In Touch Therapeutic Massage

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2012-02-01T15:59:32Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the February 2012 newsletter! How has your year been going? According to the CDC, it’s been a milder-than-usual flu season so far, but there are some indications that it’s beginning to increase.

This being the time of year that you’re more likely to be exposed to a cold or the flu, this month’s featured article is how massage can help you to stay healthy. Read on to see how massage can help boost your immune system’s effectiveness and keep you feeling your best.

There are so many areas massage can benefit you — both physically and emotionally. The simple fact that it’s so effective at handling stress can make a huge difference in how you feel and in your long- term health.

If you have any questions regarding your health and how massage might be able to help you, please ask at your next appointment. Your well-being sets the pace for the rest of your life, so taking proper care of yourself should always be one of your highest priorities!

Enjoy the rest of this issue; see you at your next massage appointment!

Whether it’s for your favorite Valentine,
a friend, family member, or special loved one,
a massage gift certificate is a wonderful way to
let someone know how much you care about them.

Call to order yours today!

How Does Massage Help You Stay Healthy?

Sometimes you value your health most when you’re ill. It’s easy to take good health for granted when you feel okay and you’re busy living your life. Doesn’t it make sense to do the things that support good health and ward off illness?

Your ability to stay healthy is dependent on your immune system—your body’s defense against colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections, cancer, toxins, and all manner of health threats.

Your body’s first line of defense is your skin, which allows entry to nourishing substances while simultaneously rejecting germs and toxins.

Another key player in your immune function is a fluid called lymph, which basically is blood plasma without the red and white cells. Blood can only carry nutrients, water, and oxygen so far into the body. The lymphatic system moves lymph to every cell in your body, delivering nutrients and removing cellular waste. Lymph also collects and removes bacteria it discovers throughout your body, doing its part to keep you healthy and disease-free.

According to Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP at womentowomen.com, “The lymphatic system is recognized by doctors in Europe and the Far East for its importance to preventive health care. They understand how lymphatic function supports every other system in the body, including the immune, digestive, detoxification and nervous systems. In fact, many believe that poor lymph health underlies a host of conditions, from cellulite to cancer.”

White blood cells may be the most important part of your immune system. Concentrations of these cells are found in your lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, thymus, and bone marrow—on call to defend you 24 hours a day. You may be surprised to learn that the largest immunological organ in your body is your intestine, with 70%-80% of all antibody-producing cells located in your digestive system.

How does massage help? “In one study after another, research is suggesting that massage therapy has a positive impact on immune function,” said Diane Zeitlin, research associate at the Center for Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Kessler Medical Rehabilitation and Education Corp., West Orange, N.J.

“An increase in white blood cells and natural killer-cell activity better prepares the body to fight off possible invading cells,” said Zeitlin. “These cellular changes suggest the immune system benefited from the massages, and these findings fall in line with previous research.”

In a study conducted by the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami on women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, the women received regular massage therapy (three times a week for five weeks), with 80 percent showing improved immune function.

“These are the first studies that show an effect of massage therapy on an immune function test, which can support the use of massage therapy to alleviate stress, relax muscles and now possibly serve as an alternative medical practice,’ said Michael Ruff, Ph.D., research associate professor at Georgetown University Medical School.” 1

So give your immune system some help this season with regular massage sessions! Call today to schedule your next appointment.

References: 1. American Massage Therapy Association; http://health.howstuffworks.com/

Commit to your health ~ schedule your next massage!

Regular appointments can:

• Give you something to look forward to each month
• Help support better health
• Minimize stress
• Strengthen your immune system
• Make you feel great!

How fish can fight Alzheimer’s —

Eating more fish—as long as it’s not fried—could help keep your mind sharp as you age. A new study found that 70-year-olds who ate at least one serving of fish per week had bigger brains after 10 years than those who didn’t; the difference was most marked in regions linked to learning and memory. Those with more gray matter were also only a fifth as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study backs previous research suggesting that a fish-heavy diet reduces the risk of dementia, but it’s “the first to establish a direct relationship between fish consumption, brain structure, and Alzheimer’s disease,” researcher Cyrus Raji, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, tells WebMD.com. Many experts think the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by improving blood flow to the brain and preventing inflammation. But the new evidence that only baked and broiled fish proved beneficial suggests that “other factors” could be involved, says neurologist Richard Lipton of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Maybe it’s not the fish itself that offers protection but the tendency of people with healthy eating habits to “exercise more or eat less total calories.”

– The Week Vol 11 Iss 546

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.
— Franz Kafka

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2012 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2012-01-02T14:15:25Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when we make a quick pitstop to see if we’re on the best path in life to take us to our goals.

When you review your goals this New Year and re-evaluate your plans, no doubt your health will be one of the things you consider. While there are many elements involved in building and maintaining good health, one thing that seems to support nearly every aspect of health is regular massage.

Like most things in life, consistency pays noticeable dividends when it comes to massage and your health. When you are able to commit to a regular schedule for your massage sessions, over time you should notice several benefits—your body functions better overall, you have more energy and a pleasant mental outlook.

As massage has been shown to boost the immune system, you may have fewer sick days, and long-term, those regular massages just might help you fend off more dangerous diseases and add more quality years to your life.

Remember to put your health high on your list and support your health with massage. See you soon!

It won’t be long ... You know that special someone would love
a massage gift certificate for Valentine’s Day! Call to order . . .

Simple Health Strategies Can Add a Decade or More to Your Lifespan

Massage therapists know that self-care is essential to a ... healthy life—and new research shows how simple changes can add up to more years of life. According to a press release from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, these seven strategies could potentially add 10 years or more to your life:

1. 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.

2. Know and control your cholesterol levels. High blood cholesterol can lead to the build up of fatty deposits in your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke.

3 Follow a healthy diet. Healthy eating is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health – yet many people don't meet the healthy eating recommendations.

4. Know and control your blood pressure. High blood pressure is often called a silent killer because it has no warning signs or symptoms. By knowing and controlling your blood pressure, you can cut your risk of stroke by up to 40 per cent and the risk of heart attack by up to 25 per cent.

5. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Many Americans are either overweight or obese, major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Being obese can reduce your life span by almost four years.

6. Manage 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.

7. Be tobacco free. 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.

Source: massagemag.com

New: Massage Therapy Lowers Blood Pressure in Pre-Hypertensive Women

Approximately one in every three Americans, or 31.3 percent, has high blood pressure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke, congestive heart failure, heart disease and kidney disease.

In new research, massage therapy resulted in significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in comparison with a control group, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.

The investigators set out to evaluate the effect of Swedish massage to the face, neck, shoulders and chest on blood pressure of the women with prehypertension, according to the abstract.

This was a single-blind clinical trial study, the abstract noted, and added: "Fifty pre-hypertensive women selected by simple random sampling [were] divided into control and test groups. The test group (25 patients) received Swedish massage 10-15 min., three times a week for 10 sessions and the control group (25 patients) also were relaxed ...[and received] no massage. Their [blood pressure] was measured before and after each session."

The investigators noted, "Findings of the study indicated that massage therapy was a safe, effective, applicable and cost-effective intervention in controlling [blood pressure] of the prehypertension women ..."

"The effect of massage therapy on blood pressure of women with pre-hypertension" was published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2011 Winter;16(1):61-70.) It was conducted by investigators with the Department of Internal Surgery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, in Isfahan, Iran.

Source: massagemag.com

How chairs cause cancer —

Sitting still for long stretches of time—at work, in the car, or at home—increases your cancer risk, even if you exercise regularly, WebMD.com reports. New research shows that as many as 49,000 cases of breast cancer and 43,000 cases of colon cancer could be prevented in the U.S. each year if people simply stood up more often. “It seems highly likely that the longer you sit, the higher your risk,” says Neville Owen, a researcher at Australia’s Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, but “even breaks as short as one minute” can lower it. The research supports a previous 14-year study that found that six hours of sitting a day increased a woman’s odds of dying in that period by 37 percent, and a man’s by 18 percent, compared with people who sat for half that time. Adults today are immobile for more than nine hours a day on average. Even if you hit the gym, the American Institute of Cancer Research now says, it’s crucial that you get up and move at least once an hour—by pacing during phone calls, visiting the water cooler, or going to talk to a colleague in person, instead of sending an email.

– The Week Vol. 11 Iss. 542

Maybe the most any of us can expect of ourselves isn't perfection but progress.
— Michelle Burford

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2012 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2011-12-01T17:27:31Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Holiday Greetings, and welcome to the December 2011 newsletter! As we say goodbye to another year, here’s wishing you lots of holiday cheer. Often the best part of the holidays is catching up with all those who give your life special meaning. Enjoy yourself!

This issue has another recent report on massage benefits—this study was done on the other side of the world in Korea. Wherever you go today, more people are discovering the many ways massage can help them lead healthier lives.

Toward the end, you’ll find a couple of interesting health reports that show we are constantly learning about how our bodies work. And the more we learn, the more tools we have to pursue a healthier future for ourselves and our loved ones. Good health is created in part by making healthy choices, so hopefully these newsletters help inspire you to take better care of yourself.

If you’re still trying to decide what to give some of the folks on your shopping list this holiday season, remember that massage gift certificates are a wonderful solution—and just a phone call away! Until we meet again, enjoy the rest of your holidays!

Doing some last-minute holiday shopping?
How about a massage gift certificate?

Nothing offers a greater reward than
the gift of health and well-being.

Holiday shopping made easy — Call today!

Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

This time of year can remind us of how life is in a constant state of change. When families and old friends gather together, we observe the kids getting older and life moving forward for us all. It’s a good reminder that we have a hand in choosing the future conditions we’ll have for our families and ourselves.

The first element that sets the stage for a happy life is being as healthy as possible. This incorporates all aspects of life—the emotional, mental, and spiritual as well as the physical—each being vital to attaining optimum health. The more you contribute to improving all of these elements in your life, the more rewarding your life should be.

Getting regular massages can help you and your loved ones improve the odds for being healthy in the days to come. Here’s one example of how regular massage can benefit you:

By design, our bodies function better when they get lots of physical use. Since most people today lead fairly sedentary lives, their bodies may be more prone to poor health. Massage can help you experience some of the health benefits you may be missing from inactivity. The various massage strokes can help to stimulate many body functions as if you were being physically active. And if you are physically active, it can help to relax those sore muscles!

So schedule your next massage—be sure to make your well-being a high priority, so you can really enjoy your life feeling your best!

Research Shows Massage Therapy Relaxes the Autonomic Nervous System

Any massage client will attest to the relaxing power of massage therapy. And new research indicates massage therapy combined with heat relaxes the autonomic nervous system [the system that controls involuntary reactions, such as digestion & breathing].

One hundred thirty-nine subjects volunteered and completed this study, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov. Heat and massage were daily applied for 40 minutes, five days a week for two weeks.

Among the results was a significant decrease in levels of both serum cortisol, commonly referred to as the stress hormone, and plasma norepinephrine, which causes vasoconstriction and increased heart rate.

"The results of this study suggest that heat and massage applications provide relaxation to the autonomic nervous system without serious adverse events," the investigators noted in the abstract.

"The effects of heat and massage application on autonomic nervous system" was conducted by investigators at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine in Korea and was published in Yonsei Medical Journal. (2011 Nov 1;52(6):982-9.)

Source: massagemag.com

Slowing the aging process — Could there be a cure for getting old? Scientists have discovered that if they remove a special kind of cell that promotes aging, mice are freed of many age-related conditions. As cells age and lose the ability to divide, they become what scientists call senescent cells. These cells, which build up in aging tissue, pump out inflammatory toxins. They “act like demon seed and kill everything around them,” James Kirkland, a physiologist at the Mayo Clinic, tells Science News. When researchers used drugs to eliminate senescent cells in genetically engineered mice, the mice stayed far more youthful: They didn’t develop cataracts, their skin didn’t wrinkle, and they maintained high levels of energy. This breakthrough “suggests therapies that might work in real patients, ” says No rman E. Sharpless, an aging expert at the University of North Carolina. Previously, scientists weren’t sure if killing off senescent cells would have negative side effects, but the mice in the study were healthier without them. If the same holds true in people, purging these cells could ward off a host of age-related diseases, from cancer to dementia, and keep us healthier longer.

