Elements Therapeutic Massage - The Woodlands

Massage Found to Benefit Preterm Infants' Brain Electrical Activity

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:32:00 -0600

Massage therapy has been found in past studies to boost preterm infants' weight, help their rest-activity cycle, and benefit parent-infant bonding.

New research indicates that massage therapy benefits preterm infants' brain electrical activity.

The investigators set out to test the hypothesis that massage determines changes in EEG spectral activity, a highly sensitive index of brain maturation, in preterm infants, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.

Infants were randomly allocated to a massage or comparison group, the abstract noted, and intervention consisted of standard care only (comparison group) or standard care plus infant massage (massage group).

"Massage was started at around 10 days after birth and was provided for 12 days during a two-week period," stated the abstract. "EEG was performed at around one and four weeks, i.e. before and after

intervention.

"The modification in global EEG spectral power between the two assessments was significantly different for the two groups, especially for the delta band activity; the spectral power did not change in massaged infants although, not surprisingly, it decreased significantly in the comparison group, as shown by previous studies," the abstract noted.

"We propose that massage intervention affects the maturation of brain electrical activity and favors a process more similar to that observe

Oh, My Aching Back!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:05:00 -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.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Seniors

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:09:00 -0600

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.

Improve Health and Well-Being by Beating Workplace Stress

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:30:00 -0600

One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four, five sheep, six sheep, roll over and start counting some more. If your normal sleep routine consists of counting fluffy white animals over and over again until you finally fall asleep, it’s time to realign your sleep routine into a more relaxed, restful experience. By incorporating the following four pre-sleep bedtime tips, you will be able to better prepare your mind and body for a more relaxing and enjoyable night’s sleep.

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.

Get Out. Get Active. Get Massage

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:54:00 -0500

The golf fairways are turning green, the summer race schedules are published, the bicycles are out of the garage, and your running shoes are ready to ditch the treadmill and start logging miles on outdoor trails and roadways.

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.

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

Shape Up Your Summer Body, While Rejuvenating Your Mommy Spirit

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:32:00 -0500

Moms spend most of their waking hours as caretakers – taking care of running a busy household, juggling work and family schedules, and caring about the health and happiness of friends, family members and even clients. Many times, though, caring for others is done at the expense of caring for themselves.

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.

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.

• 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.

Melt Away Tax Time Stress with Three Simple Relaxation Strategies

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:26:00 -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.

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

What Are the Benefits of Sports Massage Therapy?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:39:00 -0500

Physical Benefits

According to SportsInjuryClinic.net, the physical benefits of sports massage therapy include the following: improved blood flow and nutrient delivery to your muscles, efficient clearing of harmful metabolic byproducts, tension reduction in your fascia, reduction of your scar tissue, improved tissue elasticity and improvements in your tissue's ability to absorb nutrients, also known as micro-circulation.
The physical benefits of sports massage therapy are important for all athletes, especially those engaged in sports where physical contact and bruising are likely, such as football, rugby or ice hockey. Endurance athletes also are excellent candidates for sports massage therapy, as the long training hours and the nature of competitive endurance activities, such as running, cycling and cross-country skiing, place considerable strain on your musculoskeletal system. Sports massage therapy helps relieve stress on your joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

Physiological Benefits

The principle physiological benefits of sports massage therapy include pain reduction and relaxation; two important benefits that can keep you healthy and competitive over time. Sports-related pain can result from a muscle strain, a contusion or bruise or excessive use of a muscle. Overuse of a muscle or muscle group may result in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a phenomenon that's long been associated with increased physical exertion, according to Len Kravitz, Ph.D., an exercise scientist at the University of New Mexico.
A 2005 study published in the "Journal of Athletic Training," concludes that massage therapy is effective at alleviating DOMS by approximately 30 percent and reducing swelling, but it has no effects on muscle function. Muscle relaxation is another important physiological benefit of sports massage therapy. Muscles relax when they're exposed to heat, receive increased blood circulation and are stretched appropriately; all common results of an effective sports massage therapy session. A reflex relaxation also is caused when your mechanoreceptors--tiny sensory receptors that respond to pressure or changes in tissue length--are stimulated during massage.

