Massage Therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints.  It is also an alternative health option to help alleviate the soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes. It can also greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning, if employed early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury.

Massage therapists work to improve the circulation of blood through the body and to speed the removal of metabolic waste products from muscles. Their skilled kneading increases the flexibility of muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Some people visit a massage therapist to relieve pain or to warm up before a sporting event. Others want to relax and reduce stress.

Therapeutic massage is a healing tool; it affects the MIND, BODY, HEALTH. For the whole body to be healthy, the sum of it parts, the cells, must be healthy!

Benefits of Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage enhances the restorative qualities in all the body systems!

PHYSICAL
• Relaxes tight muscles
• Relieves soreness, muscle aches, and stiffness
• Enhances tissue elasticity and joint flexibility
• Speeds recovery from exercise
• Deactivates trigger points of pain
• Lowers the potential for further injury
• Increases metabolism and improves circulation
• Increases range of motion in joints
• Enhances skin condition by improved function
of the sebaceous and sweat glands

IMMUNE SYSTEM
• Improves immune system functions facilitating better health, resistance to colds and other illness
• Stimulates nerves that supply internal organs, allowing improved blood supply
• Removes waste products to provide better cell nutrition
• Faster healing of injuries

PSYCHOLOGICAL
• Brings people into the Here and Now, away from preoccupation with thoughts and problems
• Animates the tactile senses
• Loosens muscle tensing or “armoring” —the physical counterpart to how we try to protect ourselves from emotional pain — can lead to freeing of repressed emotions

WELL-BEING
• Increases general feelings of well-being
• Triggers the relaxation response, lowering heart rate and blood pressure
• Reduces anxiety levels and improves sleep
• Relief from physical and emotional tension
• Relieves fatigue; calms the nervous system and promotes a sense of energy
• Provides a pleasurable sense of wellness
• Improves energy flow

 Massage Therapy is DRUGLESS THERAPY

Some of the problems that respond well to massage therapy include:
Headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders (including constipation and spastic colon), arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, and minor aches and pains, and rest and relaxation for anxious individuals relying on drugs for rest.

The Relationship of STRESS & ILLNESS

Understanding the relationship of stress and illness is important to anyone interested in maintaining their health. We all have stress in our daily lives related to work, family, relationships, and environmental factors. Emotional states, like anger and frustration, can be most damaging. Stress causes the release of hormones that create vasoconstriction and vessel shrinkage, leading to reduced circulation. Affected by stress, the heart works harder, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and digestion slows—nearly every body process is degraded. Studies of the relationship between body and mind show how stress factors can cause headaches, migraines, hypertension, depression, ulcers, and host of other maladies. Researchers have estimated that 80% of disease is stress related. Massage therapy can help by counteracting the harmful effects of stress.

 How Does Massage Work?

Various combinations of professional massage technique work in concert to increase the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid. Massages cause changes in the blood; the oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after a massage! In response, chemicals like endorphins are then released by your nervous system, and breathing and digestion become more expansive while eliminating toxins and building healthy tissue. Massage counters the effects of stress and opens the channels of vital energy; It allows the body to shift its’ balance toward regenerative processes so it is enabled to heal. In addition, massage can help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and stimulate weak, flaccid muscles.

 Consider massage as a gift you give yourself a way to live consciously in awareness that YOUR HEALTH IS A PRIORITY.

You can call Triune at (215) 627-6279 or send us an email for more information.