Do You Need to Unplug and Recharge?
Massage is a supportive therapy, assisting our bodies to ignite the rest and digest response of our nervous system. Most of us are “plugged in”, 24-7. Life is busy, fast and demanding. We are always trying to do more and as a result, deplete our energy tanks.
Even one massage per month can help to reduce the amount of stress hormones our bodies release. This can help to reduce anxiety, pain, headaches, fatigue and muscle soreness, as well as improve sleep. Regular massage helps to calm the nervous system, lift your mood, and give your body TRUE relaxation.
Other ways to honor your body and gain true relaxation include stepping away from your devices and your to-do lists, even for a few hours a week. Begin to journal or spend 30 minutes enjoying time outside. Visit a spa or float center. Take time to practice meditation/mindfulness. Whatever it is that you do, do it with the intention of becoming more present in daily life. Stress and pain from chronic illness’ and injuries can also benefit from massage, as it supports the stress reducing hormones to activate and relieve the body and mind from the stress of daily symptoms. Chronic issues like joint pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, as well as soft tissue and sports injuries can all benefit. Research has even shown that massage helps to lower blood pressure and heart rate, leading you to a healthier heart. With the end of the year approaching, we begin to think about our 2019 goals and resolutions. A startling 90% of us will not follow through on those resolutions. Part of that is due to daily stress which can make it hard for people to control their behavior. The Mayo Clinic has linked stress to overeating, drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use and social withdrawal. Keeping your stress in check is a great way to meet your 2019 goals. Whether you’re working to be healthier, or trying to stay in shape, massage is a powerful tool to help you reach your goals.
At A2 Physical Therapy, our therapists are trained in both clinical and wellness massage therapy, which is often covered by insurance. We offer a range of styles, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal, and more. If you would like to learn more about our massage therapy offerings, or to schedule an appointment, call us at 253-844-4137
"William and I have been working out with Kristi on Saturday mornings for months now and we love it! We find the couples training so beautiful physically, mentally and relationally. Kristi not only challenges us with cardio and lifting but has introduced us to exercises that relate to balance and stretching. As we enter our 60’s we appreciate these balance routines and can see how it benefits our daily lives. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard William say, “I am not doing that, that’s a girl exercise!” and then later he’ll say “wow that was harder than I thought” or sometime that week he’ll bring up an exercise we do on Saturday and how it benefited him that day! Most importantly we have blast encouraging each other, competing with each other and having fun! We appreciate A2 and Kristi for providing a space for us to stay fit and have fun. We wish you all much success! Thank you"
− Pam and William
"Kristi’s weekly bootcamp has truly gotten me out of my comfort zone. I started attending with my family a few months ago. My first couple of times I was so ore! At times I became discouraged, but I just pushed through! I keep coming every week I am available. There’s no shaming if you must miss a week. You can even have someone go on your behalf if you miss a week. Since starting Kristi’s bootcamp I’ve said yes to other fitness opportunities I would have previously turned down. I now workout EVERYDAY and I’ve lost over 20 lbs since I first started coming. Thanks Kristi and to my family for introducing mw to this awesome bootcamp!"
− Amanda
"Before I started coming to A2 I was always tired and could barely pick up or carry my grandchildren a ½ block. After the first 6 weeks of working with Kristi I got a big surprise when I took my grandchildren to a festival and carried the youngest 4 blocks before she woke up enough to walk. I then picked her up and put her on my shoulders so she could see better without effort. I was amazed at how much strength I had gained in a short time. I continue to see improvement in my strength and I’m no longer tired all the time."
− Jacki