Reducing Stress and Pain with Massage Therapy

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Therapeutic massage is a powerful tool for relieving stress and alleviating pain. Studies show that it also helps reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of anxiety attacks and mood swings.

Massage

In addition, therapeutic massage increases blood circulation, allowing oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to flow throughout the body more efficiently and eliminating waste products that build up in muscles. Contact Massage Therapy Tulsa for professional help.

Stress is a part of life but it can become a problem when it becomes chronic. High levels of stress can lead to a host of symptoms including muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, irritability and anxiety. The good news is that there are many ways to relieve stress and one of the best is through massage therapy.

During a massage, friction is created between the skin and fingers which increases blood flow. This increase in circulation results in a rise in muscle temperature and the release of toxins. When these toxins are released, the muscles relax and the tension is relieved. Moreover, massage stimulates the lymphatic system to remove metabolic wastes more efficiently. This also helps to reduce stress as a buildup of metabolic wastes can cause pain, swelling and restricted movement which then leads to frustration and an increased sense of stress.

When you receive a massage, your body releases endorphins and serotonin which are the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals. These hormones help to decrease cortisol and boost tissue elasticity. Cortisol is produced when the body is stressed. It increases glucose in the bloodstream, enhances the brain’s use of glucose and curbs functions that are nonessential during a fight-or-flight situation. These actions make it difficult for the body to digest food, fight disease or reproduce.

A one-hour massage lowers cortisol in the body while increasing serotonin. This hormone neurotransmitter is sometimes referred to as the “happy chemical” because it reduces feelings of depression and carries signals between nerves and your body. As a result, a massage could be considered an hourlong hug, as it can alleviate the negative effects of stress on both the body and mind.

Reduces Anxiety

Massage has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and enhance emotional resilience for people of all ages. It can also help a person better cope with chronic stressors such as test-taking, work, or anticipation of invasive medical procedures. Research has demonstrated that massage decreases the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases the production of feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. These effects can last after a session has ended.

Many people seek massage to alleviate symptoms of chronic stress and tension, including irritability, depression, insomnia, and digestive disorders. Regular massage can also lower heart rate and blood pressure, which may improve circulation and immune function, allowing your body to more effectively fight off illness.

While there is a lack of research on the specific mechanisms of how massage relieves anxiety, anecdotal evidence and positive results from open trials indicate that regular massage therapy has a strong impact on reducing moderate to severe anxiety for people of all ages. The frequency of sessions can be tailored based on the individual’s needs and can be combined with other self-care techniques such as yoga, meditation, healthy eating habits, and adequate sleep to maximize benefits.

During a massage session, the most effective technique for staying mindful is simply to breathe deeply and enjoy the sensations of each inhale and exhale. If your mind begins to wander, gently bring it back to your breath and allow yourself to relax more and more with each inhale. You can even set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to take deep breaths during your massage.

When a massage is over, you may notice a brief feeling of disorientation or being “massage drunk” (we love to call this post-massage glow). This is due to the rapid decrease in cortisol and the increase in positive hormones. Just stay hydrated and you should be back to normal in about 15 minutes. We recommend you drink water after each massage to rehydrate and to continue enjoying the mood-boosting effects of your feel good hormones.

Reduces Pain

Massage therapy manipulates the soft tissue of the body, loosening tight muscles and reducing pain. The technique of kneading, tapping and stroking stimulates nerves to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Depending on the individual patient, massage can also stimulate the release of hormone-like substances called endorphins, which function as natural painkillers.

When you receive a therapeutic massage, the therapists will likely ask you a series of questions regarding your medical history and current symptoms. This helps them tailor the massage to your specific needs and ensure a safe and effective session. It’s important to be open and honest with your answers, so your massage therapist can provide you with the best possible experience.

The physical manipulation of the tissues during massage also increases blood flow to any congested areas in the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissues to help them heal. This also allows the body to carry away waste products, such as lactic acid and other toxins.

Massage may be especially helpful in reducing fibromyalgia pain and arthritis pain, as well as easing the stress and anxiety associated with these conditions. Moreover, it can reduce the inflammatory chemicals that contribute to these conditions by decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body.

Studies indicate that massage lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, as well as relieves tension and stiffness in the joints and back. Furthermore, a massage may improve flexibility and range of motion, thus preventing future muscle soreness and stiffness.

