“Resting is a very important practice, says Thich Nhat Hanh. Our physical body needs rest to restore itslf.”

Athletes, from Olympians, D-1, or weekend warriors benefit from massage because it aids in recovery, reduces anxiety, and provides release of toxins while replacing much needed oxygen, fluid balance, and reduction of pain. The largest benefit of massage: it aids in preventing injuries.

Relaxed muscles perform better, recover faster, and generally permit the athlete (you) to experience a higher quality of training. As a secondary benefit, the release of key neurotransmitters, serotonin (natural pain reliever) oxytocin and endorphins, ensure that athletes like all massage recipients, leave the practitioner’s table feeling refreshed with an overall sensation of increased peacefulness and wellbeing. As an athlete you know
the value of doing right by your body such as eating healthy, training, resting. Massage is rest, with a purpose. Massage is just one more facet of keeping you finely tuned so that you can take on that next race, jump higher, swing harder, swim faster, garden longer, or finally finish your “I’ll get to it later” list.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” 

Osh

Being pregnant is an exciting time. It can also be a time of increased stress that includes anxiety, rapid body changes, sleep disturbances, and increased awareness of things you never knew you cared about. Prenatal massage helps to relieve a myriad of concerns during pregnancy. This can include some or all some of the following:

• Reduced back pain
• Reduced joint pain
• Reduced edema
• Reduced muscle tension headaches
• Reduced stress and anxiety 

While also improving:

• Circulation, allowing for easier waste removal and rejuvenation of tired, achy body systems
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles, good for you and your growing new being
• Better sleep, which ensures you have the strength, patience, and agility to adapt to these next 10 months

There are times, when it is possible that massage will be contraindicated, therefore, it is vital that you discuss your pregnancy with your practitioner. Together, you both will create the best possible massage experience.

You superhero, you! Congratulations on being at this place in your journey with cancer.  Persons undergoing cancer treatment often have ready access to wellness practices including massage. Sadly, and often, only while in treatment. Therefore, I have created a space for survivors, like you, to still have access to the benefits of massage. Surviving cancer is not for the faint of heart, as you well know. Massage’s benefits to you post active treatment are all available to you – as a survivor. Perhaps even more so to ease the anxiety that comes from chronic hypervigilance about every bump, lump, bruise, ache, twitch, cough, you name it, massage can help quell the “it must be back” voice. Taking an hour to quiet the inner voice increases the likelihood that you will:

Sleep better
Experience Reduced Anxiety
Learn more about your body and how it “holds” the trauma of cancer within your muscles
Come to trust your body, again
Learn new strategies for adjusting to the changes in your body, sans cancer
Learn to trust that “scars happen” and that they are trophies to be celebrated. They are your badge, your access code to an elite group of super-heroes with super-powers.

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” 

A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

(Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Nerve pain from Shingles, etc)

Massage helps your body to release toxins, increase “feel good” neurotransmitters including serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins while permitting much needed constructive rest. This gives your body time to re-calibrate. Massage invites your nervous system to move from its “fight, flight, freeze” status into one of rest and release.

BENEFITS OF MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN THROUGH MASSAGE

• Increases serotonin and oxytocin, which reduce pain naturally
• Reduces likelihood of needing surgery 
• Naturally increases deep sleep
• Increases range/ease/quality of motion
• Lowers anxiety and improves mood

Massage helps the body “take 10” without you feeling guilty for “not doing anything”.  Think of massage as part of your “to do” list. It is the part of your week, day, month that you can count on where you get to “turn it all off” for 75, 90, or 120 minutes. Permitting your body to engage in constructive rest, allows you to refocus, de-stress, detox, move with ease into challenging situations (work, parenting, caregiving) and generally manage all that lays before you with a renewed sense of composure and wellbeing.

“Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are.”

Ancient Chinese Proverb

Many of the psychological symptoms for which people seek medical relief may well be eased through massage, because:

Massage lowers blood pressure

Massage increases blood flow and oxygenation within the body
Massage releases stored toxins from muscles
Massage increases your sense of well-being
Massage increases quality of life and longevity
Massage creates space for you to take care of self, guilt free
Massage creates an experience of connectedness, being valued, and heard
Massage leaves your body feeling aligned, centered, and grounded