Get Ready For Spring Break!

It’s almost time for Spring Break, which means one thing: Millions of women are prepping to go barren as a tundra down there. Despite declarations that the full bush is back, the fact remains that brazilian bikini waxes are still à la mode here in Generation Y. We firmly believe that the extra spring in our step is a symptom of a confidently manicured V, not the burning desire to keep freshly chafed skin six inches apart. No matter how high the pain quotient, many of us keep going back — because you can’t beat the feeling of a really great wax. But how to get one?

Well, you wouldn’t book an appointment for highlights without a few precautionary measures, would you? No, you would spend days analyzing Yelp reviews, and ditch any stylist who didn’t clean brushes between clients. So why should these hairs — the ones that adorn our Privatest Parts — get anything less than the royal treatment?

Whether it’s skipping your morning latte, packing tweezers in your purse, or requesting a fresh pot of wax, the following steps can make your Brazilian bearable.

1. Request A New Pot Of Wax Every Time

This sounds a little high maintenance, but it’s the only way to avoid double dipping. Those popsicle sticks are often reused throughout an appointment. And once a stick goes from vag to wax, the entire pot is contaminated.

Pro Tip: Schedule appointments for early in the day — even before work — when salons are most likely to procure a fresh pot of wax. You’ll definitely be awake after that!

2. Bring Your Own Tweezers

No amount of disinfecting or sterilizing should convince a woman to let communal tweezers near her nether regions. Make sure to bring your own set every time to avoid unwanted health risks.

Pro Tip: Ask for a hand mirror after the wax is complete, and have the technician tweeze away any lingering hairs with your pair.

3. Take A Bath One Hour Before

The same way a facialist steams clients before extractions, you can boost your Brazilian by taking a hot bath one hour before an appointment. The warmth will open up pores and soften hairs until they glide effortlessly from their follicles. Okay, maybe that’s bit of an exaggeration — but it definitely helps the process.

Pro Tip: Pre-wax tub time isn’t the appropriate occasion for exfoliation. Give yourself a scrub 24-48 hours before and after a wax, but never the day of.

4. Plan For A Wax One Week After Your Period

The first week after menstruation is the ideal time for a wax. Your pain tolerance is at an all time, monthly high, and you’ll avoid any cameos from Aunt Flo. Numb the pain even further by bringing a magazine, book, or well-equipped smartphone onto the table.

Pro Tip: Supplement your pain tolerance by taking Advil or ibuprofen 30 minutes before an appointment.

5. Skip The Pre-Wax Coffee

Who needs a latte when you have an early morning wax to wake you up? Unfortunately, the acid and caffeine in coffee will stimulate your skin to feel everything. And while wine may also seem like a great pre-waxing ritual, it too will make your nerves light up faster.

Pro Tip: Try to drink at least 16 oz. of water immediately prior to your appointment. It’s never a bad idea to hydrate.

6. Treat Yourself Gently Afterwards

Even though the above tips are sure to guarantee a (nearly) painless wax, it’s important to be aware of you post-wax limitations. Sex can be extremely painful the day of your appointment, and the gym is an absolute no-no. Be sure to avoid any activity that causes chafing and opt for loose fitting clothes (no leggings!).

Pro Tip: Splurge on a post-wax treat. You just paid a complete stranger to pour burning-hot liquid onto your body — only a donut is going to fix this.

What To Look For In A Facial

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Facials for problem skin: what to look for

The following are key components of a good problem skin facial or acne facial.

1. Skin analysis

Your esthetician should examine your skin closely under magnification and discuss with you what you’re using on your skin daily, in detail. Like a detective, your esthetician tries to piece together the culprits for your breakouts. They may not be the usual suspects, especially if you have Adult Onset Acne. You may have enjoyed clear skin all your life, even avoided teenage acne, and suddenly find yourself breaking out, for no apparent reason. Adult Onset Acne is harder to clear than teen acne, which is very straightforward.

Regardless of your age, acne is never the result of just one factor, such as excess oil or bacteria. It’s almost always a combination of issues, and each one must be addressed in order to get your skin clear.

