, tense muscles and relax your training-focused, wired brain. A highly skilled massage therapist can be an extremely valuable member of your training team by helping you reduce the risk of injury, flush out toxins from your body, lengthen and stretch tight muscles and minimize the longevity of injuries.

Experts agree that if you treat common overuse injuries (sore ankles, tight back, sore shoulders and tight hamstrings, for example) with massage as soon as you feel the first muscle tweak or pain, you will be more likely to keep your training schedule on course, while setting up your body and mind for a successful summer event.

Suggested Massage Techniques during Training: Deep Tissue Massage or Sports Massage

LOOSEN UP PRE-EVENT JITTERS

Before you lace up your shoes and pack your gear for your big summer event, prepare your muscles for the strain and intensity of the planned activity by scheduling a therapeutic massage 2-3 days prior to the event date. The goal of this massage is to release tension in your muscles without leaving them sore, as well as reduce any pre-event stress or anxiety so that you can maintain a positive mental focus on race day. Your massage therapist will loosen any last minute muscle kinks and warm up muscles to prepare you for a successful event.

Suggested Massage Techniques Prior to Event: Swedish Massage

CELEBRATE YOUR EVENT SUCCESS

You’ve trained hard, raced hard, played hard and now it’s time to treat yourself to an after-event massage. Instead of waiting in a 25-person deep line for an on-site post-event massage that only lasts five minutes, schedule at least an hour long massage for the day or two following your event. The goal of this massage is to help your muscles recover from the strenuous activity, as well as improve your body’s range of motion and reduce any spasms or cramping that may have been caused by the event. You will be better hydrated 24-48 hours following the event and will have more time to enjoy the fruits of your labor as your mind and body relax and unwind through the healing touch of a highly skilled massage therapist.

Suggested Massage Techniques Following the Event: Deep Tissue Massage

Elements Therapeutic Massage looks forward to partnering with you this summer to help you achieve your goals of living an active, vibrant lifestyle. Contact us today at 708-403-8828 to schedule a monthly massage and begin experiencing the Elements difference.

Therapeutic Massage is for Men Too

Mon, 30 May 2011 10:08:00 -0500

It’s a proven statistic. More women than men enjoy the benefits of regular therapeutic massage. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), statistics from their 2009 national studies reveal 40 percent of women and only 29 percent of men reported seeing a massage therapist in the past five years.

Therapeutic massage is clinically proven to provide a wide-number of important health benefits including stress reduction, pain relief, lower blood pressure and improvements to the immune system. As a result, healthcare providers are increasingly promoting the benefits of massage to their patients.

In AMTA’s 2009 survey, thirty-nine million American adults discussed massage therapy with their healthcare providers. While physicians led the way in recommending massage, chiropractors and physical therapists also recommended massage therapy when their patients discussed it with them. Additionally, more than three-quarters of massage therapist (76%) indicate they receive referrals from health care professionals.

So to the 71 percent of men out there not experiencing massage, what’s the problem?

According to many experts, including licensed massage therapists, here are some of the questions about massage that men always want to ask, but are too embarrassed to ask….

Do I have to undress and if so, will the therapist be there when I undress? Nudity is indeed the number one concern for everyone getting a massage. But don’t worry; you should always undress to your level of comfort. It’s perfectly acceptable to leave on your undergarments and sometimes more, depending on the areas that need attention. If you do disrobe (totally or partially) all clients are discretely draped under a sheet with only one body part uncovered at a time. Additionally, the massage therapist always leaves the room so you’re alone to remove clothing and get under the top sheet/blanket. Don’t rush, they will knock and ask if you’re ready before coming in – just like at a doctor’s office.
What if I have a certain body part that I’m self-conscious about? People are indeed concerned about their bodies for a variety of reasons; overweight, scars, excessive body hair, etc. Don’t worry, massage therapists are used to seeing all shapes, sizes and condition of the body and they have an entirely clinical perspective, no different than any other health-care provider. However, if there’s a certain part of your body you really are subconscious about, just ask the therapist to avoid it.
I always chat when I get my hair cut, should I talk during the massage? If you want to talk, feel free, but don’t feel compelled to do so. This is your time to recuperate and relax. The therapist should check in with you during the massage to make sure the pressure level is correct and that they’re addressing your concerns. Of course, always speak up if anything is uncomfortable or you if forgot to mention something during the pre-massage consultation.
What if I’m uncomfortable with a male (or female) therapist giving me a massage? Don’t ever hesitate to specify that you would prefer a female or a male therapist. In fact, most massage studios will be upfront and ask you for your preference, before you have to ask.
If it’s a therapeutic massage, am I supposed to tip? I don’t at the doctor’s office. Whenever you’re pleased with the massage services, a 15 to 20% tip is standard. However, if you’re in a clinical/medical setting there really aren’t any ground rules. When unsure, don’t be afraid to ask if tipping is customary – either when you arrive or call ahead.

