do it from center

A recent study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University found that Swedish massage helped speed muscle recovery at the cellular level for rabbits who got mechanically intense exercise. This comes as no suprise to Olympic swimmers Michael Phelps & Dara Torres who both used massage as a part of their daily routines. Phelps, 23, made history by winning eight gold medals. Torres, 41, became the oldest swimmer to compete in an Olympic event and win a silver medal

Read more at the Miami Herald

I often find that it is easy for me to hold up to my obligations to other people but I can easily excuse away that yoga class, detox bath, or other self-care opportunity. It also seems when trying to schedule with a client or friends, if is “just a exercise class” you are canceling, it is not so much a big deal. What if you had an appointment with the most important person in the world? Would you cancel your appointment with _insert_important_icon_here_ to have lunch with a friend or schedule a client for emergency pre-ski trip massage? I doubt it.

Guess what? YOU are the most important person in the world. No matter how trivial the “appointment” don’t waiver unless absolutely necessary. Self care (or preventative medicine, if you prefer) is one of the most valuable investments of time.

Now, go… set that appointment for a walk in the park, yoga class, dance lesson, massage, facial, hot bath, or early night with a good book! Not only do you deserve it, your health & well being depend on it!!

It was exactly 3 days before we left on our two week vacation in sunny Florida, 2 days before my birthday, and 1 day before I was to take my National Certification Exam for massage that my partner, Ian, received the news. Most people, would be shocked… resistant to believe… hesitant to make the changes… and decide to remain convinced that they way they felt, was out of their hands. But, not Ian! After living with symptoms for 15 years and seeking medical assistance every step of the way, Ian was relieved to *finally* have an answer. And I, his faithful companion, vowed to help him every way I could. Neither of us knew what we were getting into.

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As a massage therapist and person who loves computers, I experience soreness, tension, and sometimes pain in my wrists, thumbs, and forearms. Repetitive use my hands leaves me with hypertonic muscles that can feel like little rocks and connective tissue that feels like metal rods. During the last months of massage school, the pain was becoming unbearable and it became hard to use my pincer grip (thumb & forefingers) because pain would shoot up my arms. This was quite a predicament, since my new career as well as my “old” career depended on me constantly using my hands! I became a bit frantic and very worried. I could not live in pain – I am supposed to help heal pain! What was a new MT to do?

Before too long, it hit me. Castor Oil! During the hydrotherapy week of school, we learned about the drawing and lubricating properties of castor oil combined with heat. All it took was a couple treatments for me to feel relief! I went from constant aching and shooting pain back to normal. This amazing treatment is pretty simple and very accessible!

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