Your esthetician will evaluate the type of eruptions and impactions you have. For example, you can have very clogged pores but no breakouts. Or you can have breakouts that seem unrelated to any pore impactions. Then again, you may have classic clogged-pores-with-breakouts. This is one of the easiest problems to treat; clearing your pores will usually end your breakouts.

2. Exfoliation

For someone with clogged pores, a deep exfoliation is the first step in loosening the debris that is blocking the follicle. Skin cells have an adhesive property that enables them to cling to the surface of the skin. The protective “horny layer” forms the outermost layer of the skin. Your pores are not holes in the skin; they’re tiny indentations on its surface. That’s why this layer of sticky surface cells is present inside the pores as well. And if you have clogged pores, you’re cursed with extra-sticky skin cells, which clump together inside the pores, forming impactions that block the natural flow of oil out of the pore. Acne bacteria show up to feast on this oil.

Sometimes “super sticky” skin cells are caused by your own skin’s adhesive properties, and sometimes it’s caused by the products you apply to the skin. If this is the cause of your acne, you have an easy-to-remedy condition called acne cosmedica. It’s simply a matter of figuring out which product in your routine is gumming up your pores. Usually, it’s your moisturizer or sunscreen.

Exfoliation can be accomplished with an enzyme that dissolves dead skin cells (fruit enzymes from papaya and pineapple do this.) A more intensive way to do this is with an alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acid peel. Scrubs are a crude way to exfoliate and tend to cause more inflammation and irritation for acne conditions. The use of AHA/BHA formulas at home will help the cells on the follicle wall continue to slough off. A serum with a combination of salicylic acid and glycolic acid produces an excellent synergistic effect.

Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) also helps to keep the follicles free of debris, and it kills the anaerobic bacteria which cause acne by introducing oxygen. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to use high concentrations of BPO to clear your skin.

3. Proper massage technique

For true acne conditions, the less friction the better, but there are massage techniques, including Manual Lymphatic Drainage and a manipulation called Jacquet (a gentle pinching/rolling) that are beneficial. They help to detoxify the skin. As an excretory organ, the skin is responsible for evacuating waste. Sluggish skin, sometimes referred to as “asphyxiated” skin, needs a bit of encouragement. If your skin texture is normal to thick, and your pore impactions resemble “waxy yellow buildup,” you’ll probably respond well to massage. When dealing with inflamed acne, most skincare experts omit facial massage altogether.

4. Proper extraction technique

Expert extraction is essential to clearing problem skin, but few estheticians employ the proper technique. It must be precise and targeted to the “offending” pore. For example, most estheticians wrap their fingers in gauze, cotton, or tissue and simply squeeze the area around a pore–hard. This is the exact wrong thing to do to the skin in which there are inflamed pustules. The walls of these inflamed pores are compromised and weak from the infection, and squeezing can cause them to rupture, spilling bacteria-laden debris into the deep, living layers of the skin. When this happens, your skin will form “tombstone scars,” trapped pockets of infection buried deep in the skin that periodically re-inflame as stubborn, painful bumps. They can never be extracted and they will haunt you for years (hence the name.)

Squeezing is also poor physics unless you’re dealing with large, open pores such as those on the nose. When you’ve had squeeze-style extractions, you’ll notice that the skin sloughs like mad around the extracted areas in a couple of days. That’s because the pressure of the squeezing literally pulls away from the upper layer of skin and causes it to peel off.

Good extraction technique is about precision, applying the right amount of pressure at exactly the right spot. At Precision Wellness we use a special surgical steel extractor that can address one pore at a time. This is not the big, crude comedone extracting “loop” or “dish with the hole in it”, but has a very tiny curve that is placed around the clogged pore. Then the debris is pushed, from the back of the pore to the front, guiding it toward the “exit.” This enables the complete evacuation of the comedone.

If you find that you break out after facials, the culprit is usually improperly performed, or incomplete, extractions. If the esthetician breaks up a comedone while extracting it, the remaining debris in the pore will run wild, creating a blemish.

