October 2022

Hello, and welcome to this month's article! How are you doing? Before you know it, another year will have passed us by. The autumn months often can be the busiest of the year; are you ready?

The busier we are, the more stress we will encounter. With stress being the root of most illness, it’s now prime time for your next massage session. Is there a better, healthier way to handle your stress than a relaxing massage?

The articles featured in this month’s issue are good reminders that ultimately, your health is in your hands.

We all want to feel our best and to enjoy our days. The key to a healthy future is making smarter choices today. Keep a good balance in your daily life and limit your indulgences.

If you can focus more on healthier choices and make them the basis of your weekly routine, you can be rewarded with a more vibrant life in the years to come.

The goal of these newsletters is to help inspire you toward better health; you deserve the best life you can create.

See you soon for your next soothing massage!

Why Massage Therapy Is the Next Boom in Health Care
by Rebbeca Smith

Today, more people are learning about the various health benefits of massage therapy. Consequently, lots of individuals are going for professional massages as they explore how strategic manipulation of muscles and other tissues can aid wellbeing.

Given this, many hospital settings are giving more room to massage therapy. Whether through requests by clients or recommendations by medical experts, more patients are getting massage. As a result, many experts in the health sector consider massage therapy the next boom in health care.

Massage therapy offers exceptional medical benefits— Traditionally, massage therapy is known as a treatment that allows an individual to relax and get rid of accumulated tensions causing stress. However, recent studies have shown that massage therapy is more than a way to enjoy a great lifestyle, as it offers lots of medical benefits.

In medical settings, massage therapy is used for relieving headaches, enhancing posture, boosting immunity, and reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Similarly, massage can relieve sleep problems, arthritis, allergies, and asthma. Medical experts also take advantage of massage therapy to reduce blood pressure and prevent or manage various health issues associated with high blood pressure.

Source: the odysseyonline.com

Keep that good gut feeling for a long, healthy life

Living a long and healthy life depends on the unique combination of bacteria in our gut, a new study finds. Patterns in a person’s microbiome—the organisms living in the gut—could determine whether a person is going to age well or die early.

The gut contains mostly healthy bacteria and immune cells, which help ward off infections and diseases. Although a vital component of the body’s immune system, its importance in the aging process has remained unclear.

The study analyzed the gut microbiome of 9,000 people aged between 18 to 101 years old. In particular, survival rates for a cohort of 900 older individuals aged 78 to 98 were tracked. Results show that gut microbiome became increasingly unique as participants got older. Core bacteria, known as bacteroides and common to all humans, start to decline in mid-to-late adulthood.

Despite their increasing uniqueness, healthy microbiome continued to share common traits. People with unique gut patterns had different substances in their blood plasma, known as metabolites. This includes tryptophan-derived indole, which has been shown to extend lifespan in mice. Another metabolite, Phenylacetylglutamine, had previously been found in high quantities in the blood of centenarians. However, this unique transformation only took place among healthy individuals.

Source: studyfinds.org

Can massage relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress?

Stress is an inevitable part of life. It is nearly impossible to remove all stress from day-to-day life. Stress is physiological and psychological responses to situations the body and mind find to be overwhelming.

Even situations perceived as good, like getting married, starting a new job or becoming a parent, can produce significant stress. When people struggle to cope with stressful situations, depression and anxiety symptoms can become more noticeable.

Massage therapy is one of many ways to cope with stress, and treat anxiety and depression.

Some people mistakenly believe that massage therapy is only for pampering yourself. While this is true for some people, it also helps manage anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Physical benefits of massage— A massage does more than just feel good. It can lower the amount of cortisol in your body. This hormone is produced when your body is stressed. It increases glucose in your bloodstream, enhances your brain's use of glucose and curbs functions that are nonessential in a fight-or-flight situation.

A one-hour massage lowers cortisol in your body while also releasing serotonin. This hormone neurotransmitter is sometimes called the "happy chemical" because it reduces feelings of depression and carries signals between nerves and your body. By lowering cortisol and increasing serotonin, you're boosting your body's ability to fight off pain, anxiety and feelings of sadness.

Also, massage could be considered an hour-long hug, as it can fulfill the need for human contact and comforting touch. A session provides you with a nurturing safe place to physically rest.

Emotional benefits of massage— Massage provides many emotional benefits, which can be just as important as the physical benefits. Many people say that after a massage they feel more relaxed and calmer. It’s a safe and nurturing place for people to refocus and find clarity.

Massage can lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety. It can improve mood and relaxation while increasing confidence and self-image.

If you experience depression or anxiety, or are just overloaded with extra stress, massage can be an effective part of treatment. It can create a sense of relief and empowerment, and allow you to focus on your mind-body connection. © 2022 Mayo Clinic News Network

Source: medicalxpress.com

My father said there were two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers.
The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.
— Marlo Thomas

The content of this article is not designed to replace professional medical advice. If you’re ill, consult a physician.
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