My Greatest Journey (Part 1)

I spent eighteen years working as a supplemental health insurance agent. To be more specific, I sold heart disability and accident policies. I loved dealing with people and providing them with something that helped them during their time of need. It’s safe to say that I was satisfied during that period of time in my life.

Then one day I injured my knee so badly I could not walk, and the injury was very slow to heal. I ran into an old friend who just so happened to know about massage, not just any type of massage, he specialized in Chinese work. I was shocked at how massage this form of massage treated my injury. That chance meeting led to my healing and changed my life. I decided that I wanted to help people in a different way. I decided to sign up for massage classes and began my journey to becoming a massage therapistin the Chinese healing arts.

Going Back to School

I learned real fast that massage is an amazing science. Learning the principles and practice of massage therapy was not easy. In massage therapy school our book learning consisted of learning anatomy, physiology of muscles and ethics while continuing to work full time. Massage school was both mentally and physically taxing.

What got me through was my excitement and desire to physically help heal people and relieve them of their pain through this remarkable vehicle.

What to Practice

There are several areas of massage that I learned in school. I knew that I wanted to work with people that suffered from chronic pain. I did not want to open or work at a day spa; I wanted to approach massage from a medical point of view. Not the weserne point of view, but from the view point that everything is connected.

In the early years of opening my studio, I offered several forms of massage that included Swedish, hot rocks, and Anma. As I worked with a mentor and began to improve my skills with Anma massage therapy, I realized it was the most effective form of massage for me.

My Travels

Recently, I decided to go to Phoenix for a ten-day seminar to learn more about Anma. Phoenix was an incredible journey. I made some wonderful friends, learned, practiced and improved my Anma massage skills. In my blogs to follow, I am going to discuss more about Anma massage, share pictures and what I learned while I was in Phoenix.

Next month I will share more about my travels to Phoenix.

Why You Need an Anma Massage

There are many different types of massage; some forms help to relieve pain and others are more relaxation spa-oriented. Essentially, all forms of massage stem from the oldest practice known as Anma massage which it’s estimated to be in practice for five thousand years, but there is no written proof dating back past three thousand years.

Anma is my preferred method and find it helps the majority of clients get relief from chronic pain, injuries, surgery and fatigue.

Tired of Being Negative? Here is How You Can Turn that Frown Upside Down!

Have you been feeling pressure or snapping at those around you lately? Impatience and frustration are often caused by stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine. The brain releases the hormones based on our heart rates and blood pressure.

One way to help reign in the feelings of anxiety is to learn how to think positive. I know it’s easier said than done, but practice also makes perfect!

Long Term Effects of Fatigue

If you are living a fast-paced, caffeine-fueled lifestyle, it may be time to slow down and rethink what energizes you. Are you ending your workday feeling exhausted every day? Exhaustion is not just a physical feeling; extreme tiredness can also impact your health. The first step in recovering from fatigue is to learn how to get some rest!

How Massage Helps You Lose Weight

As I scroll through social media, over half the posts I often see are about weight loss products. Weight loss is more than just appetite suppression. Establishing a life style change that includes making healthier daily choices with what you eat, how active you are, and consistency with your choices is the best way to get and stay fit.

Did you know massage can help promote weight loss? Massage therapy may not be the first weight loss aid that pops into your head but I can assure you, it absolutely can help! Massage is the manual stimulation of tissues, muscles, and circulation of a body. With massage, you can:

●     Increase circulation

●     Flush out toxins

●     Relieve stress and anxiety

●     Stimulate bowels and intestines

All these work hand in hand resulting in weight loss.  Whether you are just starting your weight loss journey or you’ve lost your goal weight and you wish to maintain your new body, massage therapy can assist in your journey.

Increased Circulation

Massage improves your circulatory system by helping your blood flow through your body more smoothly.  When your circulation is flowing properly, your muscles receive nutrients they need to work better.  In turn, when your muscles are fully functioning due to proper circulation you will experience improved energy levels and exercise won’t result in dread and pain. After exercise, vital nutrients must be supplied to your muscles so they can recover and rebuild. Massage maximizes the supply of these nutrients and oxygen though increased blood flow, which helps the muscles to grow and burn more calories as a result.

Flush Out Toxins

Improving your circulatory system also helps flush out toxins within your body. Flushing out toxins is great for overall fat loss because many of the toxins that are flushed out are attributed to fat accumulation. Massage aids in the acceleration of removing the toxins by improving your circulatory system.

Stimulate Bowels

In a recent blog, I discussed how massage helps resolve digestive issues. If you experience digestive issues, you know that it unfortunately can sometimes induce weight gain because of bloating or impacted bowels.  The good news is that massage can help stimulate the small and large intestines and colon causing the waste inside of you, to release naturally.  Once you are able to empty your bowels, you may feel lighter and cleaner and it may even result in losing a few pounds.  The more regular your digestive system works, the more success you’ll have at weight loss.

