10 tips to get the most out of your massage!

Many of you came to me with very simple concerns regarding simple measures you can take to get the most out of your session.  I spent some time to put together some common concerns and answers that many of you have as well as some observations I have made myself over the past 6 years in the field of Massage Therapy.



10 tips to get the most out of a massage

A professional massage may seem like a waste of money to many -- until you've had one. It provides health benefits. And as an added bonus, a massage can provide a real spiritual lift, as well.

But how do you get the most out of a massage when you're lying there worrying about spending money, work, family, etc? Here's my advice:


1. Drink Water

Most therapists will remind you to flush toxins after a massage, but it's equally important to hydrate before climbing on the table. That's because the pressure from your therapist's hands pushes lactic acid out of your muscle tissue and into your bloodstream, where it circulates throughout your body. Without water, your blood flow is sluggish and stagnated and may not process these toxins as readily as hydrated, less viscous fluids.

2. Talk to Your Massage Therapist

Tell me your concerns, needs and expectations before you start. Let me know about problem areas, like a bad back, trick knee or the knotted shoulders caused by computer work, so I can either avoid these areas or pay special attention, as appropriate. Be sure to express your environmental preferences, as well. Let me know how you like the music, room temperature, etc. You don't want the ambiance jarring you out of your cozy zone. If you're an aromatherapy fan and have a specific preference, bring a sample with you!  I am more then happy to comply!

3. Don't Be Bashful

In general, the less you wear, the fewer obstacles to a good massage. I am highly trained in sheet-draping techniques that will ensure your modesty is protected at all times.  Draping techniques are the first skill learned and is absolutely robotic after months, much less years as a therapist. So as a professional, I recommend removing as much clothing as possible (or comfortable), slide under the sheets, and don't waste energy worrying about what I will think of your body.  Each client is different, and a great therapist zones in on the bone and musculature that is lying under the skin and not worried about the skin, figure, or color.  My job is to make you feel better when you leave and if you are worried about your self image it creates unnecessary tension.

4. Stop Thinking

This may be the hardest part of relaxing into a massage. I find yogic rhythmic breathing prepares my body and brain. I perform deep breathing exercises, inhaling from the stomach, upwards through the chest cavity and mentally swirling the breath through my brain when I recieve a massage. On the inhale I gather all my thoughts, tensions and negativity into a gray smoke and expel it out of my body. Then I reverse the process, filling my body with pure air. Five cycles usually do it, then I repeat this process whenever niggling thoughts stop me from enjoying the massage.  This may be a little "silly" for many of you, but deep breathing exercises always benefit the mind and body.

5. Relax Your Body

Don't engage your muscles to help mw maneuver a part of your body. This doesn't really help as it just tenses your muscles and makes my work harder.  I may RARELY ask for assistance in moving.

6. Breathe Through the Pain

Don't hold your breath when I begin working on a muscular knot, or the muscle will continue to hold its tension. Instead, start narrowing your focus to a deep, rhythmic breathing pattern. Try to visualize tension leaving your body on the exhale and allow your body to relax a little more with each breath.

7. Talk -- Listen to Your Body

Sometimes a verbal release is just as therapeutic as a muscle relax, but don't forget to also concentrate on your body. Animated conversation makes your body tense up, so make sure the conversation doesn't involve hand gestures or dance moves :-)  Let me know when the pressure is too soft or hard; if you're feeling chilly; or if you'd like me to work more on a specific area.

8. Recover Slowly

Don't harsh your mellow by jumping off the table after I have left the room. Take a minute to glory in your newly relaxed body. Slowly open your eyes and appreciate the room's ambiance. Roll slowly onto your dominant side, push gently up to a seated position with one arm, and sit on the edge of the massage table for a few moments and collect any immediate thoughts of areas that still have tension and be sure to let me know these areas when you leave so I can note them for next time or encourage some at home exercises/techniques.

9. Drink Even More Water

Flush those nasty toxins out of your system with plenty of water. Otherwise, you could end up with sore muscles and nausea -- making the massage a complete waste of time and money. While there's no magic number of ounces you should drink, the more water you consume the better you'll feel.  I recommend a half ounce for every pound of body weight throughout the day.  If it helps, I drink 1.5liters of water after every massage I recieve.

