WHAT IS MASSAGE THERAPY?
Massage is an ancient form of healing, pain management and stress relief. The Chinese practiced it more than 3000 years ago, and it has been used continually since then. Massage is the manipulation of the soft body tissue - muscles, connective tissue and the largest organ - skin. Today there are many modalities of bodywork and massage; Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, just to name a few.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A MOMMY SPA™ THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE SESSION:
You will be asked to fill out an Intake Form. This form has questions about your existing health conditions. There may be a diagram of the body for you to mark where you feel pain, tightness, or numbness. The therapist will introduce himself/herself and show you to the room where you will be working. The therapist will review the Intake Form and discuss areas of concern to help determine an approach to use for your therapeutic massage session. Each session is designed to meet your unique needs.

You will be instructed to disrobe to your level of comfort. Keep in mind that proper draping exposes only the area being worked on. The therapist will instruct you to either lay face down (prone) or face up (supine). The therapist will respect your privacy at all times. They will leave the room while you undress returning when you signal that you are beneath the sheets and ready to begin.

IN A PRENATAL SESSION:
Your therapist will demonstrate the different ways you will be supported by the bodyCushion™ during your session. Depending on your comfort, you may begin the session in a semi-reclined position. For the next few minutes, the therapist will massage your feet, perform the Homen check for blood clots in the calf and determine whether you are in need of lymphatic drainage work to aid in the relief of water retention and edema. The rest of the session may be performed in a prone (face down) or side-lying position. With the highest level of comfort & safety in mind for you and your child positioning is determined by you and the therapist.

You lie on the table under crisp, fresh sheets, quiet music draws you to the moment. The smell of lavender and chamomile fills the air as you hear the gentle sound of massage oil being warmed in your therapist's hands. The pains of age, the throbbing of arthritic joints and overstressed muscles, the sheer need to be touched - all cry out for therapeutic hands to start their work. Once the session gets underway, the problems of the world fade into an oblivious 60 minutes of relief.

RESULTS:
Did you know that an hour massage can do more for you than just take away the pressures of the day? Did you know that an hour of gentle Swedish massage can help you combat cancer? Did you know that bodywork can help you recover from an injury or surgery in half the time? It can also help improve sleep, digestion and mood.

MASSAGE AS ADJUNCTIVE - COMPLIMENTARY - ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Experts estimate that 80% - 90% of disease is stress related. Evidence shows that there are specific physiological and psychological changes in our bodies after receiving massage which help combat the effects of STRESS. In an age of technical and impersonal medicine - massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself.

FOR THOSE CONFINED TO BED:
Massage provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF MASSAGE:
Increase in circulation - allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.

Stimulated flow of Lymph Systems - the body's natural defense system against toxic invaders. Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.

Relaxed Muscles - Reduces spasms and cramping.

Reduced Blood Pressure

Improved Sleep Patterns - By removing the stress hormones and calming the brain activity, you can get into deeper sleep and more restorative sleep.

Increased Serotonin - improves mood - helps combat depression

Improved Digestion - When your body is under stress, digestion slows. This can cause poor nutritional intake despite your diet, increased gas and bloat, diarrhea or constipation, belching, etc. By calming the body down, the liver does it's job more efficiently.

Increased Libido - Chronic stress and tension is the biggest killer of libido.

Pain Relief - increased endorphins the body's natural painkiller. Massage is often used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

Ocytocin Release - a hormone associated with maternal bonding.

THE POWER OF TOUCH
As a society, we are touch deprived - and it only gets worse as we age. Mature adults who have lost family members and friends may go days without being touched by someone. This is especially true for those who are living alone or in a medical facility. While basic hygienic needs are met patients are rarely touched in a nurturing or caring way. From cradle to the nursing home, tactile stimulation and the emotional assurance of caring touch bring about a sense of well being and security.

WHAT IF IT HURTS?
For those who are very tender or cannot receive full body massage due to severe rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of cancer or skin ailments - working on the feet, hands and head can give them a sense of wellness throughout the body. Different modalities such as reflexology, Reiki, cranio-sacral therapy and polarity work are powerful options for those with touch limitations.

MASSAGE HAS GONE MAINSTREAM
Massage is no longer just to pamper the rich and famous. In Silicon Valley, rates vary from $50 to $130 an hour. Whether you are fully clothed (Shiatsu, Reiki); Semi or fully disrobed (Swedish, Deep Tissue); Seated in a chair, or lying on a table, floor or bed; Whether you use oil or lotion - scented or not; In an office, a spa or in your home… There is a form of massage that is right for you.

I invite you to explore the benefits of massage therapy, treat yourself to a therapeutic massage and feel better.

L. MacInnis