The other day, my shoulder became so stiff from the cumulative effects of sitting at my desk writing and working on the computer, I couldn’t turn my head to the side. I also couldn’t turn my head around as I backed out of my driveway in the morning, and thinking this was dangerous, called a woman in town that does wonderful massage.

I know many of us feel guilty when we spring for such luxuries, and I’m no exception, but I just hurt so badly, I broke through my resistance to spring for the $75. And of course, the message therapist I go to is a woman trying to make a living in this world just as I am, and I believe in spreading the wealth, however thin. And, buying locally is part of the Sustainable Living movement I’m proud to support!

In today’s world, just getting through the day can be an ergonomic disaster leading to major disabilities. Whether sitting at a desk, standing on your feet for hours at time, doing hard physical labor, or wearing the wrong shoes (please read , our bodies are under constant assault and need some TLC in the form of body work or message. So, I strongly recommend giving yourself a message for Christmas, your birthday, or just occasionally, to let your body know you care.

Massage is a gift of Health

And why not give friends and family members a gift certificate for a massage this Christmas or for any special occasion? You can always go in on a group gift to save money. Besides just feeling wonderful and making us feel totally pampered, massage is of the most effective means to actually relieve stress, promote health, and improve our sense of well-being:

Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found:

• Message therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, and pain in burn patients.

• Premature infants who are massaged gain more weight than infants who are not messaged.

• Autistic children showed less erratic behavior after message therapy.

Health benefits of massage include:

• Relieving stress in the body and mind
• Relaxing muscles and relieving stiffness
• Improves circulation and blood flow
• Helps drain the lymphatic system
• Promotes healthy skin
• Improves posture
• Helps promote flexibility in joints and greater range of motion
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Reduces blood pressure
• Promotes faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments, reduces pain and swelling, and the formation of scar tissue
• Treats sports related injuries
• Helps relieve headaches and eye strain

Message therapy can bring couples closer together. You can also find books that teach you how to do a message at home and this can be a great gift for couples, along with some really nice herbal infused massage oil!

Massage products make great Christmas gifts:

Chair massagers: After my incident with the shoulder and neck pain, (I’m telling the truth, here), I bought Dr. Scholl’s Shiatsu Massager for my office chair, and it has been worth every penny. I literally have the massager on every minute I’m sitting in the chair and what a relief! It does make a difference.

Foot spas with massagers: Because the feet have nerves corresponding to every part of the body, foot massage and herbal soaks have been used as healing techniques throughout the ages. Home foot Spas are very inexpensive and most have both heat and message features. Read my article, Pamper your Feet

http://hubpages.com/_65ldj4nxapq3/hub/Pamper-your-Feet

Hand-held massagers: These hand held devices come in a variety of styles and help promote circulation and the other benefits of conventional message.

More massage related gifts:

Message Oils: The skin is the largest of the body’s organs and actually absorbs the skin care products we use, so it’s important to use the best products available that are suitable for our skin type. There are many great message oils and creams online and in stores, but you can easily create your own by buying organic oil and, if you like, scenting it with essential oils. Different oils have different properties and benefits and because they are absorbed into the skin and body, I recommend buying organic brands. My favorite oils for message are:

Sesame oil is a favorite in Indian Aryuvedic massage, and has been used for centuries in a daily self-message called, abhyanga. According to Aryuvedic medicine, sesame oil is nourishing and detoxifying and helps cure anxiety, bloating, digestive problems and excessive dryness.

Sweet Almond Oil isone of themost popular massage oil because of its gentle and slightly oily properties. It is easily absorbed and affordable.

Other excellent massage oils are: Apricot Kernel Oil, Jojoba Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Sunflower Oil, just to name a few!

Books on Massage are popular and make great gifts. I recommend books on hand and foot massage that people can do themselves.

If you’re an employer – consider the gift of massage at your workplace!

Massage in the workplace has become increasingly popular, as employers realize small breaks to relieve stress help employees perform better. If you’re an employer who wants to make your employees happier and healthier in the workplace, consider offering on-site massage as a perk this holiday season. This requires a licensed professional bring in a portable message chair so people can remained seated while the therapist massages the areas most commonly related to office related stress. The areas most vulnerable to stress are the upper body, including arms and hands (message prevents and relieves carpal tunnel syndrome), and the neck, head, and back (tension creates head and back pain). Your employees will love you for it!

For More on the benefits of massage!

Pamper your Feet!

More on Healthy Products!

Aubrey Organics  - a Company with a Conscience!