Massage Therapy

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH TRAUMA Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on therapy that assists the body’s natural capacity for self-repair. ‘Cranio’ refers to the head or cranium and sacral to the sacrum, the big bone at the base of the spine. Maybe a better way to think of it is ‘top to bottom, as it’s a therapy that treats the whole body in each session. THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT REACTION The body is designed to protect itself from physical knocks or emotional stress by contracting. If the shock is particularly severe, prolonged, or accompanied by strong emotions, everything stays contracted, even after the moment that caused the shock is over. There’s a reason for this. You’ve probably all heard [...]

August 30, 2021 / Wellness What is Reiki, and Does it Really Work? Reiki is an energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety through gentle touch. Reiki practitioners use their hands to deliver energy to your body, improving the flow and balance of your energy to support healing. Mikao Usui developed reiki in the early 1900s, deriving the term from the Japanese words rei, meaning “universal,” and ki, which refers to the vital life force energy that flows through all living things. Now, reiki is used all over the world, including in hospitals and hospices, to complement other forms of health treatments. The health benefits of reiki Reiki promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief to improve overall health and well-being. It [...]

Massage therapists versed in lymph drainage massage are in a position to assist the growing population of women who have received breast cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be over 252,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2017, the most common type of cancer in the U.S., accounting for almost 155 of all new cancers. It’s the most prevalent type of cancer, and the risk of developing it increases with age. Incidence of Breast Cancer The National Cancer Institute statistics review states that fewer than five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. are younger than 40. Rates begin to increase after age 40 and are highest in women over age 70. Further, the median [...]

By: KARI OAKES, Family Practice News Digital Network JUNE 20, 2016 [email protected] On Twitter @karioakes SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – Simple, effective, nonpharmacologic therapies can significantly augment pharmacotherapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression, according to Dr. Mark Hyman Rapaport. More complex complementary approaches are being explored and may hold promise as part of the future of precision medicine, but well-tested strategies can still help many patients, he said. Speaking at a session focused on treatment-resistant depression at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Dr. Rapaport, chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and Reunette W. Harris Professor at Emory University, Atlanta, began with the basics. Massage can effectively improve mood for individuals with depression as well. In [...]

One in five Americans are impacted by seasonal change Massage therapy has shown to improve mood and elevate energy levels People looking to fend off the winter blues may find relief by integrating massage therapy into their health maintenance routine. Shorter days and colder temperatures leave many Americans feeling depressed and lethargic, yet studies show that regular massages improve mood and reset circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep and more energy. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is recognized as a major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns. A less severe form of seasonal mood disorder, known as the winter blues, impacts an even larger portion of the population. Combined, the two disorders affect as many as one in five Americans, and may [...]

By Karen Menehan December 2, 2016 A new report indicates the U.S. has a big problem with sleep deprivation—a problem that has “a significant effect” on the American economy. Why Sleep Matters—The Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep, released Nov. 29 by RAND Corporation, quantifies the economic losses due to sleep deprivation among workers in five different countries: the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany and Japan, according to a press release. The U.S. topped the list with the most workdays lost to bad sleep, and the biggest financial loss—up to $411 billion; it was followed by Japan, then Germany, the U.K. and Canada. We all know what a restful night’s sleep feels like compared with one that is restless; sleep supports physical, [...]

By Lia Stannard Overview Patients with multiple sclerosis have problems with their immune systems attacking their nerves, resulting in nerve damage. MedlinePlus explains that multiple sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord, causing pain, movement problems and other symptoms. While the treatment for multiple sclerosis often involves medication to control symptoms, some patients may opt to include massage therapy as part of their treatment program. Pain Reduction Many multiple sclerosis patients experience pain when the disorder affects their sensory nerves. MedlinePlus notes that patients can have facial pain or a burning sensation in their limbs. The pain from multiple sclerosis may impact other functions. For example, if a multiple sclerosis patient has pain in her legs, she may have difficulty [...]

When you think of massage, odds are you think of an hour of relaxation – a little “me” time. Massage certainly offers a great way to escape from the stresses of our everyday lives, but more and more studies are showing that regular massage gives you so much more: a range of emotional and physical benefits. Here are the top 10 reasons to incorporate more massage in your life. Massage reduces stress – A single massage can lower your heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels, all of which are tied to how stressed you feel. Massage helps you relax – Long after your massage is over, you will still benefit from a host of brain chemistry responses that encourage feelings [...]

The jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a major target for an array of joint disorders. Disorders of the jaw are typically referred to by the same name, TMJ. The temporomandibular joint connects the mandible to the skull’s temporal bone and contributes to the acts of biting, chewing, swallowing, speaking and making facial expressions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems. Symptoms Pain is the most common TMJ symptom. The pain is often described as a transient, dull ache in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear. Instead of pain, some sufferers only have problems in the use of their jaws. Additional symptoms of TMJ can [...]

By Kray Kibler, CFO, Massage Warehouse May 23, 2014 Adequate sleep is necessary for healthy functioning, and quality sleep is vital to health and wellness. But an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans experience sleep issues that affect their health,1 often leading to low work performance, slowed reaction time, obesity, higher risk of long-term disease, and substance abuse.2 Chronic insomnia causes extreme fatigue and problems with concentration, and can adversely affect a person’s mood and well-being. For healthcare professionals, helping patients overcome insomnia is critical for fostering overall health and wellness.3 According to Ralph Pascualy, MD, medical director of the Swedish Sleep Medicine Institute (SSMI) in Seattle, both the quantity and quality of an individual’s sleep directly affect their health.4 [...]