In Touch Therapeutic Massage

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:49:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the September 2010 newsletter! Ready for Autumn? For much of the world, it’s been abnormally hot this past summer. Let’s hope we all have a pleasant fall!

This month’s issue focuses on your long-term health and how massage can help. Much of living brings very subtle changes to your body that you may not really notice for months or years. Obviously, it’s in your best interest to do what you can to maintain a higher level of health and support your body’s goals to keep things in proper balance.

The articles in this issue address high-heel wearers, because it’s a good example of how your body adjusts to small changes over time. As you read these articles, think of the other ways your body can get out of balance: sitting in certain positions for long periods of time, cradling a phone in the crook of your neck, or sitting on a wallet are just a few examples.

Regular massage can help your body lessen or correct many of these problems. Since any imbalance in your body can adversely affect other areas of your body, it’s important to do all you can to support your body’s long-term health. And what better way than a rejuvenating massage?

See you soon!

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Massage and Your Long-term Health

An important part of a healthy future is being aware of what changes your body is undergoing through the years. Many of the health challenges you’ll face in your later years can take decades to develop.

As we age, the likelihood of experiencing structural imbalances increases. We’ve all seen older people who can no longer stand up straight. Often, the cause of this type of problem is a group of muscles, tendons, or other connective tissue that has, over time, become tight or shortened. The body learns to accept this shortened position as being “normal.”

One of the great benefits of regular massage is its ability to help relax your muscles and related structures. By helping to bring nutrient-rich blood to your muscles and helping to remove cellular waste, massage should better equip your body to do its job and keep all your systems functioning more optimally.

The following articles are good examples of what can happen to your body when a group of muscles becomes chronically tight. If you have further questions, please ask at your next appointment.

Another Reason to Choose Flat Footwear: Osteoarthritis

They may be in fashion, but research is increasingly indicating high heels cause long-term physical damage. In July, MASSAGE Magazine reported on research that showed regular high-heel wearing leads to shortened calf muscles; now, a new study shows wearing high heels may lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis.

The research was conducted by Iowa State University kinesiology professor and chair Phil Martin and kinesiology master's student Danielle Barkema.

Barkema selected three different heel heights, flat, two inches, and 3.5 inches, and had each of the 15 women in her study complete walking trials. She measured the forces acting about the knee joint and the heelstrike-induced shock wave that travels up the body when walking in heels. Using sensors, accelerometers and lab equipment such as a force platform and markers/cameras, she was able to capture motion and force data and translate them into results that could change the way millions of women select their footwear, according to a university press release.

"Obviously with research like this, you can't say with any certainty that if you wear high heels regularly you will develop osteoarthritis. We don't know that," Barkema said. "There are probably people [high heel wearers] who do and those who do not. However, based on this information, wearing high heels puts individuals at greater risk for developing osteoarthritis. And it seems to be that the higher the heel height, the greater the risk."

The researchers found that heel height changes walking characteristics such as slower speeds and shorter stride lengths. And as the heels got higher, they also saw an increase in the compression on the inside … of the knee.

"This means that prolonged wearing and walking in heels could, over time, contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis," Barkema said.

The study was presented, in part, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics August 18-21, at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

Source: www.massagemag.com

The price of wearing high heels —

Wearing high heels is uncomfortable enough while they’re on, but for some women the pain really kicks in when the shoes come off. That’s because for regular wearers of high heels, Achilles tendons thicken and stiffen over time, scientists in England have found. The tendon apparently stiffens to compensate for calf-muscle fibers that have been shortened by heel-wearing. Using MRI scans and ultrasound, the researchers compared images of the calves and tendons of 11 women who wore 2-inch heels (and who complained of pain when walking without heels) with those of nine women who wore flats. The calf-muscle fibers of heel-wearers, they found, were 1 percent shorter than those of the flats-wearers, and their tendons were thicker as well. Some simple exercises can head off the muscle-shortening, lead author Marco Narici tells the London Daily Telegraph. “If you stand on your tiptoes and lower your heels up and down again, it will stretch out the tendons, making it easier to walk without heels.” Narici recommends doing this 20 times a day. The alternative: Switch to good-looking flats.

– The Week Vol. 10 Iss. 475

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
— Sir Winston Churchill

Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside.
— Albert Schweitzer

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:48:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the August 2010 newsletter! Regular massage and drinking water can be a powerful combination in keeping you healthy, each enhancing the other. The main article this month discusses some of the reasons water is vital to your health.

One of the greatest benefits massage can offer you is maintaining motion throughout your body. Your health depends on your body’s ability to use the nutrients you consume and to process and eliminate all the used and unneeded substances in your system.

There are many sources of pollutants in the environment that can find their way into your body. Often, our diets include “foods” that do more harm than good. Add to that the many environmental pollutants that are in the air or that we otherwise come into contact with, and your body has to work full-time just keeping your system cleaned out.

Massage is one the most effective and pleasurable ways to contribute to detoxifying your system and to keep it working optimally. Anyone who has received regular massage sessions can feel the difference.

Read on to see how important water is to your overall health. See you soon for your next massage!

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Top 10 Reasons We Need to Drink Water!

by Clark Bartram

Water is the substance of life. Life cannot exist without water. We must constantly be adding fresh water to our bodies in order to keep them properly hydrated. Water can be a miracle cure for many common ailments such as headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and much more. We can go for weeks without food, but only three days without water!

• The body is comprised of 80% water. Water makes up nearly 85 percent of your brain, about 80 percent of your blood and about 70 percent of your lean muscle. (Because there are a lot of tissues that have less water, the average is about 50 percent.).

• It is difficult for the body to get water from any other source than water itself. Soft drinks and alcohol steal tremendous amounts of water from the body. Other beverages such as coffee and tea are diuretics, therefore stealing precious water from the body.

• Water plays a vital role in nearly every bodily function. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

• Water is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption and chemical reactions. The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream. No less important is the ability of water to transport waste material out of our bodies.

• Water is essential for proper circulation in the body. The levels of oxygen in the bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. The more oxygen the body has readily available, the more fat it will burn for energy without the presence of oxygen; the body cannot utilize stored fat for energy efficiently. Not only will the body burn more fat when well hydrated, but because there are increased oxygen levels, you will also have more energy.

