Therapeutic Massage At Work For You!October 2015

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Invest in Your HealthMassage Offers Excellent Return on Investment

Massage is a health investment, helping to manage stress, support wellness, and boost immunity.

"Don't let thefear of whatcould happenmake nothinghappen."-Doe Zantamata

Office Hours and Contact

Native Touch - Therapeutic Massagewww.nativetouchtmb.comph: 603-765-6776Book Appointment Online at: www.styleseat.com/nativetouchor call for Availability at 603-765-6776

In this Issue

Invest in Your HealthWhat is Hot Stone Massage?Massage for Seniors

"Invest for the long term" is greatfinancial advice, but it's also greathealthcare advice. Never is investing forthe long term more important thanwhen you are making day-to-daydecisions about your health. There areshort-term gains from taking care ofyour health, to be sure, but thelong-term benefits are not to beunderestimated.

You already know the value of bodywork.For all the short-term stress and painrelief you get from massage today, thereare lasting rewards you'll thank yourselffor down the road. Massage therapy as apreventive measure and part of anongoing care regimen can mean fewervisits to the doctor, as well as fewer

co-pays, prescriptions, andover-the-counter medications.Ultimately, it means a healthier andhappier you.

An Excellent ValueAs you plan the family budget, ponderhow massage therapy impacts your abilityto make good decisions, cope with extraresponsibilities, stay on an even keel

emotionally and spiritually, andmaintain harmonious relationships withcoworkers, family, and friends.

Research supports the value of massage.Massage provides many benefits,including improved concentration,energy, circulation, and self-esteem, aswell as reduced stress, fatigue, and pain.It's helpful with more acute healthconditions, also. If you, or a loved one,are already dealing with a healthcondition, massage is an even moreimportant part of your healthcareplanning.

Research shows:-- Alzheimer's patients exhibit reducedirritability, pacing, and restlessness after

neck and shoulder massage.-- Deep-tissue massage is effective intreating arthritis, back pain,fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis.-- Fibromyalgia patients receivingmassage have fewer sleep problems andless anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain,and stiffness.

The value of bodywork runs deep, for nothing is more valuable than good health.

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-- Massage during labor appears to helpblock pain, reduce stress and anxiety,and relax muscles. Some medicalprofessionals say massage shortens labor.-- Massage can reduce sports-relatedsoreness and improve circulation, and isbeneficial in reducing symptomsassociated with arthritis, asthma, burns,high blood pressure, and premenstrualsyndrome.-- Oncology patients show less anxiety,depression, fatigue, nausea, and painfollowing massage therapy.-- Preterm babies receiving massagetherapy gain more weight and haveshorter hospital stays.-- Massage therapy is effective inreducing post-surgical pain and caneven reduce the time required forpost-operative hospital stays.

You may be trimming some extras out ofyour budget, as many Americans are.When weighing what goes and what stays,consider what an excellent value massageis, especially in relation to things thatmay be less valuable, but still cost youplenty. The price of massage hasremained stable in recent years, whilethe cost of movies, dining out, andsports events have risen. Which of theseactivities has the power to improve yourhealth and which has a better return oninvestment?

Get CreativeThere are many ways to keep massage inyour life if you use your imagination.While vacations are definitely neededright now by just about everybody, moreand more Americans are staying closerto home and taking "staycations." Howabout planning a healthy, home-basedvacation and including massage as partof your relaxation?

When it comes to gift-giving occasions,why not give and ask for massage giftcertificates? Massage makes a wonderfulreplacement for flowers that wilt,sweaters that don't fit, or another box offattening candy. Some folks buy spapackages or put together their ownoutings with a massage, a museumexcursion, or lunch at a favoriterestaurant. Mothers, daughters, aunts,and grandmothers are enjoying spastogether and massage is a key part of thepackage. These events create bondingexperiences that launch new traditionsand reinforce a healthy lifestyle.

Gift certificates for chair massage atairports are an option for wearytravelers, as is chair massage at malls forpackage-laden shoppers. If you are anemployer, consider gifting your staffwith on-site chair massage, which hasbeen shown to reduce stress andimprove performance. Just think of it asthe ultimate pat on the back for staff andone that pays you back.

Maintain Well-BeingYou may be tempted to trim yourwellness budget when economic timesare tough. Yet, a recent nationalconsumer survey showed mostmassage-minded Americans are stillcommitted to maintaining the healthbenefits they experience with massage. Itonly makes sense. The better you feel,the better job you can do of caring foryourself and your loved ones. Massagetherapy will also help families understress create healthier households, and

more focused and relaxed moms anddads. Children are sensitive and oftenpick up on tension in a household;parents who are taking care ofthemselves are more likely to provide asense of calm to their kids. This goes forcaregivers of aging parents, too.