If an esthetician ever tells you that you’re supposed to break out after a facial, run, don’t walk, in the opposite direction. The classic claim is that post-facial breakouts are “impurities coming to the surface.” Believe me, your skin excretes impurities and waste all day long–that’s what it’s designed to do. It does not have to erupt to cleanse itself. It is possible to overstimulate the skin during a marathon extraction session, and every esthetician has done this at one time or another, but that’s not the right outcome. If you’ve had a lot of extractions, we’ll often advise putting an ice cube in a plastic bag and massaging the skin during the hours after the treatment. You can also mask your skin again the following day to help sedate it further.

5. Calming and sedating

After extracting comedones, it’s good to give the skin a chance to calm down.

Many skins will also benefit from a quick pass with a high-frequency electrode. This elongated glass tube, which glows blue to violet and makes an unsettling buzzing sound, looks like something straight out of science fiction, but it works wonderfully. The esthetician can actually create a “spark gap” between a blemish and the electrode to zap it, destroying bacteria. And yes, that little zap feels not-so-relaxing–don’t worry, we’ll warn you. Not everyone prefers to “nuke” their blemishes with high frequency, but it really works.

6. Recommend the proper home care regimen

No matter how good the facial treatment is the key to clearing skin is using the right home care regimen. This is the product that touches your skin daily.

7. Recommend the right interval, right length facial treatment program

Any time you want to change the behavior of your body, you have to repeatedly challenge or treat it, over a period of time. Imagine trying to get in shape by working out once a month, and you’ll have an idea of how unrealistic it is to think that a periodic facial, without a proper home, can clear acne. Don’t be surprised if your esthetician asks you to come in once a week for four to six weeks when you kick off your skin clearing project. The good news is that once you’ve gotten control of your skin, you can drop back to a maintenance schedule that may be as little as once a month. But you have to do your part, and stick to your regimen at home.

It takes a comedone (blackhead) 90 days to form. That means you should allow at least 90 days to cycle through all the existing, built-up debris and get your skin cleared, but professional treatments really accelerate this process. The more you participate–masking at least twice a week, using your home care faithfully, and following our clear skin guidelines–the faster you’ll see results.

Book Your Massage ASAP!

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There’s no denying a massage is calming — until you start feeling guilty for indulging in a little special treatment.

A small new study excuses us all from the guilt: Massage therapy isn’t just a way to relax, it’s also a way to alleviate muscle soreness and improve blood flow, according to recent research.

Other benefits of massage have long been touted, but research is usually limited. Still, we think there are some pretty good reasons to book an appointment ASAP.

Massage can reduce pain.

A 2011 study found that massage helped people with lower back pain to feel and function better, compared to people who didn’t get a rubdown. That’s good news for the eight in ten Americans who experience debilitating back pain at least once in their lives, Time.com reported.

“We found the benefits of massage are about as strong as those reported for other effective treatments: medications, acupuncture, exercise, and yoga,” Dan Cherkin, Ph.D., lead author of the study, said in a press release.

Massage also seems to lessen pain among people with osteoarthritis.

It can help you sleep.

The calming treatment can also help you spend more time asleep, according to research from Miami University’s Touch Research Institute. In one study of people with fibromyalgia, 30-minute massages three times a week for five weeks resulted in nearly an hour more of sleep, plus deeper sleep, she said.

Massage may ward off colds.

There’s a small body of research that suggests massage boosts immune function. A 2010 study, believed to be the largest study on massage’s effects on the immune system, found that 45 minutes of Swedish massage resulted in significant changes in white blood cells and lymphocytes, which help protect the body from bugs and germs.

It could make you more alert.

At least one study has linked massage to better brainpower. In a 1996 study, a group of adults completed a series of math problems faster and with more accuracy after a 15-minute chair massage than a group of adults who were told to just sit in a chair and relax during those 15 minutes.

Massage may ease cancer treatment.

Among patients receiving care for cancer, studies have noted multiple benefits of massage, including improved relaxation, sleep, and immune system function as well as decreased fatigue, pain, anxiety, and nausea.

