What Mother doesn’t love massage?

We all know that moms are natural nurturers and love their children without measure. But in reality motherhood comes with unexpected challenges and frustrations that carry stress along the way.

Give Mom a 1 Hour Tranquility Massage this year. It’s the perfect, thoughtful gift of relaxation.

1 Hour Tranquility Massage 

Mother’s Day Special $55.00

Must be purchased by midnight May 13, 2012.

For more information or an appointment, call  Charleston Therapeutic Massage at 843-723-7005.

Purchase an Instant Gift Certificate online now!

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Back pain can interfere with work, routine daily activities and recreation.  Most acute back pain is mechanical in nature – the result of trauma to the lower back. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. 

Occasionally, pain felt in one part of the body may “radiate” from a disorder, misalignment or injury elsewhere in the body. A full postural assessment can help determine if posture imbalance is the cause. The way we use our bodies through physical demand, repetitive motion and even lack of motion can cause our posture to become unbalanced. This deviation from our functional design causes musculoskeletal compensation and pain.

Ice and heat (cold and hot compresses) may help reduce pain and inflammation and allow greater mobility for some individuals. As soon as possible following trauma, apply a cold pack or a cold compress (such as a bag of ice or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel) to the tender spot several times a day for up to 20 minutes.  After 2 to 3 days of cold treatment, you should then apply heat (such as a hot pad) for brief periods to relax muscles and increase blood flow.  Warm baths may also help relax muscles.  

Massage therapy has been found to be especially effective for individuals with  low back pain.

Clinical research has shown that massage therapy has benefits for many serious medical conditions. Massage therapy alleviates pain and aids in the healing process. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine supports massage therapy  as producing better results for low back pain than other therapies, including acupuncture and spinal modification. 

Massage for low back pain was more likely to work when combined with exercise and education. 

In summary, massage is beneficial for individuals with sub-acute (lasting 4 to 12 weeks) and chronic (lasting longer than 12 weeks) non-specific low-back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education. (Furlan AD, Imamura M, Dryden T, Irvin E. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews 2008, Issue 4. Art. No.:CD001929.DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD001929.pub2).

The best thing you can do for your pain is to talk with us about your specific needs and goals.  Our staff of extensively trained and experienced professionals will assist you to reach your goals in our nurturing stress free environment.

February is all about one thing:  LOVE!  

Whether you are romantically entwined or reveling in singlehood, celebrate this month with some much needed self-love. If you want to show your love and appreciation to your spouse, dear friend or family member great experiences come from the heart. So, when was the last time you showed someone your love, appreciation and gratitude with all your heart? 

Valentine’s Day, a holiday that celebrates love, is observed on February 14th. We’ve put together affordable  MASSAGE SPECIALS  that will leave you and your loved ones feeling radiant, refreshed and LOVED!

For more information, or an appointment, call Charleston Therapeutic Massage at 843-723-7005 or visit our website at www.charleston-massage.com.

Valentine’s Day Specials:

Romance For Couples

Dissolve the day’s stress and renew your relationship with this relaxing and uplifting one hour massage in the same room side by side with two massage therapists. You’ll leave walking in step, hand in hand after you experience this romantic treatment together.

Limited Time Special $130.00 (per couple)

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The Royal Treatment

Everyone will adore this one hour massage experience. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion. At this affordable price, buy one for yourself and purchase another as a romantic gift for someone special in your life.

Limited Time Special $55.00

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Limited time massage specials must be purchased by midnight, February 14th, 2012.

Today there is a focus on living a healthy lifestyle for optimal health and balance. Eating well, relaxing, sleeping, making time for relationships, play and self-expression are the various ingredients that make up the whole of our lives and can easily get out of balance.  Andrew Weil, M.D., world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine defines health in his book, Health and Healing as “wholeness.” He uses the phrase  “dynamic equilibrium” to describe the essence of health – “a dynamic and harmonious equilibrium of all the elements and forces making up and surrounding a human being.”  Equilibrium because there is balance, dynamic because there are changes taking place. When the state of balance is disturbed by forces acting on them, our internal system signals our body to return us to equilibrium. In other words, we don’t feel great every day of our lives. Tune in and listen to your body. The body will naturally tell you what it needs to bring you back into balance.