• Water helps remove toxins from the body, in particular from the digestive tract. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

• In 37% of people, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

• Water regulates the body's cooling system. Sports drinks are useful when consumed after or during vigorous and prolonged exercise in high heat. But most experts agree that water works better than carbohydrates or sugared beverages for moderate exercise. For instance, if you drink 12 ounces of plain water, your body will absorb 8 ounces of it within 15 minutes. If you drink 12 ounces of a 10% sugar solution, less than 1 ounce will be absorbed in the same period. The typical soft drink is a 10 to 12% sugar solution.

• Consistent failure to drink enough water can lead to Chronic Cellular Dehydration. This condition—where the body's cell are never quite hydrated enough—leave them in a weakened state, vulnerable to attack from disease. It weakens the body's overall immune system and leads to chemical, nutritional and pH imbalances that can cause a host of diseases.

• Dehydration can occur at any time of the year, not only during the summer months when it is hot. The dryness that occurs during winter can dehydrate the body even quicker than when it is hot. When you are dehydrated you tend to eat more.

General Rule: Due to the fact that every body is different, the rule we often hear about drinking eight, eight-ounce glasses of water per day can be misleading. We need to drink half our body weight in ounces of water every day to provide the body with its minimum water replacement requirements...

(Source: bodybuilding.com)

Why we sigh — A sigh is more than just a sigh. In fact, it plays a critical role in helping the respiratory system run properly, says Discovery News. To understand what sighs have to offer, Belgian researchers rigged seated volunteers with sensors that monitored their breathing, heart rate, and blood carbon-dioxide levels for 20 minutes. When subjects spontaneously sighed—a deeper, slower breath—the dynamics of their breathing changed to become briefly more effective. The results suggest that a sigh “acts as a general resetter of the respiratory system,” study author Elke Vlemincx says. Under stress, our breathing becomes less responsive to the need for more or less oxygen, and the lungs stiffen and become less effective at exchanging gases. But a sigh shakes up the system, loosening up the lungs and allowing for more flexible breath ing.

– The Week Vol. 10 Iss. 465

Water is the most neglected nutrient in your diet but one of the most vital.
— Kelly Barton

Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted.
Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.
— Hans Margolius

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:26:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the July 2010 newsletter! How have you been enjoying your summer so far? One of summer’s pleasures is to do a little light reading. With that in mind, there are a couple of entertaining blurbs that should give you some new insights into supporting good health. (See “For Better Living …” below.)

The goal of these letters is to share a variety of health information that will inspire you to pursue healthier choices. Just as regular massage sessions can support improved health overall, there are many little things you can do that can lead to a healthier, happier life. If you have any health-related questions you’d like addressed in the future, please ask at your next massage.

Remember that stress in its many forms is the major cause of illness and disease, and massage is one of the best ways to handle all that stress! Also, realize that like all things in life, consistency pays the biggest reward. Just as exercising regularly can keep you in better condition, getting your massages on a regular basis can bring you more health gains than waiting until you’re run-down or in pain to call for an appointment. So take good care of yourself and enjoy the rewards!

See you soon for your next massage.

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Benefits of Hand-and-Back Massage for Older Clients

Massage therapists who see a geriatric clientele know, first-hand, the benefits of touch. A new research review shows hand-and-back massage therapy promotes relaxation in elderly people.

"In recent years, the nursing profession used technology and pharmacology to relieve conditions such as pain, anxiety and insomnia that were once treated with massage," the researchers noted, in a report published on www.pubmed.gov. "However, interest in massage has grown with the move to more holistic nursing."

The review examined the physiological and psychological effects of slow-stroke back massage and hand massage on relaxation in older people and identifies effective protocols for massage in older people, the pubmed report noted. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria for massage, relevance to older people and rigorous research.

All studies using slow-stroke back massage and hand massage showed statistically significant improvements on physiological or psychological indicators of relaxation, the report noted. The most common protocols were three-minute, slow-stroke back massage and 10-minute hand massage. ...

The review is published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Source: massagemag.com

What do Clinical Nurses Think about Massage?

Massage therapy tops the list of complementary therapies requested by patients of their nurses, a new study shows. The nurses themselves also utilize massage for personal use.

Seventy-six clinical nurse specialists—all of whom worked in various inpatient and outpatient units in a large Midwest medical facility—were surveyed electronically on their use of complementary therapies for patients and themselves, according to a report from the Mayo Clinic published on www.pubmed.gov.

"There has been an increase in the use and awareness of complementary and integrative therapies in the United States over the last 10 years," the report noted. "Clinical nurse specialists are in an ideal place to influence this paradigm shift in medicine to provide holistic care."

The top therapies requested most by patients were massage, spirituality/prayer, healing touch, acupuncture and music therapy. The top therapies the nurses personally used were humor, massage, spirituality/prayer, music therapy and relaxed breathing.

The results indicated most of the nurses thought complementary therapies were beneficial, the researchers noted.

The results of this study will help determine educational needs and clinical practice of complementary therapies at the medical center, the report stated.

The research is in Clinical Nurse Specialist's May-June issue.

Source: massagemag.com

For Better Living…

The nature cure — The great outdoors is good for your mental health—so good, in fact, that even a five-minute dose of greenery can work wonders for your state of mind, says USA Today. British researchers analyzed data from 10 separate studies, which looked at the effect that activities such as walking, cycling, fishing, farming, and gardening had on the mental states of the 1,200 people involved. ... Urban parks conferred positive effects, although green areas with water were even more beneficial. And the largest positive health changes occurred when people exercised in the outdoors, for periods as brief as just five minutes. “There would be a large potential benefit,” says study co-author Jo Barton, if “people were to self-medicate more with green exercise.”

– The Week; Vol 10 Iss 464

The mirth diet — It’s been said that laughter is good medicine, but it also may be good exercise, says LiveScience.com. In a series of studies, researchers at Loma Linda University in California found that repeated bouts of “mirthful laughter” offer some of the same benefits—including lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol—as moderate exercise. In their most recent study, researchers found that volunteers who laughed while watching videos experienced changed levels of the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which are known to regulate appetite. Those hormones are also affected by exercise. The findings, says study author Lee Berk, suggest that some sort of “laughter therapy” might be an option for patients who cannot use physical activity to normalize or enhance their appetite.