It may alleviate depression symptoms.

A 2010 review of the existing studies examining massage in people with depression found that all 17 pieces of research noted positive effects. However, the authors recommend additional research into standardizing massage as a treatment and the populations who would most benefit from it.

Massage could help with headaches.

The power of touch seems to help limit headache pain. A 2002 study found that massage therapy reduced the frequency of chronic tension headaches. And in a very small 2012 study, 10 male patients with migraine headaches noted significant pain reduction after neck and upper back massage and manipulation. You may even be able to reap the benefits without seeing a professional: Start by applying gentle pressure with your fingertips to your temples, then move them in a circular motion along the hairline until they meet in the middle of your forehead, WebMD reported.

Stress reduction is scientific.

Between the dim lights, soothing music, and healing touch, it certainly feels like stress melts away during a massage, but research suggests a very literal reduction of cortisol, a major stress hormone. Chronically high levels of cortisol can contribute to serious health issues, like high blood pressure and blood sugar, suppressed immune system function, and obesity.

Beating the Winter Blues

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Beating the winter blues can be as simple as booking an appointment with your massage therapist.

Massage is good medicine—capable of alleviating stress, easing lower back pain, and reducing tension headaches.

Three ways massage can raise spirits as the thermometer drops

1. Alleviate Holiday Stress—Don’t let your to-do list ruin the most wonderful time of the year. Massage therapy has been shown to help address stress and anxiety while simultaneously addressing some of their physical repercussions.

2. Relieve Lower Back Pain—Whether back pain stems from holiday travel or shoveling snow, research has shown that massage therapy provides superior functional outcomes and symptom improvement over those who do not utilize massage.

3. Ease a Headache—Tension headaches aren’t on anyone’s wish list. Research indicates that those who receive massage therapy experience a decrease in the physical pain as well as the emotional distress associated with the headache.

The Elderly and Massage

Massage for the elderly has various physical and mental benefits, which results in the improvement of health and general well-being. The techniques used for senior citizens differ greatly from those used with younger individuals so massage therapists strive to understand those differences in order to better treat their patients.

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork has been at the forefront of the promotion of massage for the elderly for many years. The board promotes massage as a treatment for the management and prevention of age-related diseases and views it as a good alternative to less natural pharmaceutical treatments. With regular massage, the quality of life is greatly increased, allowing the older patients to feel younger, healthier, and balanced.

Massage for the elderly involves gentle stroking, kneading, and the application of light pressure on specific points. Studies by the Touch Research Institute show that massage facilitates communication and relaxation, and is, therefore, effective therapy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients. The manipulation of specific points on the body has also been shown to promote the natural lubrication of joints, greatly assisting in the pain management of patients suffering from the stiffness of arthritis.

Therapists administering massage for senior citizens are also trained to incorporate stretching in the massage session. The specific stretching technique involves the application of just enough pressure on the joints, soft tissue, and muscles to make the massage safe for an older individual while still retaining its efficacy. Patients greatly benefit from massage by gaining an increased range of motion, strengthening of muscles while reducing tension, and a higher quality night’s sleep. Those who undergo regular massage have reported sleeping deeper and for longer, which allows the body time to regenerate and repair itself, resulting in an overall state of greater well-being. Massage also improves posture and reduces tension that accumulates in the muscles over many years. This not only assists seniors in obtaining higher quality rest but also helps them avoid and manage painful age-related conditions, such as degenerative disc disorder and spinal stenosis.

Studies have shown that the effects of aging take place faster in people lacking mental stimulation and who engage in little physical activity. Further studies have shown a link between a reduction in physical activity to an increase in depression, which leads to many age-related diseases and conditions. Due to the connection between the physical and mental, any treatment for the aged should aid in improving the balance between the two. By manipulating the body and stimulating the mind, massage provides the perfect balance needed for an individual’s health to thrive.

Prepare for a Deep Tissue Massage

A deep tissue massage near Branson, MO is being performed at Precision Wellness as the therapist's elbow is applying soothing pressure and massaging a black man's back

How Do I Prepare For a Deep Tissue Massage?