– The Week Vol 11 Iss 541

Why diets usually fail — Hormones, not lack of willpower, may explain why four out of five people who lose weight gain it all back within a few years. A new study has found that even a year after dieters lose weight, their bodies are still sending them strong and often irresistible hormonal signals to eat more. Australian researchers put a group of 50 overweight adults on a strict, 10-week diet that caused them to lose an average of 14 percent of their body weight. When they tested the subjects a year later, they found that levels of hormones like leptin, which keeps appetite in check, and ghrelin, a hunger stimulant, had changed dramatically, slowing their metabolism and intensifying feelings of hunger. Their bodies had been programmed to keep weight at a higher “set point,” and were fighting to gain back the lost pounds. As a result , the volunteers gained back an average of half the weight they had lost, despite sticking to careful meal plans designed to keep it off. “What is impressive is that these [hormonal] changes, don’t go away,” Rudolph Leibel, an obesity researcher at Columbia University, tells The New York Times. By dieting, he says, “you are putting your body into a circumstance it will resist.”

– The Week Vol 11 Iss 541

Peace is when time doesn't matter as it passes by.
— Maria Schell

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2011 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2011-11-01T19:32:42Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Happy Holidays, and welcome to the November 2011 newsletter! Are you ready to wrap up another year and head into the holiday season? We hope you have a chance to spend some relaxing times this year with those people that mean the most to you!

During this busy time of year, be sure to allow adequate time for taking good care of yourself. It’s so easy to overextend when there’s so much to do and so many people to see. (Consider how helpful a massage could be to keep you going strong.)

Thanks for choosing us to help you feel your best through bodywork. It’s very rewarding to know that we get to do our part in supporting your health with massage. Please let us know if you have any questions about how massage can help you achieve any of your health goals; We’re here for you!

Please remember, you can simplify your holiday shopping with massage gift certificates for those special people in your life—give a gift that really makes someone feel great! You know your loved ones will be in good hands.

Please enjoy the rest of this issue and see a few more ways how massage can help you stay healthy and happy. We hope to see you soon!

What could be better than a gift certificate
for massage this holiday season?
Give the gift of health to your loved ones—
Call today to order!

What Makes a Joyous Holiday Season?

We all know that the holiday season can be an extremely busy time of year, with extra commitments added to our already full plates. But many of our extra efforts lead to some special times visiting friends and family that we may not get to see much of the year. What better time to put things into perspective? Why do we expend all that extra effort if not to make these times more meaningful and memorable?

Usually, our day-to-day duties dictate how we’ll be spending our time and leave us little chance just to reflect on what means the most to us. Have you made time for the things in your life that are most important to you? Staying in touch with your loved ones? Pursuing your favorite activities: a sport or hobby; music or art; writing or reading?

Underlying all these things is your health. The healthier you are, the better you can enjoy every aspect of your life.

Massage may well be the best overall health booster available to you. Virtually every study done on massage shows that it can help your body to function more optimally, while performing the thousands of tasks your body does each day to keep you going.

Your first real reward from regular massage is that great feeling you get after your session—relaxed and energized at the same time. Then there are the many benefits that you may not really be aware of—a healthier immune system, better range of motion in your joints, less stiffness—things you don’t notice because they are working properly and don’t need your attention.

By making your health your highest priority, you are making yourself more valuable to everything and everyone in your life. So take good care of yourself and make your life more joyous. You hold the key to your future health!

Study Supports Massage for Back Pain

A recent study by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle found that massage was more effective at treating low-back pain than medication. Patients who received Swedish massage or structural massage were more likely to report that their back pain had improved after receiving massage once a week for 10 weeks, and improvements were still present six months after the study. Researchers say that a next step will be to examine whether the different types of massage produced similar effective results for the same or different reasons. The study was published in the July 5 edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine and is available at www.grouphealthresearch.org.

— Massage & Bodywork magazine, Sept/Oct 2011

Bodywork Relieves Hand Pain

The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, in a study conducted in conjunction with Massage Envy, has concluded that massage therapy reduces pain and anxiety, improves sleep, and increases grip strength for various conditions of the hand. Subjects received 15 minutes of hand massage for four weeks and experienced positive results in relation to the control group, which did not receive massage. Tiffany Field, PhD, of TRI indicates that hand massage can provide relief for arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and tennis elbow, among other conditions. The results were published in the April edition of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice Journal.

— Massage & Bodywork, Sept/Oct 2011

Food for Thought

• In 1950, the average U.S. household spent 3 percent of its income on health care, and 22 percent on food. By 2010, food costs dropped to 7 percent of income, while health care costs rose to 16 percent.

— Time

• Family health insurance premiums jumped by an average of 9 percent this year, to an average cost of $15,073—double the cost of health-care coverage in 2001.

— The New York Times

• According to the 2010 American Massage Therapy Association consumer survey, more than half of adult Americans (58 percent) would like to see their insurance cover massage therapy.

— amtamassage.org

• Over the last three decades, Americans went from eating an average of 3.8 meals and snacks a day to 4.9 a day. The average American now consumes about 2,375 calories per day—about 32 percent more than in the 1970s.

— Time.com

• According to the 2010 American Massage Therapy Association consumer survey, people recognize massage as an important element in overall health and wellness. Eighty-six (86) percent agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain. Eighty-five (85) percent agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.

— amtamassage.org

There can be no happiness if the
things we believe in are different from the things we do.
— Freya Stark

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2011 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2011-10-03T10:07:50Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the October 2011 newsletter! Doesn’t it seem like the last few months of the year always fly by? It will be New Year’s before you know it! Fall is for many one of the busiest, most stressful times of the year.

The articles in this month’s issue confirm how vital it is for each of us to lessen the amount of stress in our lives. People often fail to realize just how regular massage sessions can help them to maintain a higher level of health throughout their lives. Read on to get an idea of the many subtle ways massage can help your body to function better.

