Follow this link to read an article on the health benefits of massage on CNN.com
Therapeutic Massage and Stress Relief
Therapeutic massage is a remarkable tool for helping you manage stress. A deeply relaxing massage can give you a much needed break, helping you feel better physically and mentally. Over time, regular massage may help you develop healthy and productive responses to life’s many challenges. Studies show that massage triggers the relaxation response, taking your body off alert and setting in motion the biological processes needed to restore your resources and reserve the physical responses or “fight or flight.” Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain Accidents
Massage Therapy is not only beneficial for stress reduction it can also relax and soften injured and overused muscles, increase joint flexibility, stimulate the lymph system, enabling the body to defend itself against toxins that cause dis-ease. Increased circulation allows nutrients to access organs and tissues. Repetitive actions and everyday stresses can cause problems that seem to take up permanent residence in our bodies. If tension, pain or restricted mobility keeps you from living the life you want, a massage can help. A gentle, effective therapeutic massage can relieve pain and help heal certain conditions and prevent their return. Massage Therapy can help heal injuries such as ligament sprains or muscle strains. It reduces inflammation by helping to remove wastes and bring healing nutrition to injured cells. In addition, certain techniques can make old scar tissue more pliable. And, in new injuries, limit its formation. What can I expect during my massage?
Every year, more and more people are turning to massage therapy and related bodywork techniques to relieve pain & tension, increase flexibility or reduce physical and mental fatigue. But before giving this healthful and pleasurable experience a try, many people want to know, “what will it be like?” You will relax on a padded table designed for stability and support. The room will be quiet, often with soft music to help you relax. Following a session, many people experience freedom from aches and pains that have built up over months of tension or repetitive activities. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience an increase in energy that may last for a few days.