So your basic questions are answered and you’re ready for a massage. What type of massage do you want to experience?

Most massage studios offer a wide range of massage options, which can also be confusing. For many men, a good place to start is with a therapeutic sports massage. This is a type of massage technique that focuses on treating soft tissue aches and pains associated with recreational activities.

You don’t have to be an Olympian to benefit from sports massage. Whether you are a regularly sports enthusiast or an occasional athlete (even just a “walker”), a sports massage is the perfect way to relax tight, overworked muscles with a mix of techniques and stretches. The areas may include the hamstrings, quads, calf muscles and glutes. It also helps reduce adhesions (knots in the muscles) relieving the stress they can place on tendons, ligaments and joints. Sports massage is also good for those with injuries, chronic pain or a restricted range of motion.

For all the men who are hesitant about massage therapy, now’s the time to experience a massage! There are an increasing number of credible massage studios that always welcome women and men with convenient locations, plus evening and weekend hours. Whether you choose a therapeutic sports massage or any one of the many other massage techniques available, you’ll soon learn the value of regular massage therapy.

Men - Elements Therapeutic Massage is the perfect place for a “first-ever” massage or regular monthly massage. When you call to book your appointment we will schedule you with the therapist who best matches your specific massage needs. Our therapists will talk with you to learn where the pain is and help you decide what treatment is best for you. Ladies – help your “significant other” learn about the benefits of massage, treat him to an Elements gift certificate!

Hands-On Healing of Ailments

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:01:00 -0500

Rosalind Agee, owner of Elements Therapeutic Massage of Orland Park, talks about health benefits of massage therapy with Tina Tuszynski, a local writer for the Orland Park Patch. See the full article by going to the following link:

http://orlandpark.patch.com/articles/hands-on-healing-of-ailments#c

Speed Up Postpartum Healing with Postnatal Massage

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 10:53:00 -0600

Postnatal massage is one of the best ways for a new mom to care for herself. With all the chores related to the care of a new baby, mom may be even more stressed and uncomfortable than during her pregnancy.

Postnatal Massage is a natural therapy designed to help relax and heal a new mother. The postnatal massage is similar and yet, very different from a prenatal massage. While both massages will relax the mother, the postnatal massage will help get the new mom’s body back into a pre-pregnancy state by focusing on toning and reducing fluid retention.

Regular postnatal massage can help with the following common ailments:

Lower back pain
Neck and should pain
Headaches
Hand and wrist pain
Postural dysfunctions
Depression
Weakness and fatigue

It can also help to re-establish pelvis structural integrity, healthy lactation, toning muscles, and overall stress reduction. It can even aid in weight loss!

A variety of therapeutic massage techniques may be utilized during a postnatal massage, including Swedish and lymphatic massage. Before any postnatal massage, it’s best for new moms to consult with the massage therapist to discuss any specific aliments that the therapist should focus on.

For a mother that has delivered her baby naturally, it is generally pretty safe to go for a postnatal massage as soon as they feel well enough. For those that deliver by caesarian, a good rule of thumb is to wait at least two weeks after delivery. However, in all cases it’s best to consult with the doctor first.

Regular therapeutic massage during the postnatal period is very beneficial to all new moms. It addresses physical discomforts as well as nurtures the body, mind and soul, helping each new mom to be the best they can be.

Elements has Licensed Massage Therapists who have been certified in prenatal massage and understand the challenges that new moms face. Give us a call today to at 708-403-8828 to schedule an appointment.

Therapeutic Sports Massage - For All Athletic Levels

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:00:00 -0600

Therapeutic sports massage was originally developed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance and aid in quick recovery. Many elite athletes consider sports massage an essential part of their training and recovery routine. They rely on it to help them train more effectively, improve performance, prevent injury and speed their recovery after strenuous exertion.

