Massage is the manipulation of the soft body tissue - muscles, connective tissue and the largest organ - skin. There are numerous physical benefits of massage. Increases in circulation of both the blood and lymph systems allow more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and vital organs.
This helps reduce muscle spasms and cramps, as well as improve general metabolic function. Improved lymph flow increases the body's ability to clear toxins and improves the condition of the skin. Other benefits of massage may include: better quality sleep, more balanced moods, improved digestion, increased libido, pain relief, improved recovery time post surgery or injury, and oxytocin release, a hormone associated with maternal bonding.
There are specific physiological and psychological changes that occur in the body through receiving massage which help combat the effects of stress. This is especially significant in light of the fact that some estimate 80% - 90% of disease is stress related. The healing power of touch can immediately quiet the racing mind, allowing the breath to return to the present moment. In an age of technical and impersonal medicine - massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself.
All massage therapists at Artemis are either certified or licensed massage therapists. Combined they offer many styles and modalities to choose from:
Bryn Truett-Chavez is certified by The Body Therapy Center, Spirit House
Bodywork, the Arvigo Institute, LaStone™ Massage and
Living Awareness Institute to name but a few.