IN THIS ISSUE

Dear e-touch reader,

Many of us make resolutions to start living a better life in the New Year.  In this month's e-touch, find out how massage can help you keep your resolutions and make the best of 2007!

Enjoy the issue!
-The Editors

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Massage Helps Kick Off a New Year

By Jean Ives

Of the 365 days in a year, not all are equal. For many people, January 1 is reserved for soul-searching, self-recrimination and a resolve to do better in the next 364 days than we did in the last. Resolutions vary widely, but there’s an uncanny commonality to most lists.

Editors at About: Pittsburgh, PA, a guide to Pittsburgh on About.com™, compiled results of several New Year’s Resolutions surveys and reported that the following resolutions, in order of frequency, are the ones people make most often. Although the editors don’t cite massage therapy as the cure for all ills, it’s not difficult to find a role for massage in accomplishing almost every one of these resolutions.

  1. Spend more time with family and friends. Massage can be a solitary pleasure, to be sure. But don’t underestimate its place in promoting warmth and community among friends. I have one friend in particular who, if we’ve gone through several months of hit-or-miss girlfriend times together, will say, “Hey, you know what, we need a massage day.” To an outsider it may sound like she’s just suggesting that we get a massage. But my friend and I know better—for us, massage is the best anchor of a quality day spent together, acknowledging the value of the other person and slowing down long enough to enjoy each other’s company. We make simultaneous or back-to-back appointments for massage and build our day around them. It works every time. Come to think of it, we’re due!
  2. Fit in fitness.  It’s no coincidence that so many fitness centers have massage therapists on staff. Do you think the Sports Medicine Division of the Olympic Training Center would include massage therapy as part of its official program if there weren’t a connection between massage and recovery after exercise?
  3. Tame the bulge. There’s probably more hype than hard research to support massage as a weight reduction technique. However, in his article “Massage for Weight Loss,” Scott Haywood talks about the wide-ranging benefits of massage for improved blood circulation to the muscles, for range of motion, for anxiety reduction and so forth. Haywood concludes that massage can be part of your weight reduction program if you don’t expect it to be the only plank in the program.
  4. Quit smoking. People who want to quit smoking in the New Year will be interested in learning the results of the research “Smoking Cravings are Reduced by Self-Massage.”  In this study, researchers Tiffany Field, PhD, and Maria Hernandez-Reif, PhD, found that ear and hand self-massage techniques could “alleviate smoking-related anxiety, reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, improve mood, and reduce the number of cigarettes smoked.”
  5. Enjoy life more. See Resolution No. 1.
  6. Quit drinking. The Queensland University in Australia study “Massage Therapy Improves the Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome” found that subjects undergoing alcohol detoxification who received massage therapy experienced milder symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
  7. Get out of debt. Okay, this might be the only one that massage won’t help with. But massage can help reduce the stress you may feel when you think about debts.  You can look for special promotions and consider going to massage clinics at local massage therapy schools as ways to reduce your massage bill every month.
  8. Learn something new. Until you’ve experienced every type of modality, can you really say you know massage? There’s Lomi Lomi, shiatsu, hot stones….
  9. Help others. See Resolution No. 1. Try volunteering, such as arranging a massage benefit for those in need.
  10. Get organized. Part of getting organized is setting priorities. You’ve got a lot of massages to “squeeze in” in 2007—you’d better get moving!

Jean Ives is a frequent contributor to mtj.

To easily find a massage therapist in your area, go to AMTA’s Find A Massage Therapist® national locator service at www.findamassagetherapist.org.

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What Have You Done for You Lately?

By Lisa Erawoc

Before I give someone a massage, I ask if they’ve ever had a massage, then I conduct a health assessment to make sure massage is not contraindicated. My next question is, “Do you get regular massages?”

I’m always amazed how many people seem to have the same reasons for not getting regular massages. They're too busy with work, family, and other obligations to make the time for something so beneficial to their health.

Women especially are busy playing the roles of mother, wife and caretaker to so many that we forget our own needs. I am guilty of trying to balance it all and not having enough time to nurture myself spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. Not only is massage something my body needs, it’s also a requirement for longevity in my profession. I cannot give away what I don’t have to give; my health has to be a top priority in order to constantly give my heart and soul to my work.

Many people think of massage as a luxury and only indulge on special occasions such as vacation, anniversaries, birthdays or weddings. But in many cultures massage is a way of life. Touch is so important because it lets us know we are cared for and loved.

Many of us think about our health only when we're sick or the doctor gives us an unfavorable diagnosis. My heart has been broken lately for so many people who cross my path with all kinds of diseases.

Many people I love live with cancer, diabetes, arthritis and other diseases. I want to reach out to them and make it all better. I try to help by alleviating their symptoms with aromatic oils, but I wish I had a miracle potion to cure their diseases. Although I don't have that potion, I do have the touch of massage, which allows me to reach out in a different way.

If you can’t afford a massage on a regular basis, I urge you to find other ways to take care of yourself that allow you to escape the stress of daily life. Meditation, reading, yoga or a stroll in the country are other wonderful ways to unwind and do something for your health.

One of my favorite things to do is take a long walk by a river, lake, the ocean or on a trail. I find this to be very therapeutic and relaxing. It gives me time to reflect on where I've been, where I am now and where I want to be. I really connect with myself and it brings out my creativity.

We all owe it to ourselves to take care of this beautiful body we so often neglect. Make the choice today to do something for yourself and for your health. Give yourself the gift of massage, not because it’s a special occasion, but because your health is important.

Remember prevention, not treatment, is the key to good health and longevity. Besides, you deserve to be pampered and nurtured. Here’s to your health!

Lisa Erawoc is a massage practitioner at Spa Minerale in Lansdowne, Virginia. She is also a freelance writer, and has a private practice in Leesburg, Virginia. She can be reached at P.O. Box 650293, Sterling, Virginia, 20165, or LVVErawoc@aol.com.

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Table Tips

Try a soothing bath

After heavy physical activity, either work or sports related, a good way to let the body unwind is a relaxing bath with Epsom salts. I've found approximately two cups of salts in warm water is great.

This can also be done after a massage, which will only give greater benefits to that massage.

Try about a half-hour in this relaxing water. I just can't say enough about the results!

Dale Huston
Professional Member
Mishawaka, Indiana

For a different massage tip each week, visit AMTA's Massage Room.

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Click 'n' Pick

What's your No. 1 New Year's resolution?

Let us know by taking this month's survey.  See the results in next month's e-touch!

Take the survey now.

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Legal Notice

Articles submitted by individual authors are copyrighted by those authors and reprinted with their permission. Views expressed in these articles are not necessarily the views of the American Massage Therapy Association®, and should in no way be construed as an endorsement. They are for informational purposes only.

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AMTA Mission

To serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.