A deep tissue massage varies greatly from a Swedish or sports massage. While the goal of a Swedish massage is to use long strokes to relax you, a deep tissue massage uses forceful, deep strokes to work deeper muscles and connective tissues. The goals of deep tissue massage are to target deep muscles and break up knots, improve muscle positions, and release built-up toxins.

Step 1

Do research to find a good massage therapist. Call massage businesses in your area to inquire about a the credentials of their staff. In addition to a certificate and license to practice massage, ask about how long the individual has been performing massage services. You could also ask your doctor to recommend a therapist.

Step 2

Prepare relevant health information for the therapist. A deep tissue massage can be somewhat uncomfortable. If you have any pain in your body or injuries, this is information the therapist will need to know. Preparing the information ahead of time will ensure you do not forget anything when you are at your appointment. You may also choose to include information pertaining to any allergies you have or preferences on aromatherapy scents.

Step 3

Drink water. Deep tissue massages are designed to break up knots and adjust your muscles. They also release toxins from the muscles, which might make you feel fatigued or nauseated after a massage. Staying well hydrated by drinking water before and after the massage will help alleviate these symptom

Step 4

Take a warm shower before the massage to loosen up your muscles and help put you in a relaxed state. A fresh, clean body will also make the experience more pleasant for your massage therapist.

Step 5

Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the massage appointment. This will help you continue to feel relaxed and make the process of undressing easier. You may also feel sore or tender following the massage, so loose clothing will be more comfortable to wear.

Warnings

Generally, massages are safe if performed by a trained professional massage therapist. However, if you have unexplained pain, cancer, blood clots, fractures, arthritis, or osteoporosis, consult a doctor before receiving a massage. Also, check with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.

Get In Touch With Massage

Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you’ve never tried massage, learn about its possible health benefits and what to expect during a massage therapy session.

What is massage?

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage, but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure.

There are many different types of massage, including these common types:

Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
Deep massage. This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it’s geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Benefits of massage

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:

Anxiety
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Insomnia related to stress
Myofascial pain syndrome
Paresthesias and nerve pain
Soft tissue strains or injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular joint pain

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist.

Despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you’re trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.

Risks of massage

Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have:

Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication
Burns, open or healing wounds
Deep vein thrombosis
Fractures
Severe osteoporosis
Severe thrombocytopenia

Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or have cancer or unexplained pain.

Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn’t ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn’t feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.

In rare circumstances, massage can cause:

Internal bleeding
Nerve damage
Temporary paralysis
Allergic reactions to massage oils or lotions

It’s My First Wax, Help! How To Prepare For Waxing

What To Expect From Your First Wax

In the last several years, waxing has become a common (and popular) service offered at salons and spas. Whether it’s the eyebrow, upper lip, armpit or, well, someplace more intimate, many people choose waxing for longer-lasting hair removal. But to those who’ve never done it (or who’ve done it once and had a bad experience), it can seem a bit daunting. If you’re thinking about giving waxing a try, get the inside scoop on everything from wax preparation and hair removal pain to what kind of results to expect, so you can be well prepared when it comes time to take it all off—your hair, that is.

How Do I Choose A Waxing Salon?

Research is key to ensure you choose the best spa near you before scheduling yourself a wax. Not unlike the bacterial risks associated with certain mani practices, some establishments have lax rules about waxing that can leave you irritated or worse, burned. First and foremost, make sure you go to a place with proper sterilization procedures. The technician should be licensed and she should not double-dip during the waxing session. If your waxer re-uses the same spatula to apply a new layer of wax, run! Double-dipping into the same hot pot of wax can introduce bacteria to the skin. Look for salons that have all-natural alternatives to synthetic wax (like us!). For first-timers or those with sensitive skin, all-natural waxes won’t incite an angry red, unwanted rash or reaction.

How Do I Prepare For A Wax?

If you’re worried about pain, take one or two Advil an hour before your appointment. It is also recommended that you use an exfoliating scrub the day before and advise not to apply body lotion the day of the wax. Also, for underarm waxing, use deodorant without antiperspirant because it comes off easier.

