If you’re like most people, you probably think of massage therapy as a way to relax and de-stress. And while that’s definitely one of the benefits of massage, there are many others that can be helpful for rehabilitating injuries. Massage has been shown to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. If you’re recovering from an injury, talk to your doctor about whether massage therapy might be a good option for you. You may be surprised at how much it can help!
Before Surgery
Surgery can be a stressful experience, and the anticipation of pain before surgery often leads to higher levels in patients who have never experienced this type of physical discomfort. Addressing these fears early on is crucial for post-surgery management. Massage therapy before a major event like surgery or even difficult physical therapy can help prepare the mind and body to get the maximum benefit from the process.
The post-surgical pain and other common physical issues that many people experience after surgery can also be difficult to deal with. Luckily, massage therapy is an excellent form of treatment for this type of discomfort because it provides muscles with gentle touching which helps alleviate stress on the body’s system as well reduce inflammation from scarring.
After Surgery
Post-surgical pain can be a major issue for patients, and it’s something we have to take into consideration when they are recovering from surgery. Research shows persistent or chronic post-surgical pain lasting two to three months is responsible for nearly 1 in 4 cases of chronic pain.
We all know that postop recovery isn’t always easy but this task becomes more complicated if you’re experiencing chronic or persistent levels of discomfort which may delay your return back into daily life activities. Studies indicate that massage therapy has a variety of benefits for helping people recover faster from surgeries, and also helps with:
Decreasing postoperative pain and intensity
Reducing postoperative pain, stress, and anxiety
Mitigating sympathetic responses to postoperative pain
Decreasing doses of analgesics
Boosting levels of calmness and feelings of well-being
Reducing inflammation and scar tissue
Helping regain full range of motion without discomfort
Aiding in the re-alignment of muscles and joints
Help improve circulation and reduce swelling
Your Rehabilitation Will Improve with Massage Therapy
Talk to your doctor or therapist about whether massage therapy might be right for you after surgery, an accident, or a major illness. Massage therapy is a great addition to your rehabilitation program. Plus, it just feels good!
If you have surgery or a major health event coming up, consider incorporating massage therapy into your pre-and post-procedure care in order to prepare to the best of your ability and to shorten your recovery time.
Make an appointment today with All Body Kneads. You can call 517-898-2899 or click the link below to schedule online.
Frozen shoulder is technically called adhesive capsulitis. It causes stiffness, pain, and discomfort in your shoulder joint. It occurs when the range of motion of your shoulder joint is reduced to the point that it feels as though your shoulder is frozen.
Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually, worsen over time and then resolve, usually within one to three years. Who wants to endure three years of shoulder pain and stiffness? Just to hope it goes away on its own?
Often it doesn’t seem to be caused by an injury or other event. However, it can be caused by underuse. For example, if you are recovering from a medical condition or procedure that prevents you from moving your arm like a stroke or a mastectomy.
Sometimes people just get it. It seems to affect people over the age of 40 and women more than men. More research remains to be done on the causes.
Regardless of what causes it, it hurts and you want the pain to go away.
Frozen shoulder typically develops slowly, and in three stages. Each stage can last a number of months.
Freezing stage. Any movement of your shoulder causes pain, and your shoulder’s range of motion starts to become limited.
Frozen stage. Pain may begin to diminish during this stage. However, your shoulder becomes stiffer, and using it becomes more difficult.
Thawing stage. The range of motion in your shoulder begins to improve.
For some people, the pain worsens at night, sometimes disrupting sleep.
What Can I do About Frozen Shoulder?
We feel it best to try non-invasive, non-drug approaches first to get relief. Massage for frozen shoulder includes focusing on myofascial trigger points in the muscles of the shoulder and surrounding areas.
Be sure to make an appointment with a licensed massage therapist who is knowledgeable about trigger points and frozen shoulders. All Body Kneads will take good care of you.
Again, according to the Mayo Clinic, “treatment for frozen shoulder involves range-of-motion exercises and, sometimes, corticosteroids and numbing medications injected into the joint capsule. In a small percentage of cases, arthroscopic surgery may be indicated to loosen the joint capsule so that it can move more freely.”
