June… what a gorgeous month! Yards and gardens are filling in nicely and everything is looking fresh and alive. Finally, summer is upon us! If your body has been suffering from all the yard work and spring cleaning, a massage can definitely help!

Many people find working in the garden very stress-relieving which is great because too much stress can become dangerous to your health. Stress can have harmful effects on many bodily systems including the immune system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, reproductive system, etc. It is very important to reduce your stress and another way is with massage therapy. Studies prove massage therapy can be beneficial not only in reducing physical pain, but also for improving mood and fighting stress.

In October 2008 the journal Psychooncology published a study entitled, “Massage in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy reduces serum cortisol and prolactin.” The conclusion of the study stated, “…a significant reduction in cortisol (stress hormone) could be safely achieved through massage, with associated improvement in psychological well-being.”
The Mayo Clinic website identifies massage as an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.
The American Psychological Association states “When stress starts interfering with your ability to live a normal life for an extended period, it becomes even more dangerous. The longer the stress lasts, the worse it is for both your mind and body. You might feel fatigued, unable to concentrate or irritable for no good reason, for example. But chronic stress causes wear and tear on your body, too.”

There are so many reasons we have stress in our lives but it is important to try to manage that stress. Enjoy your garden, go for a walk, practice deep breathing, do yoga or make an appointment to come see me and enjoy the benefits of a massage. Chair massage is convenient, you do not have to remove clothing, climb up onto a table and no oils are used.