Simple Holiday Stress Management, From Reader's Digest

The best way by far to beat the holiday blues -- and all the other stresses of the holiday season -- is to cultivate your sense of humor. Spend some time every day enjoying whatever tickles your funny bone -- The Far Side cartoons, P. G. Wodehouse stories, reruns of Seinfeld, or a joke book that's been sitting on your bookcase for years.

You can also find humor in the holidays themselves. You may not find every event amusing -- say, your cat leaping onto the Christmas tree, sending it crashing down on the robot you spent all night putting together. But if you do enough chuckling and guffawing, you'll find that the world does indeed start to look different, and maybe not so bad after all.

http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/simple-holiday-stress-management/article14259.html

Hot Stone Massage

The hot stones are usually made of basalt, a type of rock that is rich in iron, so they retain heat. River rocks are normally used because they are so smooth - they have been smoothed over time by the river's current.
The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones may be placed at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes.
The heat warms and relaxes the muscles, which allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure, if desired.
The warmth of the hot stones improves circulation and calms the nervous system.
Some massage therapists place stones on points that are thought to be energy centers of the body to rebalance the body and mind.

Why Do People Get Hot Stone Massage?

Many people find the warmth of the hot stones to be comforting and get it for relaxation.
 It's also suited for people who have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage. The heat relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist to work the muscles without using deep pressure.
People also get hot stone massage for a variety of health conditions:

• Back pain and aches
  
• Poor circulation
  
• Osteoarthritis and arthritis pain
  
• Stress, anxiety and tension
  
• Insomnia
  
• Depression

To schedule your hot stone massage call Lee's Summit Chiropractic  816-347-1793

Use massage as another health care tool

Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or to engage in massage with a partner. 

-The Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/massage/SA00082/NSECTIONGROUP=2 updated 01/30/2010) information used on 12/06/2010.

Massage for Mommy's to be

Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.
Massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage, which aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish Massage is the recommended prenatal massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts during pregnancy.

Hormone regulation

Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered, leading to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health, when massage therapy was introduced to women’s prenatal care. Hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (“stress hormones”) were reduced and dopamine and serotonin levels (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression) were increased in women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks. These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence points strongly to maternal and newborn health benefits when relaxing, therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.

Reduction of swelling

Edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce collection of fluids in swollen joints, which also improves the removal of tissue waste, carried by the body’s lymph system.

Improvement of nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.

 *If you have any further questions regarding pregnancy massage in the Lee's Summit Area please give us a call.


816-347-1793

A little about massage

Massage therapy is a natural method by which minor aches and pains can be soothed away while bringing relief from stress, tension, and fatigue. The effects of massage differ from one client to another depending on the needs of the individual and the goals and intentions with which the massage is administered. Many healthy people believe that frequent massage helps them to remain physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.
Therapeutic effects of massage include general relaxation, increased metabolism through improved circulation; an injury heals more quickly, and improves the detoxifying functions of the lymphatic system.
We have a wonderful team of nationally certified therapists that are well qualified to perform deep tissue, Swedish, sports injury, hot stone, prenatal, lymphatic drainage and myofascial release massage therapy.
 Give The Massage Bug a call. Located in Lee's Summit MO. Coming to a location near you soon!

About Us

We at The Massage Bug feel that massage is a vital aspect of a healthy lifestyle. That is why our prices are lower. If you can't afford to get a massage on a regular basis, than you can't really get the benefits of what massage can do for you.

No contracts, No sales, No automatic withdrawls, No pressure. We want you to come back because you enjoyed the service not because you were forced to sign on the "dotted line".

Choosing a massage therapist is a very important decision. Our clients have told  us that they call us exclusively for a number of reasons. Exceptionally relaxing bodywork is paramount. In addition, We are able to develop a customized program that deals with your health and lifestyle concerns. Importantly, we try to be as flexible as possible and schedule your session at a time that is best for your busy life.

You already know that massage therapy is as vital to a healthy mind and body as is exercise and diet. All too often, people who have demanding lives turn to temporary solutions that do not necessarily promote healing or wellness. We would like to introduce a better choice. Discover the benefits of body work. It’s an opportunity to exhale deeply, to relax completely and to nurture a healthier lifestyle.

"Have you Caught the Bug?"

Richard Prather, DC

Owner

Welcome

Welcome - "Have you Caught the Bug?"

Massage therapy is as vital to a healthy mind and body as is exercise and diet. All too often, we turn to temporary solutions to deal with our stressful lives. Solutions that do not promote healing or wellness. There is a better choice. Massage therapy. With a wide range of services that can be tailored to your preferences and your schedule, massage affords you the physical benefit of a more relaxed body and the psychological benefit of a more balanced perspective as you face the demands of your life.

We invite you to discover the benefits of body work. A soothing massage - it’s so much more than a temporary escape. It is an opportunity to exhale deeply, to relax completely and to nurture a healthier lifestyle.

No Monthly Fees! No Automatic Withdraws from your Checking Account! No Contracts! We want you to come back because you enjoy the service, not because you signed on the "dotted line".

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