10. Take It Easy

Help your body and mind hold on to the benefits of the massage as long as possible. Return to the breathing exercises when you begin tensing up throughout the day, or when your brain returns to its natural fretting routines. At the end of the day, treat yourself to a relaxing evening. Eat a light dinner. Soak in a warm bath with scented salts or aromatherapy oils, then curl up in bed for a deep, restorative sleep. <-just an idea :-)

Understanding Deep Tissue

Deep Tissue Massage targets the deep tissue structure of the fascia and muscles, referred to as connective tissue. Of the many types of massage, deep tissue focuses on the release of muscle tension and chronic knots (aka adhesions).  The knots usually form from chronic holding patterns, bad posture, misuse, and exercise.

Deep tissue massage can break up and eliminate scar tissue from previous injuries. A common problem is that stressed muscles can block nutrients and oxygen from getting to where they need to go, and this will cause inflammation that allows toxins to build up in your muscle tissue. The inflammation and toxins contribute to pain and stress. Deep Tissue Massage breaks up and releases the built-up toxins by loosening the muscles. With the toxins released, blood and oxygen can circulate as they should through one’s body. Being properly hydrated before you go to your massage appointment and drinking plenty of water after one of these massages is highly recommended.

The strokes used in a deep tissue massage are similar to those used in a Swedish Massage except more pressure is used and it uses cross grain strokes (strokes that go across the gain of the muscles instead of with the grain).

During Swedish massage, usually only the hand and forearm are used, however with a Deep Tissue Massage, elbows, fingers, knuckles may be used for optimal penetration of the muscle. The speed of the strokes will be slower than a classic massage as well, which means they are longer in duration (about an hour and a half). If you make me aware of your trouble spots (everyone has one or two) before the massage starts, during the massage I will pay particlular attention to those areas, for extra relief.

There may be some soreness after a deep tissue massage; however, the soreness should go away within a day or two. The massage should not hurt but will be a little more uncomfortable than a classic massage. If you feel the pressure is too hard, please do not hesitate to inform me. Do not act tough if the massage causes severe pain or the pressure is too hard, as it may do more damage than restoration.

A good way to recover from a Deep Tissue Massage is by soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salt. This soaking is recommended because it will help get more of the toxins out of your body (Epsom salt draws the toxins out into the water). Your muscles need some rest after one of these massages, even if you feel no soreness.

Some people think that if you just push hard enough, a knot could be worked out in one session, but this is not the case. For built-up tension and chronic knots (adhesions) deep tissue massage is just one part of the treatment. If you do not exercise, correct your posture, and/or employ relaxation techniques along with Deep Tissue Massage you may not get the full benefits from your massage.

One of the most important things to remember to do when getting a Deep Tissue Massage is to breathe deeply during the session and while relaxing afterwards. Oxygenating the muscles will help the massage do its work and ease discomfort.

American Red Cross Month...so I touch on blood related benefits of massage!!

Since March is American Red Cross month, I thought I would take the time to share some of the blood related benefits of massage including increasing circulation and lowering blood pressure. 

The fact that massage therapy improves circulation is a tremendous benefit! When you exercise regularly and eat properly, massage can be the key to leading a healthier lifestyle.  The long term effects of massage therapy are much more than just skin deep. Better circulation is part of the chain reaction that happens in the body as a result of receiving massages on a regular basis.

Improved Circulation Benefits:

• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves body function
• Enhances blood flow
• Moves waste away from muscles and internal organs

One of the most effective ways to stave off high blood pressure is massage therapy. A consistent massage is shown by a number of long term studies that getting frequent massages can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure; decrease salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels; and lower sources for anxiety, hostility and depression.

The ultimate goal of most massage programs is to produce a pain free and relaxing lifestyle. The end result of having your blood pressure controlled  is certainly only one of the many benefits of massage therapy.

New Massage Payment Options!

There is now a 'buy now' option via paypal in the pricing section of my website! Also you can make payment to me via square credit, check, or cash! www.kneads4knots.com

If you haven't scheduled your session lately!  Please do so...I miss you...and I'm sure your muscles miss me!

Wetter is better!

I try my best to make the polite, but firm recommendation that you drink lots water after your massage. In general, the body benefits from proper hydration anyways, but after your massage it is very important to drink lots of water. Consuming water will help the kidneys and other organs process the various substances which move through our bodies on a regular basis. Drinking water before and after a massage is recommended, as it makes it easier for your me to perform deep work, because the muscles are easier to manipulate (think dry sponge vs. wet sponge).  During a good massage, the muscles are stimulated, blood is circulated throughout the whole body, and water, salt and other minerals are released. Having a glass of water or decaffeinated tea, in a quiet room, helps your body dispose of any accumulated materials in the muscles. By providing the body with plenty of water, you can help sweep away those pesky waste materials!

