STUDENTS!! Massage away finals stress!

Hey students!!  Boy do I have a deal for you!  RIGHT NOW until graduation day...YOU can receive an hour long session for just $40!  And trust me...it's well worth the investment!

What do you need?  A current student ID (<-And I will ask for it), plenty of water for before and after your session, and yourself...and friends if you want!  Or at least let them in on this awesome deal!

What you will get?

Students who schedule massages before big exams show a significant decrease in anxiety and respiratory rates, as well as a significant increase in white blood cells and natural killer cell activity, suggesting a benefit to the immune system!  Of course it is also good to de-stress after a big exam as well.  Massage will allow more clarity and ability to think clearly.  I would suggest scheduling a massage 3 days prior to a big exam...the best and maximum benefits from massage are reached approximately 3 days post massage...and always remember WATER, WATER, and more WATER!

Staying Positive Impacts Longevity

We know that stress isn’t healthy, and can produce some very real physical responses that detract from our wellbeing. Now, physicians are starting to understand that how a person deals with stress can have an effect on longevity. Longevity was once thought to be primarily about genetics—and still is, on some level.

But more recently, doctors working with older patients are seeing they have something else in common: They don’t let the inevitable setbacks of life trip them up. Called “adaptive competence,” some studies are finding that attitude does indeed matter when it comes to lifespan.

“I define it loosely as the ability to bounce back from stress,” explains Dr. Mark Lachs in a story for NPR. “Many scientists view this solely as biological stress. But many of us who care for older patients see adaptive competence as psychologically critical as well.”

In fact, Becca Levy, a professor of epidemiology and psychology at the Yale School of Public Health and colleague of Lachs, studied the longevity of people in their 50s as a function of their perceptions about aging.

Those participants who agreed with statements like “Things keep getting worse as I get older” and “As you get older you are less useful,” died an average of 7 ½ years sooner than their more positive counterparts—even after she controlled for their medical conditions.

Shifting Your Perspective
Think about how you deal with stress, and if you see patterns of pessimism when faced with an obstacle, try to consciously shift your perspective. For example, would daily meditation help? When was the last time you had a massage? Are you getting enough physical activity? Is your diet well-balanced?

Staying positive isn’t always easy, but seeing the glass half-full can add years to your life—literally! You're body goes through enough stress on a given day without the added stresses of the brain.  The power of positive thinking goes a long way (on average 7 ½ years), imagine how much further you can stretch that with the benefits of massage therapy!  Don't know what those benefits are...check out earlier blog posts!  Don't forget to fan me on Facebook!

Talk to you physician about massage therapy

According to the results of a recent survey conducted by the American Hospital Association’s Health Forum and Samueli Institute, a nonprofit research organization, 40 percent of hospitals indicated they offer one or more alternative therapies—up a full 37 percent from 2007.

Responding to patient demand and the increasing cost of health care, more and more hospitals are taking a good look at complementary and alternative therapies—including massage therapy—to help patients with a variety of issues. From back and neck pain to stress relief, doctors and hospitals are beginning to think a little differently about how they might help patients better deal with some of these conditions.

“Today’s patients have better access to health information and are demanding more personalized care,” says Sita Ananth, study author and director of knowledge services for the Samueli Institute. “The survey results reinforce the fact that patients want the best that both conventional and alternative medicine can offer, and hospitals are
responding.”

Of the hospitals that responded to the survey, 64 percent reported using massage therapy as part of outpatient care, and 44 percent use massage therapy as part of inpatient care.

These results dovetail nicely with the findings of a reader survey published in the September issue of Consumer Reports, where three out of four adults reported using some form of alternative therapy for general health. Chiropractic, deep tissue massage and yoga all dominated the lists of helpful alternative treatments for conditions such as back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis.

According to the report, survey respondents indicated that yoga, deep tissue massage and Pilates rated the same as prescription medications for help with back pain. And some of the respondents initially looked to complementary and alternative therapies upon the suggestion of their physicians. “Twenty-eight percent of readers who used deep tissue massage, usually for back or neck pain, said their doctors had recommended it,” the report explains.

What This Means For You
As we begin to learn more about the benefits of complementary and alternative therapies, don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor about how these options might fit into your overall health care regimen.

Additionally, talk to me openly and honestly about the benefits you want to receive from massage therapy. Take some time to gather information on your own. There are quite a few resources out there that can help you better understand the research being done on the benefits of massage therapy, as well as the different techniques and modalities I might use.  Some techniques I have even touched on in previous blog posts.

Massage for Allergies??

