Clinical Tips for MassageDecember 2016

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Massage MultipliedBenefits of Massage Improve with FrequencyKarrie Osborn

Regularly scheduled massage has proven a powerful ally in health and wellness.

I think in termsof the day'sresolutions,not the years'.-Henry Moore

Office Hours and Contact

Clinical Touch Massage (MM26266)Adele & Brian Boyd407-301-2739By Appointment Onlywww.massageKissimmee.comMA 21436 & MA 17222

In this Issue

Massage MultipliedHealthy HolidaysFabulous Figs

What kind of massage client are you? Doyou make an appointment aftersomeone has given you a massage giftcertificate? Do you try to get in everynow and then for a stress-relievingtune-up? Or do you see your therapistreligiously--once a week, every threeweeks, once a month?

While getting a massage--regardless ofhow often--is incredibly beneficial toyour body and mind, getting frequentmassage treatments is even morepowerful as a healthcare ally.

"People who get massage regularlydemonstrate a reduction in pain andmuscular tension and an improvementin posture," says Anne Williams, author

of Spa Bodywork: A Guide for MassageTherapists (Lippincott Williams andWilkins, 2006).

"People regularly make a commitmentto fitness. People regularly make acommitment to changing their diet. Thedifference they'd experience if theyregularly made a commitment tomassage is mind-blowing," she says.

Stress KillerOne way in which frequent massage canimprove our quality of life is byalleviating stress. Experts say mostdisease is stress-related, and nothingages us faster--inside or out--than theeffects of stress. As stress-relateddiseases continue to claim more livesevery year, the increasingly deadly rolestress plays in modern-day life ispainfully clear.

Massage is a great way to take charge andreverse the situation. Mary Beth Braunand Stephanie Simonson, authors ofIntroduction to Massage Therapy(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins,2007), explain the benefits of massage

therapy in the simplest of terms:"Healing input influences healingoutput." They note that frequentmassage can reduce the accumulation ofstress and improve overall health. "Thebenefits of massage are cumulative," theywrite.

A consistent massage routine helps you manage stress before it causes illness.

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This being the case, it only makes sensethat those aches and pains you see yourmassage therapist for might disappearfaster, stay away longer, or even go awayaltogether with more frequent visits.Stress might never reach thosephysiologically detrimental levels wherethe immune system is suppressed or thenervous system is sent into an alarm stateif you are able to receive stress-relievingbodywork with some consistency. Notonly would your body benefit byregularly unleashing its aches and painsinstead of adapting to them, but yourmind would have time to wash away thestresses of a life lived in overdrive. Bothare critical pieces for living well.

Experts say the body and mind can learnto live more calmly, more efficiently,and more healthfully when frequentmassage shows the way. That makes for ahealthier whole, allowing us to continueto live life at its fullest, even as we dealwith each new stress or challenge.

Preventive MeasuresIn so many ways, massage is preventivehealth care. Yes, it can address injuries,scar tissue, and chronic pain, as well asprovide relief for cancer patients andreduce hospitalization for prematurebabies, among many other valuablebenefits (go to Massagetherapy.com formore information on the myriadbenefits of massage). But when thehealthy, and trying-to-be-healthy,among us seek out massage on a regularbasis, it helps us live a proactivelyhealthier life.

Since bodywork influences every systemin the body, there are enormouspossibilities created by increasing thefrequency in which you address thosesystems. It's best to discuss your sessiongoals with your massage therapist andtogether devise a plan of frequency thatmeets your needs, while taking intoaccount your therapist's best advice.

Body AwarenessAccording to Benny Vaughn, sportsmassage expert and owner of AthleticTherapy Center in Fort Worth, Texas,one of the benefits of consistent andregular massage therapy is betterflexibility. "This happens becauseregular and structured touch stimulusenhances the nervous system's sensoryand spatial processing capacity," he says.

"That is, the person becomes moreaware of their body's movement in spaceand becomes more aware of tightness orpain long before it reaches a criticalpoint of mechanical dysfunction."

Quite simply, frequent massage puts youmore in tune with your body. "Theconsistency of massage therapy over timecreates a cumulative stress reductioneffect," Vaughn says. "The personbecomes acutely aware of stress withintheir body long before it can createstress-driven damage."

He says the consistency of receivingregular massage therapy has the potentialto create a cumulative wellness effect."Ultimately when one feels good, ourwhole being follows suit on all otherlevels--i.e., decision-making is better,processing life events is better, andbeing happy is easier when you are notin pain or feeling 'heavy' or 'tight.'"

Williams says she's certain people's liveswould be changed if they could schedulemassage and bodywork more frequently."I encourage clients to commit togetting massage once a week for a monthand then evaluate the results they get,"she says. "I guarantee they will becomemassage enthusiasts for life."