Each of us has very specific needs for our own health according to age, constitution, gender, size, lifestyle and ancestry. This is called bio-individuality.  Exploring your bio-individuality nutritional requirements and looking at how all areas of your life are connected is the key to finding what food and lifestyle choices best support you. Water, food, physical activity, relationships, career, and spirituality have the power to transform health and balance the body. Look at the food you’re eating, deficits, and behaviors in your life that are underlying causes of your imbalance. Inadequate nutrients, being dissatisfied with relationships, having an inappropriate exercise routine (too much, too little or the wrong type), being bored, stressed, uninspired by a job, or lacking a spiritual practice (meditating, attending religious services, reading inspirational text ,writing, dancing, drawing or being in nature) may cause our body to be out of balance. 

 Let’s take a look at one of the potential causes of imbalance.   

Now that the holidays are over, you may be experiencing  cravings with fatigue, depression, weariness, mood swings, and exhaustion. Cravings are critical signals meant to assist you in understanding what your body needs to bring it back into balance. When you experience a craving, break it down into components by asking yourself, “What’s really going on here?” Are you craving something sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter or astringent? Are you craving entertainment, a hug, movement, nutritious food?

What we eat is a good place to begin understanding our cravings because the effects of our food choices are so powerful. Cravings can definitely be the result of eating too much sugar. According to William Duffy, author of Sugar Blues “sugar is an addictive, destructive drug”. Sugar qualifies as an addictive substance for two reasons: eating even a small amount creates a desire for more, and suddenly quitting causes withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, cravings and fatigue. We each have a specific relationship with sugar. We may feel happy and energetic for a while. But a short time later our mood suddenly changes and we find ourselves arguing with a friend or loved one. Overconsumption of refined sweets causes the body to lose the ability  to maintain a steady blood sugar level. This causes a rapid rise in the glucose levels in the body – a sugar rush. This sugar rush is followed by a crash creating imbalance in our body. Finding healthy alternatives to processed sugar can dramatically reduce sweet cravings .  You can naturally add more sweet flavor to your diet by adding fruits  and sweet vegetables like corn, carrots, onions, beets, winter squash, sweet potatoes and yams. 

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt! – Lucy Van Pelt from Peanuts Comic by Charles M. Schultz. Understanding what causes those crazy, uncontrollable cravings and knowing that you can reduce them naturally will empower you to bring your body back into balance.

Basic Ingredients for a Balanced Life:           

Drink Pure Water

Water is crucial to our survival. You need water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to your organs and tissues. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs. A large majority of the American population is dehydrated.  Dehydration can manifest as a mild hunger. When you get a craving drink a full glass of water. Excess water can also cause cravings. Be careful your water intake is well balanced. 

 Eat Real Food

Real whole food is minimally processed food that contain a virtual pharmacy of nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and healthful fats. Whole food can keep you alive and thriving. Going organic whenever possible for fruits and vegetables is best because they don’t carry heavy amounts of pesticides. This makes sense especially for children and pregnant women.  Shop at a farmer’s market or a local farm and buy your food there. When these options are not available there are plenty of healthy foods in your local supermarket.  The easiest tip to remember when shopping for healthy food at the supermarket is to focus primarily on the outer perimeter. 

When you are making a food choice, ask yourself, is this food processed in any way? Check the food label for ingredients. Labels will list additives, ingredients and nutrition information.  Look at the first 5 ingredients. None of them should be a sugar, a salt, a non-100 % whole grain carbohydrate, or a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. If any of these are on the list, DON’T BUY IT.  Healthy food doesn’t have to cost more. It’s the junk food, fast food, processed food and convenience food that ring up your grocery bill. If you reduce sugar, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol your food expense will be less and you will naturally cleanse your body.