Skip Shaving For…A While

Let your hair grow to about a quarter of an inch before your appointment. If you’ve shaved recently, wait at least five days before scheduling your appointment, although it’s best to wait around a month. This allows the wax to grasp the hair and completely remove it from its follicle, so you’re left with super-smooth skin that last much longer than a couple of days.

Exfoliate Near Your Appointment Day

Do NOT exfoliate the day of your appointment, as this will cause your skin to be too sensitive and may increase the risk of damage. Please do not apply lotion before your appointment, as this can prevent the wax to properly adhering to your skin. Learn more about the Do’s and Dont’s of Waxing Prep.

Hydrate!

Drinking enough water and staying hydrated helps your skin be more pliable, minimizing discomfort and irritation during a wax. Hydrated skin allows your hair follicles to be removed easier and with less pain.

What to Expect From Your First Wax + Waxing FAQs

First, your waxer will clean and disinfect the area. After that, she’ll apply the wax and remove small areas of hair at a time. There are two different types of wax: soft wax is done with paper or muslin strips, and hard wax is removed without strips. In general, hard wax is used to remove hair in the bikini, underarm and face area, while soft wax is used on larger areas of the body such as the leg or armpit. Waxing takes time, so be patient, as your waxer may need to cut more strips or revisit areas. If the hair isn’t completely removed from its follicle, your waxer may have to wax again to ensure smooth, hair-free skin. After all hair has been removed, your practitioner will remove any wax residue and apply soothing cream.

How Long Will I Be Sore After A Wax?

Although the pain does subside as soon as the wax is over, the area can remain sensitive, which is why you should not use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and not to expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. To treat redness or swelling, apply a small amount of cortisone cream from the drugstore.

Why Does Waxing Hurt?

Waxing is uncomfortable because the hair is being pulled all the way out. If the hair follice’s roots are not pulled out, the discomfort is minimal, but the results are also minimal. However, a wax shouldn’t be agonizing. When the waxer pulls off the strip, you should feel a quick tug, but nothing more. If it hurts or burns, address your concerns immediately.

What Do I Do After A Wax?

After the tenderness has subsided, exfoliate in the shower to remove dead skin so the pores don’t become clogged, causing ingrown hairs and bumps. If bumps do appear, don’t squeeze or tweeze! Ensure your waxer moisturizes the newly-hairless area afterwards, and apply lotion after your shower later on. And don’t forget your SPF!

2015 Massage Resolutions

Massage therapy has myriad health benefits that can help you stay on track with goals for the new year. Resolve to include massage therapy in your 2015 health regimen!

Reach Your Goals

1. Get active. From beginner atheletes to elite professionals, massage therapy has been shown to have major benefits, including enhanced performance, improved conditioning, faster recovery, injury prevention and assistance in maintaining peak fitness.

2.Sleep better. Inadequate sleep is associated with a number of medical conditions, and can negatively impact a person’s overall health. Some research sheding light on how massage therapy can be used to help people who have difficulty sleeping.

3.Manage stress. Stress takes a toll on your health and quality of life. Studies show that massage can reduce stress significantly on physical and psychological levels including decreased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as significant changes in emotional states.

4. Improve your overall health. Research shows massage therapy can play an important role in your health regimen. Pain management, increased immunity and stress reduction can positively affect your health and wellness.

Stress and Massage Therapy

Position Statement

It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief.

Background Information

Stress is a prevalent component in today’s fast-paced world which can negatively impact on an individual’s health and well-being. Massage therapy has been shown to be a means by which stress can be reduced significantly on physical and psychological levels. While massage therapists know from experience that massage reduces stress, there is considerable research that validates our experience.

In a study on the effect of trigger point therapy, there was a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Measures of oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels were all lower after a 10 to 15 minute chair massage in controlled studies. Changes in psychological states have been measured by physiological responses, the Perceived Stress Scale, the POMS Depression Scale, and the Anxiety State Scale.

In the attached studies, all subjects in the massage group showed significant changes in emotional states and stress levels.

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