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“BENEFITS OF MASSAGE”

~See also “Description of Services”

Below are general benefits for therapeutic massage, as well as for specific treatments.

 

Benefits of Therapeutic Massage 
Cautions/Contra-indications

Benefits of Sports Massage

Benefits of On-Site Massage

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Benefits of Foot Massage with Reflexology

Benefits of Posture & Flexibility

  

Can YOU benefit from Massage
and Therapeutic Stretching?

*Do you have a lot of stress in your life?

*Do you have a job that requires you to stand or sit for long periods of time? Or puts you in particular posture or repetitive movement

(such as computer work, waitressing, hairstylist, carpentry, massage therapist, auto mechanic, truck driver, executive, dentist, etc.)

*Do you ride a bicycle? A motorcycle?

*Do you regularly play a musical instrument?

*Do you have an injury that you are recovering from?

*Are you an athlete or weekend warrior? A “couch potato”?

*Are you studying for exams (college OR high school),

*Are you preparing to go for surgery? Are you nervous about it?

*Do you have a scar that you would like to make more pliable?

*Are you a Mom? A Dad? 

*Are you a child (or adult), going through major changes, such as divorce, new school, remarriage, death of a family member or pet?

*Do you "hold tension" in particular areas of your body?

*Do you have limited movement or decreased flexibility?

*Do you have difficulty sleeping?

*Do you suffer from TMJ Dysfunction? Sciatica? Plantar Fasciitis? Chronic Headaches? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Tendonitis?

*Do you have difficulty concentrating?

*Body image issues/eating disorder?

*Do you walk a strong dog that pulls the leash?

*Do you have family or co-workers that drive you crazy?

*Do you want to feel pampered and nurtured for an hour or two,

totally relax, de-stress and rejuvenate yourself?

Let go of 'problems' for a little while?

*In need of self-care and doing something "just for you"?

If you have answered yes to even one of these questions,

 you could most definitely benefit from massage!

Benefits Of Therapeutic Massage 

{Who would have thought therapeutic massage has so much to offer!} 

*Enhances general Health and Wellbeing *RELAXES MUSCLES and improves Joint Mobility *Improve FLEXIBILITY *Relieves Muscle TENSION and HEADACHES *Relieves STRESS and ANXIETY *Reduce physical/mental fatigue *Promotes RESTFUL SLEEP *Improves ENERGY FLOW *Improves circulation of blood, bringing oxygen and nutrients to every cell of your body *Stimulates the LYMPHATIC system to flush away cellular waste products; improving immune function.

*Increases attentiveness and learning.

*Supports effective digestion and breathing.

*Diminishes PMS symptoms.

*Can help in recovery process for eating disorders (in conjunction with your health program).

*Increases Job performance ("On-Site"/ Corporate massage).

*Helps you become more aware of unconsciously held tension ("found knots I didn't know I had"...this will help you to take measures to relieve the tension before it becomes chronic!) *Helps POSTURE (due to restriction in muscles, joints, and/or connective tissue).

*Helps RELIEVE FLUID RETENTION

*Releases ENDORPHINS to promote RELAXATION (relaxes muscles and nerves) Helps secondary pain (such as OVER-COMPENSATION for an injury).

*For ATHLETES and FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS relieves tired, tight or sore muscles, and improves flexibility and hastens recovery time.

*Helps REPETITIVE STRAIN injuries in muscles due to work, hobbies, or other activities.

*Helps "reconnect" our mind and body.

*A WELL-DESERVED TREAT for yourself or as a GIFT for someone special!

A series of regular massage would be helpful for problem stress or chronic pain. It has a cumulative effect of building and maintaining better overall health, helping you to feel better and enjoy life more fully.

Ideally, it is best to schedule relaxation time after your massage, or do some gentle stretching. It is beneficial to drink at least two 8oz. glasses of water in the hour following your massage. (Avoid alcohol and caffeine during that time as well).

 

Indications/Contra-indications

An "Indication" is a condition in which you would benefit from a massage. A "Contra-indication" is a condition that would cause a massage treatment to be unsafe or possibly detrimental to a person's well-being. A contra-indication may be local (in one spot) or overall. Below is a comprehensive list of Indications and Contra-indications. If you have any questions about any particular conditions, it is always wise to consult your primary health care provider.

PLEASE NOTE:

On your first visit you will be filling out a client history/intake form. It is your responsibility to list any and all conditions that you may have, and to keep your therapist updated of any health changes.

It is my responsibility to decide whether or not massage would be appropriate for you in these cases, or if we will need a doctor's permission. It is imperative for your own well-being to be as accurate as possible when filling out the form. Thank You.

 

Indications

Pain/Soreness in muscles and joints

Impingement syndromes. (If a nerve is being entrapped by a muscle, massage can release the muscle and therefore the nerve. Sciatic problems are common for this) Stress reduction Headaches Mental and Physical Fatigue Poor Circulation Repetitive or over use injuries (certain sports, exercises, job-related tasks and hobbies can cause this.) Postural Deviations/ Imbalances Connective Tissue Restrictions. (Tendons/Ligaments/Fascia)

 

Contra-indications

"Absolute" contra-indications - cannot receive massage at all.

Uncontrolled Hypertension (high blood pressure) Intoxication/ drug use.

Acute infectious disease

Abnormal Body Temperature.

Eclampsia (toxemia during pregnancy)

Diabetes with complications

 

Local Contra-indications (massage can be administered, avoiding affected area).