Practice Home Cooking

Restaurant food generally has more salt, more unhealthy fat and more calories than home cooked meals. Healthy home cooked food doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare. Keep it simple. You don’t have to spend hours cooking complex meals. Good quality, fresh food is easy to prepare and enjoy once you learn how. Learn the art of simple meal planning. It’s not difficult, but it takes practice. With practice and patience in a short time you will be effortlessly cooking and nourishing yourself and others. Here’s a few resources to explore: Greens, Glorious Greens by Johnna Albi and Catherine Walthers,  150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Johnny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., The Self-Healing Cookbook: Whole Foods To Balance Body, Mind and Moods by Kristina Turner,  Refined to Real Foods: Moving Your Family Toward Healthier, Wholesome Eating by Allison Anneser with Sara Thyr, N.D., Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.

 Get Physically Active

Regular physical activity strengthens muscles, improves heart and lung function, reduces the risk of major diseases, stimulates the growth of new brain cells, and can add years to your life. The range of health bonuses now attributed to regular exercise are numerous.  Be experimental and find the type of exercise  you enjoy.  It’s good to find a type of exercise you can do every day without altering your schedule. If you’re a beginner start with 10 minutes a day and increase gradually to build up your endurance. Don’t give up!

More Sleep, Rest and Relaxation

When you are tired or stressed, your body will crave energy. These cravings are often a result of being sleep deprived. When people get less than 6 – 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begin to increase. During times of chronic stress, the body moves to a state of physiological arousal, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, slowed digestive functioning, decreased blood flow to the extremities, increased release of hormones like adrenalin and cortisol and other responses preparing the body to fight or run. One of the pioneers of the relaxation response, the counterpart of the fight-or-flight response, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard University wrote in his book, The Relaxation Revolution, “Any condition that is caused or exacerbated by stress can be helped by a well-designed mind-body approach.  Furthermore, because all health conditions have some stress component, it is no overstatement  to say that virtually every single health problem and disease can be improved by mind-body approach.”  Relaxation and meditation have been proven in a wealth of studies to promote health. Take time for yourself. Find activities that restore your energy, such as a walk, massage, bath, movie, or whatever you enjoy and schedule a date with yourself to do these things.

 In Touch With Your Spirituality

We are spiritual beings in a physical world. Develop and deepen your spiritual practice, whatever that might be. Find ways to get in touch with your spiritual side, be it meditating, attending religious services, reading inspirational text, writing, dancing, drawing, or being in nature.

 Professional Support Can Guide You To Achieve Optimal Health

All the various ingredients  that make up the whole of our lives can easily get out of balance. Studies show that the caring support of others can be a powerful tool to establish optimal health.  A professional can support, guide, motivate and provide customized resources for you to set and accomplish achievable health and lifestyle goals.

The body is always trying to maintain balance. Balance doesn’t just happen. It takes practice. You have the ability to change habits, behaviors, and patterns. It’s about choices, priorities, perspective, and letting go. You can balance your life with healthy living.

Jacquelyn Baurley, CHC, AADP is a certified health coach, holistic nutrition specialist and certified stress management coach. For more information about healthy eating and living, call EMPOWERED BODY WELLNESS (an expansion of Charleston Therapeutic Massage) at 843-723-7005, or visit www.empoweredbody.com.

Do you want to ring in the New Year with a resolution you can successfully achieve?

During this holiday season, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you and wish you much joy, happiness and health!

As the New Year approaches, many of our clients have been telling us their 2012 New Year’s resolution is to focus on living a healthier lifestyle.  We want you to be successful this year.  It’s easier than you think with our 2012 “NEW YOU” MAKEOVER Program.

 

 

 2012 New Year’s Resolution “NEW YOU” Makeover Program

We’ve put together a healthy makeover program that will give you everything you need to create a whole new healthier you successfully. This personalized makeover program will provide you with professional services (massages, a fitness program, health & life coaching), guidance and support that will help you achieve sustainable changes that will improve your health and happiness.  This program is like no other program you’ve tried before.

What’s in it for you…?

• Vibrant Health
• Pain & Stress Relief
• Weight Loss
• Improved Eating Habits
• Enhanced Fitness and Sports Performance
• More Energy and Stamina
• Improved Personal Relationships
• Increased Happiness

Just do it!  Make the decision today to successfully create a whole new healthier you with our help this year.