– The Week; Vol 10 Iss 463

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.
— Walter Elliott

You’ve got to go out on a limb sometimes because that’s where the fruit is.
— Will Rogers

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
— Albert Einstein

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:07:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the June 2010 newsletter! Do you remember when you were growing up and summer meant three months of vacation from your “day job,” going to school? How nice it would be to have that much holiday time to relax and enjoy the warm summer days!

Not many working-age adults have the luxury of that much free time, but you can get away from it all almost anytime—with a rejuvenating massage session. Your next mini-vacation is just a phone call away, so find an opening in your schedule and make that call!

If you’ll be traveling in the coming weeks, start that trip nice and relaxed by getting a massage just before you leave—or on your return, to handle the stress of touring. Remember, the purpose of taking a vacation is for rest and relaxation, and a massage is an ideal way to do just that.

This issue has more recent news on how massage can help you improve and maintain proper health. The better you feel, the more you can get out of life, so be sure to make your well-being a priority. As the years roll by, you’ll be glad you took good care of yourself now—there’s no better investment. See you soon!

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Integrative Medicine: Human Touch Helps Healing

Of our five senses, touch is the only one that is essential to life. Studies on premature babies have shown a link between holding the babies and better survival rates. Touch has also been linked to many other health benefits – from decreased pain to increased immunity, enhanced alertness and improved performance.

Three new studies on massage reinforce the importance of touch to our lifelong health and well-being:

• Touch may help alleviate symptoms of depression, according to a March study in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The study reviewed 17 trials involving almost 800 people, comparing massage therapy with other approaches, including herbs, rest or no treatment.

The researchers hypothesized that touch may help reduce depression by inducing relaxation, reducing stress, building an alliance between the therapist and patient, and releasing the feel-good hormone oxytocin.

• Massage may help bereaved people. A study published in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing looked at 18 people who recently had lost a relative to cancer. Hand or foot massage was performed once a week for eight weeks, and it was found that massage helped people deal with the grief and move forward in their lives.

• Massage can reduce anxiety. A recent study on 68 patients published in the journal Depression and Anxiety showed that patients had half the symptoms of anxiety and stress three months after getting a series of 10 hour-long massages. This is one of the first studies to look at the benefits of massage on generalized anxiety disorder...

Amid all these health benefits, it is interesting that in studies evaluating the frequency of touch in various countries, the United States and Britain had the least amount of touch in human interactions. We do not live in a society that celebrates touch.

Further, social isolation, and therefore touch isolation, is most likely to occur in the groups that can derive the most health benefits—the sick and the elderly.

So if you or a loved one faces depression or illness, consider the healing power of touch—whether in the form of a hug or a massage. It may be an important step in the healing journey.

Source: http://www.sacbee.com (The Sacramento Bee)

Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients
By Kathleen Hall

Massages are a great way to relax, rejuvenate, and pamper yourself. What you may not know, however, is that massage also has therapeutic benefits for cancer patients.

Massage Therapy for Cancer — Numerous studies have shown massage therapy to be beneficial for cancer patients. In fact, about 20 percent of cancer patients have used massage therapy to reduce symptoms and improve healing, and it's one of the most commonly used pain management strategies for pediatric patients newly diagnosed with leukemia. In one study, patients who received massage therapy experienced a 60 percent reduction in pain and 24 percent reduction in anxiety. Massage therapy also significantly enhances relaxation. ...

Experts suspect that massage therapy increases serotonin and dopamine (neurotransmitters) and decreases cortisol levels, which tends to increase with stress and anxiety. Massage therapy also supports the body's natural immune system by stimulating lymph flow and pumping oxygen and nutrients into tissues and organs to improve circulation. In addition to reducing depression and anxiety, massage releases endorphins, or the feel-good hormones.

Source: www.qualityhealth.com

Handle Stress with Massage!

Need another reason to get that next stress-busting massage? Read on!

Stress and cancer — Stress can cause certain cancers to grow and spread, a new health study suggests. In the body, healthy cells typically need to maintain contact with other cells; if they float free, they die. Not cancer cells: They have the ability to break loose and disperse, causing multiple tumors. While studying ovarian cancer cells in the lab, researchers at the University of Texas in Houston found that stress hormones such as adrenalin activated a protein that helped the cancer cells survive unattached. In mice, the ovarian-cancer cells grew more quickly when the animals were put under stress or given an adrenalin-like drug. The researchers saw a similar trend at work in human patients with ovarian cancer: Those who had higher levels of stress hormones typically saw the disease progress faster. Researchers now will attempt to determine if reducing stress ... has an effect on cancer. “We’re really trying to understand the biology,” study author Anil Sood tells Scientific American. “We hope it will help us identify better therapeutic strategies.”

– The Week; Vol 10 Iss 461

The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand,
as in what direction we are moving.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Delay is the deadliest form of denial.
— C. Northcote Parkinson

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Mon, 03 May 2010 20:55:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the May 2010 newsletter! How have you been doing? There’s so much health information in the news these days that it’s easy to feel like you might miss something important regarding your health. If you look at the common denominator in many of these reports, you’ll see that most study findings suggest better health results from adhering to a more natural approach to health.

In other words, when you follow a natural diet of fresh foods and water and maintain a healthy lifestyle of proper rest and exercise, the healthier and happier you tend to be. Another vital contributing factor is having and pursuing goals that give your life meaning and purpose.

As you deviate from all the healthy life choices, you open the door to a greater likelihood of illness and unhappiness. The great trick is aligning all your life goals so you can embrace all these healthy choices.

Of course, massage is one of the most enjoyable ways for you to support your health goals and to help you to feel your best. Be sure to make your massages a priority.

The rest of this newsletter has several recent reports that hopefully will inspire you to take proper care of yourself. See you soon for your next massage!

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Massage and Health News

Children with Cerebral Palsy Value Massage — British researchers have found that children with cerebral palsy value massage therapy for many of the same reasons adult clients of massage therapy do.

"Results showed that children enjoyed the relaxing aspects of massage and reported a number of improvements in their health such as improved muscle relaxation, mobility and bowel movements, and reduced pain," a statement from Elsevier, publisher of "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice," the journal in which the study was published.

Breathe Slowly to Reduce Pain — New research performed by a scientist at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center has shown that controlled breathing at a slowed rate can significantly reduce feelings of pain.

According to a press release, chronic pain sufferers, specifically fibromyalgia patients, also reported less pain while breathing slowly, unless they were overwhelmed by negative feelings, sadness or depression. ...

