It's that time of year again! Our office will be closed for the annual bike rally but we will resume appointments as normal starting on Tuesday, August 29.

Are you a runner? Do you currently have a massage therapist? If you don't, here's why you should.

Whole Living May 2011 p.115
"Under stress, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that suppresses nonessential functions in an emergency. But consistently high levels can cause cellular and tissue changes and throw your complexion out of whack. A recent study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles suggests a welcome antidote; a 45-minute Swedish massage. Researchers found that it lowers cortisol levels. This also has an immediate effect; "Any kind of facial stimulation will increase blood flow and nutrient distribution for some time after" [Noelle] Sherber [M.D.] (a Baltimore-based dermatologist) says. "It plumps up your skin." "

Women's Health December 2011 p.78 written by Laura Beil
"One touch. That's all it takes to get things going. As soon as your skin's nerve cells sense firm pressure, they shoot a split-second "chill out" signal to the brain, which activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Long name, simple purpose: the system combats stress by essentially hitting a giant reset button for your...

Lungs and Belly

The vagus nerve, the main parasympathetic highway between your brain and major organs, sends a message to lungs to breathe more slowly and deeply, and to your digestive system to pick up the pace. (The reverse happens when you're frazzled: your lungs go on overdrive, and your stomach takes it's sweet time processing food.)

Heart

During a back, neck, or chest massage, your heart rate can slow by more than 10 beats per minutes. Your blood pressure drops by as much as 8 percent.

Immune System

Stimulated by the soothing presure of kneading, your infection-fighting white blood cells amp up their activity. In particular, natural "killer cells" go on vigilant patrol, hunting down and helping to slay viral, bacterial, and cancerous cells.

Glands

Those hands running over your body- even self-massage can work-do wonders for your anxiety: The vagus nerve instructs the adrenal glands to cut back the release  of stress hormones such as cortisol and vasopressin.

Brain

Your brain waves start to change, moving further into their current state. So if it's morning and you're wide awake, you may feel more alert after a massage. If you're getting and evening treatment, however, your brain waves may shift into a sleep pattern, leading to solid shut-eye that night.

Provoked by the parasympathetic nerves, the brain also steps up the production of the good-mood neurotransmitter serotonin.

Aches and Pains

You may be able to skip the aspirin, beacuase massage can trigger powerful natural pain relief: On the way to your brain, those pressure signals from your skin's nerve cells go through the spinal cord, one of your body's pain centers. And pressure signals travel faster than pain signals, temporarily blocking any ouches. (This may be why your instict is to press on a painful spot after you've hurt yourself.)"