WELCOME to Massage Extraordinaire's Blog

Holiday Season - Fun, Busy, Stressful   Get a Massage to Help Reduce your Stress!     The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year.  Take a break for yourself by getting a massage so you can better enjoy this busy time.     WebMD states that  "Constant stress actually becomes distress - a negative stress reaction." Distress can lead to: Headaches Upset stomach Chest pain Elevated blood pressure Sleeping problems The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)  states that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief, both physically and psychologically.    Studies show that massage: Decreases heart rate Decreases blood pressure - systolic and diastolic Relaxes your muscles Increases endorphins - your body's feel good chemical Massage also Benefits (if stress relief was not enough!) : Reduces pain Increases energy levels Improves mental and physical performance Let Massag

What can Massage do for YOU??? Benefits of Massage Therapy Tammara and Barbara massaging Massage Extraordinaire clients Reduce ANXIETY and DEPRESSION Lower levels of certain stress hormones by 50% Improve mood by increasing serotonin and dopamine      2.  Improve SLEEP ISSUES      3.  Reduce  HEADACHES May reduce the number and severity of migraine headaches Relaxes muscles in the shoulders and neck that can lead to headaches      4.  Improve IMMUNITY Increases white blood cells, that ward off disease       5.  Reduce PAIN Improves circulation to aid in inflammation and healing Helps with acute and chronic pain Improve lower back pain       6.  Improve HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE       7.  Improve EATING DISORDERS       8.  Improve FATIGUE       9.  Improve OSTEOARTHRITIS     10.  Improve DIABETES Massage is a drug-free approach to healing! Massage Extraordinaire (located at San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club ) 4848 Teco

Happy Anniversary to Maddie Lavelle! Maddie just celebrated her 1 year anniversary on the Massage Extraordinaire team on September 7th -  CONGRATS Maddie! Maddie's massage technique specialties are: Sports Massage Deep Tissue Massage Trigger Point Massage Stretching Many Massage Extraordinaire clients rave about Maddie's massages and return often.  Her chair massages are the best; she is frequently requested for special events. Maddie is originally from Athens, Ohio.  She attended Ohio University and obtained a degree in Sports Management and business.  In 2011, she attended Columbus State Community College to complete her massage training. Maddie is a massage therapist for the USA Rugby teams (who will be representing the US in Rio) at the Olympic Training Center.  Recently, she was the massage therapist for the 2015 Jr. Nationals Tennis Tournament at Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. Maddie loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking an

SWEDISH MASSAGE Is it the right technique for you?   What is Swedish Massage ? Swedish massage is the most popular and classic form of the soft tissue techniques.   Tammara giving a Swedish massage outdoors  Swedish massage is often times known as the 'spa' massage.  It tends to be more rhythmic and relaxing than other massage techniques.  Swedish massage is comprised of gliding and kneading strokes.   Benefits of Swedish Massage - Relaxation Reduction of edema Before your massage, your massage therapist will talk to you about what you're interested in achieving from your massage and how you're feeling to determine the right massage technique for you on that day. Massage Extraordinaire is your best resource for  therapeutic massage in the San Diego area! Massage Extraordinare Located at the  San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club 4848 Tecolote Road San Diego, CA.  92110 (619) 275-3270  

TENNIS BALLS For Natural Pain Relief The following ( http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/natural-pain-relief-tennis-ball ) is a wonderful article sharing how to use 2 tennis balls to reduce pain when you're not able to get a massage and from a book The Roll Model  by yoga teacher Jill Miller . "You can get into tight areas with tennis balls since these moves get into the deepest layers of your muscle and connective tissue to pry apart adhesions so your muscles can fully contract and stretch," says Miller. These 10 exercises help achy feet, stiff knees, tight thighs, sore hips, a cramped back, bad posture, a tight chest, tense shoulders, tired hands, and a stiff neck. Who knew tennis balls could be so versatile and beneficial? Massage Extraordinaire (located in San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club ) 4848 Tecolote Road San Diego, CA. 92110 (619) 295-3516

