Let's talk massages - and not the kind that you convince and/or persuade your loved one to begrudgingly bestow upon you. I mean regular rub downs from a licensed massage therapist that you incorporate on a regular. A massage can be just as vital to your overall health as your exercise schedule. I indulge every six to eight weeks.

     There used to be a time when incorporating massages into your health regimen was extremely cost prohibitive for us regular folk, but thanks to chains likeMassageEnvy, more and more people are able to get a rub down more often – myself included. No there are no thick terry cloth robes for you to put on, and no plush lounge with great goodies – but they get the job done for a membership that will run you less than $60 a month.

     For that $60 you get one massage a month and rollover massages for any months that you miss getting rubbed down. I have a membership, and currently have seven rolled over massages waiting to be taken advantage of and would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a difference in my flexibility, muscle recovery, and stress as a result of massage. If your pocketbook can swing it, I definitely recommend. Besides, look at the many - and I mean many benefits of massage therapy:



- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs

- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer

- Increases circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body’s largest organ – the skin

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

- Reduces spasms and cramping

- Increases joint flexibility

- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level

- Releases endorphins – the body’s natural painkiller – and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays.



Yes, I know, the list is a bit long. But that should say something to you about just how beneficial regular massages can be to your overall health. I try and walk the walk and I  am a firm believer that one must love her body just as hard as she pushes it.



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