- What are the benefits of
massage and bodywork?
- Massage and bodywork can
help release chronic muscular tension and pain,
increases circulation, increase joint flexibility,
stimulate the lymph flow, relax and soften
injured and overused muscles, reduce mental and
physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing
of injured muscular tissue, release endorphins,
reduce post-surgery adhesions and edema, improve
range of motion, improve posture, and reduce blood
pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known
to promote better sleep, improve concentration,
reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of
well-being. It also is known to relieve pain
for migraine sufferers and assists with shorter
labor for expectant mothers.
- How Important Is Water?
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Water is the primary substance
and leading agent in the routine events that take place in the body.
Next to oxygen, water is the nutrient most needed for life.
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The human body is composed of
75% water.
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Water acts as a solvent,
coolant, lubricant and transport agent. Without it, our major systems
will quickly break down.
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Water can prevent symptoms
such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, lack of concentration and muscle
cramping.
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There is a direct relationship
between disease processes and chronic dehydration.
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Proper hydration of the body
is the simplest of treatments in medicine.
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Your body needs an absolute
minimum of one-half of your body weight in ounces of water a day.
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Alcohol, coffee, tea and
caffeine containing beverage DO NOT count as water.
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The best times to drink water
is before taking food and 2½ hours after
each meal.
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Thirst should be satisfied at
all times. With an increase in water intake, the thirst mechanism
becomes more efficient and may ask you to drink more than the above minimum.
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Water is the cheapest form of
medicine to a dehydrated body.
- Why Should I get a
Massage?
- Massage is considered to
be among the oldest of all treatments used by man.
Chinese records dating back 3,000 years documented
its use. The ancient Hindus, Persians, and
Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments
and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of
rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory
problems.
- How Accepted is Massage?
- Today, massage is an
accepted part of many physical rehabilitation
programs and has proven beneficial to many chronic
conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, and
bursitis. Massage helps relieve the stress and
tension of everyday living.
- Can Massage, Bodywork, or
Somatic Therapies benefit me?
- Massage provides relief to
people from all walks of life - the weekend or
competitive athlete, the home gardener, the over
stressed executive struggling to keep pace in
today's economy.
Secretaries, laborers, waitresses - anyone can feel
a need for massage at some point in time. The
older population, as well, will benefit from
massage, as it enhances flexibility and circulation.
The bedridden can also be helped in this regard.
There are some conditions where massage is not
recommended, however. Your practitioner should
ask for information regarding any specific health
conditions from which you may be suffering in order
to determine if massage, bodywork, or somatic
therapies are contraindicated. In some cases,
the practitioner may need your doctor's permission
before providing services.
- Are there any medical
conditions that would make massage or bodywork
inadvisable?
- Yes. That's why it's
imperative that before you begin your session, the
practitioner ask general health questions. It
is very important that you inform the practitioner
of any health problems or medications you are
taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it
is strongly advised that you receive a written
recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any
session. Many practitioners may require a
recommendation or approval from your doctor.
- Will my insurance cover
massage or bodywork services?
- If you are in a car
accident or have a job-related injury covered by
workers' compensation, insurance may cover massage,
bodywork, or somatic therapies when prescribed by a
physician. If your insurance covers
chiropractic or osteopathic services, the services
of a bodywork professional may be covered when
prescribed by a chiropractor or osteopath.
Therapies provided as part of the prescribed
treatment by a physician or registered physical
therapist are often covered. The best thing to
do is check with your insurance company to see
exactly what is covered under what circumstances.
- How do I find a qualified
practitioner?
- Your massage, bodywork, or
somatic therapy services should be provided by a
professional who has received proper training.
Do not hesitate to ask practitioners about their
background, training, and experience.
Referrals from friends can usually be relied upon.
Members of
American
Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) have met stringent requirements
regarding training and must adhere to a strict code
of ethics in order to remain members.
- Will massage help with pain
and emotional problems?
- With many chronic
ailments, massage can relieve the pain and help
heal. As with physical problems, emotional
problems may also be stimulated into self-healing
with massage. In many cases, this helps
eliminate the need to take harmful chemical drugs,
which will unnecessarily burden the liver, kidneys,
and other vital organs.
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