One of the tricks to having a happier, healthier life is to discover what areas of your life you can control. For instance, there are many areas where you can lessen or eliminate stress and other negative influences. By evaluating your day-to-day life and strengthening your connections to those positive, life supporting aspects while avoiding the negative ones, you can improve the quality of your life.

Getting regular massages can lay a helpful foundation for you by helping your body to lessen stress and to function better in virtually every way. And when you feel better, nearly every aspect of your life improves. See you soon!

Always appropriate ~ Always appreciated
A massage gift certificate makes
the ideal gift for any occasion!
Call today to order ...

U.S. and Canadian Workplace Stress is a "Growing Health Hazard"

Heightened stress brings many clients to massage therapy, and research has shown massage relieves stress and depression while boosting mood and a sense of well-being. New data show employees in both the U.S. and Canada are increasingly stressed.

A study by Concordia University economists, published in BMC Public Health, has found that increased job stress causes workers to increasingly seek help from health professionals for physical, mental and emotional ailments. The number of visits to health care professionals is up to 26 percent for Canadian workers in high-stress jobs, according to a university press release.

To reach their conclusions, the economists crunched nationally representative data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS). All NPHS figures were restricted to adults aged 18 to 65 years—the bulk of the labor force—and included statistics on the number of health care visits, chronic illnesses, marital status, income level, smoking and drinking habits, according to the press release.

"These results show that people in medium-to-high stress jobs visit family doctors and specialists more often than workers with low job stress," says first author Sunday Azagba, a Ph.D. candidate in the Concordia Department of Economics.

"We believe an increasing number of workers are using medical services to cope with job stress," said co-author Mesbah Sharaf, also a Ph.D. candidate in the Concordia Department of Economics.

In the United States, recent polls found that 70 percent of American workers consider their workplace a significant source of stress, whereas 51 percent report job stress reduces their productivity, according to the press release.

"It is estimated that health care utilization induced by stress costs U.S. companies $68 billion annually and reduces their profits by 10 percent," said Sharaf.

Total health care expenditures in the U.S. amount to $2.5 trillion, or $8,047 per person. "That represents 17.3 per cent of the 2009 gross domestic product—a nine-percent increase from 1980," said Azaga.

"There is medical evidence that stress can adversely affect an individual's immune system, thereby increasing the risk of disease," Sharaf said. "Numerous studies have linked stress to back pain, colorectal cancer, infectious disease, heart problems, headaches and diabetes. Job stress may also heighten risky behaviors such as smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, discourage healthy behaviors such as physical activity, proper diet and increase consumption of fatty and sweet foods."

Source: www.massagemag.com

Parents' Stress Affects Kids

Potential clients have yet another reason to get massage therapy: Parental stress can have long-lasting effects on kids' health. Massage has been found to reduce stress, relieve depression and improve mood.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia and the Child & Family Research Institute have shown that parental stress during their children's early years can leave an imprint on their sons' or daughters' genes—an imprint that lasts into adolescence and may affect how these genes are expressed later in life.

The study, published online in the journal Child Development, focused on epigenetics, the expression of genes as opposed to the underlying sequence of DNA, according to a university press release.

"This literally illustrates a mechanism by which experiences 'get under the skin' to stay with us for a long time," said Michael S. Kobor, a university associate professor of medical genetics.

The team also found that fathers' stress level is more strongly associated with ... daughters, while mothers' stress level has an effect on both boys and girls.

Source: www.massagemag.com

How the gut affects mood —

We may soon be swallowing bacteria instead of popping pharmaceuticals to treat depression and anxiety.

Researchers have found that eating a species of bacteria called Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which is found in certain yogurts, cheeses, breads, and probiotic supplements, has a calming effect on mice. When scientists at University College Cork in Ireland fed rodents a broth of L. rhamnosus and then put them in stressful situations, such as swimming or completing a maze, the bacteria-fed creatures seemed “more chilled out” than mice without it, study author John Cryan tells ScienceNOW, and their brains produced fewer stress hormones.

The finding bolsters other recent evidence that our gut “microbiome”—the hundreds of species of bacteria that live in our bowels—has a major effect on our mood. Cryan now thinks L. rhamnosus and other bacteria influence mood by way of the vagus nerve, which connects our digestive organs to our brains; when that nerve is disabled in mice, the effects of L. rhamnosus on mood disappeared.

The next step is to see if scientists can use the vagus pathway to treat psychiatric disorders without drugs, Cryan says, “by targeting the gut.”

– The Week Vol. 11 Iss. 532

A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment.
— American Proverb

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2011 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

Subscribe to In Touch Therapeutic Massage via email by entering your email address below:

In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2011-09-01T16:49:22Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the September 2011 newsletter! Ready for Autumn? After another scorching summer, most everyone is ready for a break from the heat. Some cooler weather often leads to a boost in personal energy. If you increase your activity level—working in the yard or other outdoor activities—be sure to schedule a massage to help you with those sore muscles.

Improving the quality of your life ...

Life is always in a state of change, and what you do each day helps to determine the direction your health will be taking in the coming years. One of the most challenging aspects of creating a truly healthy lifestyle is identifying and incorporating those beneficial actions that can improve your condition now and in the future.

What makes this tricky is that we’re creatures of habit, and our busy lives can make it harder to change our ways and replace unhealthy habits with things that can improve the quality of our lives.

The rest of this issue offers you some food for thought on ways to support better health.

Remember, massage remains one of the best (and most pleasant) ways to support your health in the long term, so be sure to schedule your next appointment. See you then!

Say “I really care about you!” with the
gift of health—a massage gift certificate!

Call today to order ...

What science knows about muscle cramps

It comes out of nowhere—while you’re playing tennis, gardening, sitting on the couch or even when you’re fast asleep. Suddenly a muscle gets locked in spasm, it’s hard as a rock, and the pain borders on unbearable.