Now, more than ever, massage shouldplay a role in reducing your stress andstrengthening your health. When peoplefeel their best, they are more able to facethe challenges difficult times present.With greater health and peace of mind,you can face difficulties with poise,clarity of purpose, and strengthenedemotional reserves.

Truly, massage is more than aluxury--it's a vital part of self-care thathas a positive ripple effect on you as youwork, play, and care for others.Investing in your health is oneinvestment that's sure to pay off.

Heated stones can provide a wealth of benefits

What is Hot Stone Massage?Jed Heneberry

Massage for Seniors Bodywork Improves Quality of Life

Stone massage is a luxurious experiencein which the massage therapist useswarmed, smooth stones to providebodywork, warming muscle tissue toreduce muscle tension and stiffness, andeliciting physical healing, mentalrelaxation, and a spiritual connection toearth energy

Photos frequently incorrectly portraythe treatment with massage clientsrelaxing on a towel with stones placedartfully along their naked spines.

In reality, two insulating layers, a sheetand a thick bath towel, will be placed onyour skin, and the stones will be placedupon it. Your massage therapist will beusing stones heated to 130-140 degreesFahrenheit. Stones should never restdirectly on your skin; they will onlytouch your skin if the therapist isholding them to apply strokes.

Should I Get One?The heat of stone massage can be

especially beneficial for certainpopulations and something to avoid forothers. Specific chronic muscularconditions like frozen shoulder orlow-back pain benefit as the heat helpstissues relax during massage work. And,while stone massage is lauded for therelaxation it promotes, therapists canuse it for targeted trigger-point workand myofascial release as well.

Those who should avoid hot stonemassage include people with diabetes,neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, skinconditions covering large areas of thebody, or local skin conditions such assunburn, broken skin, localizedswelling, or other soft-tissue injuries.

Following are some of the benefitsassociated with stone therapies:oReduces anxiety, pain, and stress.oPromotes mental and physicalrelaxation.oCreates a feeling of groundednessand balance.oEnhances connection to earth energy.

oPromotes local circulation in the areawhere it is applied.oWarms soft-tissue structures so theyare ready for firm work more quickly.

Almost 35 million Americans are age 65or older, and about 2,000 more reachthis age every day. As the U.S.demographic shifts to an olderpopulation, it's important to find waysof helping our elders maintain theirhealth and vitality. Massage for seniors isgaining importance as an alternativetherapy to increase quality of life, andmany massage therapists are gettingspecial training to better serve thisgrowing population.

Seniors' Special NeedsWhile similar in technique to otherforms of massage, geriatric massageconsiders the special needs of theelderly. The specialty trainedpractitioner knows about positioningfor greatest comfort and will often havethe client rest in the same position forthe entire massage. Mobility challenges

may dictate the massage be done in a bedor wheelchair. The therapist may alsowork both sides of the body at the sametime to enhance body awareness, or onlywork hands and feet, if the clientprefers. Sessions may be limited to 30 to45 minutes, as older clients often dobetter with shorter, more frequent,massages.

The geriatric massage therapist is awareof health issues associated with aging andhow to safely work with this type of clientand with associated physicians.Consequently, the practitioner is able toindividualize the massage service basedon the client's health, mobility, andcomfort level.

Benefits of Geriatric MassageA recent study conducted at the Weaver'sTale Retreat Center in Oregon looked

at the effects of massage for elderlyclients. The results of the two-year studyshowed that participants experienced adecrease in breathing rate of 50 percentand an improvement in range ofmotion, posture, body awareness, skincolor, and muscle tone. Furthermore, itis well documented that caring touchbenefits emotional well-being in seniors-- a population at greater risk ofsuffering from depression.

Massage therapy can add to the quality ofa senior's life, both physically andemotionally. Consider booking a sessionfor someone you love, and make adifference in their life.

Try to be arainbow insomeone's cloud.-Maya Angelou

FALL SPECIAL - HOT STONE MASSAGEInvest in your winter survival kit by purchasing 1,2, or 3 90minute Hot Stone Massages. Turn those bone chilling daysinto a warm bliss...right to your core.

(1) 90 minute $115(2) 90 minute $200(3) 90 minute $270

Purchase between 9/23 - 9/30. Begin to use 10/1/15. Expires 9/30/2016 - unused portion becomes credit to usetowards other services at Native Touch

Call today and reserve your survival kit for the winter of2015/2016...

Amber Fraga, LMT603-765-6776www.styleseat.com/nativetouch

Native Touch - Therapeutic Massage

848 Elm Street, 3rd floorManchester, NH 03101