The researchers analyzed the participants' ratings of pain intensity and unpleasantness and found an overall reduction in reported pain when the healthy control participants were paced to breathe slowly. However, fibromyalgia patients benefited from slow breathing only if they reported positive affect. ...

The research was published recently in PAIN, the refereed journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain.

Source: www.massagemag.com

Massage therapy usage in hospitals is common — The number of hospitals offering complementary and alternative medicine grew from 7.7 percent in 1998 to 37.3 percent in 2007.

Stress-related issues are major reasons why hospitals offer massage. 71.2 percent of hospitals that offer massage provide it for stress reduction for patients, and 69.1 percent of hospitals that offer massage provide it to staff to reduce stress.

Among hospitals that offer massage, some other prevalent populations served and/or reasons for massage include:

Pain management
Massage for cancer patients
Pregnancy massage
Part of physical therapy
For mobility/movement training

Source: www.amtamassage.org

Massage and Breast Cancer

A growing body of research shows massage can have serious health benefits for many people, including those battling breast cancer.

In a Mayo Clinic study published in the August 2009 issue of Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, breast cancer patients who received massage therapy reported a reduction in fatigue, creating a general feeling of wellness and improved sleep quality and their ability to think clearly. A study at the Touch Research Institute showed levels of "natural killer" cells and lymphocytes that help to battle cancerous tumors increased among breast cancer patients who received a massage three times a week.

"Massage therapy can often help alleviate pain and fatigue, which can make a huge difference in the overall feeling of wellness for those overcoming breast cancer," said Judy Stahl, national president of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). "As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know the difference massage can make when going through such a difficult experience."

Source: www.massagemag.com

New Study Addresses Quality of Diet

There’s no doubt that what you eat has a major impact on your long-term health. We all have our favorite treats; the important thing is to make the majority of your diet healthy, fresh foods and to limit your intake of those things that do nothing to contribute to your health, as the following article demonstrates.

Your brain on junk food — Junk food is literally addictive, producing changes in brain chemistry similar to those cocaine causes, says a new study. To explore how overeating affects the brain, scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida monitored electrical activity in the brains of rats given unfettered access to cheesecake, frosting, bacon, and other fatty, high-calorie foods. Not surprisingly, the rats quickly became obese. They ate compulsively and continuously, even ignoring electric shocks applied to their feet in the presence of food. (The shocks deterred two control groups of rats from eating.) As the food-addicted rats ate, the high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt foods lit up the pleasure centers of their brains just as if they were taking drugs; over time, the rats had to eat more and more fat, sugar, and salt to feel rewarded. “They lose c ontrol,” study co-author Paul Kenny tells Discover News. “This is the hallmark of addiction.” When the junk food was removed and health food was offered, Kenny says, the rats were so upset that “they basically starved themselves for two weeks.” The finding doesn’t surprise food experts like Dr. Gene-Jack Wang of Brookhaven National Laboratory, who points out that fast-food meals and heavily processed foods are stripped of fiber and nutrition and designed to trigger innate preferences for fat, sugar, and salt. “We make our food very similar to cocaine now,” he says.

— The Week, Vol. 10 Iss. 459

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.
— E. B. White

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:50:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the April 2010 newsletter! Your body is an ongoing miracle of life. When you stop to think about the millions of little things that are happening within you every second of your life to keep you functioning, it’s easy to marvel at the improbable job your body undertakes nonstop throughout your lifetime.

Often, it’s the little things that can make all the difference in your health, happiness and well-being. It’s easy to base your choices in life without considering what long-term effects these little things may have on your health. To illustrate this idea, the rest of this issue addresses one specific hormone that your body manufactures, how it affects your health, and how massage can play a role in its production.

Our purpose as bodyworkers is to help you improve and maintain your health through massage. The better you understand all the little things massage can do to help you to function your best, the more you should appreciate what a wise choice it is for you to commit to your regular massages.

If you have any questions regarding your health and massage, please ask us at your next appointment. Enjoy spring; We’ll see you soon!

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Massage Benefits: Increasing Oxytocin Production

You’re probably familiar in general terms about the many ways massage can help your body to function better. Let’s take a look at a specific example of one of the positive health changes massage has been shown to bring about—an increase in the production of oxytocin.

What is oxytocin?

Best known for its role in childbirth and lactation in women, oxytocin is a hormone produced in the brain in both men and women and released into the bloodstream through the pituitary gland. In women, its effects are enhanced and expanded because of their higher estrogen levels. The presence of estrogen increases the number of oxytocin receptors and stimulates production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is also produced in the ovaries and testes as well as walls of blood vessels and in the heart.

What does it do in the body?

We all need oxytocin to stay physically healthy; it helps us relax and recover from stress, lowering blood pressure. It makes us feel calmer and helps reduce sensitivity to pain, while improving the body's ability to heal. Oxytocin also plays a critical role in our emotions. Released into the brain in social situations of all kinds, it's responsible for trust, generosity, and all kinds of love and personal connection.

How does it affect men vs. women?

While men and women produce oxytocin in relatively equal amounts, when it comes to the emotional effects, there are strong differences. Testosterone seems to mute oxytocin's bonding effects, while estrogen enhances them. This explains why it seems so much easier for women to bond with others.

How can we produce more oxytocin?

Any social interaction that feels safe can cause us to release oxytocin. Studies have shown elevated levels of oxytocin in the blood of people who sang together in a choral group and people who played with their dogs. Pleasant physical touch also releases oxytocin.

Massage and oxytocin

According to Dr. Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg, author of The Oxytocin Factor, massage is one of the best ways to get oxytocin released into the body.

The Effects of Oxytocin

The release of oxytocin into the blood stream is thought to have important effects, both psychological and physiological. Some results from recent studies include:

Autism – Children with autism have been found to have significantly lower levels of oxytocin, as well as hyperactivity in the region of the brain where most oxytocin receptors are located. Studies on individuals with autism have shown a reduction in repetitive behaviors when oxytocin was introduced intravenously.

Enhanced Digestion – Oxytocin has been found to regulate the process of digestion. It stimulates the release of various digestive hormones and gastric juices, which in turn leads to a more effective absorption of nutrients.

Facilitates Wound Healing – Oxytocin accelerates the body’s healing process in part by helping to rejuvenate mucous membranes and encouraging the production of anti-inflammatory reactions.

