massage

treating the body massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension, which, experts believe, accounts for 80%-90% of disease. massage has been proven beneficial in treating cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, post-operative surgery, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation, and depression, to name just a few.

here’s why: bodywork offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. massage has many physiological effects, such as:

• increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs
• stimulating the lymph system, the body’s natural defense, against toxic invaders. for example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer
• relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles
• reducing spasms and cramping
• increasing joint flexibility
• reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminating subsequent pains of the athlete at any level
• releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. for this reason, massage is being incorporated into treatment for chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain
• reducing post-surgery adhesions and edema and reducing and realigning scar tissue after healing has occurred
• improving range of motion and decreasing discomfort for patients with low back pain
• relieving pain for migraine sufferers and decreasing the need for medication
• providing exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reducing shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion
• contributing to shorter labor and reduced tearing for expectant mothers, as well as lessening the need for medication, minimizing depression and anxiety, and shortening hospital stays