One study found that people with chronic back pain experienced reduced pain after receiving a series of regular massages. Interestingly, this improvement was more pronounced in those who received massages more than once a week versus less frequent or no massages at all.

The most effective way to enjoy the healing effects of a massage is to relax and completely immerse yourself in the experience. Breathe deeply and consciously, focusing on the rhythm of your breath to calm your mind and body. Try these mindfulness meditations from Tamara Levitt to get the most out of your massage experience.

Promotes Healing

Massage improves blood flow and stimulates the body’s lymphatic fluid system. The squeezing, twisting and pulling action of massage techniques improves the flow of these waste clearing fluids and helps the body to release toxins. The increased circulation enables the body to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, tendons and ligaments.

The relaxation effects of massage also help reduce inflammation and improve circulation and flexibility. In addition, the manipulation of soft tissue can help to decrease pain signals sent from the brain. This is especially true with the less intense types of massage such as Swedish or light touch, although some patients may need a combination of styles in order to find the right one for them.

Many people suffer from chronic pain due to muscle or joint injuries, postural problems or illness. Remedial massage is a highly effective form of treatment for injury management and rehabilitation. This is achieved by balancing the muscles, tendons and ligaments to support the return to normal joint/capsular/bone position. This helps to reduce pain from injury, speed healing, reduce stiffness and restore function.

Research has shown that the stress hormone cortisol and excitatory hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine are reduced with massage therapy. This can help alleviate depression and anxiety. The calming effect of massage also stimulates the production of hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. These hormones can also aid the body’s response to injury by reducing pain, increasing movement and improving immune functions.

In addition, massage increases cell regeneration and encourages the production of cytokines, which are the cells responsible for the immune system’s defense against disease. Studies have also shown that massage increases the number of mitochondria in cells, which is associated with the growth and repair of damaged tissue.

The good news is that there are very few side effects to massage, except for the rare case of a bruise or swelling in a sensitive area. It is always a good idea to communicate with your therapist about any areas that are sore or painful before the massage begins. It is also important to let the therapist know if you have any medical conditions or are pregnant so they can avoid using pressure on any sensitive areas.

How to Repair a Fence

by Posted in Fence Contractor Tagged , , , , , ,

Repairing a fence can be daunting. Damage can range from simple sagging sections to extensive rust and insect infestation. Contact Fence Repair Summerville now!

It’s important to conduct regular inspections and address damage as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs. Here are a few tips to help keep your fence in good condition:

If your wooden fence boards are cracked, rotting or decayed, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in further damage to the rest of the structure or even a dangerous collapse. The first step in repairing rotted wood is to remove the affected sections. Using a claw hammer or other similar tool, scrape away loose rot from the surface of the board. You may also be able to use the prongs of the hammer to pry out nails that have been embedded in the wood for a while. When a board has been fully removed, measure the size of the hole to determine how much lumber is needed to replace it. Ideally, the new board should span at least two joist spaces.

If the rot is due to wet rot, you’ll need to address the source of moisture that’s causing it. This can include fixing leaking pipes, preventing water seepage through walls and roofs, or improving ventilation to reduce humidity levels. Once you’ve eliminated the source of moisture, apply a wet rot wood hardener to the affected areas. Once the hardener is dry, you can sand the area to smooth it and make it ready for paint.

Dry rot is less common than wet rot, but it can still cause significant damage to the structure of your home or fence. It can be spotted by a discoloration that resembles mold or mildew, and it can also feel soft and spongey to the touch. When the rot is bad enough, you’ll need to replace the damaged boards with fresh timber.

The good news is that rotted wood can often be repaired by filling the hole with a soft wood polyester filler or epoxy. You can buy these products online or from local DIY stores, and they’re available in a range of colors to match your existing deck or home. The filler or epoxy is mixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and sculpted into place with a plastic putty knife. Once it’s hardened, you can sand the surface to smooth it and then finish with an acrylic primer and two coats of exterior acrylic paint.

Loose or Broken Posts

Many factors can cause fence posts to loosen. Some common causes are wind and soil conditions, but even if you live in an area with moderate to low winds you may find that your fence posts lose their hold over time. If you walk along your fencing and you notice that your fence posts are leaning more than a couple inches in either direction then it is definitely time to make some repairs.