Psychological Benefits

The psychological benefits of sports massage include a reduction in your approach anxiety, enhanced feelings of invigoration and rejuvenation and an increased awareness of your mind-body connection, according to SportsMassageTherapy.info. Approach anxiety, which is the anxiety you feel about an upcoming match or event, is a common part of sports participation.
A massage therapist skilled in the art of sports massage will know what techniques to use to help counter your anxiety. The simple act of having your body worked on can give you a psychological edge that reduces your anxiety. After you've received a sports massage, it's likely that you'll feel a little sore, but you'll also feel invigorated and refreshed, ready to compete again at your highest level. The restorative effects of massage therapy and the corresponding psychological benefits are crucial for your continued athletic success. So too is an awareness of your mind-body connection, which massage therapy supports. Massage therapy can provide you with an awareness of your body that few other therapeutic modalities can match.

Melt Away Tax Time Stress with Three Simple Relaxation Strategies

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:37:00 -0500

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

Release Mental and Physical Tension

Revive and Reinvigorate Tired, Sore Muscles

Take Time to Get in Touch with Yourself

Four easy ways to circulate your Lympathic fluid.

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:46:00 -0500

(NaturalNews) Everyone knows that the circulatory system has a very famous, much loved central component called the heart. The heart works non-stop 24/7 for an entire lifetime circulating blood. The lymphatic system is a specialized component of the circulatory system that doesn't have the advantage of a central pump. The flow inside the lymphatic vessels is unidirectional because of one-way valves that keep the lymph from traveling backwards but the circulation depends largely on movement.

The blood brings nutrition and oxygen to the cells and the lymph removes the waste, debris, and disease components such as viruses. The cells are bathed in lymphatic fluid. Fluid retention in the tissues suffocates the cells so that the nutrients can't get in and garbage accumulates. There are four excellent and simple methods to get the lymphatic fluid moving and each one will help to get the nutrients in and the waste products out.

Deep breathing

Deep diaphragmatic breathing is possibly the best way of circulating the lymph. Breath in slowly and deeply pushing the belly out and then let the breath go slowly and completely. The dramatic pressure variance with the lung expansion and contraction moves the lymph and also helps to open the ducts to allow the lymph to reenter the bloodstream at the subclavian veins at the base of the neck. Deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing for 10 minutes a day will oxygenate the blood and also circulate the lymph.

Rebounding

A Rebounder, also known as a mini-trampoline, is a great way to exercise. A simple, gentle walk in place without even lifting the feet off of the trampoline will suffice to circulate the lymph. At the top of the bounce the body experiences a moment free of gravity and at that time all of the one-way valves in the lymphatic vessels open to allow the fluid to move upward. This can even be done without a rebounder just by bouncing on the toes.

Massage and movement

Lymphatic drainage is a technical skill taught by a therapist, however a gentle massage can be self administered with good effects. Lymphatic massage is gentle using very little pressure to move and stretch the skin to stimulate flow through the lymphatic capillaries that are located just under the skin. Massage the skin in the direction of the heart. Any kind of movement such as walking will circulate the lymph because of the muscle contractions. Even laughter works well to get the fluid in motion.

Castor oil

"No drug exists that has the ability to improve lymphatic flow; however, the job can easily be handled through the topical application of Castor oil," said Dr David G. Williams. For lymphatic stimulation, a good place to put a Castor oil pack would be the lower abdomen and/or the liver. For a Castor oil pack use a cotton or wool flannel cloth folded in several layers and a good quality, cold-pressed oil. Saturate the cloth in oil and apply it to the skin. Put plastic over the pack to keep the oil from dripping, then wrap an old towel around the pack for more protection. A hot water bottle placed over the pack will increase the effectiveness of the treatment. It can be left in place as long as all night. Because of the antimicrobial properties of the oil. the same pack can be used over again many times before discarding.

Sources for this article include

The Golden Seven Plus One by C. Samuel West, D.N., N.D. January 1983, Samuel Publishing

http://webschoolsolutions.com/patts/systems/heart.htm

Dr David G Williams complementary Newsletter v6 n1, July 1995

http://netinc.net.my/health/b/010.htm

Father-daughter Duo open franchise

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:48:00 -0600

While many people think of a massage as a luxury, for Matt Mandalinci and his daughter Sibel, massage can be a drug-free option for stress and other medical problems.

