The health and wellness benefits of Massage Therapy offer so much more than anxiety, tension, and pain relief as commonly thought.   One of the most interesting benefits is a link to improved immunity.  Studies have shown that those who receive regular massage have lower cortisol levels in their sava.  Cortisol is the “stress” hormone, and is linked to a lower immune function.  Cortisol in fact kills off cells necessary for healthy immunity.  Lowering this hormone in the body not only can lead to greater immune response to foreign invaders, but it also leads to lower stress and anxiety levels.   As a result of lower stress and anxiety, Massage Therapy helps regulate blood pressure -  the vagus nerve actually helps regulate one’s blood pressure, and Massage helps to stimulate this nerve into action.

The more obvious benefits of Massage Therapy are to reduce and manage pain, and it can be used to relieve muscle pain, pain associated with nerve damage, and joint pain.  The manipulation of the soft tissues helps increase circulation.  Enhanced circulation leads to better skin tone and helps to deliver oxygen and vital nutrients to the cells.  Massage Therapy also helps enhance the elimination of toxic substances which are transported out of the body by the lymphatic system. 

Massage Therapy, while beneficial, needs to be helped along by you. For instance, it is always recommended to drink plenty of water before and after a Massage treatment to push the toxins through the elimination process quicker.  Registered Massage Therapists at Burrard Health Centre can advise you with your home health initiatives.  Massage Therapy can be an excellent complement to your healthy lifestyle.

It was our pleasure and honor to participate in Nurse Week at St. Paul’s Hospital!

Being a nurse is demanding, in fact, a study found that more than half of practicing nurses suffer from moderate to extreme anxiety during their work. 

Currently there are numerous theories that validate massage therapy as an effective method in managing stress.  Scientific explanations focus on how massage therapy can effect  neurochemicals and reactions in the SNS (sympathetic nervous system) and the PNS (peripheral nervous system) related to various stress disorders.  A simple explanation is that stress increases muscle tension, and when a muscle is tensed, circulation is reduced, blocking the absorption of oxygen and nutrients. 

Massage Therapy decreases tension, loosens up the muscles, increases the circulation, bringing the oxygen and nutrients back to the area of tension, and even releases stored toxins.   Burrard Health Centre Massage Therapy hopes well-deserving nurses will be back to treat themselves to a massage therapy for their own well-being. 

Physical fitness encompasses human physical abilities with regards to body composition and coordination, cardiovascular capacity, stamina, speed, flexibility and overall strength.

Physical fitness prevents the occurrence of a variety of diseases. It develops a capacity to fight infections and certain other diseases. Physical fitness helps prevent many of the major cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease. Physical fitness facilitates a sound psychological state, thus helping to prevent the onset of mental illnesses. Physical fitness also helps make you more aware of your posture and coordination, and by exercising properly and stretching one can achieve further posture improvement which can reduce access loading on the lower back, knees, neck and shoulders – symptoms that often prompt individuals to seek massage therapy.

Physical fitness should be one’s top priority. Engaging in some daily physical activity is necessary to reduce a sedentary lifestyle – common in today’s society. After all, health is the only wealth that is going to remain with us for a lifetime.
Physical activity helps in the reduction of excess body fat as well; it decreases blood triglycerides and increases the energy levels of the body. It improves blood circulation and helps in keeping all the body’s organs fit and functioning properly. Exercise benefits the body by increasing its capacity to take in oxygen and it increases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
Exercise also helps us reduce our stress levels due to the release of certain “good” hormones, making us feel energetic and happy.

Having a balanced life style, good diet and taking part in moderate everyday activity is a key to a healthy body, state of mind and quality aging body.

Remember, if you ever are in pain due to exercise, you can always seek physical therapy, such as massage therapy, and your therapist will be trained to locate the cause and correct the problem to put you on the right path so you can continue with your happy active lifestyle.