Pain Relief

You are probably unfortunately familiar with the “check engine” light in your car. The light tells us something isn’t running right. If you don’t address the problem sooner than later, you can end up on the side of the road with a broken down vehicle. What’s worse is that if one problem is allowed to go on for too long, other parts of the car can break down as well.  Simply speaking, our bodies can be likened to a car, with pain being the “check engine” light. Pain is trying to tell you that something is wrong in your body, and tissues will be further injured if you don’t do something about it. More tissue damage can produce more pain, so a vicious cycle can ensue.

Massage therapy can help break this cycle of pain and injury. Massage can help increase blood flow to the area causing the pain, thus assisting in the body’s ability to heal from injury.  Better blood flow flushes out the chemicals that can sensitize pain receptors, and brings fresh oxygenated blood to the area. This can result in a reduction of pain and discomfort. Massage therapy can also help relax tight muscles that are spasming or guarding around the area of pain. Furthermore, massage can help break up and align scar tissue that has formed from injury and trauma to the body.

If not addressed, pain can end up affecting all areas of a person’s life. Contact Northwest Massage Therapy today so you can started addressing your “check engine” light!

Stress Release and Relaxation

It won’t take long after you start your day that you will experience some type of stress, whether it be mental, emotional, or physical. A certain amount of stress is normal and valuable for us, but sometimes we venture and stay in the stress overload zone. When we are under prolonged tension and strain, our bodies can pay the price. Pre-existing physical ailments can also be amplified and worsened.  

Stress release is a popular reason why people seek massage therapy.  Massage can not only relax your muscles, but also helps the body to release natural feel-good chemicals.  This results in pain relief and promotes a sense of relaxation and tranquility. Our moods and outlook are improved. When we are able to reduce unhealthy stress levels, our energy levels can be restored, and mental and physical performance is enhanced.

Regular massage therapy can be an integral element in your overall health and wellness program. Contact Northwest Massage Therapy today to kick start your journey to stress relief and better health.

Posture and Breathing Improvement

When your mom or dad kept telling you to sit up straight, they were on to something. Having good posture isn’t just about appearance though.  Neck and back pain can be strongly linked to poor postural habits.  When a person slouches or slumps continuously, some muscles are required to work very hard while other muscles get weaker.  For example, if someone is working all day at a computer and tends to slouch, the chest and neck muscles can get tight and shortened, while the shoulder blade muscles get overstretched and weak.  This can lead to putting abnormal stresses on the spine which can open the door to a whole host of other problems.

When our bodies are not in proper alignment, this can also affect how we breathe.  The muscles in our ribcage, back, and abdomen have to contract and relax to allow us to breathe freely.  If a person’s muscles are not working right due to poor postural habits, it can be harder for someone to breathe.  This can put a person at risk for developing respiratory issues, and muscles and other body tissues end up not getting the oxygen they need. Furthermore, if we are not breathing right this can compound our anxiety and stress levels, making it difficult for one to achieve a relaxed state.

Massage therapy can assist in relaxing the muscles that are tight and working too hard.  This can allow the spine and our joints to move more easily.  Getting the muscles and the joints to work better can help facilitate better posture and breathing habits, allowing us to get through our day with less pain and better productivity.

Contact Northwest Massage Therapy today to get started on the road to better health and habits.