Abdominal massage also brings the following benefits that all aid in weight loss:

●     Increased Metabolism

●     Increased Antioxidants

●     Flush out and neutralize toxins

●     Greater release of enzymes that break down food throughout the body

●     Relaxes tension in the muscles surrounding the colon

Added Benefits of Massage

Massage therapy offers many health benefits in addition to aiding in weight loss such as:

●     Lowers blood pressure

●     Improves range of motion and flexibility

●     Relaxes muscles

●     Strengthens the immune system

Methods of Walking

Sometimes even knowing benefits of exercise isn’t enough motivation to actually get out of your house and do it.  Doing the same 30 minute walk or cardio routine each day can become tedious and boring.  In a recent blog, I discussed the benefits of walking.  I shared that during a thirty-minute walk you are:

•  Strengthening your heart
•  Burning at least 150 calories
• Toning muscles
• Reducing risk of dementia by 40%
• Boosting your vitamin levels
• Wakes you up
• Makes you happy 

Massage Bringing Light to Darkness

It's estimated that 70% of adult Americans have suffered from trauma severe enough that it resulted in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Deeply distressing or disturbing experiences lead to trauma and can take a toll both physically and emotionally on an individual. 

Fortunately, there is hope and help for those who suffer from PTSD.  There are two forms of therapy that can greatly improve the mind, body, and soul of someone affected; talk therapy and massage therapy.  These therapies work together hand in hand to give light in a situation that feels dark. 

Typical symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can include:

• Flashbacks and Nightmares
• Difficulty Sleeping
• A Feeling of Detachment or Distance
• Chronic Pain or Fatigue

Multiple Levels of Treatment

Massage is one of several successful treatments you can seek for PTSD. The overall goal in massage treatment for PTSD is to help you become safely embodied within yourself. Massage teaches clients safe and effective ways of self-soothing and stress management.

People who have been traumatized are no longer at home in their bodies. While working in conjunction with talk therapy, massage therapy can address the fear and mistrust that is encoded into your body.

How Massage Helps

Massage boosts serotonin levels in your body, creating positive emotions that result in stress relief, a clear mind, and rest. Massage guides your body into healthier mood management allowing access to suppressed emotions.  

Studies have shown that even 15 minutes of moderate pressure makes you feel:

• Energized
• At Ease
• Decreased Stress
• Boosts your Immune System

Once you are able to relax through massage, you will exhibit signs of getting better by:

• Circulation Improving
• Sleep Patterns Return to Normal
• In General Feeling More Relaxed
• Speak More Freely During Talk Therapy Sessions

Bored with Water? Add Some Flavor!

In a recent blog, I discussed the benefits of drinking water. I discussed how water helps with fluid balance, improves kidney function, clears skin, and helps control calorie intake.  However, several people shared with me that they get bored with water and crave flavor.  You may be surprised to know that adding fruit and veggies to your water can not only help your taste buds but adds to the ever growing list of benefits of drinking water. Adding a few slices of whole fruits and vegetables heightens minerals and vitamins that our bodies can easily and quickly consume. It's also so delicious that we may find ourselves tricking our mind into drinking more water than we have in the past.

Infusing Flavor

Spas around the world serve outrageously expensive infused water to their guests. The great news is that you don’t have to go to a fancy spa to enjoy those same benefits and pretty beverages, you can create your own in the comfort of your home. Creating healthy and delicious, vitamin infused water is inexpensive and economically friendly. Infusing water is as simple as adding your favorite fruit or veggie slices to your water before drinking. Popular water infusions include: cucumber, mint, basil and citrus fruits. But feel free to use your imagination to produce a flavor to suit you!

When you add your favorite fruits, veggies, and herbs to water seal it in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before enjoying so that the fruit and veggies have time to release their nutrients into the water. For the best results make sure you are using purified or spring water to avoid the intake of contaminants. You can also make your own infused ice-cubes. Use the ice cubes when you can’t wait 30 minutes for a nice cool drink, just simply add them to a glass of water for an instantly healthy, refreshing and tasty drink.

Benefits Galore

There are endless benefits of not only drinking plain water, but infusing your water.  Here are some benefits of the most common water infusing ingredients.

Cucumber

Cucumber is not only cool and refreshing when snacking but when added to water the benefits include:

•  Increases hydration resulting in increased energy levels
• Vitamins A and C
• Helps regulate blood pressure
• Contains silica which contributes to the growth and maintenance of connective tissue throughout your body
• Promotes healthy skin

Mint

Fresh mint is an herb that is super easy to grow. Adding mint to your water will:

• Promote healthy digestion
• Quickly ease headache and nausea
• Assists in clearing nose, throat, and chest congestion
• Natural stimulant - can boost your mood and energizes
• Freshens breath, with a natural germicide that promotes oral health

Basil

Basil is another herb that is easy to grow. When not in season, you can easily freeze for year round use. Benefits of basil include:

• Boosts the immune system
• Acts as an anti stress agent
• Vitamin A which leads to improved vision
• Decreased acne - the oil on basil leaves help clear bacteria from pores
• Improved kidney function

Combinations to Try

To get the most flavor and health benefits, try these combinations to mix it up a bit!