Wetter Is Better!!
Most importantly, massage can be dehydrating, believe it or not. The manipulation of the muscles dehydrates them and moves around the fluid, in the interstitial spaces between the muscles. Just like when you exercise, you lose water and electrolytes. You feel squishy as a sponge, but you need to wet those cells. By drinking water, you can reduce the potential for pain and soreness in the days following a massage.
After a massage, you can feel a bit spacey and disoriented; having a glass of water or nice herbal tea can help bring the body and mind back to the present. Zoning out in a quiet room is completely encouraged; take as long as you like. Drinking a glass of water after a massage gives you time to return to reality and begin the next journey!

A measurement for great hydration: .5oz for every pound you weigh.  I mostly drink more...but if you find that your drinking a decent amount of water, most likely you aren't.  If your urine is yellow, bump up your water intake and cut out the sodas.  Your urine should be a very pale yellow to colorless <-that's when you know you get enough water!

The truth about sports massage!!

When the term 'Sports Massage' is heard, people think of a very technical form of bodywork saved for only the elite type of athlete- professional or Olympic.  This is not entirely true; it is a form of bodywork benefiting any person engaged in regular physical activity.

Sports Massage was tuned into a specialized massage via Lasse Viren (the 'Flying Finn), who set a world record time in the 10K, and an Olympic record in the 5K.  It was discovered that Viren received deep massages on a daily basis.  this information sparked a fire with runners in the U.S. as to the benefit and value of massage..

Since then, massage and massage therapist have become very visible and prominent at and with most Olympic games, professional sports teams, colleges/universities (thanks VCU), as well as at many popular marathons and sporting events...Check me out working with Health Diagnostics Laboratories Recovery Team during the Massey 10K March 31st!

Now to touch on some of the benefits of Sports Massage-

Sports massage can benefit individuals who exercise by assisting in the body's own healing process as well as injury prevention through helping the body prepare for heavy exertion.  During and after exercise, the body's systems adapt to handle the increased stresses placed upon it.  These adaptations effect soft tissues, bones, nerves and the brain.

The manipulating of soft tissues prior to, during, and after exercise can help promote physical, physiological, and psychological changes that aid performance and recover.  Some of those benefits are:
-Increased circulation
-Decreased muscle/soft tissue tension and pain
-Increase soft tissue flexibility/joint range of motion
-Reduction of trigger points
-Decreased soft tissue adhesions
-Reduces edema (swelling) due to injury
-Improves propriocption- the body's ability to sense where it is in regards to time and space
-Improves balance and posture

Please inform the therapist of any of the following, as they are contraindications and cautions to sports massage.
-Bone fractures
-Acute injuries (due to not worsening them...but sports massage can be applied to all other areas)
-Blood Clots
-Skin rashes/sun burn
-Diabetes (due to lack of sensory to the nerves)  This is only contraindicated for areas of neuropathy
-High blood pressure
-Open Wounds
-Alcohol/drug use
-Thrombosis
-Tumors/undiagnosed cancer
-Over varicose veins
-Dehydration
-Fever
-Pregnancy

Some techniques will create a positive effect on a particular body part, but a negative effect on another part.  When in doubt, always consult a physician for clarification on the contraindication.  I am more then willing to speak (with your permission) to any doctor about the techniques applied if you so choose to hire me for sports massage.  Many times I combine Sports with Injury, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, etc...each session is structured around You.  I will elaborate more on other modalities at a later date.  If interested in one now, feel free to comment on this post or ask in private at kneads4knots@gmail.com.

Peptides!!! What are they and how can they reduce my scars, stretch marks, or spider veins?

Many people generally know what peptides are, but can you explain this to clients in terms they can understand? I'm going to try.  Peptides are chains of two or more amino acids. Naturally occurring in the body and vital to everyday cellular processes, it is the order of the amino acid chain that creates different results or responses in the skin.

Peptides can target a specific skin concern like loss of elasticity or firmness that results from aging and sun damage. They can also help with the unevenness of skin tone that can appear as darkened areas or rough patches of skin.

