Author - Kellie Poulin

How Massage Can Relieve Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection, or stress, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and a host of health problems. One of the most effective, yet often overlooked, treatments for inflammation is massage therapy. While it’s commonly known for promoting relaxation and reducing stress, massage can also play a crucial role in managing inflammation and supporting the body’s healing processes.   How Massage Reduces Inflammation Massage helps reduce inflammation by improving circulation, which encourages [...]

Pain in the Neck? How Massage Can Help

The muscles in your neck serve the purpose of adapting to any imbalances in the core of your body. The neck keeps the heavy head in an upright position and maintain stability even when you are tilting and turning. Your neck is working and micromanaging your every move that you perform throughout the day.   The neck can experience numerous functional misfires that can be the result of a herniated disc, impinged nerve, nerve damage, ligament sprain or even a fracture. [...]

Unwinding Unhealthy Tension Patterns in Your Body

How many times you look at your cellphone in a day? Do you have it in your hand and bend your head and neck down to read or send messages? Moreover, if it is not directly in front of you, your head might be inclined to one side or the other. If you do this for long periods of time means putting significant strain on your neck muscles.  Similarly, spending long hours at a computer, especially at a desk job, [...]

Why Listening to Your Body is a Good Idea

Why Listening to Your Body is a Good Idea   Listening to your body is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and addressing any physical discomfort or stress it may be experiencing. Our bodies have a remarkable way of communicating with us, often through subtle signals that can easily be overlooked in our busy lives. Here are some tips on how to effectively listen to your body and recognize when it’s time to seek massage therapy:   Awareness of Physical Signals: Start by paying [...]

The Healing Power of Your Feet Through Massage

Foot reflexology, often regarded as more than just a luxurious foot massage, offers a myriad of benefits that extend beyond relaxation. Here are three specific advantages of foot reflexology and how this ancient practice affects the entire body:   **Stress Relief and Relaxation**: The feet contain numerous nerve endings that connect to different parts of the body. Through targeted pressure and massage techniques on specific reflex points, foot reflexology helps to alleviate stress and induce deep relaxation. This relaxation response not [...]

The Healing Touch: How Massage Therapy Nurtures Digestive Wellness

    Stress has become an unwelcome companion for many, often wreaking havoc on our digestive systems. The gut, often referred to as our “second brain,” plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, influencing not only digestion but also our immune system and mental health. When digestion keeps us from feeling our best, the therapeutic power of massage not only offers relaxation but it also illuminates a pathway to improved digestion and gut health.   Massage therapy isn’t just about indulgence; it’s [...]

Smooth Out Your Shoulders with Massage

The shoulder is a complex joint comprised of several structures including bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The main bones involved are the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). The shoulder joint itself allows for a wide range of motion but is inherently unstable, relying heavily on surrounding muscles and ligaments for support.   Muscles surrounding the shoulder joint include: Deltoid: Located on the outer side of the shoulder, responsible for lifting the arm and giving the shoulder its [...]

Whose Got Your Back?

The human back is a marvel of engineering, comprising an intricate network of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and bones. It serves as the central support structure for our entire body, connecting our upper and lower halves and facilitating movement in every direction. However, this complexity also makes it susceptible to various forms of discomfort and pain, ranging from mild stiffness to debilitating chronic conditions. In such cases, massage therapy emerges as a holistic approach to alleviate back pain and promote [...]

Massage Therapy for a Happy Back

Massage Therapy for a Happy Back     Everything flows through the back. The back and spine serves as the pillar of your body, holding and supporting you on many levels. ~ Daily Om The World Health Organization estimates that low back pain alone affected 619 million people globally in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050, driven largely by population expansion and aging. (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain )   Backs maintain our balance, coordination, and posture, [...]

Freedom from Lower Back Pain: The Magic of Psoas Stretching During Massage

Do you often find yourself grappling with persistent lower back pain? The solution might be closer than you think. Beyond the soothing ambiance and relaxation that a massage session offers, focusing on a targeted muscle group—the psoas—can be the key to alleviating that nagging discomfort in your lower back.   The psoas major, a deep-seated muscle connecting the spine to the femur, plays a crucial role in supporting the lower back. Often referred to as the “fight or flight” muscle, the [...]