According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Consumer Survey, 72 percent of individuals surveyed claim their primary reason for receiving a massage in the previous 12 months was medical (43 percent) or stress (29 percent).
A growing body of research supports the health benefits of massage therapy for conditions such as stress, fibromyalgia, low-back pain and more. Find out how you can benefit from adding massage therapy to your health and wellness routine.

Go to work - make money -  pay bills
Or Go to work - make money - pay yourself first
Which one of these scenarios sounds better to you?

Is your life so automated that you are not realizing where your wealth is going? Unfortunately, many people are still spending there day with no clear agenda or gauge for their financial life. It is interesting how much time, energy and effort throughout ones day goes into making money and spending money- without much regard to exactly where their money is going.

Most of us think in the financial order of: Paycheck > taxes >bills>other living expenses>self, but why? Why have we been taught to pay ourselves last?  It is ironic to me how it appears that everyone else is getting paid but the person who earned the paycheck.  When was the last time you paid yourself first, before you took care of everyone else?

You may always say that you’ll up your retirement contributions (next pay period, you promise!) or stash a little extra in your emergency fund, but somehow another month passes and you still haven’t done it. This has to change. When I say pay yourself first. What I mean by this is simple, when you earn a dollar, the first person you take care of: is you. Don’t leave yourself for last. It may be getting yourself that bottle of perfume you have been wanting, investing in your health by getting a relaxing spa day that you so deserve or tucking something extra into that emergency fund. As long as you designate a portion of your income to do something that benefits you.

Take a look at your earnings and decide what percentage you will pay yourself. How about a minimum of 10  percent or higher? Just do it immediately and start putting it somewhere, whether it be a savings account or an investment medium. Just start this process and look at ways this can become a positive habit for you. Pay yourself first.
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It is easy because if for some reason you were to go to work and your paycheck was decreased by ten percent no matter what measures you took to change it, I am sure you would live your life just as satisfactory as it is now and not skip a beat. My point is this, no matter where on the financial scale we may tilt it; there is another level for us all. Be willing this week to take wider and deeper steps in your financial life and take care of the one who matters most- pay yourself first.

Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood.

Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, located atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones, including  adrenaline  and cortisol.  Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Adrenaline and cortisol are just two different kinds of hormones among many that the body releases as a response to stress. I could get more technical and more scientific but lets just keep it simple by saying, some hormones result in positive implications, while others result in negative implications on the body. The point is that stress results in biological changes in the human body.

The truth is that there are many types of stress however the 3 main types are: Acute, episodic and chronic; which falls under all 3 categories: physical stress, Electronic and chemical:

• Physical Stress: This is the most well-known kind that people automatically think of when someone mentions the word stress. It includes the mental/emotional variety as well as tension from work such as typing, or doing administrative, sports or tough decisions making jobs
• Electronic Stress: This is a lesser realized type of stress that comes with today's "modernized"/ "civilized" society. This type is derived from electronic equipment including ones that emit radiation, RF frequency, radio waves etc. such as cell phones, televisions, microwaves and more.
• Chemical Stress: This is the most underplayed form that would serve us all better to put as priority on our list for the sake of the world as we know it and the future of our kids. 

Toxic chemicals and metals have the potential to negatively impact every biological function occurring within your body.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged environmental pollution as the underlying cause in nearly 80% of all chronic degenerative diseases. Toxic chemicals and metals have the potential to negatively impact every biological function occurring within your body.
Data from hundreds of research studies over the years has shown strong correlations between various common chemical stresses and a wide range of diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and 37 types of cancer…
There are thousands of chemicals out there. We cannot discuss, nor could we pronounce them all but here are a few examples:

• Pesticides
• Dyes
• Chlorine
• House cleaning solutions
• Radiation and Drinking Water Disinfection
• Pharmaceuticals
• Synthetic Hormones
• Research Chemicals

Chemicals are well integrated into every aspect of our lives and in most cases, the negative effects far out ways the benefits we get from exposing ourselves and children to them. Thousands of companies misrepresent and underplay the harm caused to us by the use of chemicals and how it contributes to the deterioration of the overall health of our society. It is up to us the recognize the truth and make the best decisions for ourselves and our families.
Here’s what you can do to decrease your exposure to stress:

