TREATING THE BODY AND MIND

Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind, as there are specific physiological and psychological changes that occur, even more so when massage is utilized as a preventive, frequent therapy and not simply a mere luxury. Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension, which experts believe is the pre-curser for 80%-90% of all disease.

Listed below are several conditions that massage therapy has been scientifically proven to benefit:

•  Back Pain
•  Work-Related Stress
•  Anxiety
•  Depression
•  High Blood Pressure
•  Diabetes
•  Sleep Disorders
•  Arthritis
•  Premenstrual Syndrome
•  Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
•  Post-Operative Surgery
•  Spinal Cord Injury
•  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
•  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
•  Headaches

Bodywork offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. Massage has many physiological effects,
such as:

· Increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.

· Improving range of motion and decreasing discomfort for patients with muscular pain.

· Relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles.

· Reducing spasms and cramping.

· Increasing joint flexibility.

· Improving muscle tone and preventing or delaying muscular atrophy resulting from inactivity.

· A sedating or stimulating effect on the nervous system, depending on the type and length of treatment given.

· Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. For this reason, massage is being incorporated into treatment for chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

· Reducing post-surgery adhesions and edema while reducing and realigning scar tissue after healing has occurred.

· Stimulating the lymph system, the body’s natural defense, against toxic invaders.

· Reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminating subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

· Providing exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reducing shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

· Relieving secondary pain that builds up around a primary source of pain (ex. pain and tingling in your wrists and hands brought about by tense arm and shoulder muscles, pain traveling down your leg as a result of tight low back muscles).

· Relieving pain for migraine and headache sufferers while decreasing the need for medication.

TREATING THE SPIRIT

Massage therapy also provides another therapeutic component largely absent in today's world: tactile stimulation, or more simply, touch. In 1986, the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami published groundbreaking research on the effects of massage on premature babies. The pre-term babies who received massage therapy showed 47% greater weight gain and a six-day shorter hospital stay than the infants who were not receiving massage.

As studies continue to reveal the link between touch and physical and emotional health, the effects of massage will be further documented. However, one need only experience a good massage to know it's beneficial to body and soul.

Need even more facts? Get all of the articles and information you would ever desire on the benefits of massage therapy by visiting these information packed sites:

JAMA - The Journal of the American Medical Association

This is an intense, power-packed site full of evidence-based research. Great for all of you die-hard ‘prove it to me' types. Just key in ‘massage' and get ready to be wowed by what modern medicine is just now discovering about this ancient, natural therapy.

JAMA Research and Evidence

TRI - Touch Research Institute

TRI was the first center in the world devoted solely to the study of touch and its application in science and medicine. Beginning in 1982 at the University of Miami School of Medicine, TRI is a distinguished team of researchers, representing Duke, Harvard, Maryland, and other universities, striving to better define touch as it promotes to health and how it contributes to the treatment of disease. Really fascinating stuff!

TRI Research and Evidence

Benefits and then some! Now you really have no excuses!
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