Are you suffering from a frozen shoulder?
We know the pain is annoying and is limiting your ability to do the things you love, even sleep. Let us help you with your frozen shoulder pain.
Do you suffer from tight, achy neck and shoulder muscles? When you’re stressed out or tense, your shoulders tend to hunch forward. This puts pressure on the back of your neck which can lead to pain and stiffness. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re just sore or actually dealing with an injury like whiplash. Here are some easy things that could help release tension in those areas so you can feel good again!
Tips for Tigh Neck and Shoulders
Heating pad. Place a small heating pad over the neck and shoulders for about 20 minutes.
Foam Roller. Apply pressure to tight muscles with your hands or use a foam roller.
Gentle Stretching. Stretch your neck by tilting your head to one side, then the other. Stretch regularly throughout the day – don’t wait until you’re tired to stretch!
Self- Massage. Massage sore areas with lotion or oil. Check out our article on self-massage tips for more information.
Good Sleep. Get plenty of sleep every night – you need at least 7 hours of sleep each night for healthy muscle function!
Take Breaks. Take breaks from sitting up straight all day long by resting in between tasks, stretching often, and taking walks during lunch break.
Hot Bath. Try a hot bath with Epsom salts and lavender oil
Light Exercise. Take some time out of your day to do neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and arm circles
Good Posture. Practice good posture by sitting up straight in your chair at work or home.
Lighten Your Load. Don’t carry a heave a backpack, purse, or crossbody bag that is pulling on your neck and shoulders.
Reduce Phone Use. “Text neck” is a term that has been coined to describe the posture formed by leaning forward for prolonged periods, for example when viewing a cellphone while reading and texting. This can cause stress injuries and pain. This posture often results in neck and shoulder pain, and headaches.
If these tips aren’t helping or you are seeking more relief, it is time to call a professional massage therapist. All Body Kneads can provide full body massage or a concentration on your neck and shoulders.
School is starting back up for K-12 and college and universities. I am already seeing proud parents post about their student-athletes with pictures and accomplishments in games and tournaments.
For high school and beyond, student-athletes typically have access to school-appointed trainers and medical staff. But what can they do beyond the school to help with their athletic performance? What more can we do to give them a competitive edge without resorting to drugs are harmful practices?
Two things come quickly to mind. Massage therapy for student-athletes and manual manipulation therapy.
Here at All Body Kneads massage studio we offer many types of massage from relaxation to trigger point therapy, to supporting sore muscles, and promoting healthy sleep.
As parents, we want the best for our children at any age. When they become teenagers and college students, the competition becomes more intense. The commitment to their sport becomes more important. For high school, this could mean scholarships and opportunities they can’t get any other way. And yet, we want them to be safe, happy, and healthy while doing something they love.
Do you have sore muscles most weekends? Are you a weekend warrior trying to pack in too much on Saturday and Sunday? Spring and Summer in Michigan are so short. There are so many things we want to do cram into the beautiful weather. But come Monday, our bodies are paying for it.
Start off your week with a relaxing massage to loosen up those muscles and keep your body going all week. Schedule a massage today.
If you want to do more on the weekends and feel better throughout the week, follow these tips.
Relieve Sore Muscles Throughout the Week
Massage Therapy – All Body Kneads therapeutic full-body massage caters to your wants and needs with a specialized focus on problem areas, tension, stress relief, and relaxation. Deepen benefits with add-ons such as hot stones, aromatherapy, paraffin wax, and more. Add-ons are also available to enhance the experience and healing. Learn More.
Bamboo Fusion Massage – The technique uses warm bamboo sticks for deep tissue massage work. The bamboo tool allows the massage therapist to use more strength and stamina for deeper pressure. The smooth sticks allowed for more penetrating maneuvers and make deep-tissue work easier. Learn more.
Infrared Sauna – Infrared spa treatments are a great way to rid the body of unwanted toxins. The dry heat assists with increasing circulation and healing injuries. Learn more.