When a post loosens, it is usually because the concrete it was poured into has been compromised in some way. This could be due to a bad installation job, where the concrete was poured too shallow or the hole was not compacted correctly, or it can be caused by water problems where the ground has softened and the post cannot be supported by its own weight anymore.

If a post is loose, you can try to fix it by tamping the ground around the base. Sometimes this will help, but other times the damage may have gone too far and it will be necessary to remove the post. If this is the case you will need a heavy-duty sledge hammer and an angle grinder with a masonry blade attachment to break up the existing concrete and remove it from the ground. This will likely result in a yawning hole that will need to be repaired with fresh concrete as well.

Fence rails also tend to loosen over time, especially in areas that experience high winds or are prone to flooding. This is often caused by rot of the wood, but it can also be an issue with the fasteners that secure the rails to the posts.

You will need to remove the rails from the posts and replace them with new rails that are secured by metal post-rail connectors. Before you re-attach the rails to the posts, brush a little wood preservative onto the ends to arrest incipient rot and help prevent further damage from the elements. Once the rails are back in place you can fill in the gap with a bit of concrete to stabilize the repair and add extra strength to your fence.

Insect Infestation

While a bug infestation can be devastating, there are steps you can take to prevent it. First, always keep your roof and siding in good condition. If these are damaged, it will create a welcoming environment for insect pests to get a foothold on your property. If you notice any rotting shingles or wood, make sure you have these repaired right away before insects are able to set up nests.

Insect infestations can also be prevented by a regular yard maintenance schedule, including trimming back bushes, clearing away brush and debris, and cleaning out gutters. Pests are attracted to dark, secluded places where they can hide, so removing any potential hiding spots will help deter them from invading your home. In addition, keeping trash cans sealed and clean will also help keep pests away from your home.

You can also watch for the telltale signs of pests, such as gnawed or chewed wood, musty or foul smells, and discarded or uneaten food. Additionally, if you see your pet acting unusually around certain areas of your house, it could be a sign of fleas or cockroaches.

A pest infestation is defined as the influx, swarming or hatching of insects that have a negative impact on human and animal well-being and cause damage to crops, livestock, perishable goods or natural environments. However, damage to the natural environment caused by pests remains largely unreported and undervalued, as most of what is known about pest outbreaks comes from studies on the effects of post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) and not from rigorous research on ecological impacts (IRDR).

Prevention is key when it comes to dealing with insect infestations. Inspect your home regularly for any cracks or gaps that could serve as entry points for pests, and use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these up. In addition, a regular yard maintenance schedule can help deter bugs by keeping grass and shrubs neatly trimmed, and eliminating any rotting or decaying food sources, such as fallen fruit or veggies.

Rust

Rust is a natural process that occurs when iron or iron-containing materials (like steel) are exposed to moisture and oxygen for prolonged periods of time. This oxidation creates a chemical reaction that forms rust. If not addressed quickly, rust can lead to a variety of issues, including loose and falling sections of your fence. Fortunately, if you have a metal fence that is experiencing rust, the problem can usually be corrected with some simple maintenance and repair steps.

Before beginning any rust repairs, it is important to document the condition of your fence as it currently stands. It is also a good idea to take plenty of before, during and after pictures of the project as it unfolds. This will help you track your progress and may prove helpful if you are working with your homeowners association or other party who is responsible for maintaining the fence.

The first step in repairing a rusted fence is to scrub away any loose rust and peeling paint. If possible, this should be done manually with a wire brush and sandpaper. In more serious cases, a power tool might be needed. Once you have removed the majority of the rust, it is a good idea to neutralize the remaining metal with a chemical neutralizer. This can be purchased at your local hardware store or even made with a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice.

Once the fence has been cleaned and rust is either removed or neutralized, it should be primed with a primer that is specifically designed for metal surfaces. You should apply at least two coats to ensure full coverage and protection against future rust.

Depending on your fence and the severity of its rust problems, you might want to consider painting it with a rust-inhibiting color. This can provide a new, fresh appearance and help prevent further damage to the metal.

Finally, it is a good idea to visually inspect your fence several times a year to see if any new rust spots have appeared. If they do, it is a good idea to spot treat them immediately as the earlier the rust is treated, the less likely it is that it will cause structural damage or other issues.