Massage and more for Parkinson's...

The Benefits of Massage and other services for Parkinson's

 

Massage Therapy has many benefits for the person suffering from Parkinson's.  A simple massage can significantly improve quality of life.  Massage has been helpful for insomnia, it aids in relaxing the body for better sleep.  It can also help improve your ability to perform normal day to day activities.  It can help alleviate or lesson some of the other symptoms experienced such as: cramps, low energy levels, weakness in the limbs, hypertension, memory loss, headaches, nausea, anxiety, grief, depression, nightmares and stomach digestion problems.  

Parkinson's Disease destroys dopamine producing cells, a neurotransmitter chemical that helps convey signals that control movement.  Research has shown that massage naturally increases dopamine levels.  It also increases endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers.  It can help to balance serotonin, a mood altering hormone as well.  

Massage has been able to alleviate to some degree joint pain and muscle stiffness and it can significantly reduce stress by bringing fresh oxygen and other nutrients to the affected tissues.  Swedish Massage emphasizes soothing strokes, stimulating immune function, increasing blood/lymph flow and circulation.  It also helps maintain connective tissue mobility.  Deep Tissue Massage can greatly benefit areas of muscle tension, while stimulating localized healing.  Neuromuscular Therapy can reach connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and nerves while releasing knots of tension called trigger points. 
Trigger Point Therapy uses deep pressure to release tiny knots that develop in muscle fiber, fascia and ligaments.  Myofascial Release is a gentle blend of stretching and massage that works the fascia, the thin connective tissue that covers every muscle and organ of the body. 
Hot Stone Massage has also been effective in increasing blood flow and circulation via heat, creating longer lasting effects in many cases.  It is noted that when hot stones are used regularly with Parkinson's suffers, the client is in a more relaxed state right from the beginning of the massage because of the heat effect.  Reflexology is a foot massage focused on areas of the feet that correspond to certain organs in the body helping to increase circulation and flush toxins.  It also stimulates nerve endings and helps to balance your body's energy.  There are over 4,000 pores in our feet, and these pores are one of the main sources of eliminating toxins in our body.  Aromatherapy Oils have been used for hundreds of years, and have been very effective when incorporated into a massage to produce the desired effect such as:  having antispasmatic, calming, uplifting, detoxifying or digestive results.  These oils can also be used at home in a diffuser, candle or in a bath.  Certain oils or combinations of oils can be used depending on the effect you want to achieve. 
All of our massage therapy sessions incorporate
 dimmed lighting and relaxing music as part of the treatment.  Music calms and relaxes the body.  Listening to relaxing  music at home can also be very beneficial.
Massage Therapy in general increase flexibility and range of motion, it lowers heart rate and blood pressure while increasing  lymph flow assisting your body in eliminating wastes and toxins.  It soothes nerve endings, and creates the ability to recognize tension. pain and tightness in ones own body.  The skin is the largest organ in the body.  In one square inch of skin cells there are 500 sweat glands, more than 1,000 nerve endings, yards of tiny blood cells, nearly 100 sebaceous/oil glands, 150 sensors for pressure, 75 sensors for heat and 10 sensors for cold, not to mention the millions of other cells.
Other services that are helpful include:
Warm Wax Paraffin Treatment This service can be done on your hands and or feet.  These treatments can be incorporated into your massage or done as a stand alone treatment.  Paraffin increases blood flow to the affected area, decreases nerve sensation thus relieving pain.  It helps relieve muscle spasms and relaxes nerve endings and muscles.  It delivers consistent heat to painful joints and limbs.  The warm wax helps insolate the extremity holding in the heat effects after being applied to the body.  It also exfoliates and softens skin, helping to retain moisture as it holds in the heat.
Body Scrubs can also be an effective treatment.  These salt scrubs gently exfoliate dead skin cells removing the top layer of skin to prepare the body to eliminate toxins through the pores, while hydrating the skin.  This treatment also helps with sluggish circulation, and helps to increase endurance and energy while stimulating nerve endings.
Reiki is a form of energy healing that can help to calm the mind and relieve stress while harmonizing and balancing your emotional state.  It helps to nourish and heal damaged tissue while encouraging the body's natural healing processes.  It promotes deep relaxation, releases energy blockages and helps to detoxify.  It may also be helpful in combating negativity and depression.
Consider scheduling some of these services for yourself, or someone suffering from Parkinson's.  Remember, caregivers also need to take care of themselves.  It is important that they take time to get recharged and refueled naturally!


Summer Solstice Staycation!

