RELAX INTO AUTUMN

 

HOW DOES RECEIVING A MASSAGE HELP PROMOTE RELAXATION?

Physiologically, massage lowers blood pressure and heart rate which definitely promotes relaxation. Energetically, just being in a more calm environment promotes relaxation as well.

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS AND TRICKS GUESTS CAN USE TO HELP RELAX AT HOME?

Once again, changing the environment you’re in. It’s always beneficial to just take a few moments out of the day to turn off electronics, get into a calm, quiet space and simply shut your eyes for a few moments.  Also there are great guided meditation videos on YouTube that are very helpful. Using certain essential oils, such as lavender and eucalyptus, help with relaxation as well.

WHAT IS THE #1 COMPLAINT YOU SEE COMING INTO YOUR CENTER?

Personally, I have quite a few clients that suffer from migraines.

IS THERE ANYTHING GUESTS CAN DO TO COMBAT THAT PROBLEM?

One main cause of  migraines is a condition called bruxism, which is where one grinds their teeth during their sleep. This causes tension not only in the muscles of the neck and upper back, but also the facial muscles as well. Managing stress levels is a key point in helping with migraines.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU SUGGEST GUESTS COME IN FOR A MASSAGE TO RECEIVE THE BEST BENEFITS?

Of course, each client and case is different. In my opinion, at the bare minimum, monthly massage consistently is needed to receive the most benefit.  But please come in, speak with your therapist honestly, and together the best treatment plan can be obtained.  

WITH SUMMER ENDING AND COOLER WEATHER COMING, IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO STAY ON TOP OF RECEIVING CONSISTENT MASSAGES?

ABSOLUTELY!!! I cannot stress this enough! Consistent massage not only helps with the effects of osteoarthritis during this time, but also helps with serotonin and dopamine release which combats depression that is more prevalent during the winter months as well.  

HEALTHY HABITS FOR FALL 2020

 

With life’s current state of unknowns still making us feel like we’re searching for a sense of balance, it’s so important to create and maintain some healthy habits. What better time to start those new habits than right now! Here is a list of doable, healthy habits that will make you feel more balanced, relaxed, and stress-free throughout this season of fall.

 

HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE

• make your bed each morning
• take 10 minutes to relax without your phone
• soak up some sunlight
• exercise before heading to work or starting your day
• journal 5 things you’re grateful for

 

DRINK MORE WATER THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY!

 

EAT HEALTHY, WHOLESOME MEALS!

 

PICK ONE DAY THIS MONTH TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOU!  BOOK A MASSAGE OR FACIAL.

 

BE KIND TO YOURSELF.

 

DO SOMETHING NEW AND FUN!

Go for a scenic fall drive, sip on hot apple cider, make some hot cocoa, and watch a cute movie or go apple picking with the kids or your significant other!

HAVE A NIGHTTIME ROUTINE

• read instead of watching TV
• wash your face
• hug your family
• journal 5 amazing things that happened that day

 

REMEMBER YOU’RE DOING A GREAT JOB!

 

You don’t need to tackle all of these healthy habit suggestions. Just pick one or two that seem doable for you and your family, and see if you don’t find yourself feeling more relaxed and stress-free this fall season.

 

 

 

Massage and Medical History: Top Three Things to Tell Your Therapist

 

If you’re looking for a good massage therapist, it’s important to find someone who is invested in getting to know the entirety of their clients and not just what hurts in the moment. A good therapist wants to know not only how a client feels mentally and physically at the time of the massage appointment, but also how they can help their clients move forward to accomplish their goals during and after the massage therapy session. In order to give you the best massage experience that meets all of your needs medically, mentally and physically, 

Medical History

Getting a massage is more than just rubbing a tight muscle here and there. Therapeutic massage is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to well-being based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions that range from stress-induced tension and sleep disorders to high blood pressure, diabetes, lower back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, cancer-related fatigue, post-operative care, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation and depression.

Due to the power of massage to heal and restore your mind and body’s health and wellness, it’s important to disclose all of your medical history to your therapist before starting a session so that he or she can customize your massage experience. Prior to getting your first massage from a new therapist and every massage going forward should include a thorough dialogue between you and your therapist about current and past medical conditions.

Current Medications

When you’re seeking a massage to relax and unwind your muscles and your mind, you may not think about the importance of letting your therapist know about prescription and over-the-counter medications that you take regularly. However, massage is such a circulatory process that can promote healing on even a cellular level that it’s important to disclose every medication or pain relievers that you may be taking. This critical information can help the therapist make sure that the bodywork he/she provides doesn’t interfere with the purpose of your medications.

Accidents and Injuries

Using massage therapy to encourage a more rapid healing process for existing injuries can be a powerful approach to rehabilitation and recovery. In these instances, therapists will want to know specifics about the pain you’re feeling and the details associated with the injuries so they can deliver the best massage experience to meet your goals. However, it’s also important to let therapists know about past injuries or accidents too so they can ensure to not aggravate the affected area.

