Massage Therapy for Improved Sleep

There are an estimated 40 million people in the U.S. who suffer from some type of chronic sleep disorder (source). Lack of sleep can suppress your immune system, impair memory/cognitive function, promote weight gain, and disturb your body’s normal hormonal balance.

Many people who suffer from chronic sleep disorders resort to medication sleep aids to help them fall asleep and stay asleep at night. While these medications may initially help, their effectiveness begins to diminish over time as you build a tolerance. Sleeping pills can come with potentially serious side effects like stomach bleeding and kidney failure. continue reading »

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Massage Therapy for a Pulled Hamstring

A pulled hamstring is among the most common injuries sustained by runners. It’s characterized by the excessive stretching and/or tearing of fibrous muscle tissue in the thigh. The hamstring muscles contract with each stride you take, and normally this causes no reason for concern. But pushing your body beyond its physical limits can result in injuries like a pulled hamstring. continue reading »

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Can Massage Therapy Help Treat Diabetes?

164 - Can Massage Therapy Help Treat DiabetesDiabetes is a condition that is characterized by an excess amount of sugar in the blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 29.1 million people in the United States, or 9.3 percent of the population, suffer from this disease. While diet and exercise is paramount for mitigating the effects of diabetes, there’s some belief that massage therapy can help as well.
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How Massage Therapy Relieves Stress

163---How-Massage-Therapy-Relieves-StressStress is something that everyone will experience at some point in their lives. Whether it’s related to work, relationships, finances, health, or a combination thereof, stress can take a toll on your body in more than one way. According to StatisticsBrain, 73 percent of the U.S. adult population experiences psychological  symptoms caused by stress, and 77 percent experience physical symptoms. Thankfully, the centuries-old practice of massage therapy can combat stress, allowing you to live a more enjoyable, relaxed lifestyle. continue reading »

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Top 5 Benefits of Massage Therapy for Runners

runner-557580_640Whether you are a recreational runner or run competitively, you should consider adding massage therapy into your regular routine. Some people assume that massage therapy is only useful for relieving stress and muscle tension, but this isn’t the case. While it can certainly be used for these purposes, it offers some surprising benefits for runners as well. continue reading »

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Massage Therapy for Bulging Disc

161 - Massage Therapy for Bulging DiscBulging disc (also known as a slipped disc or disc herniation) is a common condition in which one or more vertebral discs protrude into the spinal column, compressing the nerves and causing pain, discomfort, limited mobility, and other unwanted symptoms. The good news is that most minor cases of bulging discs heal within just a couple weeks. The bad news, however, is that some of the more severe cases may persist indefinitely, becoming progressively worse without treatment. continue reading »

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Massage Therapy May Relieve Chronic Headaches Without Medication

massage_headache_062016_640It’s estimated that nearly half of the adult population suffers from at least one headache per year. This makes headaches among the most common types of central nervous system disorders, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While some cases of headaches are minor, others are more severe and debilitating. Regardless of the severity of your headaches, however, massage therapy may offer a safe and effective solution.

What About Medication?

Unfortunately, we live in a society that’s fixated on treating diseases and health problems with medication. While certain types of medication can prove invaluable in treating adverse health conditions,  there are times when they do more harm than good. continue reading »

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Massage Therapy for Relief of Osteoarthritis

Do you suffer from osteoarthritis? You aren’t alone. According to some estimates, roughly 3.8% of the world’s population has this disease. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease, is characterized by the degradation of protective cartilage and bone within the joints. While there’s no known cure for osteoarthritis, massage therapy may offer relief of the pain and symptoms it causes. continue reading »

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Exercise – bigger brains – Think on that!

Regular exercise may shrink waistlines, but a long-term study suggests it
increases brain volume and lowers the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Researchers followed 1,583 middle-aged men and women with no personal
history of dementia or heart disease over the course of two decades. At the
start of the study, participants underwent an MRI and took a physical fitness
test on a treadmill, during which their heart rate and blood pressure were also
monitored. The procedures were repeated 20 years later, and after factoring out
people who had developed heart disease and high blood pressure, the research-
ers found that the ones who kept in shape were more likely to have larger
brains. On the other hand, poorly conditioned participants had lost gray matter.
“Our brains shrink as we age, and this atrophy is related to cognitive decline
and increased risk for dementia,” study author Nicole Spartano of Boston
University tells CBSNews.com. “This study suggests that people with poor
fitness have accelerated brain aging.”
—The WEEK
March 3, 2016
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Study: Massage Therapy May Relieve Back Pain

training-828741-back-painIf you suffer from back pain and are finding that drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are becoming the norm in your daily routine, consider trying massage therapy as a drug-free alternative. According to a new study conducted by researchers at the College of Health at the University of Utah, massage therapy, when started at the first signs of back pain, can help offer relief. (source).

For the study, researchers closely monitored around 200 patients over the course of one year who had recently complained of lower back pain. Half of the patients were assigned to massage therapy, while the other half received no form of treatment. Researchers found that massage therapy did in fact yield a modest benefit to the participants’ back pain. continue reading »

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