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How Massage Can Help You
The
Touch Research Institutes, based at the Medical School at the University of Miami,
have conducted over 90 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many
functions and medical conditions in varied age groups. Among the significant research
findings are enhanced growth (e.g. in preterm infants), diminished pain (e.g.
fibromyalgia), decreased autoimmune problems (e.g., increased pulmonary function in
asthma and decreased glucose levels in diabetes), enhanced immune function (e.g.,
increased natural killer cells in HIV and cancer), and enhanced alertness and
performance (e.g., EEG pattern of alertness and better performance on math computations).
Many of these effects appear to be mediated by decreased stress hormones.
Stress Reduction
People who live hurried lives or face difficult situations accumulate stress in our
bodies. How this stress shows itself varies - for some it's acid stomach, for others,
headaches, for many of us, neck, shoulder, and back pain.
What is clear is that we need to find ways to release stress or it can lead to
injury and illness and decrease our enjoyment of life. Skilled massage therapy
identifies those areas where stress has taken up residence in our bodies and helps you
reduce muscle tension in those areas, as well as the overall level of stress and tension
in the body.
Scientists have measured levels of stress hormones in saliva and found significant
reduction in people who have received massage. Every day clients tell us that they
haven't felt this good in years.
Pain Relief
Patients with arthritis, whiplash, fibromyalgia, and many chronic pain conditions can
benefit from massage. Different conditions require adaptive techniques - your therapist
will conduct an intake before your first visit to find out which techniques are best
suited to your condition.
Workers who have suffered neck and back injuries and the victims of automobile accidents
frequently utilize massage for pain management at the direction of their physician.
(In Germany, doctors prescribe massage for back pain more frequently than they prescribe
muscle relaxers.) Sciatic pain, stiff neck, and sleep difficulties can also be treated
with massage.
Massage is also available and has been effective for people experiencing the pain of
depression, anxiety, and related illnesses.
We utilize myofascial release, trigger point therapy, Range of Motion, and active
release techniques, among other methods.
Sports Performance
Major league teams and most high peforming college athletic teams employ massage therapists to treat and, even better, to prevent injuries to players.
Pre-game or pre-workout massage helps to stretch and warm muscle tissue to prevent tears and strains. Post event massage helps move toxic wastes out of muscles and assists in healing torn muscle tissue, thus allowing speedier recovery. Regular maintenance massage helps keep athletes healthy and performing their best - mentally and physically.
Our regular clients who are athletes tell us again and again of improved times in races, longer stretches of injury-free exercise, and of enhanced confidence and a sense of well being that allows them to perform better and enjoy working out more.
Whether you are a gardener, a parent, a weekend basketball player or an elite athlete, massage can be a valuable addition to your fitness program. And whether you've overdone it with lawnwork, touch football, or housework, massage can help soothe away those aches and pains.
We have helped NBA, NFL, and WNBA stars, local high school and college athletes, and ordinary athletes to do their best and feel their best.
Relaxation
There is no way to measure nor adequately describe the relaxing effect of a professional therapeutic massage.
Pregnancy Massage
Women have found relief in our hands from the aches and discomforts associated with
pregnancy. Particularly in the third trimester, when lying face down becomes nearly
impossible, the pregnancy table which accommodates the woman's growing body, is a
wonderful way to relax and let your body feel like itself again.
A complete intake is conducted and at times a physician's approval is required
before pregnancy massage can begin.
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