All that being said, you don’t have to be a professional athlete to get a therapeutic sports massage! It’s ideal for anyone who’s physically active – as well as someone who’s just starting out with a new workout program at the gym, running their first 10K or marathon, or doing anything else that’s outside their normal activity routine. If you’re a novice athlete, a pre-event sports massage can make a better, less-painful event for you. Or, if you’re a “weekend warrior”, a regular therapeutic sports massage may be just what you need to concentrate on a specific problem (sports or otherwise), chronic pain or a restricted range of motion.

There are four types of sports massages:

Pre-event Sports Massage - A short, stimulating massage before an event. It is directed towards the parts of the body that will be the most heavily involved in exertion.
Post-event Sports Massage – Usually this takes place either an hour or two after an event. The objective is to normalize the body’s tissues and prevent stiffness or soreness.
Restorative Sports Massage – Takes place during training to allow the athlete to train longer, harder and with less possibility for injury.
Rehabilitative Sports Massage – Should take place on a regular basis and is designed to either alleviate pain, increase range of motion or to restore the body to health.

Because every sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way, there are a variety of methods used to administer a therapeutic sports massage. Generally, this is a type of massage often combined with various forms of stretching. A sports massage will stimulate circulation of blood and lymph fluids and may include one or more of the following techniques:

Deep Swedish massage – Long, broad and flowing strokes which may be used before, during and after any of the techniques listed here. Designed to increase circulation and remove toxins. It also re-aligns the muscle fibers to get them back to their normal state.
Deep Tissue massage – Muscle-specific massage for chronically tight or painful areas.

Trigger Point massage – Designed to break down adhesions and increase range of motion. Left untreated these tender points often lead to restricted and painful movement of entire body regions.
Lymphatic massage – Stimulates lymphatic-drainage pathways, which improves the body’s removal of excess fluids in the tissues that cause swelling and pain.

Compression Massage - A rhythmic compression into muscles to create blood flow and to soften the tissues. This is usually a warm-up for deeper, more specific massage work.
Cross-Fiber massage - A friction technique used in a general manner to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups. This helps reduce adhesions (knots in the muscles) and creates strong and flexible repair during the healing process.

Whether you’re a serious or an occasional athlete, enjoying less muscle pain and stiffness as well as improving your sense of well-being is good reason to take advantage of a regular therapeutic sports massage.

To get the most benefit from a therapeutic sports massage, be sure and ask your therapist about their training and techniques to learn what is right for you. And, no matter what type of massage you choose, the therapist should always check in with you about your needs and expectations during the massage.

At Elements Therapeutic Massage, you can always find a skilled therapist to help with your sports-related aches and pains.

Massage and Weight Loss

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:00:00 -0600

You’ve had a fabulous holiday season - you’ve enjoyed your family and friends, the presents were wonderful and as always, you had plenty to eat and drink! The only trouble is, now you’re faced with your annual weight gain and your annual New Year’s resolution to get it off and get back in shape!

Of course, the first thing on your mind is to start dieting and to get into a regular exercise schedule. You know eating right and exercise are two sure-fired ways to recover from the holiday fun. Now, there’s a new addition to your annual “get back in shape” plan – this year add therapeutic massage to your New Year’s resolution.

Scientists now confirm what massage therapists have always known: massage can be a powerful and effective weight-loss tool. Massage is known to lower stress, improve circulation, increase mobility and speed recovery from overdoing it at the gym. Here’s how massage therapy specifically applies to your weight loss plan.

Massage improves circulation and the supply of nutrients to the muscles. 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 through increased blood flow, which helps the muscles grow and burn more calories.

Massage also helps break down scar tissue built up from damage to the muscles, which further helps circulation as well as mobility. Also, massage helps flush toxins from the body, meaning your body can focus on the healthy foods you are eating and not the environmental toxins that build up over time, and especially during the holidays.

For those on an aggressive workout schedule, massage can greatly improve your flexibility and range of motion. This will make you less likely to hurt yourself, meaning more productive and pain-free hours in the gym which will result in greater calorie burn. Massage also helps reduce soreness by stretching, kneading and rubbing the muscles to keep them loose. With all this, there’s no taking off days from the gym, rather it’s easy to stay on a normal workout schedule.

