– Research tells us that approximately 70-80% of ALL medical conditions are stress-related.
– Every week millions of people take prescription and over-the-counter medications for stress-related complaints.
– Stress affects the nervous system and EVERY other bodily system.
– Research tells us that chronic and long-term negative emotions like anxiety, fear, grief, depression, doubt, negativity and worry affect your nervous system and actually cause chemical changes in the body that are detrimental to your health.
– Deep negative emotions (conscious or unconscious) and very high stress are often present in persons with cancer.
– Many studies show that chronic mental & emotional stress including anxiety and depression result in a weaker immune system – more colds, and other illnesses.
– Stress is a major factor in high blood pressure and heart disease.
– Stress causes muscle tension which reduces blood supply to the muscles.
– Reduced blood supply to the muscles can cause frequent and painful muscle cramps, especially in the legs and feet.
– Tight and tense muscles can cause sciatica in the hips and legs.
– Tight and tense muscles reduces flexibility, movement and range of motion.
– Chronic muscle tension can cause or aggravate muscle cramps, PMS, tension headaches, neck and back pain, and a wide variety of digestive problems, including indigestion, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, constipation.
– Stress is also a major factor in high blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, muscle pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, heartburn and other digestive problems.
Want to Improve Your Health?
Relaxation is So Important for Your Immune System
Managing stress in a positive way is vital to the function of your immune system, staying well & feeling your best.
The Good News — Clinical studies show that massage therapy and Reflexology are valuable therapies for wellness.
They not only help you relax, but help decrease heart rate and blood pressure, and most importantly, increase the number of white blood cells (the illness fighters) in your body.
Massage therapy and Reflexology also releases endorphins – the ‘feel good’ hormones, which reduce anxiety, promote relaxation & feelings of well being.
Reflexology, massage, Reiki, Tai Chi and other body therapies are holistic ways to promote wellness, relax, and de-stress. The benefits are only positive – no negative side effects.
Deep relaxation benefits your immune system.
Taking Care of Yourself!
After your massage I will show you several specific stretches for the target areas of pain in your body and we can discuss what will help you. This information is provided to you as part of a regular self-care routine to help you feel better.
It is so important to manage your stress level with healthy habits. Incorporate ways of relieving stress in your body/mind, including some kind of exercise (to strengthen muscles), as well as stretching through yoga or Pilates, Tai Chi, etc.… This will help the positive effects of your massage last longer. You’ll feel better as you continue to stretch and “work out the kinks”.
Most people think that loss of flexibility, muscle and joint pain and tightness in the body is ‘just part of aging’ or an ‘inevitable part of growing older’. Although this is a common belief, it is not always true. Having massage therapies and doing regular self-care and stretching and strengthening your muscles WILL help you feel better and function better. Most importantly, this can prevent future problems.
Proper Posture Helps Avoid Pain, Strain and Falls
Proper posture is vitally important as we age. Proper alignment is needed to support the body correctly, to help everything function normally and to prevent future problems and pain. Poor posture can lead to permanent changes in the body’s alignment causing dysfunction, chronic pain in the neck as well as pain in the shoulders, back, low back and hips. This can eventually lead to poor balance and instability in the hips, legs, knees and feet which can contribute to falls.
Also notice any areas of weakness. Having a weakness on one side of the body in a weight-bearing joint – one hip, knee, ankle or foot can lead to many future problems, including eventual falls. You can take action today to prevent this by strengthening the weaker muscles so your body is more balanced. In order to get help and good results you might need to go to a few sessions of physical therapy or hire a personal trainer or fitness coach to learn what to do and how to do it correctly.
The other foundations of good health:
a. Good Nutrition – providing proper fuel, supporting the body and correcting nutritional deficiencies helps the muscles feel better, work efficiently and prevents muscle cramps and fatigue. I cannot advise you in this area so please consult a Naturopath doctor or holistic nutritionist to design a program specifically for your needs.
b. Pure water and/ or healthful teas fuel the muscles and cells.
c. Quality sleep that helps you wake up refreshed is CRITICAL to health. If you do not sleep well, please research the non-drug ways to help your body-mind relax.
d. Fresh air and being in nature revives the body, mind and Spirit.
e. Reflexology is designed to help balance the energy in the entire body as well as address specific pain and issues in the feet. Reflexology on the feet can bring relief for issues like Plantar Fasciitis, poor circulation and many other foot problems. More information and self-care suggestions for your situation will be provided as desired.