“During stress, the body is primed to resist or escape a threat, and in that situation, it’s not going to prioritize restorative activi- ties,” she says. Craniosacral therapy (CST) focuses on the cerebrospinal fluid and the meninges surrounding the brain, spinal cord and related connective tissue, and helps the body drop out of excessive fight- or-flight mode.


Pain, Serotonin and Substance P Bodywork and its ability to impact the chemistry of stress has far-reaching effects on most bodily systems. Studies in 2016 from the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine have shown that massage therapy helps to regulate hormones, boost immunity, im- prove attentiveness and ease the symptoms of depression. Licensed Massage Terapist Michele


Duncan King, of Sea Spell Massage, in Cannon Beach, Oregon, knows firsthand how her work can assist in counteract- ing the energy-sapping effects of stress. “When the digestive system doesn’t go into the ‘rest-and-digest’ state via activa- tion of the parasympathetic nervous sys- tem, it can affect muscles, joints, organs and hormones. Tis, along with elevated cortisol, can certainly make us function less optimally, making us feel older and less vibrant.” Traditional massage modalities such


as Swedish, deep tissue, Tai and Lomi Lomi help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity by augmenting natural killer cells, decrease symptoms of depression and support the cardiovascular system. It can also assist lymphatic movement, which can prevent cold hands and feet and achiness. Massage also raises sero- tonin and dopamine levels, neurotrans- mitters that play vital roles in memory, mood regulation and immunity. Most significantly, higher serotonin


levels are linked to lower levels of sub- stance P, a neuropeptide that is central in pain perception. It soars during times of stress, anxiety and insufficient sleep, and has also been linked to tumor growth and inflammatory conditions.


During stress, the body is primed to resist or escape a threat, and … it’s not going to prioritize restorative activities.


~Margaret Connolly


Multidimensional Well-Being Bodywork can assist the physical body, but it can also be a restorative balm for the emo- tions and psyche. “As human beings, touch is so important. Massage modalities invite safe, healing touch,” says Anita Bondi, licensed massage therapist and a founder of the Wellspring Holistic Center, in East Strouds- burg, Pennsylvania. “A good therapist will


also educate a client about other benefits of a more holistic lifestyle. I believe any time we give ourselves permission to listen to the body’s wisdom and follow its lead, we reduce stress and increase well-being.” While women are more apt to include


bodywork sessions in their health care, men can be hesitant. Connolly encourages both women and men to experience CST and other modalities. “Sometimes men are a bit nervous about being touched, whether the practitioner is male or female. Even when open to hands-on therapy, some men believe extremely deep pressure is needed in order to be effective.” Not so, says Connolly, who cites the experience of Mark Bertolini, CEO of the Aetna health insurance company, who credits CST with saving his life when he was contemplating suicide and suffering severe neuropathic pain from a skiing accident.


Highlighting Bodywork Benefits


For Her: n Shiatsu and acupuncture for hormonal imbalance, insomnia, mi- graine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome


n Swedish, deep tissue and aromatherapy massage for stress reduc- tion, premenstrual syndrome, pain, food cravings


n Craniosacral therapy for headaches, back and joint pain, morning sickness, postpartum wellness


n Maya Abdominal Massage (Arvigo techniques) for reproductive health, fertility, bladder health, constipation


n Reflexology for healthier skin, food sensitivities, seasonal allergies, overactive bladder


For Him: n Shiatsu and acupuncture for back pain, office-related pain syndromes, gout and inflammatory bowel disease n Swedish, deep tissue and aromatherapy massage for cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation, blood pressure, depression, anxiety, better sleep n Neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, trigger point release and cross-fiber friction massage for supporting muscles of the male pelvic floor integral to the prostate, bladder and sexual health n Craniosacral therapy for pain reduction, headaches, asthma n Rolfing, structural integration and the Feldenkrais Method for changing structural patterns, pain reduction, body awareness n Reflexology for kidney stones


September 2019 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44