Happy Summer Solstice.  Heart & Soul is committed to enriching the body, mind & spirit.  We encourage our clients to try services and retail items that promote balance and tranquility.  Reflexology helps to increase energy flow to all of the organs in the body.  Reiki promotes healing through the use of Universal Life Force Energy.  Hot Stone Massage brings balance to the body using deep penetrating heat from warmed mineral stones.  Aromatherapy can be added to most of our services.  We offer relaxing, uplifting, and muscle ache blends.  The oils are also available for purchase for home use.  We have an all natural room clearing spray made with Lavender, Sage, Orange, Vetiver and Patchouli.  It can be sprayed in the home, office, car or on your person.  We also offer Yoga classes.  A great way for creating a harmonious mind body spirit connection.  We hope that you will consider scheduling yourself or someone else a relaxing treatment soon.  The more natural things you can incorporate into your lifestyle the better.  Our bodies are bombarded daily with toxins, pollution and artificial items.  We are exposed to chemicals, fumes, pesticides and many other unnatural products every day.  In order for our bodies to handle stress and function better we need to take care of them.  Do what you can to make changes to create a more holistic environment for yourself.  Consider adding a small water fountain or wind chimes inside or outside of your home or office.  Both create sound and movement which equals energy flow.  We have several wind chimes and fountains throughout our office space.  We also have Himalayan salt lamps everywhere in our office and have relaxing music playing in all of our treatment rooms and common areas.  This summer take a Staycation, come to Heart & Soul and do something special for yourself, you'll be glad you did!          

Yoga for the body, mind & spirit...

Heart & Soul is offering YOGA

We currently have classes on Monday at 3pm

Yoga is a great way to relax and de-stress.

Our classes can be customized for beginners or advanced.

Yoga is a mind, body practice incorporating stretching,

breathing and relaxation.

It is very helpful for managing stress and anxiety while improving balance and flexibility.

Classes are $10 pay as you go.

Space is limited so you must pre-register.

You do need to bring a yoga mat.  We have blankets, straps and blocks available for use during class.

We sell the straps for $5 We also sell Lavender eye pillows for $5

We are hoping to add more classes in the future.

*If you would like to try a free class, we offer that for first time yoga participants.

Call today and reserve your spot for an upcoming class.

Relax, Revive & Rejuvenate

 

What do you think of when you see this image?

Does it make you feel relaxed?

Maybe energized?

Did you know color can affect your mood.  Maybe you feel serene or inspired.  Blue is very calming.  It makes us think of the sky or the ocean.  The gold may make you think of the sun rising or setting.  The droplets of water may make you think of a gentle rain or a puddle of water.  All of the colors together may remind you of a rainbow.   Color is all around us and in us.  We all have energy centers in our body called Chakras.  Each center corresponds with a specific color.  The top of our head is violet, that is the Crown Chakra and has to do with higher self, spiritual wellbeing, wisdom, understanding and our Divine connection.  The Brow Chakra

(Third Eye) is dark indigo blue.  It relates to intuition, insight, imagination, and peace of mind.  The Throat Chakra is sky blue.  It is associated with creative expression of speech, peace, truth, communication and loyalty.  The Heart Chakra is green with pink as a secondary color.  It deals with unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, harmony and contentment.  The Solar Plexus Chakra is yellow.  It has to do with personal power, energy, laughter, warmth and self control.  The Naval Chakra is orange.  It is connected to giving and receiving emotions, desire, new ideas, health, family and surrender.  The Root or Base Chakra is red with black as a secondary color.  It deals with the material world/success, stability, security, grounding and individuality.  There are also powerful energy centers in the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet.  Many times when people have Reflexology, Reiki or Massage sessions they will actually see colors while their eyes are closed.  Being in that relaxed state helps them get in touch with these Chakra centers in their body.  The energy in various areas of the body is stimulated when receiving these treatments.  Maybe you or someone you know has had their aura read.  Maybe you've chosen to decorate a room based on the feeling you are trying to create.  Maybe you've even dressed in a certain color to create a specific mood or reaction.  It is said that if a Chakra is blocked something as simple as wearing the corresponding color, eating a food of that color or surrounding yourself in that color can actually help to open up that energy center.  Specific gem stones and minerals are also associated with these Chakras.  Consider wearing Blue Topaz for your Throat Chakra, or Rose Quartz to open your heart up.  Heart and Soul sells many loose stones like Amethyst and Rose Quartz.  We also have jewelry made of natural elements like stone and crystal.  We want to educate you about things that are connected to the body, mind and spirit.  We put a lot of thought and research into the services we offer and the items we sell.  In the near future we are hoping to bring on new services and educational talks.  If you would like additional information about any of our services, retail items or would like to participate in our yoga classes please visit our website or give us a call.  We are committed to offering things that will energize you, relax you, inspire you and inform you...  