If you’re new to massage or one who’s gained more than a few pounds during the holiday festivities, it’s understandable if you feel a little self-conscious about disrobing for a massage. But don’t worry, massage therapists are sensitive to your feelings and realize that nudity is the number one concern for many people experiencing a massage. Massage therapists are used to seeing all shapes, sizes and conditions of the body and they have an entirely clinical perspective, no different than any other health-care giver. Additionally, all clients are discretely draped under a sheet with only one body part being uncovered at a time. Of course, you can always undress to your level of comfort, leaving on portions of your clothing or undergarments.

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a diet of any sort, always consider incorporating massage into your weight-loss routine with a bi-weekly or weekly treatment.

Losing weight is never easy. But thankfully it’s simple to incorporate massage in the healthy lifestyle that you’re building and to make it a regular on-going part of your life. It’s also a good idea to talk to your massage therapist or a doctor up front to let them know your weight loss goals, fitness routine and to determine how often you are getting massage. Don’t be surprised if there are more massages recommended at the beginning of your plan – this is normal and helps your massage therapist know your body’s way of handling stress and exertion.

Regular massage is just as important a component as a regular workouts and correct nutrition in any fitness and weight loss program. Elements Therapeutic Massage will work with you to create a plan for regular, ongoing massage therapy sessions that will fit with your budget and your schedule. To find the Elements nearest you, go to http://corp.touchofelements.com.

Oh, My Aching Back!

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:25:00 -0600

More than 100 million Americans suffer from lower-back pain, and nearly 25 billion dollars is spent in search of relief annually. A 2003 study shows that massage therapy produces better results and reduces the need for painkillers by 36 percent when compared to other therapies, including acupuncture and spinal manipulations*.

Therapeutic massage can indeed be an effective way to ease the pain of a wide variety of spinal conditions including: muscle tension, spasms, inflammation, aches, stiffness and pain. A skilled massage therapist will knead, rub and manipulate the affected muscles to increase blood flow (circulation) throughout the body. This will deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and helps eliminate any acids or other waste products that accumulates in the affected area. The outcome is pain relief.

Here are some tips on how to massage away that pain in your back:

Make sure the massage therapist you use for your back pain has received training from an accredited school and that they have completed 500 hours of training.
If you’ve been injured during exercise of some type, consider a sports massage. Sports massage promotes both flexibility and relieves deep muscle tightness and strains.
For acute pack pain, request a deep tissue massage, but be prepared for an aggressive massage designed to liberate muscle fiber and detoxify the muscle tissue. There may be a slight level of discomfort, but it should not feel too uncomfortable. The therapist should check in with you during the treatment to determine if the pressure it right, “Should I go deeper, stay at the same level or even go somewhat lighter?”
Try a massage that alternates hot and cold treatments to alleviate back pain caused by sprains.
A hot stone massage can be very effective as the stones transfer heat into your body, allowing the therapist to work more effectively.
For a quick and temporary fix, look at investing in a hand-held home massager to take away minor pain. This will not provide all the benefits of a professional massage therapist but it will help you in a pinch.

Always remember, not all types of massage is appropriate for all types of back pain. A deep tissue massage is potentially not a good idea for someone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or other degenerative diseases; however, a lighter touch massage would be appropriate. Be sure to always discuss the techniques to be used by the massage therapist, before beginning the massage session. If you have acute back pains, you should also consult your physician before beginning any massage therapy program.

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 also use a proprietary numbering system that indicates the level of work a therapist does, which is very important when dealing with back pain. To find the Elements nearest you, go to http://corp.touchofelements.com.

*Annals of Internal Medicine, June 2003

Can’t Sleep? Serotonin and Massage May be the Answer

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:14:00 -0600

Do you struggle for hours to get to sleep, no matter how tired you are? Or do you wake up in the middle of the night and lay awake for hours, watching the clock and worrying about the next day? If so, you’re not alone. Insomnia is a very common sleep problem with more than 30% of the adults in the U.S. suffering from it; and 10% experiencing chronic insomnia (National Sleep Foundation).

Insomnia comes from the Latin words for “no sleep”. It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, difficultly staying asleep, waking up too early and poor quality, “non-restorative” sleep. Chronic insomnia is poor sleep every night or most nights for more than 6 months.

