A Cornerstone of Health

Why Now, More Than Ever, You Need a Massage
While you may be tempted to trim your wellness budget when economic times are tough, now more than ever, massage should play a role in reducing stress and strengthening the health of Americans.

When you feel your best, you are more likely to be able to face the challenges difficult times present. With greater health and peace of mind, you can face difficulties with poise, clarity of purpose, and strengthened emotional reserves.

Truly, massage is more than a luxury--it's a vital part of self-care that has a positive ripple effect on us as we work, play, relax, live life, and care for others.

Invest In Yourself, Invest in Those You Love
In economically challenging times, it is vital to invest in preventative health care. The last thing you want is to get sick, have to take time off of work, and pay expensive medical bills. Staying healthy means maintaining your ability to take whatever life has to throw at you. Besides lowering stress levels and, in turn, reducing the risk of stress-related illnesses, massage also boosts immunity, helping you fight colds, flu, and other viral infections.

Following is a sampling of a long list of bodywork benefits:

• Ease anxiety
• Reduce the flow of stress hormones
• Improve sleep
• Boost the immune system
• Build energy levels
• Reduce fatigue
• Foster concentration
• Increase circulation
• Develop self-esteem
• Reduce frequency of headaches
• Release endorphins

And if you think about it, massage is an excellent value. The price of massage has remained stable in recent years, as the cost of movies, dining out, and sports events has risen. Which of these has the power to improve your health and your outlook on life?

The positive effects of regular massage can have far-reaching effects in many areas of your life.

At Home
Massage therapy will also help families under stress create healthier households with clear-thinking and more relaxed moms and dads. Children are very sensitive and often pick up on tension in a household, parents who are taking care of themselves are more likely to be better caregivers and provide a sense of security to their kids. This goes for caregivers of aging parents and other family members.

At Work
The health benefits of massage can help forestall illnesses and lost work time, especially when you may be asked to produce more with fewer resources. Decision-making skills will be better and your performance is likely to be improved with a clear focus and more energy.

A hint for the boss: Research shows employees exhibit less stress and improved performance when given twice-weekly, 15-minute massages in the office!

For Health Conditions
Those with already existing health conditions can continue to reap benefits in the following ways. And proactively caring for health through massage may help reduce costly doctor visits and use of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Research shows:

• Massage can reduce sports-related soreness and improve circulation--good to know when you may be exercising more to reduce stress.
• Deep-tissue massage is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients receiving massage also have less pain, depression, anxiety, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep problems.
• Massage reduces symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Oncology patients show less pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and depression following massage therapy.
• Stroke patients show less anxiety and lower blood pressure with massage therapy.
• Massage therapy is effective is reducing post surgical pain.
• Alzheimer's patients exhibit reduced pacing, irritability and restlessness after neck and shoulder massage.
• Labor pain. Massage during labor appears to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles and help block pain. Some medical professionals believe massage also reduces tearing, shortens labor, reduces the need for medication and shortens hospital stays.
• Preterm babies receiving massage therapy gain more weight and have shorter hospital stays than infants not receiving massage.
• Massage is beneficial in reducing symptoms associated with arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, and premenstrual syndrome.

There is now a body of research to support the benefits listed above. But there's no greater testimonial than the person who is a regular receiver of massage. The first-hand experience of bodywork clients largely echo the same sentiment: bodywork enhances quality of life, and the return on your investment is great.

While bodywork feels like a luxurious mini-vacation, and you should by all means enjoy it, there is an actual physical need for massage. Maintaining a regular massage schedule will help you operate at your peak level--whether it be at work, at home, or at play. Invest in yourself, and book a massage today.