Category: Massage in the News

Have you or a family member been effected by infertility? Studies have shown that decreasing stress levels with CranioSacral Therapy can improve fertility as much as 60%. Follow this link for more information:

CranioSacral Therapy Can Help Decrease Stress and Improve Fertility

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle technique which relaxes the body from the inside out. Practitioner’s hands gently hold the body, listening for restrictions to movement, flow of tissue, holding the body in position after position allowing the opportunity to release tension, tightness and improve range of motion. The central nervous system releases from deep within the physical body, enabling relaxation signals to be sent throughout the body. Over all stress levels are reduced as muscles, joints and organs relax into the moment.

In my office, I encourage my clients to notice their breath bringing Oxygen into the body while inhaling, and releasing tension during exhalation. This deepens the breath and the letting go of tension brings an inner calm to the body. These simple techniques can be done at home to continue the relaxation and release of the physical body. This is a wonderful way to take care of your own being while caring for your partner or young child.

When you stress level is high, please call me to schedule an appointment: 603 365-0852 or email: relax@sarah-elizabeth.org

Much Love and Gratitude,
Sarah-Elizabeth

This article recently was published in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/06/health/childbirth-study-sees-longer-labor-as-normal.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20140206&_r=1

They discuss the relationship of labor and delivery time to the need for an epidural or c-section. Labor and deliver of a baby is a normal physical process of life creating life. There is need from time to time for medical interventions, though the majority of women have the internal strength and knowledge to birth a baby on their own. When a woman is feeling unready for the journey of labor, suggest a prenatal massage.

Relax. Pause. Breath. Become strong from within. These are some of the lessons of prenatal massage. Labor time can be shorter and less uncomfortable with a prenatal massage within one to two weeks of delivery.  During a session on my table, I remind the mother-to-be of her own body, breath and the connection between her and the child growing in the belly. Massage releases tightness in the shoulders, back and hips. The rib cage is massaged to bring additional space for breathing which will support full breaths during labor and delivery.

Moms who are at 40 week and show no signs of delivering their baby may consider prenatal massage to encourage labor to begin. Acupressure points at the ankles are activated to stimulate labor. Most pregnant moms I have worked with feel this activation of energy right away. This acupressure activation can be continued at home following the massage with the support of a parent, spouse, doula or mid-wife to the toleration of the mother-to-be.

Refer your pregnant friend, co-worker or family member to schedule a prenatal massage prior to the birth of their child. This is a gift for both the mother and the baby-to-be!

Contact me today  to set up an appointment today!

Many Blessings,
Sarah-Elizabeth, MA, LMT

A few weeks ago I learned about rhabdomyolysis, a disease that is on the rise as particularly CrossFit training and other intensive workouts become more common. Taking a break from your regularly scheduled workout routines for massage therapy assists your body in recovery time, body/mind awareness and rest and relaxation.

Fitness enthusiasts: how much are you listening to your body’s needs for relaxation? Do you know where your body is strongest or weakest? Taking time to step away from the gym, track, court or rink is a gift to your intensive workout schedule. During these times of rest your body recovers. Massage therapy enhances the recovery time and connects your body/mind to the effects of your workouts.

http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=14177&catid=328&title=fitness-fans-listen-to-your-body-when-its-time-for-massage

Sports massage techniques gently stretched the body to explore the range of motion in muscle groups around the major joints of the body: ankles, knees, hips and shoulder. Major joints are connected through fascia, muscles, tendon and ligaments into the spine, neck and head, so the whole body is effected. With awareness of breath, you are guided to notice sensations in the body, noticing where the body is open, releasing or holding tension, tightness or discomfort.  As the body begins to relax range of motion improves, the muscles melt open and circulation increases bringing oxygen and nutrients into the tissues deepening relaxation.

Awareness of holding patterns is an opportunity to make shifts in your workout routine to address the issues of imbalance. A CrossFit athlete may have an imbalance in the shoulders that began with a slight injury. A Baseball player may have a strong rotation in one direction around the spine as they power through to hit the ball. Release of the shoulder muscles (cross-fit) spine (baseball) improves the range of motion in the body, invites awareness to the difference in rotation to the left around the spine and creates space for healing.

As massage therapy on a monthly basis becomes an integrated part of your exercise routine you will cultivate body awareness, create body/mind connection, deepen full-body relaxation and improve recovery between workouts.

Contact me today, to set up an appointment for sports massage.

