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The positive impact that stress management has on your health is well worth the effort! Many people depend on massage therapy to work out their aches and pains and to bring them to a state of relaxation. During this Covid-19 era there has been a heightened sense of anxiety and stress and a lack of ability to continue our normal routines of self care that we desire and that we need. As we've discussed in past articles, there are multiple ways to self-massage to calm muscle tension. Although nothing compares to the hands and skills of  a professional body-worker, some relief can be found through self-massage care. As you break out the tennis balls and foam rollers to work out your knots, don't neglect the importance that mindful relaxation has on your health. The benefits are bountiful and lasting! Some mistakenly understand the pursuit of relaxation practices, including massage therapy, to be only a thing of luxury, something that is decadent, a treat to be h...

Tammara Giving A Kid's Chair Massage Short answer, absolutely! At our massage practice we often work with children who are very active in sports and experiencing aches and pains or the parents are being proactive to prevent aches and pains by bringing them in for some body work. We ask that the parents stay in the room with us and sign a waiver for minors. It is always a blast to work with kids. Some of the younger ones squirm and giggle when first experiencing a release of tension from their tight little muscle. It can sometime feel ticklish until we figure out just the right amount of pressure that works for them. The teens and preteens usually melt into the table and tell us that they want to come everyday! Don't we all? Similar to adults, children experience tight muscles, knots, aches and pains with the only difference being that they recover quicker from pulls and strains than us older types do. Some of the Benefits  Immunity Boost: Massage is beneficial at ...

April is stress awareness month. Common Effects of Stress A lot of common symptoms that are blamed on illness, such as headaches, insomnia, and fatigue, are actually caused by stress. It is important to be aware of how stress is effecting your health, because left unchecked it can lead to worse problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes according to the Mayo Clinic. Our mood and behavior can also be negatively effected by stress. Anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, irritability and sadness just to name a few, can make life miserable. Act Now to Manage Stress Now that you know how bad stress can be to your health and overall wellness, it's time to reap the benefits of managing your stress by setting up your strategic plan for success! Exercise regularly : 30-60 mins of physical activity everyday will help you mentally and physically handle stressful situations. It can literally change the chemistry in your brain to make you feel ...

Anxiety is the worst! Everyone suffers from occasional anxiety, but anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America according to the ADDA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America). The sad thing is that anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but less than 40% of sufferers seek help. Don't contribute to that statistical fact! Therapy and medications can be incredibly helpful, but don't discount the alternative treatments that are available. Most people know that massage is know to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and generally give the mind and body an overall sense of wellness, but there are also some specific foods that are surprising helpful as well. Anxiety is caused in part by an imbalance of neurotransmitters. These are chemical messengers that play a role in mood regulation. Eating anxiety fighting foods can help lower the severity of anxious feelings by balancing the chemistry in your body. Red Wine - No more than 2 glasses a day!  Dark ...

When pain is felt between the shoulder blades, it would be assumed that there is a problem somewhere in that area, but it could actually be coming from your neck area. Knowing where the pain originates from can help in formulating a treatment plan to alleviate discomfort. Better yet, knowing how the problem started, can help the pain from developing to begin with. Nerves: The Struggle is Real Pain is caused by the nerves becoming entrapped within tight muscles. The area around the neck and shoulders is especially prone to entrapment due to the crowded nerves that run from the neck area down into the scapular (shoulder) area. They twist and turn in tight spaces around and through muscles that run along your spine from the base of your skull down into your shoulder area.  When the muscles become tight and inflamed they further compress and crowd the nerves. That causes the nerves to become grumpy. The grumpiness runs all the way down to the muscles between your shoulder blades. ...

Prenatal Massage Prenatal massage being done in a side-lying position Prenatal (pregnancy) massage is customized for the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes leading up to childbirth.  This massage will enhance the functions of joints and muscles, improve circulation and general body tone, and relieve physical and mental fatigue. This gentle massage can ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, and help the mother-to-be prepare for labor.   Massages can be scheduled from the first trimester through childbirth.  A massage session typically lasts for 60 minutes.  The first trimester, you can still lay face up, face down or in a side-lying position.  Specialty pillows are used to make women in all stages of pregnancy comfortable.  During the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, a prenatal massage should only be given in a massage chair or in a side-lying position. Benefits of Pregnancy Massage: Reduces s...

Doesn't this look like fun?!?  Chair Massages Poolside Having a drink of your choice while getting a chair massage - RELAXING!  Is this what you thought chair massage was? Chair massage is an easy way to obtain important health benefits.   As little as 15 minutes of chair massage a week has been proven to lower stress, reduce muscle tension, rejuvenate the mind and body, and increase focus. Workplace Massage Benefits - Good for business Increases focus and mental alertness Reduces stress-induced illnesses Reduces absenteeism Reduces injury Increases productivity Increases energy GREAT way to show associates APPRECIATION and Increase MORALE Chair massage can be also be used for: Bridal and Wedding Parties Parties - Birthday, Anniversaries Conventions/Conferences/Trade Shows Golf Tournaments/Sporting Events Health Fairs As you can see, chair massage is not only FUN and RELAXING; it is also good for your health, both for your b...

Wedding/Bridal Party Massage Are you planning a wedding (or know someone who is) this summer?    Beautiful wedding couple we were honored to work with Wedding clients who included Massage Extraordinaire in their special occasion Treat your bridal or bachelorette party to a special day of pampering!  Massage can also be incorporated into rehearsal dinners and bridal showers. Want to add a FUN, RELAXING feature to your event in preparation for the "BIG" day?  We can help you do just that by adding table or chair massage for your bridal or wedding party!  We can come to your site (home, office, hotel, restaurant) with all supplies needed and provide a unique experience to make it even more memorable!  On-site chair or table massage can help you and your guests reduce stress and become more revitalized and focused. Offering massages is also an ideal gift for the bride and groom to thank their families and attendants for the...

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 ...