The Physiological Effects of Monthly Massages

Sure, it feels great to pop in and see a massage therapist every now and then.  It’s a great way to pamper yourself and relieve stress during a particularly crazy time.  Self-compassion and the idea of splurging on yourself for once, otherwise known as “Treat Yo-Self,” means that it’s actually really great for you to spend a little time on self-care.

However, have you considered regular, monthly massage appointments?  Besides having one day set aside each month to treat yourself with a relaxing spa session, you will actually start to see some physiological effects of regular massages as well. 

Here are a few short-term and long-term ways you may start to notice your monthly self-care trip is benefiting your health.

What You’ll Feel After Three Months of Routine Visits to Your Massage Therapist:

·        Lowered Anxiety and Stress Levels: Even after your first massage, you will start to notice that you feel more relaxed, which can be a major plus if you suffer from stress and anxiety.  When our bodies experience stress, we tend to tense up our muscles, which leaves our bodies feeling fatigued and sore.  Just one massage helps loosen up these muscles, increase blood flow, and lower stress and anxiety.  

·        Reduced Chronic Back Pain: A study found that after 10 weeks of regular massage, people experiencing chronic back pain felt less discomfort, and even needed fewer painkillers to manage their symptoms.  Cut down on the number of trips to your medicine cabinet with regular trips to see your massage therapist.

·        Help with Insomnia: Massages increase your serotonin levels, which aides in your ability to not only fall asleep, but also stay asleep.  Unlike other sleep aids which can be harmful or addictive, you’ll experience no negative side effects from a massage, and you’ll find yourself able to fall asleep a little easier – especially after an evening massage.

What You’ll Feel After Six Months of Regular Monthly Massage:

·        For Clients with Diabetes: If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, regular massage could impact your blood glucose levels.  Especially when massages happen at the injection or site of absorption for insulin, there have been marked improvements observed in lowered blood glucose levels.  Additionally, increased blood flow as a result of your monthly massages can help with neuropathy symptoms that accompany diabetes, such as nerve pain.  

·        Reduced Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Even after your first massage, if you experience the pain of fibromyalgia, you will notice decreased pain, but with regular massage, you will start to notice the following benefits as well:

• Better sleep (especially after evening sessions)
• Improved muscle strength and function
• Headache relief
• Decreased stress and anxiety

·      Focus for ADHD: Studies have shown that massage has been helpful in increasing focus and decreasing the stress and anxiety that can accompany ADHD, especially in children.  While immediate improvements were shown in their ability to focus and be less squirmy and more attentive in class, continued massage therapy has also shown long-term behavioral improvement in the classroom.  There was also an uptick in confidence as well.

What You’ll Feel After Twelve Months of Regular Monthly Massage:

·        Continued Improvements for Patients with Diabetes: A year of regular massages, especially at the insulin injection or absorption site, can help Type 2 patients not only see lowered blood glucose levels, but actually close to normal blood glucose levels.  Additionally, you may also notice a reduction in the amount of inflammation you are experiencing.

·        Lowered Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can leave you at risk for stroke and other major health complications, but it’s actually been proven that the relaxation or regular massage lowers your blood pressure.  

·        Additional Health Benefits: Other ways that regular massage can help improve your overall health:

o   With improved blood flow comes improved immunity, making you less likely to pick up to cold that might be floating around your office, or at your kids’ school.

o   After an extended period of regular massages, you may also begin to notice an increased range of motion.

o   Improved mental clarity is another great “side effect” that regular massage can provide as a result of lowered stress.

It’s important to consider that regular massages are so much more than just one day a month to splurge on 60-90 minutes of pampering.  Regular, monthly massages will leave you feeling healthier and happier, and truly make a difference in your overall well-being. 

Learn more about our monthly massage membership packages, and read FAQs here.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #monthlymassage, #gifts, #healthylifestyle, #naturalmedicine, #nostress, #diabetes, #backpain, #fibromyalgia, #ADHD

May Appreciation Days

Welcome back Healing Handers!  Trying out a new term for our little community here, do you like it? 😊

Today, we wanted to fill you in on several holidays going on in May.  They include: Teacher Appreciation Day (5/7), Nurses Day (5/6), Memorial Day (5/27), and of course…MOTHER’S DAY (5/12)! 

I’m kind of sensing a theme here.  I think we can agree that all four of the aforementioned professions are demanding, to say the least.  All involve having a tremendous impact on the lives of others.  Nurses care for our bodies, teachers care for our minds, and mothers and vets, well, they’re superheroes.  Can we just take a moment to appreciate all that they do?

To all the mothers, nurses, teachers, and vets out there (especially mothers who are also nurses, teachers, and vets), we appreciate all that you do!  This month is for you.

Now, you could go the traditional route and get your favorite nurse/teacher/mother/vet the usual flowers and chocolate…or you could do something a little more outside the box, something that will not only benefit their health, but relax them as well!  Yes, I’m talking about gifting them a massage.  

At Healing Hands, we offer 60/75/90-minute customized gift certificates.  This month, show the special women in your life just how much you care (as they have probably shown you time and time again).

Gifting a massage is a great gift because it’s not only useful, it’s also a gift that can be used on their own time.  For busy mothers, teachers, and nurses, this can be crucial.  Plus, evidence shows that useful, practical gifts are actually seen as more desirable by receivers.  And what’s more useful than a relaxing massage?