Peace,

Sarah-Elizabeth, MA, LMT

Hurricane Sandy had brought great shifting to the Earth all along the Eastern Seaboard. Our bodies are braced against the shifting sands of change. Darkened morning sky gives rise to noticeably shorter days here in Concord, NH. Shifts in the weather and short bouts of sunshine can lead to depression and anxiety issues.

“Up now, my foot, upon another year of snow,” wrote Robert Frost. But some of us are less enthusiastic about the turning of the season from fall to winter.

Even people who are normally high-energy go-getters experience anxiety and depression, especially during winter months. Research has found that those who suffer from anxiety and depression benefit significantly from the dual effects of massage and Reiki.

Reiki is a term heard often in healing circles. Reiki is Universal Life force energy, a healing modality that is believed to have the capacity to heal the body, mind and spirit. Reiki is said to be the healing touch that Jesus used to cure invalids and sick people of his time. Experienced massage therapists apply the healing energy of Reiki, for massages that relieve depression and anxiety, and bring warmth and calm to your entire well being. Reiki helps lift your spirit.

Scientific research has shown Reiki reduces depression and anxiety. In a controlled blind study, 30 college students, all presenting with moderate-acute depression and anxiety, were divided into two groups: one group received Reiki treatments, the others did not. Those in the first group gained significant benefits, including the releases of deep muscle pains, after only six weeks of 30-minute treatments. See this article for more:

http://tinyurl.com/crbqyjh

“Results of the research showed that the students with high levels of anxiety, depression or both demonstrated a greater overall improvement in mood and stress levels, with no similar benefits found in the “high-mood” control group. These significant improvements were still in effect five weeks after the final Reiki session.”

With every session of therapeutic massage on my table you will receive Reiki.  When you are ready to release the physical tension brought on by depression and/or anxiety, call to schedule an appointment. You will arise centered, relaxed and ready to step into your life once more.

Contact me today to schedule an appointment.

Many Blessings to you in these days of Autumn Crisp,
Sarah-Elizabeth

Are you a woman who experiences monthly abdominal pain?

Cramping during your moon time may be just a way of your body telling you to slow down. Curling up in bed with a heating pad and a warm cup of tea may be just what you need. But for others, women with dysmenorrhea, the pain can be disabling. If you suffer from chronic or acute menstrual pain, massage should be your first choice, because it is often the most effective, remedy for relief.

Digestive pain and problems with constipation is one kind of pain pattern, cramping with your flow is quite different. Sarah-Elizabeth can help you understand the difference. Fortunately, both can be cured through massage. Regularly massaging on the lower abdomen coupled with gentle stimulation of the uterus and ovaries has been shown by researchers to significantly reduce pain with menses, even among those women who are affected by dysmenorrhea and endometriosis. Significant relief often occurs within six short weeks.

The results of a large research study attest to the healing power of massage for those who seek treatment for dysmenorrhea:

http://tinyurl.com/bq957pu

My gentle hands-on massage techniques can be easily learned so you can continue the healing process at home between sessions. Let a professional help you get started. With a few sessions in my office, pain relief can be achieved.

Contact me today for a consultation or to schedule a session.

Many Blessings,
Sarah-Elizabeth

In today’s networked world, many people spend long hours typing. Despite taking breaks, stretching arms and hands, and paying attention to ergonomics, many adults and teens will experience aching, throbbing, and pain by the end of the day. If left unchecked, these symptoms can evolve into more serious conditions such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ulnar (elbow) neuropathy. Anyone who uses their hands on a daily basis, including construction workers, potters, weavers and quilters, archery enthusiasts, and weight lifters, are all at risk for hand pain and swelling wrists.

Hand massage can nip these early warning signs in the bud before they become more serious. A recent study conducted by the University of Miami’s School of Medicine found that not only was hand and wrist pain significantly reduced through massage techniques, but also associated anxiety and depression due to increasing dis-ease and worries about work performance, were reduced through healing touch. See a summary of these findings from the University of Miami’s clinical trial at: http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14624

My experience treating hands and wrist over the years has shown hand massage is effective to reduce pain in both hands and shoulders for my clients. Hands that are constantly moving invite shoulder tension to build in the body, creating the potential for neck discomfort as well. Releasing the tension and discomfort in the hands often releases the shoulders and allows the entire body and mind to relax. Gentle massage of the hands and the stretch of tendons through the wrists releases shoulder tension and benefits the whole person.

Paying attention to pain in our hands is often a first step in caring for ourselves, and a trained professional can help pave the way for recovery. My practice is both spiritual and medicinal. If I can help you in any way, please contact me at the link below.

Many Blessings,
Sarah-Elizabeth