Muscle cramps usually target your legs and can last for a few seconds to 15 minutes or more. Yet as common as cramps can be, experts don’t know exactly what causes most cases. And there’s no solid science on how to best treat them. Here’s what we do know:

They’re common in summer. That’s because when you exert yourself in hot weather, sweat drains your body’s fluids, which helps muscles contract and relax; heat also depletes salt and minerals, which may cause a muscle to spasm. Other possible causes: inadequate stretching, muscle fatigue or simply holding a position for a prolonged period.

Try massaging it. Step 1 to ease a cramped muscle: Stop whatever activity triggered it. Then try to gently stretch and massage the muscle, holding it until the cramp stops. Though a review published in the journal Neurology showed stretching—and drinking water, another common remedy—aren’t proven treatments, both methods are safe if done in moderation and may ease pain. The jury is still out on other common treatments, such as taking vitamin B complex or calcium channel blockers, but experts agree quinine—once the drug of choice for treating leg cramps—should be avoided; it hasn’t been proven effective and may cause severe side effects. 1

Walk this way for weight loss

When it comes to exercise, running isn’t the only way to see results. Michele Stanten, fitness director at Prevention magazine, outlines the Walk Off Weight Program in a book of the same name. By alternating high-intensity activity with lower-intensity recovery periods, the program helps you burn fat and increase weight loss. Here are some other reasons to give walking a try:

Build up your immunity. When you’re staying active, disease-fighting cells circulate through your body. Daily walking can lead to a higher-functioning immune system, which can mean fewer colds and flus and help protect you against conditions like heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.

Keep bones and joints strong. Walking can help provide natural antioxidants and nutrients to your joints, muscles and bones. A walking regime can help reduce stiffness, aches and pains.

Get a natural energy boost. Walking for just 30 minutes a day can give you that extra boost you need to add another component to your workout. So once you’ve been on a walking program for a few days, you might feel ready to add a bike ride on top of that.

Get a natural mood boost. Every time you walk, your body releases endorphins that make you feel good and relieve stress. Just think of it as a twofer: a way to improve fitness and your emotional state at the same time.

And get a good night’s sleep. Because walking regularly can help improve your mood, lower your stress levels and reduce pain, it’s no wonder it also can help you sleep more soundly. 2

— Cara Hedgepeth

1;2: What science knows about muscle cramps & Walk this way for weight loss excerpted from USA Weekend, Aug. 2011

Fast-food junkies —

If it sometimes seems that Americans are addicted to fast food, it might be that we actually are. Studies have repeatedly found that the consequences of bingeing on high-calorie, high-fat foods mimic the effects of drug addiction. A recent study by the Scripps Research Institute found that gorging on fast food actually changes the brain’s chemical makeup, making it more difficult to trigger the release of dopamine (aka “the pleasure chemical”). That means fast-food addicts need to eat more and more to feel happy—the same way users of cocaine and other drugs, for example, need to keep upping their dosages to get high. An earlier study, by Princeton University, found that rats who were fed and then withdrawn from a high-fat, high-sugar diet exhibited similar symptoms—chattering teeth and the shakes—to junkies going cold turkey. “Drugs give a bigg er effect,” said study author Bart Hoebel, “but it’s essentially the same process.”

– The Week Vol. 11 Iss. 528-529

Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds,
can change the outer aspects of their lives.
— William James

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2011 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2011-08-01T18:24:13Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the August 2011 newsletter! This summer certainly has been a hot one! Extreme temperatures can increase physical stress levels, so it’s more important than ever during these hot days for you to stay hydrated by drinking lots of pure water. It’s one of the best ways to keep you going strong. Other drinks may be tasty, but nothing helps your body hydrate as well as plain, old water—the original health drink!

In people young and old, from head to toe, studies continue to show how massage can help you to maintain a healthier body and mind. When you read the rest of this issue, you’ll see some of the latest news on how massage can help to support your personal health goals.

Is regular bodywork the ultimate in preventive health care? Since it aids in improving the body’s ability to maintain a better state of balance, it certainly can help you to function better.

And of course, we all know how great massage is in helping to recover from stiffness and soreness. So, be sure to keep regular massage as a high priority in your life.

Enjoy the rest of your summer; see you soon for your next massage!

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New Research Shows Massage Therapy Eases Back Pain

Validating what massage therapists and clients already know to be true, massage therapy was found to ease chronic low-back pain in a new, randomized controlled trial.

"We found that massage helps people with back pain to function even after six months," said trial leader Daniel C. Cherkin, Ph.D., a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute. Better function means they are more able to work, take care of themselves, and be active.

"This is important because chronic back pain is among the most common reasons people see doctors and alternative practitioners, including massage therapists," Cherkin added. "It's also a common cause of disability, absenteeism, and presenteeism, when people are at work but can't perform well."

The trial enrolled 400 Group Health Cooperative patients who had had low-back pain for at least three months. Their pain was nonspecific, meaning with no identified cause.

They were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: structural massage, which involved identifying and focusing on specific pain-related soft tissues, including muscles and ligaments; relaxation, or Swedish, massage; or usual care. Usual care was what they would have received anyway, most often medications. The hour-long massage sessions were given weekly for 10 weeks.

At 10 weeks, more than one in three patients who received either type of massage, but only one in 25 patients who got usual care, said their back pain was much better or gone.

Also at 10 weeks, a questionnaire showed nearly twice as many massage patients (around two thirds) as usual-care patients (more than one third) were functioning significantly better than at the trial's outset.

Patients in the massage groups spent fewer days in bed, were more active, and used less anti-inflammatory medication than did those with usual care.

"We found the benefits of massage are about as strong as those reported for other effective treatments: medications, acupuncture, exercise, and yoga," Cherkin said. "And massage is at least as safe as other treatment options. So people who have persistent back pain may want to consider massage as an option."

Source: www.massagemag.com

Research Shows Massage Therapy Benefits Older Clients in Many Ways

Massage clients seek sessions for pain relief, relaxation, stress reduction and additional factors that can vary with physical condition and age. New research indicates massage therapy is associated with a variety of positive outcomes ranging from decreased pain to improved emotional health for adults aged 60 and older who self-reported on quality-of-life measures.