David Crump from Wichita, Kansas, remembers his honeymoon well: The lush, nascent flowers and trees of early May in Eureka Springs, Arkansas; time relaxing with his new wife, Linda; the rustic honeymoon cottage—and his allergies, triggered by the colorful blooms around him. “I used to say that I was allergic to everything under the sun,” Crump says.

Crump discovered an unexpected ally in his allergy battle: The honeymoon cottage’s landlord, who was also a massage therapist! “He offered to give my wife and me massages,” says Crump, who finally said yes when his swollen eyes, nonstop sneezing and coughing fits started to put a damper on his honeymoon.

Crump remembers the horrible pain as the therapist dug his elbow into his back along the muscles and trigger points long contracted from coughing, sneezing and related stress. Just as he was about to cry in agony, the therapist removed his elbow—or so Crump thought as he thanked him. His wife, who was watching the session, laughed. “He hasn’t moved his elbow at all,” she told him. The muscles had simply finally relaxed!

After the massage, Crump made it through the week with just a few sniffles, his first nondrug-induced relief in years. He eventually moved to Richmond for a job offer, taking into account the job market and added stress of being unemployed; he began searching for relief!  Last Spring Crump approached me via e-mail, as most do, and he has been a loyal client and friend ever since!

RELAXING THE SYMPTOMS
Many Americans rely primarily on conventional treatments, including antihistamines and steroids, both of which can have some adverse side effects. Massage professionals, however, can help relieve some allergy symptoms by reducing stress, increasing circulation, releasing muscle tension and reprogramming the body’s panic reaction, which can exacerbate symptoms.

"It’s not to take away from the biological, inflammatory component of the disorder,” says Rosalind Wright, MD, a pulmonist on staff at the Harvard Medical School. “But if you use complementary modalities, including massage therapy, you could optimize the results.”

Few studies researching massage therapy and allergy relief exist, but we do know massage helps with stress, as shown in the 1992 Touch Research Institute study where 30-minute body massages on depressed adolescents decreased saliva cortisol levels. And stress definitely impacts allergies. A 2008 Harvard Medical School study co-authored by Wright showed that mothers-to-be who expose their unborn children to stress may increase these kids’ vulnerability to allergies and asthma.

So, just getting clients to relax may help their allergies. “Most experienced massage client know the immediate relief from sinus congestion that can result from just lying face down,” Crump says. This position gives me a chance to work on the upper back and shoulders, where many sinus trigger points are located.  If you find yourself suffering from seasonal allergies, I encourage you to schedule a session...Like Mr. Crump, you could find a whole new passion for the season!

**Names have been changed in order to comply with privacy laws.

April Newsletter on Aromatherapy!

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How to find the best massage in Richmond!

Look no further!  You found it!  An interesting conversation with a potential new client sparked this blog post.  I am very confident in my skills and am well equip to handle most cases I am presented with.  With just over 6 years experience in the therapeutic massage field, I am no longer surprised by the number of individuals that come to me saying they don't know what else to do.  Time after time I have had reports of clients going to spa's or chain massage businesses that leave unsatisfied with the results.  In many of these cases it is because those companies hire students or newly certified practitioners.  This can have good and bad results, many new massage professionals have not gained enough confidence in the field...especially in regards to deep tissue.  I encourage those looking for a great session to try independent massage pros...these are the ones that have to rely on their skill to stay afloat!  And just like bigger is not always better, expensive does not mean better skill.

I try and keep my prices very reasonable.  But in the past year I have found that massage therapy is certainly not recession proof.  I still refuse to raise my prices and continue to uphold large standards in my practice and for each individual client.  You are all very important to me and help keep me alive.  I love what I do, and would hate for a day to come where I am not able to do it!  I look forward to many more years in the massage field and I hope to continue to see each and every one of you.  If I have yet to see you, I hope to see you soon!  Please message me at www.kneads4knots.com and schedule soon!

Getting a massage may be the best feeling in the world for you, but my happiness comes from being able to give that to you!

Massey 10K Recovery Team with HDL!!

I had another incredible time working with Health Diagnostics Laboratories.  I had the pleasure of working with them doing chair massage for potential clients/patients last year at the American Heart Association Heart Walk!  I was very grateful that they loved me so much they called me to join their recovery team for the Massey 10K!  I had the pleasure of performing 4.5 hours of sports massage or HDL's devoted team!  From the picture you will find that they are a fun bunch to work with (though I think at times they geared a love/hate relationship with me).  Pictured is HDL man, he ran the 10K in that full body suit!  What a trooper!

If you are not familiar with this wonderful company, I encourage you to check them out http://www.hdlabinc.com/.  You wont be sorry that you did!  Each and every time I get to work with them, I leave with a happy and healthy heart!  Thanks again HDL team!  You guys rock!