www.melaniesmassagestudio.massagetherapy.comSpring 2015

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Invest in Your HealthMassage Offers Excellent Return on Investment

Massage is a health investment, helping to manage stress, support wellness, and boost immunity.

Satisfactiondoes not comewithachievement,but with effort. Full effort isfull victory.-M.K. GandhiOffice Hours and Contact

Melanie's StudioMelanie Damask715-573-6706Monday - Thursday 9:00am to 6:00pmor by appointment http://melaniesstudio.fullslate.com/

In this Issue

Invest in Your HealthThe Health Benefits of GingerSecrets of Sleep

"Invest for the long term" is greatfinancial advice, but it's also greathealthcare advice. Never is investing forthe long term more important thanwhen you are making day-to-daydecisions about your health. There areshort-term gains from taking care ofyour health, to be sure, but thelong-term benefits are not to beunderestimated.

You already know the value of bodywork.For all the short-term stress and painrelief you get from massage today, thereare lasting rewards you'll thank yourselffor down the road. Massage therapy as apreventive measure and part of anongoing care regimen can mean fewervisits to the doctor, as well as fewer

co-pays, prescriptions, andover-the-counter medications.Ultimately, it means a healthier andhappier you.

An Excellent ValueAs you plan the family budget, ponderhow massage therapy impacts your abilityto make good decisions, cope with extraresponsibilities, stay on an even keel

emotionally and spiritually, andmaintain harmonious relationships withcoworkers, family, and friends.

Research supports the value of massage.Massage provides many benefits,including improved concentration,energy, circulation, and self-esteem, aswell as reduced stress, fatigue, and pain.It's helpful with more acute healthconditions, also. If you, or a loved one,are already dealing with a healthcondition, massage is an even moreimportant part of your healthcareplanning.

Research shows:-- Alzheimer's patients exhibit reducedirritability, pacing, and restlessness after

neck and shoulder massage.-- Deep-tissue massage is effective intreating arthritis, back pain,fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis.-- Fibromyalgia patients receivingmassage have fewer sleep problems andless anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain,and stiffness.

The value of bodywork runs deep, for nothing is more valuable than good health.

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-- Massage during labor appears to helpblock pain, reduce stress and anxiety,and relax muscles. Some medicalprofessionals say massage shortens labor.-- Massage can reduce sports-relatedsoreness and improve circulation, and isbeneficial in reducing symptomsassociated with arthritis, asthma, burns,high blood pressure, and premenstrualsyndrome.-- Oncology patients show less anxiety,depression, fatigue, nausea, and painfollowing massage therapy.-- Preterm babies receiving massagetherapy gain more weight and haveshorter hospital stays.-- Massage therapy is effective inreducing post-surgical pain and caneven reduce the time required forpost-operative hospital stays.

You may be trimming some extras out ofyour budget, as many Americans are.When weighing what goes and what stays,consider what an excellent value massageis, especially in relation to things thatmay be less valuable, but still cost youplenty. The price of massage hasremained stable in recent years, whilethe cost of movies, dining out, andsports events have risen. Which of theseactivities has the power to improve yourhealth and which has a better return oninvestment?

Get CreativeThere are many ways to keep massage inyour life if you use your imagination.While vacations are definitely neededright now by just about everybody, moreand more Americans are staying closerto home and taking "staycations." Howabout planning a healthy, home-basedvacation and including massage as partof your relaxation?

When it comes to gift-giving occasions,why not give and ask for massage giftcertificates? Massage makes a wonderfulreplacement for flowers that wilt,sweaters that don't fit, or another box offattening candy. Some folks buy spapackages or put together their ownoutings with a massage, a museumexcursion, or lunch at a favoriterestaurant. Mothers, daughters, aunts,and grandmothers are enjoying spastogether and massage is a key part of thepackage. These events create bondingexperiences that launch new traditionsand reinforce a healthy lifestyle.

Gift certificates for chair massage atairports are an option for wearytravelers, as is chair massage at malls forpackage-laden shoppers. If you are anemployer, consider gifting your staffwith on-site chair massage, which hasbeen shown to reduce stress andimprove performance. Just think of it asthe ultimate pat on the back for staff andone that pays you back.

Maintain Well-BeingYou may be tempted to trim yourwellness budget when economic timesare tough. Yet, a recent nationalconsumer survey showed mostmassage-minded Americans are stillcommitted to maintaining the healthbenefits they experience with massage. Itonly makes sense. The better you feel,the better job you can do of caring foryourself and your loved ones. Massagetherapy will also help families understress create healthier households, and

more focused and relaxed moms anddads. Children are sensitive and oftenpick up on tension in a household;parents who are taking care ofthemselves are more likely to provide asense of calm to their kids. This goes forcaregivers of aging parents, too.

