STRESS: The Silent Killer

Reprinted from "Holistic-online.com"

Stress results in tense neck and shoulder muscles, leading to stiffness, headaches and even more stress. Massage helps to relax the mind, body and spirit, providing time and space for self, and a feeling of peace, calm and well being. It allows the nervous system to normalize itself, and may reduce many stress-related conditions, such as palpitations, negative emotional feelings and raised blood pressure.

MASSAGE THERAPY AND STRESS REDUCTION

Reprinted from “massagetherapy 101”

Prolonged periods of stress can subconsciously affect many systems of the body.

Stress has been shown to aggravate, or even cause, such problems as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss and decreased immune function.

Massage therapy is one of the best antidotes for stress.

Massage boosts the body’s immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress. Tension can build up the muscles, causing a decrease in circulation of nutrient delivery to tissues.

Manipulation of the soft tissue decreased muscular tension, increases removal of metabolic waste and promotes nutrient delivery to healing tissue.

With a therapeutic massage, stress can be significantly reduced. This, in turn, will increase and improve your outlook on life, and in the process boost your immune system function.

STRESS, YOUR JOB, AND MASSAGE by Paul Zarchin, L.M.T.

• 70% of workers in a national survey say their job is very stressful
• Stress is the #1 cause of disability
• Stress costs employers billions and billions of dollars per year on lost productivity and healthcare costs
• Stress causes higher absentee rates
• A major percentage of visits to the doctor are from stress related issues
• One million workers per day miss work in the United States due to stress
• The increased daily demands of the workplace affects BOTH employees AND employers stressing out both.

• A study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami over a 5 week period between 26 employees who received two 15 minute seated massages per week and a control group of 24 who were instructed to relax and close their eyes didn’t fare as well as the group that received the massages. The massaged group had lower stress and better job performance; the control group didn’t.
• Brain wave activity in both groups was monitored and the group receiving the massages demonstrated enhanced alertness.

THE BENEFITS OF ON-SITE CHAIR MASSAGE

• Instant stress relief
• Relieves physical problems associated with repetitive tasks
• Helps balance the effects of stress in our lives reducing tension headaches, reducing anxiety levels and restoring a sense of calm and well-being
• Helps balance the effects of stress in our lives and avoid stress related disease and dysfunction by eliciting the relaxation response, relaxing tense muscles, reducing anxiety levels, facilitating energy flow, stimulating immune system function, and restoring a sense of calmness and feelings of well-being.
• Better job performance and productiveness
• Sharper state of mind
• Employees feel more appreciated and valued
• Better health; better job attendance; better attitude.