Massage Can...--Alleviate low-back pain and increaserange of motion.--Create body self-awareness.--Improve muscle tone and stimulatetheir nerve supply.--Improve elasticity of skin andpromote skin rejuvenation.--Improve sleep and calm the mind.--Increase endorphin and seratoninproduction.--Reduce edema, as well as jointinflammation.--Release negative holding patternsfrom previous injuries.

Staying healthy is key to a good vacation.

Healthy HolidaysFive Tips for the Natural Traveler

Fabulous FigsThis little known fruit is rich in beauty benefitsShelley Burns

Planning a vacation or business trip?Consider packing a small kit of naturalremedies before you go. Unfamiliarsurroundings, unusual foods, and jet lagcan make you vulnerable to viruses,stress, and gastrointestinal (GI) upset.Colorado Naturopathic PhysicianMichael Sutton suggests the followingitems:

1. Grapefruit Seed ExtractThis extract fights and prevents virusesand helps reduce symptoms of diarrheaand GI upset. It can even be used todecontaminate water (4-5 drops extractper quart of water). A few days beforeyou leave, mix 4-5 drops with juice orwater and drink it before bedtime, andcontinue for the duration of your trip.If you do catch a cold or flu, you candrink as much as 8-10 drops, 3-4 timesa day.

2. AirborneAvailable in natural products stores,Airborne is an effervescent tabletcontaining herbs, antioxidants, vitamin

C, and amino acids. It helps prevent andfight colds, as well as motion sickness,when traveling.

3. MelatoninTo ease jet lag, Sutton suggests leavingyour watch set for the time zone fromwhich you're departing. When yourwatch shows your normal bedtime, take3-6mg of melatonin, then go to sleep toregulate yourself quickly and easily tothe new time zone.

4. Bach Flower Rescue RemedyTo calm nerves and reduce anxiety,place a few drops of this remedy underyour tongue when you're feelinganxious, or add 5-6 drops to your waterbottle and drink throughout the day.

5. WaterH2O is essential to healthy travel. Drinklots of water and avoid alcohol, asdehydration is a major cause oftravel-related illness.

By packing a few natural remedies and

paying attention to your body's needs,you'll be able to fully enjoy your trip.

As one of the oldest fruits enjoyed byhumans, figs have a known historydating back to 9200 BCE in the MiddleEast. Part of the fig's mythology was thatit had medicinal properties, likebuilding muscle, enhancing fertility,and increasing stamina. Figs wereconsidered a valuable gift in ancienttimes because of beliefs about these andother medicinal benefits.

Figs are enjoyed in Mediterraneancountries, a region that has one of thehealthiest diets in the world.Mediterranean cultures appreciate thenutritional potential of the fig, thebenefits of which have been overlookedfar too long in North America.

Figs are being used today to hydrate skinand restore its elasticity and firmness.They also help prevent cracked lips and

premature wrinkling. Figs have excellenthydration properties, since each has awater content of approximately 3/4 of acup.

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is used torefresh and brighten skin and is oftenused as an ingredient in skin exfoliation.Figs have natural AHA properties, andwhen ingested, behave somewhat likeinternal exfoliants. They also promotehealthy digestion.

This ancient fruit also contains ficin, anantioxidant enzyme more powerful thanpapain (the active ingredient in papaya)for its ability to repair skin and slowaging.

Dried figs consist of a great source ofsoluble and insoluble fiber. Insolublefiber has been shown to reduce

low-density lipoprotein (LDL), betterknown as bad cholesterol. Keep in mindthat dried figs are high in natural sugarsand should be used with caution if youhave high blood sugar levels or diabetes.

Update your thinking on figs. They arenot only a great source of fiber, but theyare also a wonderful skin-enhancingresource.

Shelley Burns, a doctor of naturopathic medicine,completed studies at the Canadian College ofNaturopathic Medicine, and has certification incomplementary and integrative medicine fromHarvard University.

The goodphysician treatsthe disease; thegreat physiciantreats the patientwho has thedisease.-William Osler

Once again we want to thank all of our clients for theirreferrals. The end of the year is a busy time for everyoneand it has been for us as well. As we go in to the new year,stay active and eat healthy. Beginning this month Adele is going to be in the office forrelaxation and face treatments on Tuesdays and Thursdaymornings. The master schedule has been updated to showthat, so our clients can access her schedule directly. The end of year Life Extensions Supplement sale is on, andanyone ordering through us will get those discounted prices. We have seen a lot of success using the BEMER equipmentand encourage you to research its effects.

Clinical Touch Massage

1955 S John Young Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34741