Increasing Trust – Human subjects given oxytocin via a nasal spray displayed a higher level of trust. In one study, small doses of inhaled oxytocin reduced the wariness of strangers in volunteers, while another appeared to make them more empathetic.

Reducing Anxiety – Clinical trials using oxytocin sprays have been shown to reduce anxiety and ease symptoms of shyness. It seems to reduce timidity and may help to increase confidence, leading to improved healthy social interaction.

Additionally, oxytocin counters the effects of cortisol, a stress hormone, which, if over long periods of time is produced in high levels in the body, can lead to high blood pressure, lowered immune function and even clinical depression.

Hopefully this information clarifies why you feel so much better after your massages; see you at your next appointment!

Sources: www.integrative-healthcare.org; www.abclocal.go.com

Commit to your health!

Schedule your next massage. Regular appointments can:

Help support better health
Minimize stress
Strengthen your immune system
Give you something to look forward to each month
Make you feel great!

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials.
— Lin Yutang

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:34:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the March 2010 newsletter! Ready for spring? We’re fast approaching that time of year when many of us increase our activity levels. If you’ve been waiting for spring to get outside and get moving, remember to take your time building up your stamina. Pushing yourself too hard can result in injury, so it’s better to go slow until your body adjusts to the new demands you’re placing on it.

Of course, receiving your next massage can help your body to function at its best, no matter what level of activity you’re putting it through.

And if you think of physical activity as purely a spectator sport, your regular massages should be more important than ever to you. Exercise is a key way to keep your body functioning properly. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, massage can help your body to better perform its many jobs—things like improving your circulation and removing life-threatening toxins.

Read on to see several more ways that massage can help you to feel better and to stay healthier.

See you soon for your next massage!

Celebrate the coming of Spring
with a massage gift certificate
for that special person in your life!
Call today to order...

Your Massage Quiz: Feeling Great or Health Benefits?

Massage’s “chicken or the egg?” question is this: Which comes first: massage’s health benefits or feeling good? In other words, is it the many health benefits that massage provides that make you feel so good, or does that wonderful, relaxed feeling open the door to improved health conditions?

One answer is that just like our chicken or the egg question, massage benefits are connected to the circle of life—the broad range of health benefits contributes to feeling great, and the better you feel, the more it supports having a healthy body.

When you consider that studies have shown massage can help to improve the function of virtually all the body’s systems, it’s easy to see why you feel so great after a massage.

We all want to lessen the likelihood of the many health risks that threaten us, such as cancer and heart disease. Of course, all of our lifestyle choices can contribute to our health conditions, but can you think of a more enjoyable way of supporting your health than your regular massages? In the grand scheme of things, nothing is more important than your health, so give yourself a pleasant boost with your next massage session!

Massage for Older Adults

Below are excerpts from an online article by Constance McCloy, PT, EdD Assoc. Prof.

Recent research studies indicate that therapeutic massage may significantly reduce pain and enhance mood associated with osteoarthritis of the hands and/or spine. Several studies show that massage can lower pain and anxiety levels in women dealing with breast cancer. ...

Massage has also been found to have a relaxation effect in adults who have high blood pressure; one study demonstrated that six 30-minute massages over 6 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure by 10 points (mmhg) and diastolic pressure by 5 points (mmhg). ...

One doesn’t have to have a significant health problem in order to benefit from massage. Massage increases circulation to skin and tissues and it enhances feelings of well being and relaxation in most individuals who enjoy this form of touch. In these days of high stress, massage may be the perfect way to relax and gain perspective on life. One study has shown that adults aged 60 years and older who received massage therapy 50 minutes twice weekly for 4 weeks experienced significant improvements in mood (decreased anxiety) and self-rated measures of positive well-being, self-control, vitality, and general health.

Source: allthingsaging.blogspot.com

Massage Helps ...

The manufacturing marketing research division of TR Cutler, Inc. sponsored [a] national survey of more than one hundred U.S. manufacturers; all show that massage improved bottom line of employers. The study found that after twelve weeks, 269 employees who had once-weekly, 45-minute massages in the manufacturing workplace had dramatically better productivity, reduced absenteeism, included far fewer doctor visits, than a control group of 250 employees who did not receive the massage therapy. The massaged group experienced reduced stress and improved performance, while the control group did not.

Source: www.theopenpress.com

Massage Reduces Depression in Pregnant Women

New research shows massage therapy reduced depression in pregnant women, and also reduced the incidence of massaged women's babies being born prematurely.

The study was conducted by researchers at the Touch Research Institutes, where pioneering research about massage has been conducted since 1992.

Pregnant women diagnosed with major depression were given 12 weeks of massage, twice per week, by their significant other. A control group did not receive massage, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.

The massage-therapy group versus the control group not only had reduced depression by the end of the massage-therapy period, they also had reduced depression and cortisol levels during the postpartum period.

The massaged women's newborns were also less likely to be born prematurely and low birthweight, pubmed noted, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales.

Source: massagemag.com

An optimist is the human personification of spring.
— Susan J. Bissonette

The future, according to some scientists, will be
exactly like the past, only far more expensive.
— John Sladek

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2010 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:24:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the February 2010 newsletter! This is the time of year when people are more susceptible to catching a cold or flu, so be sure to do all you can to support your immune system. Getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding exposure to illness are all helpful. Remember that many studies have shown that massage can help to strengthen your immune system, so scheduling your next massage is another great idea.

More positive massage news keeps rolling in, and you can read a few of the reports in this issue. Many of these studies may address conditions that are not areas that concern you; however, it does show just how many ways massage has been shown to support and improve health.

With massage helping to improve so many health conditions, the underlying message is that massage just seems to help your body to function better. Isn’t it nice to know that while you’re getting nice and relaxed from your next soothing massage that your body is getting a bit of a health tune-up?

Enjoy the rest of this issue; see you soon for your next massage!

Whether it’s for your favorite Valentine, a friend, family member,
or special loved one, a massage gift certificate is a wonderful way
to let someone know how much you care about them.
Call to order yours today!

Massage Can Help People with Eating Disorders

Massage therapy benefits people who suffer from eating disorders, including bulimia and anorexia, according to a new study from the Université de Montréal and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Previously, research by the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine showed that massaged bulimic patients experienced immediate reductions in anxiety and depression, and improvement on several other psychological and behavioral measures. Another TRI study showed that symptoms of anorexia nervosa were reduced by massage.

