“I made my first appointment with Rachel at Terra Organic Spa because I decided I needed some “forced” relaxation. The plan was to regularly get a massage to work out tension from sitting at a computer most of the day. Terra’s website said they did reflexology which I always found helpful so that’s what I signed up for.
At the first visit, Rachel asked about my concerns, what I did all day, what hurt, etc… During the awesome reflexology session, she gently suggested that other massage methods might be more helpful for my stiff neck, tight shoulders, aching arms and back. I never really got much out of other types of massage, but she seemed like she knew what she was doing so I was game.
I’m so glad I took her advice. After the first few months, I noticed it didn’t take a half hour after I woke up to work out the kinks. I had chalked up morning aches and pains as the normal effects of getting older. As time went on, I could do some serious gardening without feeling like a truck hit me the next day. Plus I was more aware of how I used my body. When I felt some pain, I modified what I was doing– sat straighter, used my legs and abs more to lift things – or performed some simple exercises to stretch or massage areas that were tightening up.
I can’t say enough about how massage has improved my life. It’s not just the freedom from pain I accepted as a matter of course but an overall feeling of wellness that you want to maintain. Once you don’t have your back, neck or whatever to complain about you notice other signals from your body and attend to those.
And I can’t say enough about Rachel. She has amazing knowledge of the body interconnectedness knowing that when I come in and complain about my hands, it’s really something in my arm or shoulder. And Rachel is skilled in various massage modalities picking the one that will bring the most relief.
I truly believe that massage acts as preventive for much of the mobility issues we have as we age and reduces stress – and I don’t mean just general stress but the relief from constant low grade pain that wears on you over time. Of course, I didn’t believe that when I first started. Massages were just a way to relax. And massage does relax you. But it can do so much more and I am very grateful to Rachel for showing me that.”
Chris, Fayetteville, New York
Tag Archives: Massage Therapy and Bodywork
Q: Why should I get a massage?
What are your goals? Relaxation, rejuvenation, pain relief or injury prevention? We can help you reach your goal!
A: Massage allows you to relax and take a break from your busy lifestyle. It can also be used as a preventive therapy along with aiding in chronic or acute pain. Our clients have found massage therapy to be beneficial because it: relieves migraine and headache pain, improves and maintains performance from athletic events and training, assists in injury recovery by reducing scar tissue and improving range of motion, prevents future injuries, and boosts the Immune System.
Massage Cupping
Massage Cupping is a technique that can be found in ancient cultures including the Egyptians and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Massage Cupping has an important place in today’s healing world as well. This treatment creates incredible results! It is impressive how versatile Massage Cupping is and how it can be modified to treat a range of conditions.
Conditions that benefit from Massage Cupping include; Fibromyalgia, inflammatory conditions, sciatica, poor circulation, insomnia, lung congestion/inflammation, stagnant lymph, migraines and headaches,asthma and pneumonia, TMJ, chronic pain, plantar fascitis, athletic stress and injury, pre and post operative conditions.
Massage Cupping does not irritate the skin or body. It draws inflammation out bringing circulation to the surface. Increasing local blood supply to the muscles which brings nourishment and allow toxins to be carried away via the veins. Chronic and acute pain can be relieved and tension is softened quickly and easily.
Whether you are an athlete, have chronic pain from working at your computer, or need to relax from muscle tension Massage Cupping is a wonderful addition to your health care.
What clients are saying:
“It (massage cupping) melts away my muscle tension and replaces it with better range of motion and relaxed muscles.”
“I noticed it didn’t take a half hour after I woke up to work out the kinks. I had chalked up morning aches and pains as the normal effects of getting older. As time went on, I could do some serious gardening without feeling like a truck hit me the next day.”
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage is specifically designed for pregnant women to help relieve Prenatal massage is very gentle and effective and has many benefits for the mother, such as increasing energy, easing aches and pains, slowing the process of varicose veins, reducing fluid retention and releasing stress. Prenatal massage can also help labor preparation by teaching the mother to consciously release tension and focus on relaxation breathing techniques, as well as releasing tension in the lower back and abdomen.
Here’s what the American Pregnancy Association says about prenatal massage and its benefits;
Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.
Massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage, which aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish Massage is the recommended prenatal massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts during pregnancy.
Hormone regulation
Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered, leading to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health, when massage therapy was introduced to women’s prenatal care. In women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (“stress hormones”) were reduced and dopamine and serotonin levels were increased (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression). These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence points strongly to maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.
Reduction of swelling
Edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce collection of fluids in swollen joints, which also improves the removal of tissue waste, carried by the body’s lymph system.
Improvement of nerve pain
Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.
Other potential benefits of prenatal massage:
- Reduced back pain
- Reduced joint pain
- Improved circulation
- Reduced edema
- Reduced muscle tension and headaches
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
- Better sleep
At Terra Organic Spa we welcome all mothers and soon to be mothers! Prenatal Massage has helped many of our clientele and has helped facilitate structural and muscular realignment after child birth as well. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or would like to Give the Gift of a Prenatal Massage visit www.TerraOrganicSpa.com or call us at 315.637.0767.
Summer Reading!
Body Sense Summer 2011 Edition
Body Sense provides valuable information about how to make massage and bodywork a part of your healthy lifestyle. Inside you’ll find helpful articles on massage as a wellness strategy, how bodywork can relieve pain caused by excessive smartphone usage, and discover three important principles of stretching. www.abmp.com/bodysense/summer-2011