Insomnia takes a huge toll on your energy, mood, and ability to function during the day. Chronic insomnia can even contribute to long-term health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

But you don’t have to put up with insomnia. There are a wide variety of methods recommended for treating insomnia. Many of them involve simple life-style and daily habit changes such as not watching TV in bed, avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine in the evenings and developing a relaxing bedtime routine. Others involve a variety of medications – some over the counter; others prescriptive. But, now there are also complementary alternative medical (CAM) choices, one of which is therapeutic massage.

Serotonin plays a key role in mood, body temperature, physical coordination, appetite and sleep; and therapeutic massage can work to increase serotonin levels. A 2000 study on back pain and massage conducted by the Touch Research institute and the University Of Miami School Of Medicine demonstrated that in addition to a decrease in long-term pain, subjects receiving regular therapeutic massage also experienced an increase in serotonin levels and improved sleep*.

Therapeutic massage is a healthy and substance-free way to increase serotonin levels for the sleep deprived. Additionally, serotonin is a natural way to produce melatonin, which causes a drop in body temperature and positively influences sleepiness.

If you’re one of the 1,000’s of Americans suffering from lack of sleep, simple changes to your lifestyle and daily habits can always help. But you should also consider massage, as regular therapeutic massage sessions may prove to be the healthy, logical, safe and inexpensive way to put a stop to your sleepless nights.

Not sleeping? The skilled massage therapists at Elements Therapeutic Massage can help you get a good night’s rest. Go to Touchofelements.com to find the studio nearest you.

Newest Massage Franchise Opens in Orland Park

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 06:22:00 -0600

ORLAND PARK, IL – November 30, 2010 – Elements Therapeutic Massage will open its doors for business in Orland Park on December 18th. Rosalind Agee, a local entrepreneur, will open Orland Park’s first Elements Therapeutic Massage studio at 9559 W. 151^st St., where they will promote health and wellness through massage therapy in a tranquil environment.

“I am so excited to bring a health and wellness facility to the neighborhood,” said Rosalind, “it’s a relaxed setting where people receive results driven services at reasonable rates, which enables them to maintain a healthy life style on a consistent basis.”

Elements Therapeutic Massage’s certified massage therapists provide customized massage services at a retail price. Franchising since 2006, Elements Therapeutic Massage is growing rapidly with 75 open studios, opening several new locations each month. Other Chicago area locations include Palatine, Bloomingdale, and Naperville.

“With each new location, we are in a better position to help people live a better quality of life through the healing benefits that therapeutic massage offers,” said Michele Merhib, Founder of the Elements Therapeutic Massage business model in 2000. “It is important in today’s fast-paced society that people take a regular mini-vacation, with a massage that can rejuvenate the mind and body.”

About Elements Therapeutic Massage, Inc.:

Elements Therapeutic Massage, http://corp.touchofelements.com, is a massage therapy franchise that began franchising in 2006, headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. It is owned by Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., which also owns Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, a one-on-one personal training fitness franchise that began franchising in 1996. Today, the combined franchise network has sold hundreds of franchises across the United States, Brazil, Costa Rica, Israel, Ireland, and Canada.

Franchise Information:

Elements Therapeutic Massage is actively seeking new franchisees. If you are interested in changing your life and the lives of others, please visit http://corp.touchofelements.com/franchise/ or call 877.663.0880 ext. 51 for more information about massage franchise opportunities.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Seniors

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 13:08:00 -0600

(Orland Park, IL) - It’s no secret that the fastest-growing segment of the American population is 65 or older. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, the number of people 65 and older numbered 39.6 million and represented 12.9% of the US population in 2009. By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million people 65 and older, or 19% of the population. As this population group grows, there will be an increased emphasis on health, quality of life and well-being.

Massage therapy offers many possibilities to this senior group of citizens. Massage can provide relief from various types of muscle tension and overall discomfort for seniors who are still very active as well as those who are living with limiting conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure

Therapeutic massage, provided by a licensed massage professional, has been proven to do the following:

Decreases anxiety and stress
Lessons the symptoms of depression
Stabilizes blood pressure
Helps alleviate sleep disorders
Increases circulation
Improves joint mobility
Decreases inflammation
Increases the sense of well being
May lesson dependence on pain medications and other types of medications
Improves the flow of lymphatic fluid
Improves digestion
Provides much needed touch and nurturing

Additionally, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that massage therapy can improve the quality of life for those in hospice living or comfort care.