Orange, Lemon, Ginger

Oranges aid with healthy blood circulation.

Lemons help aid digestion and freshen breath.

Ginger is a notorious immune system booster.

Cucumber, Raspberry, Grape

Cucumber is hydrating and flushes out toxins.

Raspberries have anti-inflammatory properties.

Grapes contain cancer-fighting and cleansing compounds.

Rhubarb, Apple, Cinnamon

Rhubarb contains vitamin K to help with blood clotting.

Apples have a slew of benefits including maintaining bone and tissue health.

Cinnamon is one of the most efficient boosters of metabolism.

Strawberry and Lime

Strawberries are jam-packed with antioxidants.

Limes are an excellent anti-aging weapon due to its restorative properties for hair, skin, and nails.

Pineapple and Mint

Pineapple is an anti-inflammatory that helps relieve joint pain and arthritis.

Mint supports the digestive system by activating salivary glands and digestive enzymes.

No Excuses!

Even though excuses can be an easy habit to form when it comes to health, with these fun alternatives to boring water you have no more excuses!  I challenge you to make drinking water an everyday priority. And I encourage you to infuse your water with fresh ingredients to make it more enjoyable. 

Feeling Stressed? 5 Ways to Unwind!

The top three causes of stress are pressure from work, financial problems, health problems. Stress occurs when you are faced with mental or emotional strains that often leads to physical and mental symptoms. Unfortunately, our culture accepts stress as a normal way of life. It is my mission to let everyone know, life doesn't have to be that way!

Take action!

Stress affects us because we let it. Now it is time to take action and start to live a healthier lifestyle. We all handle stress differently some keep everything bottled up inside and silently suffer the impacts of depression. Others tense up so much they develop knots in their neck and back and live with the pain. There are several ways you can manage your stress through physical activity, diet and positive distractions.

1. Make a Playlist

Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety.  Music provides a distraction and invites calming emotions.  It is a great aid to help induce a meditating state by preventing your mind from wandering.  Start incorporating music into your busy life by playing CD's in the car, stream soft classical music from Pandora while at work or play your favorite iTunes music while you soak in the bathtub.

2. Reduce Caffeine & Sugar

The temporary adrenaline rush caffeine and sugar provide often end with a crash in both your mood and energy. Reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, will make you feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better. Getting a full nights sleep is the best way to fuel your mind, as well as your body.  Feeling tired increases stress because it often impairs our judgement.  

3. Be Thankful

Keep a journal of gratitude.  Journaling reduces stress due to its meditative and reflective effects.  Making a daily list of what we are thankful for can really put your life, worries, stresses into perspective.  You don’t need to write a novel, just jot down a few of your daily events, your feelings, and what you are thankful for.  Documenting life events and feelings can also provide a way for you to reflect on events and gain a new perspective while you are in a calmer state of mind. Reading through journals of your past months and years can show you how much you’ve grown as an individual.

4. Go Outside

Sometimes simply walking through nature and smelling the fresh air can help put your mind at ease and give your brain a break.  Whether it’s walking, running, or sitting on a blanket in the grass; studies show that time outdoors can:

• Spur Creativity 
• Increase Concentration Levels 
• Increases Vitamin D Levels  

Vitamin D improves seasonal depression, anxiety, boosts your immunity, is critical to bone health, and heart health.  The healthier your bodies, the less likely you will experience negative stress.

5. Get a Massage

Massage is more than an occasional luxury. Getting a massage on a monthly basis:  

•  Alleviate physical strain and pain
• Improves your mood
• Increases circulation
• Reduces stress related pain such as headaches and muscle tension

Once your stress level is reduced, you can reclaim the energy you once enjoyed, and experience a refreshed body and mind.

Don’t Worry…  Stress Can Be Good!

Stress is your body's reaction to harmful situations whether real or imagined.  When you feel threatened, your body produces a chemical reaction that allows you react and protect yourself.

 Not all stress is bad. In small doses, stress can help you accomplish tasks and protect you from injury. For example, stress is what makes you to slam on the brakes to avoid getting into a car accident. That's a good thing!  

The key is knowing what kind of stress you are feeling. 

• Is your stress good or bad? 
• Is it negatively affecting your everyday life and activities? 
• Defining your stress helps you take action on how to get rid of it. 

It’s time to take charge of your life and tell stress to go away!

This holiday season give the gift of massage! Go online or call me to order your gift certificate.