"Persistent pain is a frequent complaint among older adults and can greatly decrease quality of life while also contributing to other negative outcomes such as poor health, increased pharmaceutical medication usage, increased rates of depression, and cognitive decline," researchers from the Graduate Center for Gerontology at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, noted in an abstract posted on www.pubmed.gov.

The purpose of this study was to measure massage therapy's effect on persistent pain by comparing self-reported health-outcome scores among those who had and had not utilized massage therapy in the past year.

Lexington-area adults aged 60 and older who reported persistent pain were eligible to participate in the study.

The research found massage therapy is associated with less limitation due to physical or emotional issues, better emotional health, more energy, less fatigue, better social functioning, and better overall health in older adults who self-reported on these items.

"While many causes of pain for older adults elude cure, further study is warranted that examines [massage therapy] as an intervention to improve coping in older adults with persistent pain," the researchers noted.

"Massage Therapy Usage and Reported Health in Older Adults Experiencing Persistent Pain" was published in the Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine.

Source: www.massagemag.com

To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.
— Anatole France

Happiness gives us the energy which is the basis of health.
— Henri-Frédéric Amiel

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2011 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Newsletter

2011-07-01T17:30:14Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the July 2011 newsletter! Have you been enjoying your summer so far? Are you finding some time for yourself, to rest and recuperate?

This month’s issue has some recent articles relating to your health that you should enjoy reading. As more health studies are conducted, we learn of potential threats that are by-products of some of today’s technological advances. A general conclusion you could draw from these studies is that some scientific advances can contribute some long-term side effects that may not become evident for many years.

Fortunately, ongoing studies show that good old massage—one of mankind’s oldest and most effective support systems for health—can help us to maintain healthier, more balanced lives.

What other health regimen can do so much to boost your physical and mental well-being, and make you feel great at the same time? Massage is just the best!

So, while you’re planning your summertime schedule, be sure to make time to treat yourself right with your next massage! See you then...

Surprise someone special with a massage
gift certificate — celebrate your friendships!
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Take a Break this Week . . . with a Massage!

Life can be so demanding; there’s so much to do. Give yourself a needed break from your hectic schedule with a relaxing, revitalizing massage!

We know from various studies that about 80 percent of illness is stress-related. Nothing handles stress better than a massage; it’s a great way to keep yourself healthy and going strong. In fact, research indicates that many health conditions can be improved through regular massage sessions.

Summer is vacation season; isn’t it nice to know that you can have a wonderful “mini-vacation” anytime you want one simply by scheduling your next massage? Book your next trip to the land of personal relaxation and peace of mind today!

Holding in Anger Increases Pain

Massage therapists are aware of how emotions can be held in the body and sometimes released by the client in session. In new research, investigators found that the intentional suppression of anger results in increased pain and blood pressure.

"Suppression of anger may be linked to heightened pain report and pain behavior during a subsequent painful event among chronic low-back patients," the researchers noted in an abstract published in www.pubmed.gov.

For the study, chronic low-back pain patients were assigned to Suppression or No Suppression conditions for a cooperative computer maze task during which a confederate harassed them.

During baseline and maze task, patients' lower paraspinal and trapezius muscle tension, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded, according to the abstract. After the maze task, patients underwent a structured pain-behavior task.

Results indicated that the subjects who suppressed their anger experienced greater lower paraspinal muscle tension and systolic blood pressure increases during the maze task than did the nonsuppressors.

"Results suggest that suppression-induced lower paraspinal muscle tension and systolic blood pressure increases may link the actual suppression of anger during provocation to signs of clinically relevant pain among chronic low-back pain patients," the researchers noted.

"Suppression of anger and subsequent pain intensity and behavior among chronic low back pain patients: the role of symptom-specific physiological reactivity" was conducted by researchers at the Department of Behavioral Science, Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago, Illinois, and published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine.

Source: www.massagemag.com

For Better Living ...

What wrinkles reveal — A glance in the mirror may be enough to gauge how likely you are to suffer bone fractures as you age. A new Yale University study shows that the deeper a middle-aged woman’s facial wrinkles appear, the weaker her bones are. Researchers tested postmenopausal women in their late 40s and early 50s and found a link between wrinkles and osteoporosis, regardless of whether the women smoked, took vitamins, exposed themselves to the sun, or were overweight. The reason may turn out to be that firm skin and strong bones are both built by collagen, a protein our body begins to lose as we get older. Study author Lubna Pal tells ABCNews.com that confirming a link between wrinkles and bone health could help doctors identify and treat osteoporosis among older patients. The condition currently requires an expensive diagnostic test, so it oft en goes unnoticed until a person breaks a hip or a leg. But “if things on the outside of us can indicate a risk to things inside,” Pal says, “osteoporosis may not be such a silent disease.”

– The Week Vol 11 Iss 520

Gadgets are ruining our sleep — Why do more than 40 percent of Americans say they don’t get enough sleep? One likely culprit: our ever-glowing screens. A new study by the National Sleep Foundation found that 95 percent of people polled had used some sort of electronic device less than an hour before bed the previous night. Light-emitting TVs, smartphones, computers, and video-game players “can suppress the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin” and rev us up, making it difficult to nod off at a restorative hour, study author Lauren Hale tells USA Today. The consequences of the national sleep deficit are both broad and alarming. Out of more than 1,500 people surveyed, 37 percent admitted to having driven while tired in the past month—the cause of 100,000 crashes and 1,550 deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control a nd Prevention. Young people, the heaviest users of light-emitting gadgets, were the drowsiest, convincing Hale that the trend “could really affect the future of sleep” and “have serious consequences” for physical and mental health. Her advice: Power down before hitting the sack, and read or listen to music instead.

– The Week Vol 11 Iss 507

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
— Bertrand Russell

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds that you plant.
— Robert Louis Stevenson

The content of this letter is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
If you’re ill, please consult a physician.
© 2011 Massage Marketing. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

2011-06-01T12:28:45Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Happy Summer, and welcome to the June 2011 newsletter!

