What can Bodywork do for you?

Massage and Movement Practices are an integral part of healthcare. They are considered complimentary to traditional medical care, however are integral to prevention care and lowering risk of illness and chronic disease. According to the American Massage Therapy Association  benefits of include but are not limited to:

1. Stress Relief
2. Relieve postoperative pain
3. Reduce anxiety
4. Manage low-back pain
5. Reduce muscle tension
6. Enhance exercise performance
7. Relieve tension headaches
8. Sleep better
9. Ease symptoms of depression
10. Improve cardiovascular health
11. Reduce pain of osteoarthritis
12. Decrease stress in cancer patients
13. Improve balance in older adults
14. Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain
15. Temper effects of dementia
16. Promote relaxation
17. Lower blood pressure
18. Help chronic neck pain
19. Lower joint replacement pain
20. Increase range of motion
21. Decrease migraine frequency
22. Improve quality of life in hospice care
23. Reduce chemotherapy-related nausea

Along with a consistent massage and movement practice, a breathwork practice will also provide the same benefits. These modalities can be an integral part of your self care routine and can lead to dramatic improvements in your well being.

To be an efficient mover, the body needs efficiency training. A movement training practice, along with massage therapies both teach the body's muscle-skeletal and fascial systems to operate with as little energy lost as possible. The more the body can support you without strain the more energy your system has to focus on a targeted activity & the less likely it will experience shock from stress loads. When the body is able to find homeostasis no matter what the activity, it will be less likely to cause you pain, tension or added stress keeping injury out of the game. 

Just the thought of managing stress and/or pain can be overwhelming. But it can be simpler than it appears. Balancing the nervous system is key, and massage, movement & breath-work modalities can support this process. By giving the body the time and environment to heal we allow the immune system to effectively rid the body of disease causing elements thereby reducing acute or chronic inflammation. These practices furthermore release tension from emotional & physical stress cascading the body into relaxation. These processes lead to a less reactive and more responsive nervous system which reduces pain and wear and tear on the body's tissues. When our nervous system is less reactive and our immune systems function well, we are at lower risk of chronic illness and physical injury. We are able to respond appropriately to stimuli, breaking the cycle of stress and improving metabolic processes and circadian rhythms. The results are a more "well" and balanced you!