Balancing Touch

"Balancing Mind, Body & Spirit through Touch."

Benefits of Massage Therapy and Bodywork

• Allows one to experience of fundamental well-being
• Relieves symptoms of stress and musculosketal tension
• Reduces physical and emotional pain from both past and present
• Body-mind support for life challenges and transitions
• Enhances momentum for self-actualization

Why Therapeutic Massage Enhances Healing

Anyone who has rubbed a stiff neck knows intuitively that massage relieves pain and muscle tension. But the benefits don't stop there. Scientists are now finding that massage can reduce blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, dampen harmful stress hormones and raise mood-elevating brain chemicals such as serotonin. By raising serotonin levels, anxiety is reduced and mental alertness and clarity are promoted. An increase awareness of mind-body connection is created with therapeutic massage, which enables you to choose the behaviors that support your well-being.

You can't beat massage for relaxation and over all health enhancement. Simply stated, the foundation stone of the therapeutic effect of massage is what Hipprocrates, the Father of Medicine, defined as vis medicatrix naturae, or the body's natural recuperative powers, the life force. Massage therapy essentially promotes health by boosting the body's own processes.

Stress Reduction

Researchers have estimated that 80-90% of disease is stress related. Soothing and relaxing massage therapy can help by counteracting stress effects.

• Releases chronic tightness commonly held in the back, neck & shoulders
• Helps to relieve tension headaches and PMS discomfort
• Encourages you to truly, deeply relax -- a wonderful break from everyday worries

Recovery From Injury

• Helps to break up scar tissue of muscles
• Aids muscles in regaining full range of motion
• Reduces swelling following surgery or trauma such as a fracture or dislocation
• Lessens pain and speeds healing of numerous common ailments, including strained muscles, sprained ligament, arthritis, and tendonitis

Athletic Conditioning

When massage has been substituted for rest, an increase of 20-75%, even 100% muscle recovery has been recorded. For example, this is why boxers are massaged rather than rested between rounds. Many of the benefits stem directly from physical manipulation. Skilled hands can press lactic acid out of muscles after exercise, easing the pains of athletes. By dispersing fluids, massage an ease the inflammation that follows sprains and other injuries.

• Prepares the body for maximum effort
• Significantly reduces muscle soreness and tightness & recovery time
• Frees muscles of trigger paints and adhesions to help prevent injuries
• Relieves muscle spasms and cramps

What One Experiences During a Massage Treatment

• Each individual receives what is needed at the time of the treatment
• Specific work usually involves a half hour treatment
• Full body treatment lasts 1 hour
• During treatment draped with sheet unless specific area working
• Leave thoughts at door
• Receiving massage is like having oil changed in car, needed to keep body, mind and spirit running smoothly
• Therapist intentions to facilitate healing for client, however the client is responsible for their own healing

Therapeutic massage creates a means to revolt tissue patterning and break pain cycles. Tissue memory from injury or trauma or major life event, like death of loved one or divorce, for example. Energy and muscle tension can surge in an area that maintains stress, for many shoulders and neck a prime area. Especially for those whose occupation is sedentary and use of computer or telephone is great. Day to day activities of living can contribute to muscle tightness, as well as additional stress of relationships, personally and at work. Massage is not just a luxury, it is a necessity.