As we head into the summer months, it’s prime time for a holiday. The point of taking a vacation is to relax and revitalize. Whether you stay at home or go somewhere to take in the sights or to visit friends or relatives, you should allow yourself enough time to catch your breath and take a real break from your day-to-day routines.

This issue features some hints for making the most from your vacation time. The additional articles were found online at www.massagetherapy.com, a site with lots of interesting information on health and massage.

Nothing beats a massage for getting your body and mind in a relaxed, healing state—really a mini-vacation anytime you want it. Countless studies verify that regular massage is one of the best things you can do to support good health.

If you do plan on traveling this summer, be sure to schedule a massage before and/or after your trip. The rigors of travel can take a toll on your body. A massage is a great way to make sure you’ll be in the best physical and mental shape possible for your vacation and for returning to work and your regular routines.

See you soon!

Who do you know who could really use a mini-vacation?
Make their day with a gift certificate for a relaxing massage.
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Close to Home . . . A staycation is creative leisure

By Nora Brunner

If you are resolving to take better care of yourself... but find the prospect of a full-blown vacation too expensive, consider taking the “bloom-where-you-are-planted” approach and stay home.

Traditionally, time off has meant time away, but economics and a new appreciation for simplicity are creating a trend in home-based vacations. This doesn’t mean moping around the house wishing you were in Paris, but instead making an intentional effort to rejuvenate yourself without spending a bundle to travel. Rule one, however, is no chores.

During your time off, it’s absolutely key to change your routine and, ideally, lose track of time the way you do on faraway trips.

Be deliberate about unplugging, experts advise. As much as possible, dispense with cell phones, e-mail, and pagers, and limit time-wasting television and online games. It’s OK to be cagey about how you share your plans in order to avoid unwanted intrusions. If you mention at work or to family and friends that you’re sticking close to home, set boundaries for calls and visits.

Find out about local attractions you haven’t taken advantage of, possibly splurging on a short stay at a nearby exclusive hotel. While this may sound expensive, you are already way ahead budget-wise by skipping the long-distance airfare and hotel. Less expensive options are trying out that Pilates class, visiting a ceramic-painting studio, hauling out board games and movies for family time, or getting outside with your camera. ... Some families camp out in the backyard or enjoy bicycle outings.

Get Up and Go

Experts also recommend having someone clean your house before and after your staycation so you aren’t tempted to do it yourself. If you hate to cook or don’t want to be bothered, consider carryout or eating out, or have a few meals delivered by a gourmet meal service. If you love to cook and find it relaxing, this may be your opportunity to try out that new recipe, perhaps involving the whole family in preparing the special meal. Fresh flowers on the table and using good dishes might make the occasion more fun. Everyone who can help clean up should do so.

Choose plenty of activities and get out and do things. There are free and low-cost activities in your area and a little Internet research may turn up pleasant surprises. Many hotels and tourist businesses are offering discounts to make up for fewer out-of-town visitors.

While being intentional about planning your time, allow unstructured time for reading, daydreaming, and, in general, moving at a slower pace.

Staycations have their critics and some see them as no vacation at all. Like anything else, the effort and imagination you use to plan your fun is essential, whether your time is spent on Main Street or Hollywood Boulevard. While there may never be a substitute for broadening your horizons in other cultures or locations, with the right attitude, there’s no place like home.

Nora Brunner is public relations specialist for Associated Skin Care Professionals and editor of Skin Deep.

Tips to Enrich Your Life ... Easy Options to Enhance Well-Being

By Jacqueline Sidman

• Take three deep breaths before you eat to increase your body’s supply of oxygen, relax, and help you digest your food. You’ll eat slower and give your body a chance to know it is full. This will benefit your waistline and your stress level.

• Cut back on coffee, tea, and cola drinks. The caffeine in these beverages makes you jittery and causes dehydration by taking more liquid from your system than they put in. Try herbal teas instead, and drink plenty of water to cleanse and hydrate your system.

Jacqueline Sidman, Ph.D., is a life coach and author of Instant Inner Peace.

Vacation is what you take when you can't take
what you've been taking any longer.
— The Lion

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

2011-05-02T16:22:57Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the May 2011 newsletter! How have you been doing? Have you ever known someone whose life was going quite well in some areas but really poorly in others? One of the real tricks in life is balancing all of the different aspects and allotting enough time and attention to each, knowing what is important and what can be put off until later.

Often people ignore things that really do matter, maybe because there were no obvious signs—like health problems that develop quietly.

You have to devote enough time to your family, your work, your friends, and yes, even some time for your own needs to have a happy, well-rounded life.

You probably matter quite a lot to some people. To be there for them, you have to devote some attention to providing for yourself. Take care of yourself with proper rest, diet, exercise—and with your regular massage sessions. Your benefits can be improved with routine visits; schedule your next appointment today.

This issue contains recent health news that reinforce the many benefits massage can offer you.

See you soon for your next massage!

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with a relaxing massage gift certificate!
Graduation, Father’s Day, Anniversaries, or just because...
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Less Stress Could Lead to Weight Loss

Add another benefit to the long list of reasons to get a massage: weight loss. According to new research, reducing one's stress might also reduce one's pant size.

A new Kaiser Permanente study found that people trying to lose at least 10 pounds were more likely to reach that goal if they had lower stress levels and slept more than six hours but not more than eight hours a night, according to a Kaiser press release.

Many other studies have shown massage therapy induces relaxation, reduces pain and creates well-being, while it also reduces stress and depression and improves sleep patterns.

"This study suggests that when people are trying to lose weight, they should try to get the right amount of sleep and reduce their stress," said lead author Charles Elder, an investigator with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon, who also leads Integrative Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Northwest.

The paper was published recently in the International Journal of Obesity and was the result of a study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Nearly 500 participants from Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and Washington took part in the study, which measured whether sleep, stress, depression, television viewing and computer screen time were correlated with weight loss, the press release noted. Several previous studies have found an association between these factors and obesity, but few have looked at whether these factors predict weight loss.

Participants were asked to lose at least 10 pounds over six months. Participants attended weekly meetings at which they were weighed and advised to reduce calorie intake by 500 calories per day, adopt a low-fat, low-sugar diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, increase physical activity to 180 minutes a week and keep daily food records.