Before getting a massage always take the time to discuss your medical history, medications and accidents or injuries with your massage therapist. 

Emotional Wellness and What It Means For You

 

October is Emotional Wellness Month, and a great opportunity to take a deeper look into what Emotional Wellness is, and what it can mean for you and your overall health.

According to the National Center for Emotional Wellness, emotional wellness is “an awareness, understanding and acceptance of our feelings, and our ability to manage effectively through challenges and change.” Whether you are feeling like you are on cloud nine or struggling with one of life’s little curve balls, it’s important to find self-care practices to help support healthy emotional wellness through mind/body balance.

Sounds simple, right? For most of us, not really! We tend to get caught up in current events, daily pressures, and worries about tomorrow. There’s nothing inherently wrong with any of that, the issue comes when those agitations lead to chronic emotional stress, such as depression or anxiety, that affect our daily activities and relationships. High levels of stress can even cause physical problems such as ulcers, diabetes, and a weakened immune system. Science shows being out of balance, be it your mind or body, can be detrimental to our overall health and wellbeing.

Here are a few ideas of how you can support your emotional wellness and keep that mind/body balance. Experiment, discover what works for you, and commit for at least a few weeks to give your new routine a chance to take effect. In time, you will hopefully begin to feel a positive shift within yourself

Yoga—Yoga soothes, stretches, helps you slow down, clears your mind, and teaches you to really breathe. There are a variety of different types so try a few and find ones that suit you.

Meditation—This can be a five minute mindfulness break if you don’t have the time or focus to do anything more. Seriously, all it takes is 5 minutes a day to feel a change. 

Massage— Massage therapy supports a healthy mind/body connection. It can reduce pain, promote relaxation, and ease stress and tension. Getting a monthly massage is an easy thing you can incorporate into your self-care routine to help take care of your body (and mind)! With the Elements Massage Wellness Program you’ll receive a monthly massages 100% personalized to meet your needs, all with no contract. The only thing you are committing to is your wellness.

Sleep—Getting good zzzz’s helps you focus, think clearly, and function at your best. Most adults need between 7-9 hours. Find your sweet spot and stick to a regular routine for optimum sleep hygiene.

Gratitude—A daily gratitude practice lets you focus on the good things in life. You’ll hold onto positive emotions longer, bounce back faster, and appreciate all that you have.

With practice, we can build and maintain our emotional wellness. Integrating healthy habits into our everyday lives gives us the resilience to handle even the most difficult times. These daily, weekly, or monthly practices help us feel better now, while also investing in our future wellbeing.

How Pain Can Affect Your Emotional Wellness

 

Pain affects every single one of us at any stage and often many stages of our life. The category of pain is the leading reason people seek medical attention from a general practitioner, and accounts for approximately 80% of all physician visits. It is estimated that currently, 50 million Americans experience chronic pain such as:

• back pain
• headaches
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• osteoarthritis
• neck and shoulder pain
• fibromyalgia

It doesn’t have to be chronic pain to have negative effects. Anyone who has had muscle aches, or shoulder or back pain that comes and goes, or a temporary injury, has likely noticed the connection to negative emotions like anxiety, stress, or depression, or general mood swings. Left unchecked, this can have long-term negative consequences, affecting your overall health and getting in the way of everyday tasks and responsibilities at home and work.

Not to mention pain really throws a kink in your active lifestyle, preventing you from doing the things you love—the things that make you, you!

Pain is a multi-dimensional, subjective experience unique to every individual. Weirdly, pain doesn’t only affect your emotions, causing you to be anxious or depressed, it can also be the expression of your anxiety and depression. That’s right, your unaddressed emotional baggage could be causing pain, and/or your pain could be causing you emotional distress. Talk about a knot to untangle!

The good news is, there is significant evidence supporting the inclusion of massage therapy to help alleviate the different types of pain that plague so many of us—and even prevent them from getting severe in the first place.

So how might massage help combat these negative impacts and help to manage all kinds of pain?

A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis found that, “massage therapy may be beneficial, with minimal safety concerns, for treating various pain and function-related outcomes in pain populations.” The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new guidelines for treating low back pain that recommends massage and other complementary therapies such as applied heat and acupuncture over “costly and potentially harmful drugs.”

It’s also important to point out that in addition to pain relief, massage therapy can play a big role in the management of anxiety and depression which have become so common in modern day. In fact, stress and anxiety reduction is among the most common physician referrals and patient requests for massage therapy.

So whether it’s physical pain causing emotional stress, vice versa, or one or the other, massage is a definite win-win-win-win.

Clearly this isn’t a secret. In 2019, According to the American Massage Therapy Association, 21% of adult Americans received a massage, with 52% reporting it was for a health or medical reason and 26% reporting it was for relaxation and reducing stress.

When it comes to seeking relief from pain and discomfort, or anxiety and stress, or all of the above, massage therapy can play a large role in your management solution. That’s the upside. And there really is no downside. Massage has been shown to have few risks or adverse side effects, and is generally recognized as safe, therapeutic, and effective.