Many eating-disorder treatment facilities are aware of the benefits of massage and other complementary therapies, and make them available to their patients.

Massage Therapy Improves Immune Function and Lessens Stress in Women with Breast Cancer

Women with breast cancer and undergoing radiation therapy experienced improved immune-system function, and lowered heart rate and systolic blood pressure after a single light-pressure effleurage [slow, rhythmic stroke] massage session.

In this ... study, 30 women, aged 50 to 75 years and patients at a hospital in Sweden, were allocated to either receive massage or a control visit where they were given an equal amount of attention, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.

Blood samples, saliva, notation of heart rate and blood pressure were collected before and after the massage/control visit. Results showed light-pressure effleurage massage decreased the deterioration of NK cell activity occurring during radiation therapy. Such cells are a component of the immune system. The massage also lowered heart rate and systolic blood pressure. ...

"A single full-body light pressure effleurage massage has a short-term effect on peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cell activity, systolic blood pressure and heart rate in patients with breast cancer," the researchers noted. "However, the long-term clinical importance of these findings needs to be further investigated."

Source: www.massagemag.com

Benefits of Massage

• The Annals of Internal Medicine reported in 2003 that massage therapy was effective for treating persistent back pain, as did a 2000 report by the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

• Research has shown massage reduces carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2004.

• Pediatric healthcare staff report increasing hospital use of complementary and alternative medicine, including massage and energy work (Advance for Nurses, April 2007.)

• Touch Therapy Institute at the University of Miami reports its massage therapy studies indicate effectiveness in:

Reducing mothers risk for premature delivery and post-partum depression; improved sleep for babies.
Reduced pain from migraines and arthritis.
Reduced aggression in adolescents and less hyperactivity in adolescents with ADHD.
Greater alertness in autistic children.
Better lung function in asthmatic children.
Decreased glucose levels in diabetic children.
Less stress and improved performance for employees receiving work-site massage.

• Massage therapy has been shown to strengthen the immune system, according to research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, 1996, and Psychosomatic Medicine, 2000.

• In 2005, Cancer Control reported massage therapy effectively reduced stress and anxiety in cancer patients, with a promising outlook for pain control and management of other symptoms.

• Oncology patients show less pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and depression following massage therapy, according to a study by Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 2004, and a report in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2002.

• Women with lymph node dissection receiving arm massage had less pain and surgery-related discomfort, according to a 2004 Cancer Nursing article.

• Forty-eight percent of respondents to a Consumer Reports survey rated massage therapy as “very helpful” in relieving back pain. The survey revealed pain relief was a top motivator for those seeking massage. (Consumer Reports, May 2009)

Source: www.massagetherapy.com

There are three primary reasons people seek massage, each representing about a third of all massages delivered. Most seek relaxation and restoration (34 percent), need relief from pain or muscle soreness (31 percent), or have a massage because they received it as a gift (27 percent). Recommendations by medical professionals and receiving gift certificates are primary factors in consumers choosing to get a massage.

Source: www.massagetherapy.com

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance,
the wise grows it under his feet.
— James Oppenheim

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:54:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Happy New Year, and welcome to the January 2010 newsletter! As you start your journey into another year, here’s a question to ask yourself: What’s the underlying reason for setting new goals for the coming months? At first glance, you might decide it’s something like “to improve my life” or “to get better organized.” These are good reasons, but more importantly, your greatest benefit for goal setting is to focus your attention on the areas of life that you can determine and control.

For instance, you may not be able to choose when you eat lunch, but you can decide what you eat. Your goals should reflect what you can control in your life. Ultimately, you decide the direction your life is taking, and goals are the means of seeing what you are controlling, and how well. The more you can call the shots in your life, the happier you tend to be—assuming you align your goals with personal, life-affirming choices.

Another thought: This year, plan now on reviewing your goals on a weekly basis. This allows you to adjust your goals and keep you moving in a positive direction. Enjoy this issue; see you soon for your next massage!

Help your Valentine unwind with a soothing massage—
Special days call for special pleasures...
Plan ahead and order your massage gift certificates today!

Start Your New Year Off Right!

You likely know by now that massage is one of the best overall ways to support your body’s health. Nothing else combines that relaxing sense of well-being with the long list of health benefits that regular massage offers you. Whether it’s handling stress, tense muscles, or just helping your body to function better overall, nothing beats a massage!

You can further improve your health through the choices you make every day. To give you a little inspiration in that direction, the rest of this issue shares some interesting insights into creating a happier, healthier you. Whatever steps you take to improve your overall health, you can count on your regular massage sessions to help your body function at its best. See you soon!

Time to eat... There’s a time to eat and a time to sleep; eating while you should be sleeping “might be doing double damage” to your waistline, Scientific American reports. The problem lies within our natural circadian rhythm, the body’s 24-hour “clock,” which keeps our sleep cycle in sync with day and night but also regulates when and how quickly we metabolize food. A new study suggests that crossing those wires—simply by eating at the wrong time of day—may contribute to weight gain. The researchers were inspired by the observation that shift workers whose schedules force them to eat at times when they’d normally be sleeping tend to be overweight. So they mimicked the behavior with mice: One group ate at night and slept by day, and a second group slept at night and ate during the day. After several weeks, the mice in the first group had gained 20 percent more weight than the others. The results suggest that weight gain may depend as much on when you eat as what you eat, says Northwestern biologist Fred Turek. “Better timing of meals, which would require a change in behavior, could be a critical element in slowing the ever-increasing incidence of obesity.”

— The Week Vol. 9, Iss. 431

Programming yourself to be fat... Eating lots of cheeseburgers, fries, and sugary snacks makes people gain weight—but not, new research shows, just because these foods are so high in calories. A high-fat, high-sugar diet, say Washington University scientists, changes the balance of bacteria in the gut, and effectively “programs” people’s digestive systems to make them fat. The human intestinal tract has two main types of bacteria that help us digest food: Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Research has shown that people—and mice—with a high percentage of Firmicutes in their intestines tend to be fat, because these bacteria are very efficient at converting food into calories that the body then absorbs. Those with a preponderance of the less-efficient Bacteroidetes remain relatively lean. Researchers found that when the y transferred intestinal bacteria from obese mice into the guts of previously microbe-free mice, the mice rapidly gained weight. When both types of bacteria were inserted into skinny mice, they stayed lean—until they began eating a diet high in fat and sugars. Then the count of “lean” bacteria dwindled, while the “fat” bacteria proliferated and took over the gut. As a result, the once-skinny mice bulked up. The results, researcher Jeffrey Gordon tells the Los Angeles Times, suggest that our resident microbes play a major role in determining whether we’re lean or fat; further research may provide new treatments for obesity.

