Numerous physical and mental health benefits have been attributed to massage, including:
• reducing stress
• aiding in relaxation
• reducing the heart rate
• lowering blood pressure
• increasing blood circulation and lymph flow
• relaxing the muscles
• reducing chronic pain
• improving joint range of motion

Specifically, people have found that therapeutic massage can help manage a variety of conditions. The physical benefits of massage can include:
• Relaxes the whole body
• Loosens tight muscles
• Relieves tired and aching muscles
• Increases flexibility and range of motion
• Diminishes chronic pain
• Calms the nervous system
• Enhances skin tone
• Assists in recovery from injuries and illness
• Strengthens the immune system
• Relieves tension-related headaches
• Enhances post-operative rehabilitation
• Improves rehabilitation after injury
• Manage Fibromyalgia pain naturally

Recent scientific research also proves that massage therapy decreases stress levels and reduces recovery time in many medical conditions including:
• Allergies
• Depression and Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Asthma and Bronchitis
• Circulatory problems
• Insomnia
• Sports Injuries
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Musculo-Skeletal Disorders

What Are The Benefits Of Prenatal Massage?
While relieving the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, joint
pain, and edema, massage therapy is a wonderful, complimentary choice for prenatal care and a healthy way to reduce stress and promote general well-being. Nurtuing massage during pregnancy helps promote a healthy mommy baby bond that will carry over into life with your baby.

In addition, by relaxing nervous tension, you can experience a better night's sleep. Below are examples of how massage can help you throughout your pregnancy.

Second Trimester Benefits:
• Alleviate backaches
• Relieve leg cramps
• Eliminates Headaches
• Helps with Sinus Issues
• Relieve sciatic nerve pain
• Reduces muscle fatigue
• Supports your immune system

Third Trimester:
• Reduce swelling/edema
• Relieve pain from varicosities
• Enhance sleep
• Improves your energy
• Prepare pelvic muscles for birth process
• Encourages proper alignment of pelvis in preparation for birth

Does Prenatal massage help me go into labor?
Unfortunately, there is no magic spot to rub that will induce labor. Your body will go into labor when all components are in place; hormones, baby's position, pelvic readiness, consistent contractions, and dilation of the cervix. However, women who receive regular massage therapy throughout their pregnancy and during the last 6 weeks of their pregnancy have been known to have very positive birth experiences. The common factor is that their body was ready for birth, therefore labor began when it was supposed to.

Are There Times When Massage During Pregnancy Should Be Avoided?
It is very important you obtain approval from your obstetrician before receiving any form of massage during pregnancy. Women with normal, low-risk pregnancies can benefit greatly from massage. However, women in high-risk pregnancies should consult with their doctor or midwife before beginning one of our massage therapy programs. If at any time during the massage you experience discomfort, tell your therapist immediately. When available, find a therapist that is a specialist in Prenatal massage and has experience with childbirth. Tara and Ginny are both specialists in Prenatal massage and have extensive knowledge of childbirth.

(Information courtesy of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals consumer education services.)

Geriatric Massage
Geriatric massage encompasses basic relaxation and stress relief. It's also a beneficial tool in fighting many of the symptoms of aging. Today, massage in all its forms is at the forefront of alternative and complementary therapies. It is utilized by millions of people and prescribed by many physicians.

How Will It Benefit Me?
Specific massage procedures tailored to the individual client work to:
• Increase circulation
• Combat depression
• Improve balance and flexibility
• Reduce the pain of arthritis
• Increase joint mobility
• Improve posture
• Encourage overall well-being

Should I Have A Doctors Permission?
If you have a specific health condition, you should receive permission from your physician to proceed with massage.

What Are The Benefits Of Regular Massage?
Here's the beauty of massage: Not only does each session feel great, but the therapeutic benefits are accumulative with frequency. The more you go, the healthier you feel. Stress and fatigue does not dissipate, it accumulates. Regular maintenance massage helps prevent long term repetitive stress injuries caused by chronic pain. It also is a healthy way to manage stress and bring awareness into your body.

How often should I get a massage?
Frequency of massage depends on the current health of your body. Are you living with chronic muscle pain and fatigue? If so, you would benefit greatly from receiving massage therapy once every week or once every two weeks to help reduce chronic muscle pain and fatigue. Generally, healthy people can maintain good health by receiving massage therapy once every 3 weeks. This level of frequency is a good maintenance regimen that can be easily budgeted and worked into a busy life style. But more importantly, it gives your body the much needed attention to remove adhesion's from the muscle tissue and flush the muscles of excess cellular waste, which reduces the occurance of illness and injury.

(Information courtesy of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
consumer education services)