Peptides that help to build collagen or restore elasticity to skin can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks or scars. It is important that look at the color of the scars and stretch marks and inform you (the client) that red or purple stretch marks can be lightened and the ridges that appear from stretch marks can be reduced with products using specific peptides. Older, silver stretch marks and scars can also benefit from products with peptides.

During a massage, products with peptides can be used in treatments in a variety of ways. Peptide creams can be incorporated into the treatment while massaging areas of concern and applied as a booster. They can also be used as an after-treatment product to help enhance areas that were massaged artfully for reduction of the appearance of stretch marks or scars.  Unfortunately these products are more expensive and I do not typically use them in my practice, but can offer up great product advice.  If you bring your own peptide products, I'm more then willing to use them during your session!

Whether you are looking for firmer skin or lightening darker areas of hyperpigmentation, peptides can provide that initial surge of interest for you while in the treatment room. Peptides will not show their results immediately, but over time stretch marks and scars can lighten and start to smooth when using products with specific peptides.

If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them!  Just comment below or use social media/email and I will get back to you!  Any questions you may ask in private I may post answers to on the blog b/c it may be an answer someone else is afraid to ask.  I will keep all information given to me in private confidential!

Music Promotes Heart Health!

Soft, soothing music is a usual component of a relaxation-massage session. Now researchers say blood flow and respiratory rates can synch with music, and that music could be used as a therapeutic tool for improving blood pressure, rehabilitation and more.

“Music induces a continuous, dynamic—and to some extent predictable—change in the cardiovascular system,” said Luciano Bernardi, M.D., lead researcher of the study and professor of Internal Medicine at Pavia University in Pavia, Italy. “It is not only the emotion that creates the cardiovascular changes, but this study suggests that also the opposite might be possible, that cardiovascular changes may be the substrate for emotions, likely in a bi-directional way.”

The researchers found in an earlier study that music with faster tempos resulted in increased breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, according to a university press release. When the music was paused, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure decreased, sometimes below the beginning rate. Slower music caused declines in heart rates.

In an extension of those findings, researchers recently discovered swelling crescendos appear to induce moderate arousal while decrescendos induce relaxation. In music, a crescendo is a gradual volume increase, and a decrescendo is a gradual volume decrease.

Previous studies have shown that music reduces stress, boosts athletic performance and enhances motor skills of people with neurological impairments. Bernardi noted that music more frequently is being used as a therapeutic tool for different diseases. In addition, the distracting effect of music can also prolong exercise by increasing the threshold for pain or labored breathing.

“What we are learning from the present and previous study is that alternating between fast and slow music (crescendo and decrescendo within the same music track) may be potentially more effective,” Bernardi said.

I have several clients who prefer their every day music in a session...does this make you change your mind?

KONY 2012

I know this video is rather long, but it's super important!  I'd appreciate you not only making the time to watch it but post it on every site you can think of!  This injustice needs to be brought to justice!  You can get your campaign bracelet here

http://invisiblechildrenstore.myshopify.com/products/konybracelet

Along with many other products, don't forget to sign the petition at www.kony2012.com

"I'm going to show you how great I am!"

This morning I was browsing through Youtube videos for some inspiration for a small project I am putting together.  I came across an extremely powerful video that I thought I MUST share with you all!  Watch it...I promise this short 4.5 minute video is worth it!



Share away!  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did!

PEPPERMINT OIL!!! And it's wonderful benefits!

I know many of you hear me babble time and time again bout all the amazing uses of peppermint oil!  It's a fantastic product!  I did a little research, and upon that research I learned things myself, listed below are just a FEW of the MANY benefits of peppermint oil!

The health benefits of peppermint oil include the following:

