Regular massage is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being.
Here are ten great reasons to schedule a massage today! 1. Massage Increases the Circulation of Blood and Lymph This helps bring nutrients to the tissues and helps the body get rid of waste 2. Massage Loosens Tight Muscles and Stimulates Weak, Flaccid Muscles This helps bring the system into balance 3. Massage Reduces Cortisol, the Stress Hormone This has a tremendous impact on our health 4. Massage Boosts the Immune System Studies have shown significant increase in immune function from massage therapy 5. Massage Helps with Both Chronic and Acute Pain It helps relieve fibromyalgia, neck pain, low back pain, tension headaches, migraines and more! 6. Massage Reduces Hypertension Studies have shown significant reduction of high blood pressure that has some lasting effect 7. Massage Speeds Injury Recovery Exercise soreness, post-surgical healing, inflammation are all improved 8. Massage Improves Sleep Another benefit from the reduction of stress 9. Reduces Depression Increases the "feel good" hormones; seratonin and oxytocin 10. Improves Repetitive Motion Syndromes Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, tennis elbow, trigger finger can all be greatly improved
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 The first question is "why get a massage in the first place?" People get massages for four basic reasons. These are: health maintenance, "fixing" or improving a specific problem, a special treat or reward, and to fulfill the basic human need for touch.
Let's start with health maintenance. Massage therapy has many benefits for optimizing our health. It helps with the circulation of blood and the movement of lymph fluid. It boosts the immune system. It has a tremendous impact on the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety, increasing the relaxation response. It increases oxytocin, the love and connection hormone. Massage therapy helps remove stiffness in the muscles and joints, restoring and maintaining fuller range of motion. So how often should one get a massage to maximize these benefits? The best rhythm for one person will differ from another, but typically health maintenance massage frequency is from twice a week to every 6 weeks, with once or twice a month being most common. The frequency of massage for dealing with a particular problem, like a frozen shoulder, low back spasm, tension headache, and the like can range from a single session to a series, often with more frequent sessions in the beginning and then some follow up work, ideally with some therapeutic exercises done at home. For example, consider a person who has to put long hours in at a computer who is developing carpal tunnel syndrome. They might receive two massages the first week, one massage each of the following two weeks, and then some maintenance sessions to keep symptoms at bay. The frequency of massage for a special treat may not be that often, so it retains its specialness, but should be often enough that the body will be used to receiving and there will be pleasant memory that builds anticipation and motivation. Four times a year for special treats or rewards is good. The frequency required for fulfilling the basic human need for touch will vary by person and circumstance. Many people don't get enough regular touch, and sometimes circumstances create more need for this for this essential nourishment. A weekly massage can go a long way in helping during lonely or busy times, keeping one calm and connected. Massage is a true powerhouse of health and wellness benefits. Massage reduces stress and anxiety, increases feelings of connection, boosts immunity and helps optimize musculoskeletal function. It feels so good that it can be used as a reward or treat. It takes very little effort on the part of the receiver and helps meet a very basic and under-fulfilled human need. So, how often should YOU get a massage? I am continually amazed by the effectiveness and depth of Sourcepoint Therapy. Just the idea that accessing points on the geometry of the body, not even touching the body, can connect us to the order, balance, harmony, and flow of our ideal blueprint of human health and potential is extraordinary. I feel that our healing stories are very personal and I am reluctant to share my own, but I want to relate a little about one of my own sessions to give an idea of the surprising depth of healing that can take place.
I have been trading regular sessions with Kelly Battiston, a gifted and experienced Sourcepoint therapist. I was having some thyroid issues so I asked her to work with my throat. Kelly, began to intuit that anger was a key part of the problem. As she was working with the primary blockage around my presenting symptom (thyroid) she asked "What does healthy anger look like?" In that moment, I had a strong insight into how my father had healed his own unhealthy anger and I felt something shift in myself. Kelly said she noticed my voice sounded different. In the days that followed I noticed some things were different around how I was relating to my spouse. I was not experiencing defensiveness in reaction to conflict and I was able to stay present and more empathetic. I also was finding myself taking some sort of action in response to stress and frustration, instead of becoming depressed and then having to struggle out of it. I really haven't been depressed since the session. Which is a big deal. My mental habits and behavior around anger are really different. I also have noticed my singing improved since that session I am able to hit more notes and have better control moving from chest to head voice. So, healing with my relationship with my deceased father, improving my relationship with my spouse, healing chronic depression, improving my singing voice and the improving the thyroid too. Not bad for one session. |
AuthorTodd loves to help people heal! Archives
July 2019
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