The research team found that sleep and stress levels were good predictors of weight loss, but depression and screen time were not.

Source: www.massagemag.com

Get the Most from Your Massage Sessions!

Here are some suggestions from the American Massage Therapy Association on how to get the most from each massage:

• Don’t eat immediately before your appointment.

• Be on time. If you arrive in a rush, it will take longer to get to a relaxed state.

• Report any discomfort during the session, whether it’s from the massage or related to the environment, e.g., room temperature or lighting.

• Quiet your mind by focusing on how the therapist’s touch feels.

• Don’t get off the table too quickly after the massage if you’re dizzy.

• Drink extra water after a session. Massage releases waste products and toxins from your muscles. Increasing your fluid intake lowers this toxicity and lessens the strain on filtering organs.

• Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage.

Killed by overtime —

The eight-hour work day is becoming obsolete, as companies pressure employees for “productivity”—that is, long work days. But employees may pay the ultimate price for overworking, a new British study finds. Researchers followed more than 7,000 healthy, middle-aged U.K. government employees for roughly 12 years and discovered that those who reported clocking 11-hour days had a 67 percent higher risk of heart attack than those who logged a more moderate 7 to 8 hours.

Ten-hour workdays produced a 45 percent higher risk. “This study might make us think twice about the old adage ‘hard work won’t kill you,’” Stephen Holgate, a chairman at Britain’s Medical Research Council, tells Reuters.com. Scientists aren’t sure exactly how overtime harms the heart—or whether it simply contributes to other risk factors like unhealthful eating, failing to exercise, stress, depression, and lack of sleep. Clearly, though—just like blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking—work habits are a predictor of heart health. Doctors should start asking patients: “How many hours do you work?” says researcher Mika Kivimäki of University College London. “Our research presents a strong case that it should become standard practice.”

– The Week Vol. 11 Iss. 511

Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.
— Baron de Montesquieu

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In Touch Therapeutic Massage Message

2011-04-01T15:50:50Z

Staying in Touch® Online Massage News

In Touch Therapeutic Massage 630.983.9698 becky@myintouchmassage.com

Hello, and welcome to the April 2011 newsletter! How is your spring going? There’s no doubt that everyone has been anxiously awaiting an improvement in the weather this year.

As the days grow longer and the weather turns nicer, you’ll have more opportunity to get out and increase your activity level. Be sure to pace yourself and to make time in your schedule for your next massage. It can help you to keep going strong!

This issue includes some recent information you should find helpful in your pursuit of health and happiness. The feature article on stress really enforces the importance of getting regular massages for your long-term well being.

Massage is one of the best ways to handle stress in your life and support your body’s overall health. When you make the effort to include positive lifestyle choices—proper diet, plenty of rest, exercise, and water, etc.—massage is the ideal therapeutic health aid. If you have any questions on how massage can help you to function at your best, please ask at your next appointment.

See you soon!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner.
This year treat Mom with a massage gift certificate
a great way to show her how special she is to you!

Call today to order ...

Even a Little Stress Can Cause a Lot of Health Problems

The effects of stress are many, and range from lowered quality of life to life-threatening diseases such as hypertension. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress, and any regular client will attest to massage's stress-relieving benefits.

But people should not wait until the effects of stress are obvious; new research shows that even mild stress is linked to long-term disability, and mild stress should be taken more seriously, the study's authors say.

Physical and mental health problems are associated with long term disability, but the impact of milder forms of psychological stress is likely to have been underestimated, say the authors.

• Between 2002 and 2007, the authors tracked the health of more than 17,000 working adults up to the age of 64, who had been randomly selected from the population in the Stockholm area.

• All participants completed a questionnaire at the start of the study to measure their mental health and stress levels, as well as other aspects of health and wellbeing.

• During the monitoring period, 649 people started receiving disability benefit: 203 for a mental health problem and the remainder for physical ill health.

• Higher levels of stress at the start of the study were associated with a significantly greater likelihood of subsequently being awarded long term disability benefits.

• Even those with mild stress were up to 70 percent more likely to receive disability benefits, after taking account of other factors likely to influence the results, such as lifestyle and alcohol intake.

• One in four of these benefits awarded for a physical illness, such as high blood pressure, angina, and stroke, and almost two thirds awarded for a mental illness, were attributable to stress.

The authors say that it is important to consider their findings in the context of modern working life, which places greater demands on employees, and social factors, such as fewer close personal relationships and supportive networks.

The research was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Source: massagemag.com

Energy Tips to Put Spring in Your Step

Feel as if you’re dragging yourself through the day? Exercise can help keep you energized, and so does getting enough sleep. But if you need a quick boost, these fast energy fixes can put some pep in your step:

• Go easy on the caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which provides that quick pick-me-up. But more than 200 or 300 daily milligrams of caffeine (the equivalent of two to three cups) may work against you; It can cause jitteriness, digestive problems and headaches. Stop for a mocha latte too late in the day, and the caffeine jolt can prevent a good night’s sleep.

• Drink more water. Even mild dehydration drains energy. It also reduces your ability to concentrate and brings down your mood, research at Tufts University shows. How do you know if you’re sufficiently hydrated? Doctors typically recommend eight or nine cups a day, but just make sure you drink enough so you rarely feel thirsty, and yes, check your urine—colorless or slightly yellow urine indicates adequate fluid intake.

• Take a walk outside. There’s no question regular exercise reduces fatigue—and studies have shown just a little can make a difference. Scientists at California State University found that a brisk 10-minute walk increases your energy level and sustains it for two hours; the more you walk, the peppier you fell. Step off the treadmill and head outside for an even bigger boost: A series of recently published studies shows that spending 20 minutes a day in the outdoors can significantly increase vitality.

Source: USA Weekend magazine, 3/27/11

Commit to your health! ~ Schedule your next massage!

Regular appointments can:

• Help support better health
• Minimize stress
• Strengthen your immune system
• Make you feel great
• Give you something to look forward to each month

A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.
— Jean de La Fontaine

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