New
Year's resolutions focusing on improving health and wellness by losing
weight, reducing stress or slowing down are often made with good
intentions. But how do we accomplish our goals without adding more
stress to our lives in the process? Consider adding healing
massage to your routine.
Massage may seem to some an indulgent luxury. However, more and more
people are discovering that even though a wellness massage is a
therapy that makes them feel good, there is no reason to feel guilty
about receiving regular massage. In fact, by learning how to relax and
balance our bodies and minds, we are more likely to take care of
ourselves in other ways.
There
are many different types of massage. Oriental Healing Massage
incorporates several of these types, including Swedish massage, Thai
massage, Tui Na Acupressure and Qi-Energy work. In this way a variety
of long soothing strokes, gentle kneading, rocking, percussion, foot
and hand massage, and therapeutic application of specific acupressure
points are used to help the mind relax and the body find balance.
As
an integral part of health maintenance routine, Oriental Healing
Massage aims to encourage relaxation, nurture muscle tension, reduce
discomfort, relieve pain, increase circulation and lymphatic flow, and
create a sense of wellbeing. Pressure in an Oriental Healing Massage
can vary from light to very deep; always tell your therapist your
preference.
Here
are a few other things to consider about adding massage to your New
Year’s Wellness Resolution:
Relaxation
Our hectic lives leave little time to just relax; there is nothing
wrong with taking time out from the world for an hour or so and
enjoying a soothing therapeutic massage.
Stress
Management
Whatever the cause, massage can help you manage the stress in your
life. Turn off your cell phone, forget your obligations, and let
yourself relax for an hour.
Body Awareness
Much like dance classes, Tai Chi practice, or daily Yoga routine,
massage can remind you that you have
a body that it is designed for more than just sitting in a car or
hovering over a computer screen all day.
Pain
Management
Research well being, now finds that massage is one of the best
non-pharmacological therapy options and can be used successfully in a
pain management program.
Very little in life remains constant—things are either improving or
getting worse. If we do not take positive steps to support (if not
improve) our wellbeing, our health will decline.
Every day more of us are realizing the need to slow down and start
paying attention to what is going on inside of us. Often we don't
realize we are out-of-balance until we experience pain or discomfort.
Massage teaches us how to tune-in to our present condition; thus, it's
a practical way to keep our minds and bodies connected and well.
So,
start the New Year off by taking time to take care of yourself.
One way to do this is as easy—and pleasurable—as getting a
massage.
Anna
Remick,
LMT, is a member of The Oriental Healing Arts Center Professional
Massage Therapy Group and maintains a private practice focusing on
women’s issues. For an appointment, call 279-0135.