Now, more than ever, massage shouldplay a role in reducing your stress andstrengthening your health. When peoplefeel their best, they are more able to facethe challenges difficult times present.With greater health and peace of mind,you can face difficulties with poise,clarity of purpose, and strengthenedemotional reserves.

Truly, massage is more than aluxury--it's a vital part of self-care thathas a positive ripple effect on you as youwork, play, and care for others.Investing in your health is oneinvestment that's sure to pay off.

The ginger plant has many medicinal uses.

The Health Benefits of GingerEasing Nausea, Joint Pain, and Allergies

Secrets of SleepJed Heneberry

This pungent spice is found in cuisinearound the globe, but ginger has alsobeen used for more than 2,500 yearsfor its medicinal properties. Theancient Chinese knew that it aided inthe absorption of many herbalpreparations and they prescribed itextensively as a digestive tonic.

A native root of southeast Asia, ginger isa potent ally in the treatment of nausea,motion sickness, and joint pain.Current research confirms ginger'sefficacy as an anti-inflammatory, GIcalmative, and antihistamine. The activeingredients found in ginger -- gingerolsand shagoals -- lower levels ofprostaglandins, the chemicalsresponsible for pain and inflammationin joints and muscles. By reducingprostaglandins, ginger can even have apositive effect on heart health andcirculation because chronic, systemicinflammation increases the risk of heartattack and blood vessel compromise.

Ginger comes in several forms. Fresh

and dried ginger is available insupermarkets for use in cooking. It'salso available in capsules, an extract pillform, prepackaged tea bags, crystallized,and as a topical oil.

Recommended UsesMotion Sickness and NauseaMost medications for nausea andmotion sickness work to calm thenervous system and can cause drowsinessand dry mouth. On the other hand,ginger calms the digestive tract directlyand has been shown to reduce nauseaafter surgery and chemotherapy. Formotion sickness, take 100 mg two hoursbefore departure and every four hoursafterwards or as needed.

Arthritis and Muscle AchesMassage ginger oil into affected areasand/or take up to 1 g of powdered gingerdaily to reduce inflammation.

Colds and AllergiesDrink up to 4 cups of ginger tea daily orenjoy authentic ginger ale (made from

real ginger).

While ginger has no known side effects,it's always a good idea to consult yourhealth care practitioner to make sure it'sright for you.

We've all heard it before: get your eighthours of sleep and watch your lifeimprove. But the reason we've all heardit is because it's true, and research keepsshowing the importance of sleep and itsvariety of health benefits.

The National Sleep Foundation saysthere is no "magic number" of hours foroptimum sleep benefits, but thatdifferent age groups, and even differentindividuals, need different amounts ofsleep. General recommendations are7-8 hours per night for adults, whilechildren often need 10-11 hours.Getting less than what you need has beenlinked to an increased risk of diabetes,heart problems, psychiatric conditions,and more.

Here's a quick look at some new findingsthat reveal the secrets of sleep, and also

how to get more of it.

- Sleep Suppresses Appetite: Just onenight of sleep loss can increase brainactivity in the region that containsappetite sensation in response to foodimages, increasing the long-termpossibility of becoming overweight."Lack of Sleep Makes Your BrainHungry," The Journal of ClinicalEndocrinology Metabolism.

- Naps for Your Noggin: The right sideof the brain, which is generallyassociated with creativity, is active duringso-called power naps, while the leftbrain remains mostly quiet. While it isnot clear what exactly is happeningduring these brief rest periods,researchers suspect the brain isconducting important memory tasks."'Power Naps' May Boost Right-Brain

Activity," Health.com.

- Cherry on Top: Drinking tart cherryjuice increased melatonin in studyparticipants, improving sleep efficiency,quality, and time. "Effect of Tart CherryJuice on Melatonin Levels andEnhanced Sleep Quality," EuropeanJournal of Nutrition.

Age is an issue ofmind overmatter. If youdon't mind, itdoesn't matter.-M. Twain

Freedom of Movement

An Exercise and Flexibility Program utilizing MyofascialRelease as a basis, is now being offered at Melanie'sStudio!!!

Enhance your current exercise/stretch program or have aprogram designed for your specific needs. Great for all levelsand abilities. Sessions are tailored to your needs and goals.

Book on-line today $40.00 per hour. Please wearcomfortable clothing.

Can't wait to see you! Melanie www.melaniesmassagestudio.massagetherapy.com

Melanie's Studio

1415 Merrill AvenueWausau, WI 54401