Epson Salt Soak – Soaking in Epson salts may relieve sore muscles. The theory is that when you soak in an Epsom salt bath, these minerals get absorbed into your body through the skin. This may help relax muscles, reduce swelling and pain from arthritis, and relieve pain from fibromyalgia and various causes.
Drink Lots of Water – Dehydration can make the recovery period from sore muscles feel even worse. Drinking water is beneficial in speeding up that recovery time and eradicating feelings of soreness – removing toxins from your body and keeping your muscles in proper working order.
Steam Sauna Therapy – Add a steam sauna treatment to your massage. You don’t even have to leave the massage table. Stay comfortable and enjoy. During the treatment, your head remains outside allowing the lymphatic system and organs to heal themselves. Learn more.
What can we help you with today?
All Body Kneads massage therapy has many options to help with sore muscles due to over exertion. We get it – the weekend may be your only time to get things done and have fun. We are here to help.
Massage therapists can be a very integral and important part of your health plan. As they work with you regularly, they get to know your body and your trouble spots. They learn the specific issues and health struggles of each patient. He or she can show you stretches and things to do in between appointments to improve and support your health. This could include meditation, aromatherapy, sleeping positions, good pillows to use, self-massage tools, hydration, ergonomic work practices, and more.
If you are recovering from a specific injury or disease, your massage therapist can become part of your care team to treat and support all aspects of your healing. Most people who become massage therapists do so because they have compassion for people, want to help people, and have an innate understanding of the body and its relationship to pain and healing.
Many people only think of massage therapy as a “treat” or for relaxation. Massage can be relaxing but it can also be part of physical therapy or be included in the treatment for a variety of different issues – some minor and some pretty major.
Massage therapy can help with a surprising number of things you may not have thought about. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with any of the following, please consider massage therapy. Lansing has many talented massage therapists and we at All Body Kneads are happy to help you.
Massage Therapist Can Help with Many Things
The variety of things massage therapists help with is truly remarkable. It is also worth noting that they can also help to maintain your good health as a maintenance plan when you achieve your health goals. It is a good way to manage stress and promote good sleep.
For patients who are living in a state of confusion, a calming massage can relax, reassure, and comfort. Caretakers and patients benefit from the relaxing, meditative results from the calming touch and grounded state provided by a massage.
A massage helps bring Alzheimer’s patients back to the present and returns them to their bodies to deeply relax and relish human contact. For those who are separated from family and friends, this caring, gentle touch can ease the fear and loneliness often associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s. All Body Kneads is honored to work with your family member, friend, or patient who is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. We use a specially formulated lotion to address the thinning skin of elderly patients and we make sure the space is always warm, serene, and welcoming. Click here for more information.
Facial massage can help keep the skin looking young, smooth, and firm. During a facial massage, your massage therapist will use upward, gentle, yet stimulating strokes. In addition to helping your face look younger, massage therapy helps your entire body and your soul. Our emotional age can feel years beyond our physical age when we experience excess stress, worry, and anxiety. Take the time for some self-care by managing your stress and feel like yourself again. Click here for more information about facial and full-body massage.
It is important to find a massage therapist who is knowledgeable in relaxation techniques and is aware and sensitive to acute anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is also important that the massage studio atmosphere is welcoming, calm, and comfortable. Nothing about the experience should trigger more anxiety. Click here for more information on how massage can help with specific types of anxiety.
Massage therapy is gaining recognition as an effective medication-free treatment for arthritis. Massage accomplishes this in two ways: by loosening up the joints, and by improving circulation. There are several different types of massage that can alleviate arthritis pain. Click here for more information.
Eighty percent of adults experience back pain sometime in their life. Not sure if that makes you feel better, but it certainly doesn’t make the back pain go away. The good news is that massage can really help. If you are thinking about surgery to ease your back pain, often massage therapy and chiropractic care can help you avoid surgery. But not always. Regardless, massage can absolutely help with the symptoms before, after or as an alternative to surgery. Click here for more info and a list of the main causes of back pain.
