A Heavenly Body Massage

Happy People Choose Massage!

9304 Forest Lane
Suite 115, South Bldg.
Dallas, TX 75243
ph: 469.243.8444
cherie@aheavenlybodymassage.com

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy Relieves Stress

Stress management is a key component for anyone striving to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Massage therapy has been proven to be one of the most effective methods for achieving stress relief. Research studies show massage therapy actually boosts the body's immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress.

Visiting a reputable massage therapy program leads to significantly increased energy levels, the reduction of nagging pains and the improvement of our overall physical and mental performance.

Stress Relief Benefits

Lowers Heart Rate
Lowers Blood Pressure
Relaxes Muscles
Increases Endorphins

Massage Therapy Encourages Relaxation

In today’s fast-paced world, our busy lifestyles can take a toll on our physical and mental well being. Allowing our bodies to relax and unwind is now more important than ever.

A therapeutic massage session provides the ultimate experience in relaxation. The lasting effects of massage can range from promoting relaxed states of mental alertness to enhancing our capacity for calm and creative thinking.

Through massage therapy, we become more aware of our daily stress levels. This allows us to recognize what true relaxation feels like so we can more easily recreate it for ourselves, before stress becomes chronic and damaging. Having this relief from stress increases our energy levels and vitality, as well as enhances our ability to cope with and enjoy our daily lives.

Relaxation Benefits

Improves mental outlook
Allows for better handling of pressure
Reinforces positive attitude
Promotes relaxed states of mental alertness
Enhances calm and creative thinking

Massage Therapy Improves Posture

Allowing the body to reinforce healthy and natural movements can be one of the most beneficial aspects of massage therapy. Many aches and pains are due to poor posture. Whether we are driving, working at a desk, or even just standing still, poor posture can contribute to a number of physical aches and pains. Over time, these habits can cause increased body stress and breakdown.

With a consistent program of massage therapy, the painful points in muscles are loosened and relaxed, joints have greater freedom, and pressure points are relieved. This allows the body to position itself in a healthy and natural posture, therefore avoiding the movements and positions developed over time as a reaction to the pain.

Benefits of Improved Posture

Muscles are loosened and relaxed
Joints enjoy greater freedom
Pressure points are relieved

Massage Therapy Improves Circulation

The long term effects of massage therapy are much more than just skin deep. Better circulation is part of the chain reaction that happens in the body as a result of receiving massage therapy on a regular basis.

According to Eileen Cahalane of Alive Magazine:

A person with poor circulation can suffer from a variety of discomforts including pooling of the fluid in the extremities (like the toes), cold hands and feet, fatigue, and achiness created by an accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. Good circulation brings damaged, tense muscles the oxygen rich blood they need to heal.
Massage facilitates circulation because the pressure created by the massage technique actually moves blood through the congested areas. The release of this same pressure causes new blood to flow in. The squeezing and pulling also flushes lactic acid from the muscles and improves the circulation of the lymph fluid which carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs, resulting in lower blood pressure and improved body function.

Improved circulation is just one more benefit of massage therapy. Combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, massage can be the key to leading a healthier lifestyle.

Improved Circulation Benefits

Enhances blood flow
Moves waste away from muscles and internal organs
Lowers blood pressure
Improves body function

Manage Pain of Chronic Conditions

A Powerful Ally

Massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen. The incredible benefits of massage are even more noticeable with regular sessions. Professionals at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami explain the more massage you get, the greater benefits you reap. Here’s why:

Experts estimate that upwards of 90% of disease is stress related. Perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether may be ideal, it’s not realistic. A Heavenly Body helps you manage your stress. This translates into:

Decreased anxiety
Enhanced sleep quality
Greater energy
Improved concentration
Increased circulation
Reduced fatigue

Furthermore, our clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance A Heavenly Body provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.

Profound Effects

Following a massage session, specific physiological and chemical changes occur throughout the body. Research shows that with massage:

Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain
Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak airflow
Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety
High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones
Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping

Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch– from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing massage and it’s becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units.

Massage Therapy Benefits Include Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure has more misconceptions than nearly any other disease. According to the American Heart Association, some of the most common are:

Misconception: High blood pressure has many symptoms
Truth: High blood pressure has NO symptoms. That’s why it’s often called the silent killer.
Misconception: High blood pressure is a man’s problem
Truth: High blood pressure can be anyone’s problem. In fact, women need to be aware of certain things that may put them at greater risk than men
Misconception: You don’t need to have your high blood pressure checked until you reach middle age.
Truth: Children as young as 6 can have high blood pressure. It’s a good idea to start having your blood pressure checked at an early age.

One of the most effective ways to stave off high blood pressure is massage therapy. A number of long term studies have shown that a consistent massage program can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure; decrease salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels; and lower sources for depression, anxiety and hostility.

As is the intent with all massage programs, the ultimate goal lies in a pain free and relaxing lifestyle. Controlling blood pressure is just one of the added benefits of massage therapy.

Lower Blood Pressure Benefits

Lower depression, anxiety, and hostility
Keeps stress hormone levels under control
Low blood pressure can contribute to lowering the odds of having a heart attack, kidney failure, or a stroke

Massage Therapy Strengthens the Immune System

Regular therapeutic massage sessions provide significant benefits beyond the immediate relaxation we enjoy. People who experience high levels of stress tend to get sick more than others. Combine stress with lack of sleep and poor nutrition, and our body’s ability to naturally protect itself against bacteria and infection is greatly reduced.

Numerous studies have indicated that massage can increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity (the activity level of the body’s natural "killer cells") and decrease the number of T-cells, which improves the body’s immune functioning overall.

In one study by Gail Ironson, M.D., HIV positive men were given 45 minute massages five days a week, for a month. They showed an increase in serotonin and an increase in cells that are viewed as the first line of defense in the immune system. This is testing a very narrow aspect of the human immune system, but it does lend scientific credibility to a therapy which is widely recognized as therapeutic, based on experience.

Strengthen the Immune System Benefits

Increases the bodies natural killer cells
Aids in the fight against bacteria and infection
Enhances the bodies ability to get nourishment to important areas

Massage Therapy Relieves Headaches

In the United States alone, more than 60 percent of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches suffer from migraines. The disorder can be debilitating and typically results from high stress levels and/or lack of sleep.

Massage has two roles when it comes to treating migraines and tension related headaches. In a proactive role, massage treatments are performed on a regular basis to help the body maintain an optimal level of relaxation and stress-relief. This approach reduces the chances of migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. In a comfort role, massage is done to ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache. By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraine or tension headache.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association:

A recent study showed that massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quality during the weeks they received massage, and the three weeks following, than did participants that did not receive massage therapy. Another study found that in adults with migraine headaches massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

Relief of Tension-Related Headaches Benefits

Decreases occurrences of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms
Allows one to maintain a level of relaxation and stress-relief, reducing the chances of stress induced migraines
Reduces muscle spasms and trigger points

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