Massage Therapy Helps Beat Stress, Promotes Well Being

Touch is the only language for those times when words are not enough. Babies recognize their mothers through touch, and mothers reassure their infants with their loving touch.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage offers benefits including relaxation, stress reduction, relief for muscle pain, enhancement of blood circulation, pain management, and post-injury rehabilitation.

“An hour of massage is equivalent to six hours of sleep,” said Kaitlyn Adams, owner of Massage Envy Spa in Hastings Ranch.

“When the deep muscles of the body are massaged, they release a chemical called endorphins. Endorphins are like the body’s natural pain reliever,” added Fletcher Adams, Kaitlyn’s husband and co-owner. “That is a natural way of feeling better, of releasing stress in the muscles,” Fletcher said.

“Stress accumulates in the body, and because we lead such fast-paced, technology-driven lives, it is often that we don’t get the time to unwind,” said Fletcher. Therapeutic massage, which means having someone touch you in a way that makes you feel good, relieves stress, which Fletcher said, is “very beneficial over time.”

Lots of people now suffer from stress disorders, such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and serious depression. “You need to take care of your body,” said Fletcher.

Some people, however, do not receive much needed massages because they could not find the time or they find massage services cost too much. By collaborating with massage therapists, Massage Envy Spa outlets are able to accommodate more people with longer operating hours and offer them therapeutic massages that cost less.

“We offer customized massage and facials, which use Dr. Murad products,” said Kaitlyn. Customers can consult with front desk staff to adapt the massage they would get based on how they are feeling and what type of massage they are looking for.

“A woman said she wanted to relax, but she had a lot of tension on her shoulders from playing golf. So, we set her an appointment with a therapist who does deep-tissue massage,” said Kaitlyn, citing an example how customers can benefit from massage treatment tailored to their needs.

The Hastings Ranch Massage Envy spa employs 18 massage therapists and five aestheticians, and they offer several types of massage including deep-tissue, spores, reflexology, and massage for pregnant women.

“We also offer hot stone massage,” said Kaitlyn, describing the service as a “90-minute, full-body massage.” During the massage session, stones are heated and placed on various parts of the body. “It is really a lovely experience that makes the person feel better.”

Massage Envy Spa offers its Massage Envy Membership program, under which members get an hour of free massage each month. They may also get additional massage session at rates cheaper than those for non-members.

Massage therapy can help people’s overall well being. By making massage a part of wellness habit, one can help enhance his or her energy and peace of mind.

Massage Envy Spa is located at 3707 East Foothill Blvd. in East Pasadena. For more, call (626) 351-9100 or visit http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/CA/Pasadena-Hastings-Ranch.aspx.