CABBAGE - The St. Patrick's Day SUPERFOOD Raw Cabbage Not only is cabbage synonymous with St. Patrick's Day,  it is also a SUPERFOOD every day! BENEFITS OF CABBAGE - Helps prevent cancer Reduces cholesterol Heals stomach ulcers Reduces inflammation Boosts brain function CABBAGE FACTS - Cabbage is a Brassica vegetable (cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli) Cabbage has a high water content. Great source of fiber Full of antioxidants If you overcook cabbage, it smells like sulfur. Did you know RED CABBAGE is healthier for you than the GREEN variety? In general, brighter colored vegetables and fruit are richer in antioxidants than lighter colored produce. SO EAT SOME CABBAGE AND HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

The Most Popular & Classic Form of the Soft Tissue Techniques YES, SWEDISH MASSAGE --- Is also known as the 'SPA' MASSAGE Most common and best-known type of massage in the West Uses massage oils or lotions to enable SMOOTH movements Rhythmic and Relaxing massage Uses gliding strokes or touch Uses firm yet gentle, constant pressure but NOT deep pressure Extra pressure can be used on areas of specific muscle tension Eases muscle tension Based on anatomy and physiology as opposed to energy work Breaks up muscle knots (or adhesions) For relaxation and reduction of edema, the direction of the movement is toward the heart or in the direction of blood flow For fibrotic areas, a cross-fiber direction is used Various parts of the hand, forearm, and elbow may be used during Swedish massage  Pioneered by a Swedish physiologist Per Henrik Ling at the University of Stockholm Swedish massage is the foundation massage for other massage techniques ( deep tissue massage

INTRODUCING - Bobby and Shanna McCarron Shanna, Bobby, Maelce and Maxx McCarron If you're a San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club member, you probably recognize Shanna - one of the club's wonderful Personal Trainers and the Group Exercise Coordinator. Shanna and her husband Bobby have been receiving massages for over 15 years ! Their answer as to why they receive massages - "I get massages because I think with all my workouts and daily activity, my body forgets how to relax.  Massage reminds me to breathe and release inner tension that I don't realize I have.  We have also used massage as rehab.  Massage helps loosen muscles that have been injured or overused.  We believe massage helps us recover faster." McCarron Family Sports: Bobby - baseball Shanna - run, weight training, dance Their children: Maelce - competitive cheer; 14 years old; Massage has helped Maelce with her overuse injury from cheer, as well as helping reduce her stre

Deep Tissue Massage What is Deep Tissue Massage and What are its Benefits? GOOD QUESTIONS -   Deep Tissue Massage Using the Therapist's Elbow and Forearm  Deep Tissue Massages Poolside             Deep Tissue Massage - Firm pressure is applied to the client's muscles using the therapist's hands, fingertips, knuckles, elbows and forearms.  Deep tissue massage stimulates the deeper layers of muscle tissue. The goal is to release tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas. The pressure will be more intense and the movement will be slower than in a more superficial massage. Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage - Increases Blood Flow Increases Oxygen Circulation Increases Mobility Decreases Stress Decreases Chronic Pain Decreases Blood Pressure Decreases Tight Muscles Decreases Toxins from Muscles Decreases Recovery Time from Injuries Decreases Postural Proble

Can you guess who this Massage Therapist is? It is… Maddie Lavelle and her younger brother Last year Maddie moved to San Diego from Columbus, Ohio.  As soon as she arrived, she started working at Massage Extraordinaire. Maddie's Specialty Massage Techniques: Sports massage Trigger point therapy Deep tissue massage Maddie loves working with athletes (from the professional to the weekend).  She also enjoys helping clients who are in pain. Maddie's Hobbies: Hiking around San Diego Spinning classes Kayaking Eating Walking and playing with her miniature dachshund, Hercules Speaking of Eating, Maddie's favorite places to eat are: In-N-Out Burger - They do NOT have In-N-Out's in Ohio since they do not use frozen meat. Taste of The Himalayas in Point Loma various Mexican and Mediterranean restaurants (Maddie's younger brother studies at Georgetown Law.) If you haven't met Maddie yet, please stop by the mas