The sense of touch is the first sense to develop in humans and the last to diminish
Benefits & Facts of Massage Therapy
Why Massage?
Research has proven the following benefits of massage! These benefits only help me to encourage you to believe in the same! Applies to ALL AGES!
~relieves stress
~improves circulation
~alleviates muscle aches and pains
~minimizes muscle tension
~improves posture (over time)
~improves athletic performance
~helps with chiropractic adjustments
~enhances the health and nourishment of the skin
~calms the nervous system
~promotes quality sleep
~induces mental relaxation
~enhances self-image
~reduce swelling
~nurtures and helps develop emotional growth
~reduces anxiety
Massage Facts!
*Massage has been found to be the oldest form of medical care.
*Health Fact:
75-90% of doctor visits in the US are stress related. Stress is a factor of 5 out of 6 leading causes of death (i.e. stroke, heart disease, cancer, low respiratory disease)
Massage fact:
A 60 minute massage reduces 30% of your daily stress.
*A 60 minute massage is the same as 7-8 hours of sleep!
*Healthy touch of any kind can reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
*Julius Caesar managed his epilepsy with massage
*Bob Hope had a massage treatment every day - he lived until he was 100!
*Why is touch important?
#1 Touch decreases violence
#2 Touch develops trust
#3 Touch reduces cardiovascular stress and creates "compassionate responses"
#4 Touch increases the immune system and decrease the risk of disease (a hug strengthens the immune system, regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keeps you healthy and disease free.)
#5 Touch initiates and sustains cooperation
#6 Touch has a powerful non-sexual emotional intimacy platonically
#7 Touch encourages learning
#8 Touch is required for humans to thrive - emotional, physical, fundamental human to human communication promotes well being and balances behavior
*"Getting a massage boosts serotonin levels as much as thirty percent, increases dopamine, activates endorphins, improves sleep, and decreases the stress hormone, cortisol."
What in the world is a muscle knot?
Small and "bump" like, usually painful to the touch (when latent) or when someone presses on them. The medical term for "knot", is a myofascial trigger point. We ALL get these!!! WHY do we get them you ask, mainly stress, tension, repetitive use and poor posture. When muscle fibers or the bands of tissue tense and tighten, the fascia underneath the fibers and bands join together and the result is a myofascial trigger point, or "knot". Again, repeatedly, doing the same motion can cause tension and knots over time and even living a sedentary lifestyle, terrible sleeping habits or a history of injuries. How to help? A massage therapist may be able to push or rub the knot out by applying steady pressure to the point. Using enough pressure, the knot slowly being to feel softer to the touch and may begin to release over time. Massage of course, engaging in regular stretching breaks may help reduce muscle tension heat pad or ice pack to the affected area, exercising for 30 minutes a day, getting more sleep at night, relaxing!!!!