Together, the pair launched their new venture Elements Therapeutic Massage, a franchise concept based in Colorado, early this month.

Both know the challenges of starting a new business, but they agree that opening a franchise was their best option and working with each other was the second-best decision.

“I think the family aspect of this is really nice,” Matt said. “We are doing this together because we both have unique experiences that together add tremendous value.”

Sibel brings to the table a marketing background, while Matt has the experience in running large companies. Matt said with that, together he and Sibel can grow the company successfully.

“In this case, it is very complementary,” he said. “There is a lot of synergy. The beauty of this and the icing on the cake is we are family.”

However, Sibel said she was hesitant when her father first approached her with the idea.

“When I found out about the business and I had this vision, I could see it happen,” she said. “We can make something really amazing happen here and I knew that if I didn’t do it, I would always regret it.”

Leap of faith

After 25 years in the corporate world, 18 of those years with Pennsylvania-based Sungard, Matt decided to leave the hustle and bustle of big business and look for a different venture to benefit his family and the community.

“I look at different business opportunities, probably about a dozen different types of businesses,” he said. “What I liked about this business is it has the health care-wellness aspect, which I think is very important.”

Along with the idea of a business that would help people both physically and mentally, Matt saw the opportunity to create a legacy for his family.

“I have six kids,” he said. “I wanted to do something that I could leave my kids, something they could get involved with. This was the perfect fit.”

As far as the franchise concept, Matt said that was the best option because the company is proven, has an established business model and provides the support to launch the business.

“It’s not cookie cutter,” he said. “What I like is that we can put our own touch on it.”

According to Matt, Elements Massage has grown 24 percent in the last two years and the company has franchises across the nation. In fact, Matt has the rights to open two more locations in the Montgomery and Harris County area.

The Woodlands, he said, is a perfect location for the Elements concept. Many of the residents are health conscious and open-minded about new ideas for their well-being.

“We believe the demographics here is perfect,” Matt said. “These are people that understand therapeutic massage. Our competitors are doing well, so I think we will do extremely well because we offer a slightly different experience.

Matt said he plans to open two more locations in six or nine months. He said that will give him and Sibel time to get The Woodlands location up and running. He did not indicate where the next two locations would be.

A different touch

While both Matt and Sibel acknowledge there are a handful of massage businesses in the area, they say Elements is different. Sibel said the company is focused on customer service and the staff follows a structured plan to maintain a high level of service for each customer.

“We really listen to what you want and we supply that,” she said. “I’m not selling McMassages, I’m selling relationships.”

Sibel said there are many different types of massages and with 12 certified massage therapists on hand, she is able to match the client with the right masseuse. She said the staff will grow to at least 16 therapists.

“Our therapists are licensed in the state of Texas, which is the norm,” Sibel said. “But, we also require continuing education and we keep certificates on file and they cannot perform a service if we do not have that on file.”

Elements spans about 2,000 square feet with 10 rooms. Sibel said the business is membership based. Clients can purchase massages and each time they come in, one is deducted. Massages can be shared with friends and family. She said they are flexible to be able to offer clients the right package for their needs.

Sibel said she is excited about the venture and likes the guidance from her father.

“His expectations for me are just as high,” she said. “My family’s business, their well-being, depends on this. I think it is going to be great.”

A simple massage could keep you from getting sick

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

Dr. Mark Rapaport and his team of researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., evaluated 53 people, 29 of which received 45-minute Swedish massages--one of the most common forms of massage used in the U.S.--and 24 who received gentler, light touch massages. Researchers took blood samples at intervals before and after the massages and found that those who received even just one Swedish massage experienced significant, positive changes in blood composition.

"This research indicates that massage doesn't only feel good, it also may be good for you," explained Dr. Rapaport in a press release. "People often seek out massage as part of a healthy lifestyle but there hasn't been much physiological proof of the body's heightened immune response following massage until now."

Besides experiencing a significant increase in lymphocytes, the white cells in the body that help fight and prevent disease, the Swedish massage group experienced lower cortisol levels as well. Cortisol is the hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress.

The Swedish massage group also experienced a decrease in arginine vasopressin, a hormone linked with aggressive behavior.

"European-style massage is often used to treat back pain, sleep disorders, and other stress-related disorders," explain Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox and Makoto Suzuki in their book The Okinawa Program: How the World's Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health.