1. Educate yourself. Know what is going on in your own country in terms of chemical stresses and specifically in your own area. Go to Score Card.org  check out what is happening in your own area. Find out what toxins industry is dumping in your own back yard.
2. Make conscious choices: read labels. Do not buy products with ingredients you cannot pronounce.
3. Think Natural. Make an effort to buy organic and biodegradable products as much as possible. Support your local farmers.
4. Detox and Drink plenty of water, but non-chlorinated water, or use carbon filters to remove excess and harmful chlorine contaminants. Remove yourself from ALL pharmaceuticals. Seek a natural healer to balance your body. Chemicals disguised as prescription medication are never a good long-term solution
5. Meditate: A few minutes of practice per day can help ease anxiety. Do whatever it takes to get a few minutes ‘me time per day’ to read a book, or walk the beach, or do yoga, get a massage. Whatever it takes to restore your peace of mind and bring you back to center.
6. Sleep: Sleep is highly underrated when it comes to stress relief and maintaining good health. People under stress often struggle with this one, but it's important to check your sleep hygiene. In addition to abstaining from chemicals such as alcohol and caffeine, don't watch TV or read any kind of LED screen before bedtime.
7. ​Exercise every day. Countless studies prove the myriad health benefits of working out, including recent research that found strengthening your muscles releases enzymes that detoxify a substance called kynurenine, a byproduct of stress and inflammation. Hate pushing yourself physically? Trick yourself into doing it by multitasking. Ride a bike with a friend and cultivate a relationship while getting fit. Swim first thing at the gym, necessitating your morning shower. Do wall pushups in the minutes you wait for a conference call to start.
8. Put down the cell phone: Researchers from Harvard Medical School have found that blue light, the wavelength (radio waves and RF frequency)  emitted by smartphones, tablets, and devices such as an LED e-book, disrupt the body's internal functions and the brain’s internal clock. Some claims suggest cell phone RFs may instigate brain tumors and even cancer. Another effect is that the waves kills healthy brain cells which can lead to memory loss, delayed brain functions… It can also make it harder for a person to fall asleep. British researchers have found also association between rising stress levels and the practice of constantly checking a smartphone. While at first it can feel stressful to disconnect from your devices and walk away from your computer, unplugging can be the most rewarding thing you do for yourself in any given day.
9. Time management: Whether, its tasks at work, running the kids daily schedule, balancing our day-to-day tasks can feel like a juggling act. The main cause of anxiety and the release of stress hormones and chemicals in the body is simple: poor time management. Make a rational to-do list. Prioritize your tasks. Do not put an unreasonable amount of chores within an unrealistic timeframe and remember – there’s always tomorrow.
10. Make a change: It is often recommended as a factor to release stress at work that you should “identify the source of your stress”. However, sometimes it may be your boss, co-workers or the job itself that is just overwhelming and uninspiring to say the least. While it can be the scariest decision you’ve ever made, moving on to that other position, job or life goal can be a very freeing experience. In the words of my friend Master Life Coach Simone Kelly and CEO of Own your Power Network “ If you can do it in your sleep, and you enjoy doing it. You should make it your career”._

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Sources and related articles:
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30574260
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-at-work.htm
http://www.cellphonesafety.org/health/radio.htmhttp://www.cellphonesafety.org/health/radio.htm

“What is the difference between deep tissue massage and just deep pressure?” There seems to be a lot of confusion about this topic so we will attempt to delve into the unclear to hopefully shed some light on the subject- ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Deep Tissue is a very specific massage treatment in which the therapist uses knuckles and elbow’s to “strip out” muscle tissue as far down to the bone as possible. Sound invasive? It is! It is definitely not for everyone. However there are millions of people out there that would never have their treatment any other way. This modality can be helpful to the following people: athletes who are considerably harder on their bodies than the average person, people who are undergoing physical therapy to aid in the breakdown process of scar tissue, (AFTER PROPER HEALING FROM THE INJURY HAS OCCURED), or anyone who has very dense tissue and thus responds better to the work.

Facts get confused when we talk about deep pressure. “Deep pressure” is just what it sounds like: it is any type of massage therapy that is performed with more, or deeper, pressure. For example, I can perform a Swedish massage, (that is primarily used to relax the client) and use a heavier hand to take it from a light touch to a “medium” or “firm” touch. This fits most people but since every client is different and every therapist is different, it’s tough to really measure. Therefore, your therapist should manipulate your tissue and adjust their pressure until it is perfect for you. It is very important to ALWAYS speak up and let your therapist know if you need the pressure to be corrected, (i.e. if you need them to lighten up because it is too deep, or to apply more because it is not deep enough). Most everyone needs more pressure in some areas and less in others. This occurs because muscle tissue that contains Trigger Points is more sensitive to pressure and can be tender to the touch.

What is deep tissue massage?

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue.

It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders. Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain.

How does deep tissue massage work?
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation.
Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the massage therapist often uses direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles.

Will deep tissue massage hurt?
At certain points during the massage, most people find there is usually some discomfort and pain.
It is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you ecperience is outside your comfort range.

There is usually some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so. The massage therapist may recommend applying ice to the area after the massage.

What conditions is deep tissue massage used for?
Unlike classic massage therapy (Swedish), which is used for relaxation, deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Limited mobility
• Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)
• Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Postural problems
• Ostearthritis pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle tension or spasm

According to the August 2005 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain than physical therapy, exercise, prescription medications, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, glucosamine and over-the-counter drugs.

Deep tissue massage also received a top ranking for fibromyalgia pain.
People often notice improved range of motion immediately after a deep tissue massage.

What can I expect during my visit?
Massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms during the deep tissue massage.
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You may be asked to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on certain tense areas.
It is important to drink plenty of water as you can after the massage to flush metabolic waste from the tissues.
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