Click here to order a gift certificate online and remember, our certs are as customizable as our massages!  Below is a basic sample but all you have to do is contact us and we will send you a printable cert with any name, sentiment, or occasion.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #gifts, #holidays, #healthylifestyle, #mothersday, #nursesday, #memorialday, #teacherappreciationday, #giftcertificates

Holiday Gift Guide: How to Choose a Gift

It’s the season of gifts.  As mentioned in a previous blog post, this can be a huge source of stress for some during the holidays.  But it really doesn’t have to be!  Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind that will make it a lot easier to come up with several great options for everyone on your holiday shopping list:

1.    Ramp up your listening skills around this time of year.  If you really listen to someone, chances are by the end of a couple conversations they’ll already have mentioned either a problem they have, or something they’ve been eyeing!  This is your cue to think: can I gift them something to help with this problem?

2.    Think about everything you know about the person.  Do you know their favorite snacks?  Their favorite color?  Favorite animal?  A gift that feels personal will remind someone that you went out of your way to get this for them, and didn’t just pick up a pack of identical “gifts” to distribute to everyone else.

3.    Just ask.  This article sums up some interesting research on the variance between the expectations of gift givers and receivers, and advocates for the simple action of just asking someone what they actually want.  If you’re close to someone, this could be a viable option!  Just throw in a small little surprise (as simple as a box of chocolates) to keep it fun and retain that surprise element.

4.    Have a budget for each person on your list.  Your Secret Santa at work probably doesn’t need a lavish gift from you, but your 15-year-old niece, on the other hand…!

5.    Think outside the box.  Get it?  Like the box of the gift?  Anyway, instead of focusing on what is the most expensive, newest thing you can get someone, why not get them an experience instead?  Studies show that gift receivers are more focused on the practicality or use they will get out of the gift, while gift givers are more concerned about the moment of the exchange.  Research also says experiential gifts are also more effective at improving relationships between gift givers and receivers!  A great option for this kind of gift is always a massage.

There you have it! Using these tips, you can streamline your holiday shopping and put a smile on the faces of everyone on your list. Happy gift-giving!

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #gifts, #holidays, #giftideas

Guide to Gifting Massage

When you’re relaxing on a massage table, it’s easy to see massage as a gift.  Whether you’re there to reduce pain, to ease anxiety, to help you recover from the physical and mental stresses of work, athletic training, parenting, or just being alive, massage is a moment of freedom in an occasionally crushing world.

If you’re thinking of sharing the gift of massage with someone else for a special occasion or “just because,” you are almost certainly doing so from a place of love and generosity.

Obviously, I’m a big fan of giving massage as a gift!  But there are some things to keep in mind when offering this kind of present:

How to (successfully!) give the gift of massage

Think about the best way to deliver your gift.  Gift certificates are the easiest way to give a massage as a gift, as it allows the individual to schedule on their own (either by calling or going online).  Scheduling on their behalf can sometimes work as well, although this can require additional strategic planning.

Look for genuine excitement.  When you mention massage, are they enthusiastic about the idea?  What you are looking for is, “Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing!” as opposed to a polite, “Yeah sure, I guess I would go if it were free.”  If you can elicit a more excited response by offering new socks, go with the socks.  But many people are thrilled by the idea of getting a professional massage as a gift.

Talk with your massage therapist.  Are they accepting new clients right now?  Do they allow people to purchase massages as a gift?  Do they offer the kind of massage this person needs or wants?  For example, at Healing Hands we offer relaxing massages with aromatherapy and/or Himalayan salt stones as well as deep tissue massages with stretching and heat.  But if you’re looking to give a massage as a gift to someone who wants to experience modalities we don’t offer (such as shiatsu or craniosacral work), we wouldn’t be the best fit.

Consider and remove obstacles.  Unlike a nice sweater or a juicy novel, there can be a few barriers to someone enjoying even a gifted massage.  These include:

●     Transportation and accessibility.  Will you need to help them get to their massage?

●     Childcare and other caregiving responsibilities.  Will they be more likely to accept the gift if it’s accompanied by an offer to babysit?

●     Tips, parking, and other expenses.  At Healing Hands we say “gratuities are never expected but always appreciated.”  If you wish to include this in your gift, we will note it at the bottom of our customized gift certificates.  As far as parking goes, you can let the recipient know that we validate their valet fees so there is no cost to drop off their vehicle when they come for their session.

●     Anxiety.  Receiving a massage for the first time can be intimidating.  Going together or talking about what to expect can be useful.

And finally, don’t forget the most important gift recipient: yourself.  You can’t pour from an empty cup!  Rest matters.  Peace of mind matters.  Sometimes, one of the best gifts you can offer others is to take a moment away from the chaotic world, so that YOU can be a better spouse, parent, colleague, neighbor, or friend.  Sometimes self-care can feel like a strangely radical or indulgent act, but it’s a vital one.  When we are around people who know to care for themselves before running themselves ragged, it’s a better environment for everyone.

To give the gift of massage, please visit this page and you will be directed to a secure PayPal link where you can enter the information of yourself and the recipient.  Additional customization available upon request.

#healingshandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #wellness, #holidays, #gifts, #giftcertificates, #giftideas