Jennifer

Anxiety is an internal reaction to an external source. Most people confuse anxiety with stress when, in reality, they are not the same thing. Stress can be a positive thing; it can tell the body when it is hungry, cold, or tired. Anxiety is a reaction to the stress in an individual’s life. Most people would assume that anxiety disorders are simply just a mental illness, but they are also known to cause severe physical pain as well. People without anxiety disorders may experience a small degree of physical pain in a particular situation, whereas a person with an anxiety disorder in the same situation will probably experience more pain. This is not necessarily because of the difference in mental states of both individuals, (although that may be the case) but it also has to do with the imbalance of hormones in the individual with the anxiety disorder.

When a person is anxious, the “flight or fight” hormones called Epinephrine and Cortisol kick in. To calm oneself down, the “feel good” hormones called Serotonin, Dopamine, and Endorphins are used to counteract the “flight or fight” hormones and bring anxiety and pain levels down. A person who is constantly anxious is producing way too much Epinephrine and Cortisol and their “feel good” hormones are being all used up. Sleep is the key ingredient in replenishing much needed hormones that are necessary to bring the body back to a balance, but most people who suffer from Anxiety are not capable of having the peaceful, deep sleep that is needed.

Massage therapy is able to enhance conventional therapies (medication and counseling sessions), reduce anxiety, and give psychological benefits to these individuals who are suffering. Massage helps relax clients by allowing the release of hormones to reduce anxiety. It helps inhibit pain receptors as well as take the client out of the “flight or fight” mentality and allows their parasympathetic system to start to recover and rest the body. This allows more “feel good” hormones to be produced. Massage also gives a sense of caring through touch because the human brain is naturally wired to believe that nurturing touch will help to heal the state of anxiety.

If you suffer from Anxiety, book a Massage Therapy appointment today. Get started on the road to recovery!

Water makes up about 75-80% of the human body. It is a necessary element to live and you may not realize it, but it is probably something that you don’t get enough of. Staying hydrated is extremely important. The effects of dehydration can cause issues like headaches or cramps. Are you someone who suffers from these problems on a daily or weekly basis?

One of the major reasons people get headaches is because of the lack of water. When your body doesn’t have enough water, the blood vessels will narrow, reducing the blood oxygen levels going to the brain. This will cause a dehydration headache that will only feel worse with the attempt to stretch or move your neck.

Lack of water is also a major cause of cramps. Calf cramps are the most common cramp experienced due to lack of hydration. Sodium and potassium levels are no longer balanced by the lower levels of water flowing through your body. This will cause involuntary muscle contractions known as spasms or cramps in your calves or other muscles in your body.

Water will also decrease pain when having your muscles worked on by a RMT. It loosens skin and tightness in and around your muscles to make your massage much more enjoyable and less painful. It is also very important to take in more water after your massage due to the work done on your muscles. Dehydration is also known to cause dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. If you suffer from dehydration symptoms, try increasing your water intake; your body will love you for it!