Hurry, the clock is ticking to receive a HUGE savings on your personalized makeover program. 

Your  ”NEW YOU” MAKEOVER program includes:

• Two 60 minute Corrective Massage Therapy Sessions  with our master level massage therapist and pain specialist- ($180 Value). The focus of Corrective Massage Therapy is to create efficient alignment of your bones and muscles, freedom from pain and stress, increased range of motion, a stronger body, enhanced sports and fitness performance, increased energy, and optimal health. Corrective Massage Therapy will transform the way you move and feel! 

• Two 60 minute Health and Life Consulting/Coaching Sessions with our certified health coach, holistic nutrition specialist and certified stress management coach – ($150 Value). This part of your makeover will help you explore concerns specific to you and your body, offer guidance to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you, and address any issues or roadblocks getting in your way to success.  Imagine being able to reach your current and future health goals with recommendations that are enjoyable, easily integrated with a step-by-step outline.

• Personalized Home Fitness Program and Postural Assessment  with  our Postural Alignment Specialist – Certified in The Egoscue Method Of Health Through Motion ($160 Value).  Your home fitness program is designed to improve your posture, function, and balance. Your TWO HOUR session includes a complete postural analysis, a customized exercise/fitness program to address your muscular imbalances and dysfunction, a one-on-one walk through instruction of your exercises, and a printed /emailed copy of your complete program.  Your program can help relieve pain, improve sports performance, increase flexibility, strengthen, sculpt, and reshape your body. There is virtually no limit to how much better a person can get.

Don’t miss out on this special offer.

The total cost of your 2012 “NEW YOU” MAKEOVER program is $389.  

The regular cost of this program is $490. That’s a huge savings!!!!

You must purchase this program by midnight, January 7, 2012 to receive this special price. Purchase an Instant Gift Certificate online now!

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For more information, to purchase a gift certificate by phone, or schedule an appointment

Call Charleston Therapeutic Massage

843-723-7005

www.charleston-massage.com

Note: This special promotion is not valid with any other specials, discounts or offers. Promotion expires one year from date of purchase.

Holiday Specials

Relax, we understand exactly how you feel! The holidays are hectic and we have the perfect solution to make it easy on you.  It’s one way to put a little calm back into your holidays.

We’ve put together your FAVORITE Charleston Therapeutic Massage services as Holiday Specials for a limited time. You can trust us to fulfill all of your gift expectations. Since 1992, Charleston Therapeutic Massage has provided restorative massage therapy, bodywork treatments and wellness programs. Each session is customized to support you and your loved ones to live an energized and passionate life to the fullest. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff of extensively trained professionals (minimum of 5 years experience) will assist you and your loved ones to enjoy an exceptional gift of relaxation, pain relief and vibrant health.

 1 Hour Relaxing Swedish Massage Holiday Special! 

It’s the perfect, thoughtful gift of relaxation and wellness.

$65.00 value for only $55.00!

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1 Hour Stress-Buster Massage Holiday Special!

We’ve created a one hour Stress-Buster Massage focusing on your neck, back and shoulders with Muscle Relief Aromatherapy included to make you feel fantastic. This special is always a hit! 

$90.00 value for only $65.00!

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Please give us a call at 843-723-7005 for more information, to purchase a gift certificate by phone, or to schedule an appointment. Purchase Instant Gift Certificates online and instantly send gifts to the special people in your life. Just personalize an Instant Gift Certificate, and then email or print and you are done. It will make every recipient smile and embrace the joys of massage and health.

Holiday Specials must be purchased by December 3, 2011.

Order your gift today!

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 Charleston Therapeutic Massage

310 Broad Street, Suite 8, Charleston, SC  29401 *843-723-7005

www.charleston-massage.com

FEATURED LIMITED TIME

SPECIAL OFFER

50% OFF 

A 1 Hour Personal Health Coaching Session

at Charleston Therapeutic Massage

When was the last time you talked

with someone about YOUR health and

received the personal attention YOU

deserve?

Imagine what your life would be like if you had clear thinking, energy and excitement every day.

  Have you every received good advice you were unabile to follow?

Has your doctor recommended lifestyle changes that you found unstainable?

