The Consequences of Stress

Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-
related. Massage and bodywork is there to combat that frightening
number by helping us remember what it means to relax. The physical
changes massage brings to your body can have a positive effect in
many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and
decreasing anxiety, massage lowers your blood pressure, increases
circulation, improves recovery from injury, helps you to sleep
better and can increase your concentration. It reduces fatigue and
gives you more energy to handle stressful situations.

Massage is a perfect elixir for good health, but it can also provide
an integration of body and mind. By producing a meditative state or
heightened awareness of living in the present moment, massage can
provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true
relaxation and peace.

The incredible benefits of massage are doubly powerful if taken in
regular "doses." Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, from the Touch Research
Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami, is known for her massage
research, along with colleague Tiffany Field. Together, they and
other researchers have done outstanding work proving the value of
massage. While their studies have shown we can benefit from massage
even in small doses (15 minutes of chair massage or a half-hour
table session), Hernandez-Reif says they know from their research
that receiving bodywork 2-3 times a week is highly beneficial. And
if we lived in a fantasy world, Hernandez-Reif has the answer. "I
feel a daily massage is optimal."

It's undoubtedly a wonderful thing when your therapist begins
unwinding those stress-tightened muscles, and your day's troubles
begin to fade away. But it's the cherry on top to know
this "medicine" only gets better with frequency.

Regards
Kieran
http://www.kentmasseur.co.uk