"Work with the hands is the apprenticeship of honesty. May the work of your hands be a sign of gratitude and reverence to the human condition." - Mahatma Gandhi
Why Massage Therapy? People from all walks of life enjoy massage therapy for relief from stress, aches, pains, injury, the enhancement of physical performance and for overall good health and a feeling of well being. Massage therapy is widely used for rehabilitation but is also great as preventive maintenance for your body. Massage therapy has a wide range of physical, mental and emotional benefits.
Physical benefits of massage: * Reduces stress and aids in relaxation * Relieves muscle tension, stiffness and pain * Increases blood circulation * Speeds in the removal of metabolic waste * Decreases blood pressure * Can improve nerve function * Strengthens the immune system * Improves muscle tone * Relieves cramps and muscle spasms * Decreases chronic pain * Increases flexibility and range of motion * Reduces swelling, scarring * Promotes faster healing form injury and illness * Relieves tension related head aches * Improves posture * Improves skin tone
Mental and Emotional benefits of massage: * Increases awareness of mind-body connection * Reduces mental stress * Promotes better sleep * Increases mental awareness * Reduces levels of anxiety * Provides feeling of well being and peace of mind
Contraindications for massage: * Acute conditions or injuries, which generally means within 24-48 hours. * Fever, flu, severe cold symptoms * Acute swelling, adema and hematomas * Recent surgery * Open wounds, skin lesions * Bone breaks or fractures * Any contagious skin diseases
Did you know? *More working class professionals are using massage therapy to relieve stress and treat sore muscles. *Consumers visit massage therapist 114 million times each year. *A total of 28% of adults say they had a massage in the past five years, compared with 17% in 1997. *Among people who had experienced severe back, neck or shoulder pain, the rate of use of massage therapy increased form 14.6% in 1996 to 19.4% in 1999 *Doctors and consumers are turning more and more to massage as and adjunct to regular health practices.