• Indigestion: Peppermint oil is very helpful in digestion. Often people put a few drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and drink it after their meal due to its digestive properties. It is carminative and therefore helps in removing gas. Peppermint oil is a good tonic for those who have a low appetite. It also helps during motion sickness and upset stomach. Preliminary research has proved that peppermint oil in the combination of caraway oil can be used for treating heartburns.
• Dental Care: Peppermint oil, due to its antiseptic properties, is useful for dental care. It removes bad breath and helps teeth and gums deal with germs. No wonder, it is added in numerous toothpastes. It is also useful for treating toothaches.
• Respiratory Problems: Menthol, which is present in abundance in peppermint oil, helps in clearing the respiratory tract. It is an effective expectorant and therefore provides instantaneous, though temporary, relief in numerous respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, cold and cough. As a result, it is used in numerous cold rubs. When these cold rubs are rubbed on the chest, they remove nasal and respiratory congestion immediately.
• Nausea and Headache: Peppermint oil is a good home remedy for nausea and headache. Applying peppermint oil in diluted form on the forehead is known to remove headache.  OR just dipping your finger in the peppermint oil and rubbing over the eyebrows and just two dabs on the inside of your nostrils does a wonderful job itself!  With the tiny amount that is left on your fingers, massage your temporals...you will experience great relief!
• Stress: Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The muscle relaxing property of peppermint oil has been found to ease irritable bowel syndrome. This has been validated through preliminary scientific research though the exact mechanism is still unknown.
• Antispasmodic: Peppermint oil is very effective for gastroscopy, colonoscopy and during double-contrast barium enema. It is applied intraluminally. Further benefits of peppermint oil due to its antispasmodic properties are being studied <-Who knew?
• Urinary Tract Infection: Peppermint oil can be used for treating urinary tract infection (UTI). However, thorough scientific studies are yet to be conducted to confirm this.
• Pain Relief: Peppermint oil can be used externally for providing relief from pain. It is believed that the presence of calcium antagonism in peppermint oil aids in removing pain. It is cooling in nature and therefore helps reduce fever.
• Immune System: Peppermint oil increases your immunity to diseases and therefore helps you in preventing a number of diseases.
• Blood Circulation: It also improves blood circulation. This is probably the one you guys hear me say MOST!  Though massage is already an extremely useful tool in promoting circulation...peppermint oil is a very good tool to use at home to extend those benefits!  
• Hair Care: Peppermint oil is very useful for hair care as it gives a cooling effect to the head, and removes dandruff and lice.
• Skin Care: Peppermint oil contains Menthol, which is good for skin. It gives a cooling effect. Further it nourishes dull skin and improves oily skin.

Many of you have asked me what I recommend and where I get it?  Personally, I have only tried 1, maybe 2, different types of the oil.  My personal preference is HERE and remember, a little goes a LONG way!

I even make my own lotion with a unscented base.  You can do the same at home with your favorite unscented lotion!  Here are my guidelines and please remember to mix well!  And before every use to assure it does not separate.

Body Lotion - Add 25 drops essential oil to 8 ounces of unscented lotion.

Happy Peppermint Oil exchange, any questions or want to learn how I use peppermint in my daily life, feel free to comment and ask!  This is an amazing product, NOT meant to be kept secret :-)

Positive effects of stress? Hmmm....

Stress has many effects, both physical and mental, and the relief of stress is one of the top reasons people seek out massage therapy.

New research indicates feeling stressed effects how people make decisions. Specifically, it changes how people weigh risk and reward.

A new article published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, reviews how, under stress, people pay more attention to the upside of a possible outcome.

It's a bit surprising that stress makes people focus on the way things could go right, says Mara Mather of the University of Southern California, who cowrote the new review paper with Nichole R. Lighthall, in an association press release. "This is sort of not what people would think right off the bat," Mather says. "Stress is usually associated with negative experiences, so you'd think, maybe I'm going to be more focused on the negative outcomes."

But researchers have found that when people are put under stress—by being told to hold their hand in ice water for a few minutes, for example, or give a speech—they start paying more attention to positive information and discounting negative information.

"Stress seems to help people learn from positive feedback and impairs their learning from negative feedback," Mather says.

Stress also increases the differences in how men and women think about risk. When men are under stress, they become even more willing to take risks; when women are stressed, they get more conservative about risk. Mather links this to other research that finds, at difficult times, men are inclined toward fight-or-flight responses, while women try to bond more and improve their relationships.

Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Add a Decade or More Healthy Years to the Average Lifespan

Vancouver ? Health prevention strategies to help Canadians achieve their optimal health potential could add a decade or more of healthy years to the average lifespan and save the economy billions of dollars as a result of reduced cardiovascular disease, says noted cardiologist Dr. Clyde Yancy.

Yancy, who delivered the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Lecture at the opening ceremonies of the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, told delegates that people who follow seven simple steps to a healthy life can expect to live an additional 40 to 50 years after the age of 50.

"Achieving these seven simple lifestyle factors gives people a 90 percent chance of living to the age of 90 or 100, free of not only heart disease and stroke but from a number of other chronic illnesses including cancer," says Yancy, a professor of medicine and chief of cardiology at the Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He is also the past-president of the American Heart Association.

