Massage for Stress Management

Experts estimate that over 90% of serious illness and disease (including heart attacks and cancer) are caused by stress.  We know about the detrimental effects of prolonged and heavy stress on our bodies, so how can we experience more calm instead?

One of the best ways to achieve a very deep level of complete relaxation of body and mind is to get a therapeutic massage.  Research done by Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, found significant changes in biochemistry as a result of massage therapy   Cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland in response to stress, increases blood sugar levels and suppresses the immune system.  Prolonged elevated levels of cortisol is harmful to the body.  Massage therapy was shown to decrease cortisol levels by 31%.  Serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of well-being, also helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep as well as contributes to cognitive functioning such as memory and learning.  Massage therapy caused serotonin levels to increase by 28%.  Dopamine, another neurotransmitter, activates pleasure centers in the brain.  It was found to increase by 31% following massage therapy.  
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Besides eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting adequate sleep, one of the best investments you can make in maintaining a healthy body and mind is to incorporate regular therapeutic massage into your self care routine.

- Jean Riccio, BS, LMT, MFR, NMT

Click here to make an appointment with Jean to help you melt away stress!

Acupuncture for Breech Presentation: Myth or Reality?

With an all time high rate of 32.8% for cesarian birth in our country, Acupuncture has recently gained popularity as a method of turning a breech baby or inducing labor naturally.  This article seeks to demystify this ancient approach as I have seen it work time and time again. Traditionally, the point named Zhi Yin or UB-67 , located on the lateral side of the pinky toe is used to turn a baby in breech presentation. Zhi Yin translates to “Reaching Yin.”  For those of you with some working knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, one can understand how a fetus would be the utmost Yin (fluid, soft tissue, or very center) of a woman’s body as the fetus does not obtain its own Yang energy until it takes its first breath outside of the womb.

To offer assistance with breech presentation, often only one acupuncture appointment is needed. Typically the mother is instructed to continue using a technique called moxabustion at home for 10-20 minutes a day until her next sonogram or physical examination.

                                                                           ----> Read More on Hillary's Blog, The Wellness Well

Natural Labor Induction: Does it Really Exist?

It’s all too often that I get a phone call from a frantic Mom-to-be or Father for that matter, desperate for labor to start. Reasons range from fear of the impending doom of a forced induction with pharmaceuticals to a scheduled C-section because they are overdue or high-risk, to just simply being ready to get the show on the road.  Many people are under the assumption that by taking a few herbs or doing a couple acupuncture points that are traditionally contraindicated during pregnancy, that you can make labor happen instantly.  This couldn’t be further from the truth!

The fact of the matter is that there is very little known about the mechanism of birth or what makes a baby decide that it is in fact time to make his or her grand introduction into the world.  Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions I get on the phone. Can acupuncture cause contractions? Yes sometimes. Can it help to make contractions more regular if they are already randomly occurring? Yes. Can you cause someone’s water to break? Probably not! Will you leave my office in labor? Highly unlikely, although the chance for naturally going into labor in the next 48 hours seems to jump significantly after you are over 40 weeks of gestation...

                                                                              ----> Read more on Hillary's Blog, The Wellness Well

What is PCOS? And how did my ovary end up with a pearl necklace??

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Our first post is an oldie but goodie.  Hillary explains some causes and symptoms of PCOS, along with providing some natural solutions to help you.  

Please check out Hillary's post on PCOS on her blog, The Wellness Well.

Stay healthy, friends!