 

Here we GROW again!

Heart and Soul Massage Therapy recently moved to a larger location!  We are so excited.  Our new space is just across the street from our original office and it's almost double the size!  This new location is giving us more opportunities than ever before!  We recently provided our first triple massage.  A client and her two granddaughters got to schedule together in the same room.  We recently hosted a grand re-opening open house.  We were able to show off this great new space.  Coming Soon- We are now able to provide Yoga and Tai Chi classes.  We are also hoping to bring on a variety of informal talks and workshops.   Presenting educational and enlightening topics to enhance your life and your wellbeing!  Some of the topics we'd like to focus on are: The Uses for Feng Shui and Color Therapy, The ABC's of Renewal, Healing through Artistic Expression- such as Journaling and Vision Boards, How to use Social Media sites for getting great health related information, Healthy Grocery Makeovers, and more!  If you would like to host an event for your friends, staff or co-workers at our office let us know.  We are also available to come to you.  We have staff members available to provide

On-Site Chair Massage and talk about a wide variety of topics from the benefits of Massage, Reiki, Reflexology and other services.  We can talk about the uses of Aromatherapy and the benefits of other natural products for use at home or in the office.  We can customize things to meet your specific needs. 

Heart and Soul is very excited that we will be celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary this fall!

We look forward to serving you!  Be sure to stop by our new office or schedule an appointment today.  As always we are committed to enriching your body, mind & spirit...

Treat your feet at Heart & Soul...

FEET FIRST...

Did you know that we offer several services that treat your feet?

We have 45 minute Reflexology sessions that can be done as a stand alone service or tacked on to a 30 or 60 minute Massage.  Reflexology helps to improve circulation, detoxify and balance the entire body.  We have over 7000 nerve endings in the soles of our feet.  Not only does having our feet massaged feel good, it actually has many benefits.  You can also add on warm wax paraffin or hot stones to any Reflexology session or a Pedassage treatment. 

Our Pedassage is a 25 minute exfoliating foot scrub and foot massage.  It helps get blood flow to your extremities and stimulates nerve endings.  It also leaves your feet and calves feeling smooth and refreshed.  If you choose to add on warm wax paraffin, it usually remains on the feet for 20 minutes.  It helps to remove old skin cells, soften the skin and gets relaxing heat to the extremities.  It is very helpful for sore achy feet and conditions such as arthritis.  Hot stones can be incorporated into either of the foot treatments.  The stones have mineral properties that help to bring about balance in our system.  The deep penetrating heat also feels very relaxing.  The stones are usually applied for 7-10 minutes per foot.  We hope that you will consider trying some of these great options for your feet!  Relax, Revive and Rejuvenate today!   

February is Heart Month

Every minute someone dies from Coronary Heart Disease, making it the leading cause of death in the US.  More than 630,000 people die each year, that's 1 in 4 deaths in the US.  Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in women, more than all cancers combined.  MASSAGE increases circulation, lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, reduces stress and anxiety, increases endorphins, reduces swelling and edema, increases lymph flow, promotes deeper easier breathing and promotes healing.  Imagine all of the veins in your body...MASSAGE can help move fluid through the veins improving circulation without putting extra strain on the heart.  The heart is the body's center of circulation.  The heart beats continuously more than 100,000 times per day.  The average adult body contains 5 quarts of blood.  So the heart is circulating more than 1500 gallons of blood per day to every cell in the body.  MASSAGE can help increase the oxygen supply and nutrients to the entire body.  MASSAGE increases lymph flow helping to eliminate waste, detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system.  MASSAGE helps get blood flow to the extremities, at a steady rate.  The cardiovascular system is also responsible for regulating the body's temperature.  Strokes, blood clots and high blood pressure are all heart related dis-eases.  Dis-ease means that your body is not at ease.  MASSAGE can help soothe your body, mind and spirit by producing calming effects thus providing the opportunity for your body to repair daily wear and tear.  Things such as stress, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, diabetes, weight issues or obesity all put extra strain on your heart.  Grief can also put extra strain on the heart.  Men who donate blood three times a year can reduce their chance of having a heart attack by more than 50%.  Blood donation reduces the amount of iron being stored in their body.  Why wait for a wake up call... Making healthy lifestyle changes that include exercise, healthy eating habits and massage are the key to a healthy heart.  Please consider a massage for someone you love or yourself today!