Inflammation

Varicose veins (can massage above the area, and/or use extremely light over the area.) Phlebitis, Thromophlebitis, Embolus, Hematoma, and bruising Skin Disorders (especially infectious skin disorders) Hernia, Edema (of unknown causes. check with your physician) Aneurysm, Acute injury/fracture

 

Cautions

The following conditions are possible to receive a massage, however you are encouraged to get approval from your primary health care provider.

 

High Blood Pressure

Cancer - [Massage can help with T-cell count, however, it is not recommended to receive massage during chemotherapy treatments. Another option is to look into "Energy Work" such as Reiki.]

Auto Immune Disorders

Severe Heart Conditions

Certain medications

Osteoporosis (lighter touch is recommended).

Scoliosis (massage can be very beneficial, moderate pressure is used.) Pregnancy - With healthy pregnancy, massage is beneficial, and helps to instill wellbeing in mother and child. If it is a difficult or high-risk pregnancy, a physician's permission is required.

Massage is often very beneficial for those who are critically ill. It instills a sense of comfort and relaxation. It can ease physical and emotional discomfort, improve mobility. A lighter touch is generally used.

 Benefits Of Sports Massage:
- Relaxes muscles and improves joint stability
- Relieves muscle tension and headaches
- Reduces physical and mental fatigue
- Improves flexibility
- Flushes away cellular/metabolic waste (lactic acid) and replaces it with oxygenated blood
- Promotes healing and hastens recovery from workouts and injuries
- Reduces muscle spasms
- Helps posture by easing restriction in muscles, joints and/or connective tissue
- Releases adhesions (scar tissue) in the muscles for improved range of motion
- Reduces chance of injury
- Helps "repetitive stress" injuries in muscles
- Relieves fluid retention
- Releases endorphins to promote relaxation
- Helps secondary pain (over-compensation in injury)
- Helps re-connect mind and body
- Improves immune function
- Enhances general health and well-being

Benefits of On-site Massage

 Employee Retention and Decreased HealthCare costs
Decrease Workplace Stress/Increase Morale

*Increase Job Satisfaction

*Improves Employee and Customer Relations

Relieve Stress (Especially during hectic periods)

*Decrease both anxiety and hostility

*Improves Workplace for Everyone

Improve Productivity

*Relaxing and Invigorating at the same time

*Improves Creative Thinking/Concentration

*Relieves Fatigue

*Helps Eliminate Absenteeism

Improve Health

*Reduce Blood Pressure

*Relieve Arthritis

*Improve Joint and Muscle Aches

(Especially from “Computer Posture”)

*Helps with pain and numbness associated with excessive

  mouse and keyboard use (Or other Repetitive Strain issues)

*Improves Immune System

Massage encourages people to take better care of themselves,

creating a ripple effect towards Better Health, and Increased Productivity.

 

You have a choice of Massage Chair or Massage Table.

I recommend a private room if available.

 

Additionally please consider my  Posture & Flexibility Therapeutic Stretching Workshop designed to help individuals with repetitive movements/postures to relieve chronic muscle tension.

  

Benefits of Pregnancy/Maternity Massage

   - Deep Relaxation
- Assists Lymphatic System
- Reduces Muscle Strain
- Increase Flexibility
- Decreased Melanin
- Stress Reduction
- Reduces Varicosities
- Reduces Stretch Marks
- Decreases Edema
- Balances Glandular System
- Increased Nutrient Absorption
- Increased Immune Functioning
- Assists Circulatory System
- Relives Spasms & Cramps
- Provides Emotional Support

  

Benefits of Foot Massage with Reflexology

In a general sense, you can receive full body relaxation simply by having a good foot massage. We carry a lot of tension in our feet, and they put up with a lot of abuse by us throughout the day. There are also “reflex zones” in our feet that correspond with various organs and other parts of the body, so these areas may be affected positively by massaging the feet and using pressure point work along these zones.  This is also a nice way to introduce someone to massage who may feel uncomfortable being undressed for a massage~ due to the nature of this service, the client is fully dressed with their feet propped up on a pillow. This is also useful if certain areas that need to be addressed aren’t able to be touched directly, such as a broken bone, skin rash, etc.  Very relaxing and balancing.

 

Benefits of Posture & Flexibility

Oh boy, don’t get me started! To be brief, our posture is affected by our daily movements and simply how we carry ourselves when we sit, stand and walk. Our posture will also affect our mood, and our digestion—positively or negatively. Poor posture puts a lot of strain on our muscles, compresses our organs, and makes our energy level feel low. It will also affect our flexibility. Ironically, our flexibility level will also affect our posture.  I began my Posture & Flexibility program to help each person to continue the positive effects of their massage in between sessions. Even if I massage someone weekly, if they go back to their habitual patterns of poor posture and not stretching, they will only feel good for their massage hour, or perhaps that whole day. I would like to see them feel good much longer than that, and to help them feel empowered to be able to do something positive for their bodies on their own, and making it “time effective—simple things to do throughout a busy day, or a basic routine to implement all in one session. I can do this as a one on one session, or as a workshop. (See “what’s new” for dates and locations, or let me know if you would like to offer it at your facility or workplace!). You will reduce aches and pains, relieve chronic headaches, reduce possibilities of injury, relieve stress, improve digestion, improve your mood (the biggest influence on our endocrine system/hormones is our nervous system, the biggest influence on our nervous system is…our posture!). You will also have better range of motion and feel a freer sense of movement. You will also walk taller and appear more confident.

 
  Copyright © 2004 Back-in-Balance.com   Nita@back-in-balance.com