Massage: 
The manipulation of soft tissues including muscle and connective tissue in order to enhance function, and to promote health, relaxation, and well being

  Benefits of Massage:
Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

	Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
	Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness

Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy

	Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
	Reduces muscle spasms
	Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
	Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work
	Promotes deeper and easier breathing
	Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
	Reduces blood pressure
	Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
	Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
	Improves posture
	Strengthens the immune system

	Treats musculoskeletal problems
	Rehabilitation post operative
	Rehabilitation after injury

Mental Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

	Fosters peace of mind
	Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
	Helps relieve mental stress
	Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
	Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
	Emotional Benefits
	Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
	Fosters a feeling of well-being
	Reduces levels of anxiety
	Creates body awareness
	Increases awareness of mind-body connection

I did not expect to feel this much better after only one treatment.  The numbness and tingling moved out of my hands and the pain stopped radiating down my arm.   The pain has still not returned
- T W.


I am an avid golfer and I’ve suffered neck pain for the past 12 years. I have gone to the chiropractor monthly and sometimes twice a month for the neck pain. I’ve been to many massage therapists and PT’s in search of relief without success. I found Stephanie on a web search and the pain free golf that she spoke of caught my attention. After the first visit my neck pain was gone and I haven’t been to the chiropractor in 5 months for neck pain. She has also made a significant difference in my left hip and overall flexibility. My golf swing has improved because of her knowledge of the golf swing. I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants to improve their game.

Lee

I have had unbearable pain in my right shoulder and have seen chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and even had a cortisone injection.  After Stephanie's massage, I felt like a new woman.  No one else worked on the area of my shoulder that she did and relieved the pain.  Thank you so much!!
- Sue B.

The best massage I have ever had.  You are very, very good
- Jessica H.


By the time you were finished, I felt like a new person.  I have had plenty of massages and you are definitely one of the best.
-Kim B.

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What do you think of when you hear the word Massage:  Pampering, Luxury, Fluff?  How about Preventative Care, Rehabilitation, Mental and Physical Stress Reduction, and Pain Relief?

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

 It is important to understand that massage is not just pampering, but is also a modality to prevent and treat injuries, improve circulation, reduce swelling, reduce muscle spasms, increase range of motion (ROM), and increase immune defense.  In addition to the many physical benefits of massage, the psychological advantages are reduced anxiety and depression, and an increase in mental clarity and alertness.  Research from the Touch Research Institute (TRI) proves that massage causes biological changes.  It reduces cortisol levels and increases serotonin and dopamine, resulting in a more positive mood and a more focused mind.  It is important to understand that incorporating massage into a health care regimen can improve overall sense of well being and maintain optimum performance.

PLAY PAIN FREE!! 

Optimum performance is, after all, the goal of all athletes.  For example, golfers can increase range of motion, prevent injury, reduce recovery time, and focus on the game not the pain!  Massage and golf go hand in club. Golfers suffer from shoulder and rotator cuff stiffness, neck weakness, low back problems, medial epicondylagia (Golfer’s elbow), and muscular imbalance in the legs and gluteus.  Ignoring imbalances and pain can result in chronic injuries.  Receiving effective massage, along with proper strengthening and stretching exercises, decreases the stress on the muscles and reprograms the nervous system in order to attain proper form and function.

There are many painless types and techniques of massage that I, Stephanie Metzger of Hands on Healing Professionals will utilize to treat these specific problems.  Combining types of massage like sports massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, and neuromuscular therapies makes up the therapeutic integrative massage.  I use techniques like trigger point, passive stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular function (PNF), cross fiber friction, stripping, compression, and tapotment, along with effleurage, to work the musculature and reprogram the nervous system.  The result is the release of tension.  After much deep tissue work, the more relaxing strokes help to combat delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).  The client will leave the session feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.    

Sometimes deeper work is appropriate, while other times a lighter, flushing massage is suitable.  Still other circumstances may require complete and total relaxation.  It is important for both the therapist and the client to be clear concerning goals for the massage session.  A session should begin with a thorough evaluation of the client’s needs.  Questions will be asked of the client regarding the frequency and intensity of his or her activities.  After evaluation, the pain’s origin will be assessed, and the session will target specifically the client’s needs.  The benefits of massage will be maximized if the client is consistent with his or her treatments and stretching/strengthening routines.  Most of my clients are pain free after the first few sessions.  However, many clients chose to regularly schedule massages because they feel beneficial changes in their bodies and their games.  Regular massage will help them play their best, and play pain free.