"By following these steps, we can compress life-threatening disease into the final stages of life and maintain quality of life for the longest possible time." He predicts that, if we act now, we can reverse the tide by 2020.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, every year in Canada about 250,000 potential years of life are lost due to heart disease and stroke, which are two of the three leading causes of death in Canada.

Canadians can achieve optimal health, says Yancy, by following these steps:

• Get active. Inactivity can shave almost four years off a person's expected lifespan. People who are physically inactive are twice as likely to be at risk for heart disease or stroke.
• Know and control cholesterol levels. Almost 40 percent of Canadian adults have high blood cholesterol, which can lead to the build up of fatty deposits in your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Follow a healthy diet. Healthy eating is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health–yet about half of Canadians don't meet the healthy eating recommendations.
• Know and control blood pressure. High blood pressure?often called a "silent killer" because it has no warning signs or symptoms?affects one in five Canadians. By knowing and controlling your blood pressure, you can cut your risk of stroke by up to 40 percent and the risk of heart attack by up to 25 percent.
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Almost 60 percent of Canadian adults are either overweight or obese?major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Being obese can reduce your life span by almost four years.
• Manage diabetes. By 2016 an estimated 2.4 million Canadians will live with diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), coronary artery disease, and stroke, particularly if your blood sugar levels are poorly controlled.
• Be tobacco-free. More than 37,000 Canadians die prematurely each year due to tobacco use, and thousands of non-smokers die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke. As soon as you become smoke-free, your risk of heart disease and stroke begins to decrease. After 15 years ,your risk will be nearly that of a non-smoker.

A call for focused prevention strategies

While this goal of optimal health has been achieved by fewer than 10 percent of the population, "it demonstrates the striking potential that prevention has if it is broadly embraced," says Yancy. "We know how to prevent heart disease and stroke–we now need to build the tools to empower our citizens to manage their risk and prevent heart disease."

Yancy calls on governments to invest in steady and focused prevention strategies. He says that necessary initiatives include a change in current sodium policies, continued progress in tobacco control initiatives, increased green space and health education.

"Healthy living is key to preventing heart disease and stroke," says Bobbe Wood, president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. "The foundation is committed to raising awareness about heart health and to promoting public policies that facilitate healthy lifestyles and communities."

She says the foundation will continue to build on partnerships and policies that have led to a significant reduction of trans fats in the Canadian food supply; stronger tobacco control initiatives; healthy community design; and a continued reduction in the amount of salt in our food products, which has been achieved in part through Health Check™, the Foundation's flagship food information program.

Yancy adds that improved access to health care that focuses on prevention and control of important risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes is also key.

Raising the alarm over looming costs of treating heart disease

Yancy will also raise the alarm over the looming cost of treating heart disease now and in the future. With predictions that the direct medical cost of treating heart disease in the U.S. alone could climb to $818 billion in 2030, he says there is a health and economic imperative for governments and societies around the world to embrace prevention strategies.

Heart disease and stroke cost the Canadian economy more than $20.9 billion every year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity.

"The opportunity for prevention is not an unrealistic expectation," says Yancy. "Over the past 40 years the rates of heart disease and stroke have steadily declined." The rate has declined in Canada by 70 percent since the mid-1950s. In the last decade alone, the rate has declined by 25 percent.

Unfortunately, says Yancy, these benefits may be short-lived if the burden of risk, specifically obesity and diabetes, continues to grow, especially in children. "We need to act now."

Corporate Massage and Wellness Programs

If one U.S. Senator has her way, employee wellness programs will play a role in maintaining American businesses' competitive edge in the global economy.

Massage therapy is oftentimes one component of employee wellness programs.

In a speech recently at the Employer Wellness Congress, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said a healthy workforce could save businesses money and improve performance, helping them expand and invest in future growth.

"A healthier lifestyle benefits not only individuals and their families, but also the businesses that employ them," Klobuchar said. "Developing a healthy, productive workforce helps lower health care costs, lifting a heavy burden off the shoulders of our businesses and sharpening America's competitive edge."

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, on average employers that adopt wellness programs enjoy a 25 percent reduction in sick leave, health plan costs, workers compensation, and disability costs.

Nationwide, companies can expect to save $3 to $6 for every $1 spent on a wellness program.

Klobuchar is co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Wellness Caucus, which is aimed at promoting health in the workplace.

If interested in my corporate on-site massage packages feel free to contact me kneads4knots@gmail.com OR check out more info on my website www.kneads4knots.com