— The Week Vol. 9, Iss. 441

Massage Calms ADHD Kids

Two recent studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami reported that regular massage therapy can be an effective treatment for kids with ADHD. One study found adolescent boys who received ten 15-minute daily massages were observed by their teachers to be more focused in their schoolwork, and they fidgeted less. In addition, the children rated themselves as happier than those who participated in a relaxation therapy program.

Another study involved kids aged 7-18, 20 percent of whom were girls. Each subject received a 20-minute massage twice a week. They showed immediate improvement in their moods and longer-term behavioral improvement in the classroom. They also reported feeling happier and their teachers found them to be more attentive.

In adult studies, massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, helping to mitigate the active fight-or-flight response. Massage also helps improve math computation performance and raises alertness levels, as measured on electroencephalograms (EEGs). Finally, massage decreases depression and increases mental focus. The same effects are seen in children and teenagers with ADHD.

Source: ADHD Homeschool.info

Long live optimism...

If you look on the bright side, you’re more likely to live longer than pessimists, a new study says. University of Pittsburgh researcher Hilary Tindle surveyed nearly 100,000 women, ages 50 to 79, about their outlook on life, then tracked their health for several years. Women who answered yes when asked such questions as, “In unclear times, I usually expect the best” were categorized as optimists; pessimists were those who affirmatively answered questions such as, “If something can go wrong for me, it will.” All were healthy at the start of the study. After eight years, the most optimistic women were 9 percent less likely to develop heart disease, 30 percent less likely to have died of heart disease, and 14 percent less likely to have died of any cause. Women who scored high in “cynical hostility” were at even greater risk of dying in general. “When you look at all of the risks, pessimists had everything in the wrong direction,” Tindle tells CNN.com. “The question is, can we take these ingrained attitudes and teach that individual to modify them?”

— The Week Vol. 9, Iss. 427

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
— Benjamin Franklin

Finding a way to live the simple life today is a man’s most complicated task.
— Henry A. Courtney

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:07:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Holiday Greetings, and welcome to the December 2009 newsletter! As we usher out another year, here’s wishing you lots of holiday cheer. Often the best part of the holidays is catching up with all those who give your life special meaning. Enjoy yourself!

You’ll see that this issue has some of the latest reports on massage benefits—and that more of these studies are being done throughout the world. Wherever you go today, more people are discovering the many ways massage can help them lead healthier lives. Read on to see more ways massage can benefit you.

Speaking of massage in the news, you can keep yourself informed on all the latest studies on massage benefits with online searches. Start by typing in “Touch Research Institute” in your search engine, as they have the most extensive collection of massage studies.

Until we meet again, enjoy the rest of your holidays!

Are you stumped for just the right gift?
How about a massage gift certificate?
Nothing offers a greater reward than the gift of health and well-being!
Holiday shopping made easy — Call today!

It’s Time to Enjoy a Little Holiday Relaxation

Maintaining a happy, healthy, rewarding life is a balancing act. If you spend too much of your time focused on certain things, other important aspects of your life can end up being neglected. Maybe postponing cleaning out the garage or the storage shed can wait until you get around to it, but if you put your well-being on the back burner, eventually your body says “Enough!” and you get sick.

The end of the year is often such a busy time that it can be more challenging than usual to make your health a priority. As the holiday celebrations conclude, see about finding some quiet time to take it easy so your body and your mind can recharge. After all, committing to a little “me time” every week might prevent you from a time-consuming illness.

Of course, you can get a lot more from that hour of rest and relaxation with a therapeutic massage! As many studies have shown, massage can supercharge your body’s recuperation by reducing stress-causing hormones in your body while releasing stress-fighting hormones and boosting your immune system.

Have a wonderful time during the remainder of the holiday season and take care!

Massage, Exercise Benefit Diabetes Patients

According to the International Diabetes Federation, some 285 million people worldwide will live with diabetes in 2010.

New research shows a 10-week combination of massage and exercise improves systolic and diastolic pressures in patients' lower extremities, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov...

"A combined program of exercise and massage improves arterial blood pressure and ankle brachial index values in type 2 diabetics with peripheral arterial disease," the researchers from Spain's Universidad de Almería noted.

The full study was published in the Oct. 9 issue of Medicina clínica.

Stressed Americans Still Seeking Massage for Relaxation

For the second year in a row, results of a survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) showed that massage therapy use is fairly steady, despite the lagging economy. Thirty-two percent of stressed out Americans are getting massages to relieve their stress and 57 percent of Americans say they feel more stressed this year than last year, particularly among females (61 percent) and those ages 18 to 24 (66 percent).

"Consumers understand that massage therapy is essential to a healthy balance between stress and relaxation," said Judy Stahl, AMTA president. "We are pleased to see that consumers are prioritizing massage to help them through these difficult times."

Massage Used More Than Ever for Medical, Health Reasons

Results from the 13th annual consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) indicate that 32 percent of Americans are seeking massage for medical and health reasons, tying relaxation and stress reduction for the first time as the top reasons people get massages.

Additionally, 25 percent of Americans ages 35 to 44 have talked to their doctor or healthcare provider about massage therapy this year, compared to 14 percent in 2008. Of those who discussed massage therapy with their doctors, 52 percent say their doctor strongly recommended/encouraged them to get a massage.

A vast majority of Americans, 86 percent, agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent agree that massage can be beneficial for health and wellness.

"Even with the ongoing economic crisis, people are not willing to compromise their health," says Judy Stahl, AMTA president. "It's a clear signal of massage's value when those making less than $35,000 a year are the second most active income bracket getting massage therapy."

Fun Facts about Massage Therapy:

• A study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine showed that ongoing massage could lower anxiety, reduce pain, and improve grip strength for those that suffer from arthritis.

• Research indicates massage therapy can boost immunity and reduce hypertension.