Most licensed massage therapists are knowledgeable of the conditions that can occur in seniors, and can provide light to medium touch massage for specific, individual needs. Of course, all therapists are sensitive to each client’s sense of modesty and privacy and will respect and accommodate special requests. Before undergo any massage session, it is always recommended to discuss your needs and make sure the therapist is trained in massage techniques for seniors.

Some may wonder if a physician’s approval or a prescription is required for massage therapy, and it is generally not. However, there may be instances when a client should consult with their physician to insure safety before beginning a massage program. For example, someone who has an acute illness, is undergoing chemotherapy, has osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or has had recent surgery, should talk to their doctor first.

All of the Massage Therapists at Elements Therapeutic Massage are trained in providing a massage that is specific to the needs of senior clients. To find out more about Elements and to learn about the location nearest you, go to http://corp.touchofelements.com.

Franchise Owner Rosalind Agee Attends Crain's Chicago Small Business Week

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:02:00 -0500

(Orland Park, IL) – Crain’s held its first annual Small Business Week event in Chicago on Oct. 12 - 15, 2010. Crain’s offered a variety of small business events held around the city, providing educational and development activities for small business owners. Local Entrepreneurs like Rosalind R. Agee of Elements Therapeutic Massage attended a discussion at the Women's Business Development Center in Chicago. Click here to see the full list of events and photos. More...

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE OFFERS STRESS-FREE WAYS TO SAVE AT THE SPA

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:43:00 -0500

ORLAND PARK, IL - With everything from gas to grocery prices on the rise, spa-goers are no doubt looking for ways to get the most bang for their buck. So, how about stretching your dollar by saving $30 on every massage at Elements Therapeutic Massage in Orland Park? With a variety of massage modalities to chose from, Elements wants to help you find a spa experience to match your budget.

"Just as you can find a hotel, restaurant or pair of shoes in any price range, there is a spa experience out there for everyone," said ISPA President Lynne McNees. "ISPA's research shows that the average cost of a spa treatment is $79, which means you can relax, reflect, revitalize and rejoice at a spa for the cost of going out to dinner, playing golf or seeing a play or concert."

Rosalind R. Agee, the owner of Elements Therapeutic Massage in Orland Park says, “Regular massage therapy has become a necessity in maintaining personal health these days. We are pleased to provide a wellness program that enables spa-goers to receive a massage each month at a reduced rate, in an inviting setting. Through our membership program, spa-goers are able to improve their health and well-being and save money at the same time.”

Elements Therapeutic Massage is excited to offer a membership rate of $59 a month for each 55 minute massage (valued at $89). As a member of their wellness program, spa-goers also receive gift certificates at the membership rate. Elements is located at 9559 W. 151^st near Orland Park Mall, across from Toy’s R Us. For more information on their wellness program, call 708-403-8828 or go to www.touchofelements.com/orlandpark

Are you ready to relax? These five insider tips from Elements and ISPA will keep you from stressing over costs at the spa:

Off Is On - Book an appointment in the morning, mid-week and during the off-season. By beating the crowd you'll score a spa deal.
Packaged Deal - Many spa directors report that packages are often discounted up to as much as 20 percent off the regular individual prices. With 70 percent of spas offering packages, these deals are easy to find.
Make a Day of It - Turn a 60-minute spa experience into a full day! Spas offer a wide range of complimentary amenities for you to enjoy, such as relaxation rooms, steam rooms, fitness centers, pools and healthy snacks and beverages.
Score Online - Besides often checking your favorite spa's Web site for any new promotional postings, you should also sign up to be on the spa's e-mail list. Often times spas will use Facebook or Twitter to offer special deals. So “friend” them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.
Taking It Home - Take the spa experience home by learning techniques from your treatment that you can practice in your daily life. Ask your therapist for pointers on stretches, breathing techniques and home remedies, as well as product recommendations.

International SPA Association
Elements Therapeutic Massage – Orland Park is a member of ISPA. ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. Founded in 1991, ISPA advances the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.

KNOW THE CODE BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR NEXT SPA EXPERIENCE

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:27:00 -0500

(Orland Park, IL) - When you walk through the doors of your favorite spa, and walk into a treatment room for your Hot Stone massage is the music too loud? Are the stones too hot? Do you just lie on the table and grin and bear it?