Have you ever wanted something in your life, but found you were unable to follow up?

It’s rare for anyone to get an hour to work on improving their specific nutrition and health goals with the assistance of a trained professional. 

  Experience being listened to and unconditionally supported!

  Have you been wanting to:

• Make self-care a priority

• Understand your body better

• Increase your energy and stamina

• Improve your eating habits

• Lose weight naturally

• Reduce cravings

• Feel confident in choosing and preparing better food for you and your loved ones

• Improve personal relationships

• Improve performance

• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression

• Experience an increase in overall happiness in your life

 You have a choice. It’s never too late to make changes in your life.

You have the power to take ownership for your decision.

You have control to change your lifestyle. 

We can help you find solutions to your health goals.

 For a limited time, 

our CERTIFIFED HEALTH COACH 

 is offering a special

1 Hour Personal Health Coaching Session at

50% OFF the regular price! 

  During your Personal Health Coaching session you will discuss with your certified health coach your current health concerns, your goals, and together come up with a step by step outline to achieve these goals.

You will receive:

• A full comprehensive health history
• Dietary/self care analysis
• Goal setting for your health
• Specific recommendations

Personal Health Coaching Benefits:

• Establish a personal connection with a trained professional advocate.
• Experience being listened to and unconditionally supported.
• Discover creative solutions for you to achieve your goals.
• Determine what’s holding you back and help you see your way forward.
• Ask questions your doctor may not have time to answer.

 This one conversation could radically change your health and happiness!

 Get started on your path to vibrant health & happiness NOW!

For more information, or an appointment, call

843-723-7005

Offer details: This limited time special offer must be purchased by September 17, 2011. Limit 1 per person, may buy additional as gifts. Must present certificate at time of service. Valid for option purchased only.  Not valid with any other offers, specials or discounts. A 24 hour cancellation notice is required and terms are subject to Charleston Therapeutic Massage policy. (See website for policy.)

 For Your Convenience Purchase This 50% OFF Offer Instantly Online

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(NaturalNews)

Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a luxury splurge that has no real health benefits. To the contrary, hands-on healing helps you unwind, lowers blood pressure, promotes muscle relaxation and boosts your immune system. During a massage session, massage therapists use their hands and fingers to press and manipulate your skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles. The strokes gently move your blood, oxygen and lymph to various tissues and organs in a way that normally doesn’t happen in the bodies of most people. As a result, the person who is receiving the massage experiences a level of physical and mental renewal that is hard to surpass.

Hidden Health Benefits of Human Touch

Today, numerous well respected studies indicate that massage therapy doesn’t only feel good, it also may be good for you. Take a look at the health benefits below and discover the power of human touch:

Stress & anxiety relief

Muscle relaxation

Blood pressure control

Better circulation

Pain reduction

Enhanced cancer treatment

Improved quality of sleep

But there’s more – a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests that individuals who undergo massage therapy experience measurable improvements in their immune response.

Mark Rapaport, M.D., and his colleagues from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center followed 53 healthy adults who were divided into two groups: The participants received either 45 minutes of Swedish massage or the same amount of time of light touch massage, which is much milder and served mainly as a comparison to the more vigorous Swedish massage. After examining their blood samples, the scientists found that people in the Swedish massage group experienced a decrease in cortisol and a significant increase in lymphocytes, cells that keep our immune system strong.

“More research is ahead of us but it appears that a single massage may deliver a measurable benefit,” Rapaport said in a news release.

Massage is far more potent therapy than most people realize. In fact, it can (and should) replace analgesics as a treatment for tension headaches. As it turns out, it takes only a 30-minute massage on cervical trigger points to boost autonomic nervous system regulation and alleviate the symptoms. Patients also report an improvement in their psychological and physiological state, which goes hand in hand with the reduction in stress and anxiety associated with such a disturbing condition.

Stress and lack of rest have devastating effects on our health, fitness and beauty. Don’t be afraid to find yourself a good massage therapist and get some healing on a regular basis. When you’re taking care of your skin and what’s beneath it, you are taking care of your whole world.

Source: www.naturalnews.com