• A recent study by the American Massage Therapy Association showed that in adults with migraine headaches massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

• The number of hospitals offering massage therapy increased by 30 percent from 2004 to 2006. Sixty-seven percent of those hospitals with massage therapy programs offer massage to their staff for stress management.

Source: www.massagemag.com/news

Put duties aside at least an hour before bed
and perform soothing, quiet activities that will help you relax.
— Dianne Hales

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Happy Holidays, and welcome to the November 2009 newsletter! With the end-of-year holiday season getting underway, it’s time to plan on spending some quiet evenings or weekends with your loved ones and those special friends and relatives that gather for their annual visits. Enjoy every moment!

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your wellness program and contributing to your health maintenance. It means a lot to us to do what we can to help you improve the quality of your life through bodywork. Please let us know how we’re doing, and be sure to ask us any questions you have relating to your health as we continue our work together.

This year as you make your holiday gift list, think about who would enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic massage session. (Well, who wouldn’t?) Massage gift certificates make great presents and offer those special people in your life a truly meaningful gift.

This issue has several news releases on some of the latest massage studies. Read on to learn more about how massage can help you stay healthier and feel better. Take care of yourself and have a wonderful holiday season! We’ll see you soon.

What’s the ideal holiday gift? The gift of massage!
Create a beautiful memory ...
Surprise your loved ones this year with a massage gift certificate.
It’s easy for you & special for them.
Give the gift of health — Call today!

Stay Healthy Through the Holidays with Massage

If ever you can count on the pace of life accelerating, it’s at the end of the year during the holidays. In order to maintain a busier-than-usual schedule, it’s more important than ever to take good care of yourself at this time of year.

Know when to say “No thanks.” As we all know, added stress in your life can increase your chances of becoming ill, so do all you can to lessen or avoid the stressors in your environment. Being selective with your social commitments can keep you from overloading your schedule. Trying to do too much can take its toll on your health.

‘Tis the season of tasty, tempting treats and indiscriminate indulgences, so be prepared to limit your intake of holiday cakes, cookies and candies.

The most enjoyable way to support your health is with a relaxing, rejuvenating massage! What better way to reduce your stress level and to help your body operate at its best than putting your busy life on hold for about an hour, so you can take proper care of yourself? Remember, you can be more effective in your day-to-day life when you feel your best. So, give yourself a little holiday health boost with a wonderful massage!

Recent News Reveals More Massage Health Benefits

You really have to love massage! It seems that every new massage-related study brings to light more proof of how regular bodywork can improve your overall health. Here are a few more examples, hot off the press!

Massage Shown to Relieve Headache

Headaches are a leading cause of pain—and massage therapy helps relieve them.

About 78 percent of Americans experience a tension-type headache at some point in their lives, according to the National Headache Foundation.

New research shows the application of a single session of massage produces an immediate decrease in tension, anger status, and perceived pain in patients with chronic tension-type headache, and that the relief from a massage lasts at least one full day.

Researchers from Universidad Granada's Department of Physical Therapy, in Spain, tested massage on 11 patients; eight females and three males, between the ages of 20 and 68 years old. Patients received either the experimental treatment (massage protocol) or a placebo intervention (detuned ultrasound).

Pairwise comparisons showed that head pain (numerical pain rating scale) decreased 24 hours after manual therapy, but not after the placebo intervention, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.

The research ran in a September issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

Stress Relief Doesn't Just Feel Good, It's Good for You

Common Link between Chronic Stress and Serious Health Issues

Doctors have linked chronic stress to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis and certain cancers. Stress can contribute to headaches, digestive problems, back pain, and difficulty sleeping. ...

Reducing stress through massage therapy will have long-lasting health benefits, but what many don’t realize is that massage therapy will also relieve respiratory issues, aid in post-surgery rehabilitation, and aid in prenatal care. Relieving stress has a domino effect in regards to other health benefits that people tend to overlook when considering a massage session.

Research: Healthy Muscles and White Blood Cells

Various studies have shown that massage therapy can increase white blood-cell count. In a new study, European scientists have found that, when a muscle is injured, white blood cells called macrophages play a crucial role in its regeneration.

Normally, macrophages—the white blood cells known for engulfing and eliminating bacteria and other infectious agents—are drawn to areas of injury. Once there, they act as "garbage men," eliminating the dead cells and releasing pro-inflammatory factors, fending off infection.

After clearing up the debris, macrophages stop releasing those pro-inflammatory factors, and start making anti-inflammatory factors that promote repair in the damaged area. This shift from clearing debris to promoting building is known as macrophage polarization and is essential for muscles to regenerate properly.

"There seems to be this point of no return," says researcher Nadia Rosenthal. "If macrophages don't make this switch, then the muscle won't repair itself [and] you just end up with scar, instead of new issue."

Source: www.massagemag.com/news

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.
— Eric Hoffer

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Massage and Your Long-term Health

Another Reason to Choose Flat Footwear: Osteoarthritis

The price of wearing high heels —

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Top 10 Reasons We Need to Drink Water!

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Benefits of Hand-and-Back Massage for Older Clients

What do Clinical Nurses Think about Massage?

For Better Living…

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Integrative Medicine: Human Touch Helps Healing

Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients By Kathleen Hall

Handle Stress with Massage!

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Massage and Health News

Massage and Breast Cancer

New Study Addresses Quality of Diet

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Massage Benefits: Increasing Oxytocin Production

The Effects of Oxytocin

Commit to your health!

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Your Massage Quiz: Feeling Great or Health Benefits?

Massage for Older Adults

Massage Helps ...

Massage Reduces Depression in Pregnant Women

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Massage Can Help People with Eating Disorders

Massage Therapy Improves Immune Function and Lessens Stress in Women with Breast Cancer

Benefits of Massage

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Start Your New Year Off Right!

Massage Calms ADHD Kids

Long live optimism...

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

It’s Time to Enjoy a Little Holiday Relaxation

Massage, Exercise Benefit Diabetes Patients

Stressed Americans Still Seeking Massage for Relaxation

Massage Used More Than Ever for Medical, Health Reasons

Fun Facts about Massage Therapy:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

Stay Healthy Through the Holidays with Massage

Recent News Reveals More Massage Health Benefits

Massage Shown to Relieve Headache

Stress Relief Doesn't Just Feel Good, It's Good for You

Research: Healthy Muscles and White Blood Cells

Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients
By Kathleen Hall