"Spa experiences are your time to relax, reflect, revitalize and rejoice. The spa is meant to de-stress, not stress you," said International SPA Association President Lynne Walker McNees. "Not only should you say something, you actually have the right and responsibility to do so. You have the right to control your spa experience no matter what type of spa you wish to visit or treatment you choose to enjoy."

Spas are for everyone. Just like diet and exercise, they are part of the modern healthy lifestyle. One in four American adults have been to a spa and 15 percent of spa-goers are new to spas each year. With these numbers only expected to grow, it is more important than ever for spa-goers to be aware of their rights and responsibilities once they enter a spa. As the authoritative voice of the spa industry, ISPA created the Code of Conduct in partnership with the Resort Hotel Association to enhance the level of comfort for spa-goers. As an ISPA member, Elements Therapeutic Massage uses the guidelines of the Code of Conduct.

We are a member of ISPA and we take the code of conduct very serious in our facility”, says Rosalind R. Agee, owner of Elements Therapeutic Massage – Orland Park. “We want spa-goers to relax and rejuvenate themselves while they are here and that starts with trust and feeling safe.”

The Code of Conduct is a list of rights and responsibilities for spa guests. It ensures that each spa experience be professional in communication, confidentiality, privacy and spa treatment. The code is especially helpful for those who are new to the spa industry because it describes spa etiquette and helps to manage a guest's expectations.

A few of the guidelines from the Code of Conduct include...

As a spa guest, it's your responsibility to:

Communicate your preferences, expectations and concerns
Communicate complete and accurate health information and reasons for your visit
Use products, equipment and therapies as directed

As a spa guest, you have the right to:

A clean, safe and comfortable environment
Stop a treatment at any time, for any reason
Be treated with consideration dignity and respect

Elements Therapeutic Massage – Orland Park is part of a health and wellness franchise that focuses on massage therapy. They have a variety of standard massage services and provide membership rates, as well as, gift certificates and packages. For more information or to make an appointment, call 708-403-8828 Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 9a.m to 7p.m. or visit www.touchofelements.com/orlandpark.

You may read the Code of Conduct, as well as gain access to ISPA's 3,000 members, through http://www.experienceispa.com/.

ISPA is recognized worldwide as the leading professional organization and voice of the spa industry. ISPA's membership is comprised of health and wellness facilities and providers around the world. ISPA strives to advance the professionalism of the spa industry by providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, to promote the value of the spa experience to society, and to be the authoritative voice of the spa industry.

Spas are entities devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.

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Entrepreneur Plans to Open Newest elements therapeutic massage Business in Orland Park

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:39:00 -0500

ORLAND PARK, IL – September 2, 2010– elements therapeutic massage is about to arrive in Orland Park. Rosalind Agee, a local entrepreneur, has just signed a lease to open Orland Park’s first elements therapeutic massage business at 9559 W. 151st St., where every customer will receive affordable, professional massage in a pampering environment.

“We are starting construction on our facility, and plan to open our doors in December” said Rosalind, “I am so proud to create a place of refuge for the over-worked, an oasis for those who want to be pampered, and an escape for those who want to rejuvenate themselves."

“Not all Massage Is Created Equal”! elements therapeutic massage has certified massage therapists who partner with our customers to create a personal wellness program. Our customized wellness program focuses on improving and maintaining a healthy life style through massage therapy. Franchising since 2006, elements therapeutic massage is growing rapidly with 74 open studios, opening several new locations each month.

Other area locations include Palatine, Naperville and Bloomingdale.

“With each new location, we are in a better position to help people live a better quality of life through the healing benefits that therapeutic massage offers,” said Michele Merhib, Founder of the elements therapeutic massage business model in 2000. “It is important in today’s fast-paced society that people take a regular mini-vacation, with a massage that can rejuvenate the mind and body.”

About elements therapeutic massage:
elements therapeutic massage is headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and is part of the Fitness Together Franchise Corporation. In 1996, Fitness Together Franchise Corporation began franchising to bring professional and affordable personal training services to every major city. Today elements therapeutic massage is following the same model to make health and wellness affordable, and was created in 2000 by founder, Michele Merhib. The company started franchising in 2006 under the Fitness Together Franchise Corporation. For more information visit www.touchofelements.com or www.fitnesstogether.com.