Studies have also shown that massage seems to offer both physical and emotional benefits for people with cancer. If you are concerned about massage therapy during chemotherapy read Can You Get Massage During Chemotherapy.. All Body Kneads is also associated with the non-profit Mid-Michigan Massage Therapy Insitute which provides reduced or free massage to cancer patients, survivors, and caretakers. For more information, click here.
Massage therapy is often prescribed as a regular, non-evasive, non-addictive pain management tool. If massage therapy can help relieve pain for even a few minutes, it’s worth it. Just ask someone who suffers from chronic pain. More often it provides longer-lasting relief as well. Chronic pain can cause other symptoms like loss of sleep, elevated levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. These issues, coupled with the pain, create a vicious cycle of pain for those who suffer from the problem. Massage therapists can help with many of these things. Click here for more info.
Massage can help with both a detox of toxins out of our system for health reasons and help with recovering from addictions and drug use disorders. As a massage therapist my belief is that, no, the massage itself does not remove toxins from the body. However, it can assist the body in eliminating them and alleviate some symptoms. Click here to find out how.
Fatigue is something that most of us have experienced at one time or another. It is usually due to overexertion or an unusual amount of stress and will go away with rest and relaxation. However, some people suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). People who suffer from CFS frequently complain of extended periods of extreme fatigue with seemingly no perceivable cause or reason. Massage therapy can help. For more information or a list of CFS symptoms, click here.
If you have Fibromyalgia, or you suspect you do, you know all too well the frustrating pain that comes and goes and moves around. It doesn’t help that your pain is compounded by the negative effects of everyday stress. Pain is stressful. It’s a vicious cycle. Massage can help break that cycle. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia can vary from mild to severe. Some patients find massage helpful even during severe flare-ups. Others prefer to wait until their pain is at a lower level to receive massage. Your health care provider and massage therapist may be able to help you decide, but ultimately you know what is best for you! Click here for more information.
While massage alone probably won’t control diagnosed high blood pressure, it can certainly be part of an overall treatment plan. Often times stress is also a contributing factor to elevated blood pressure–so finding healthy ways to relax and find balance and calm will help. Massage can help with a wide range of issues and symptoms having to do with a lot of conditions, not just high blood pressure. Click here for a list of causes and symptoms of high blood pressure.
The best way to achieve healthy sleep habits is by natural medication-free means. Studies have shown that regular massage therapy reduces fatigue, promotes relaxation, and contributes to high-quality sleep. The benefits of massage are both immediate and long-term. People who receive massages experience a more restorative type of sleep, both immediately following the massage and even several hours afterward. Their bodies are more relaxed, with reduced aches and pains, and able to fall more quickly into a deep sleep. Click here for more information.
Massage reduces swelling caused by fluid retention in the joints of the fingers, toes, wrists, and ankles. It improves blood circulation and promotes greater flexibility. A knowledgeable and skilled massage therapist will know the right techniques to use to help with joint pain and those suffering from arthritis. Find out more.
One of the first things to address with mental health is stress. Stress makes everything harder so managing your stress will help you better be able to handle what life throws at you. Click here for some more things that will help.
While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, research supports massage therapy as a useful intervention for several of the symptoms associated with the disease. Daily exercise is recommended for people with Parkinson’s Disease and massage can help keep the body flexible and able to handle more activity. The frequency and type of massage will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Click here for recommendations and more information.
Massage before and after birth can help the delivery and recovery go smoothly. There are many things to consider with pregnancy massage and it is important you find massage therapists who are specifically trained for prenatal massage. Bilky Joda-Miller, owner of All Body Kneads is an experienced prenatal massage therapist and is also doula. Click here for more information.
Management of scar tissue through massage, stretching, and exercise is essential to ensure proper remodeling of the scar takes place and normal mobility and function are restored. In general, the scar must be fully closed and no scabbing present to begin scar massage. Your primary doctor should assess your scar before beginning scar massage. Click here for more information.
Are you interested in working with our massage therapists?
We at All Body Kneads would love to talk to you about your health plan and create a service plan that can best address your issues. Please contact us at:
Business Phone (517) 898-2899 E-Mail: bilky@allbodykneads.com 6910 South Cedar Street, Suite #4 Lansing, MI 48911-6912
You can also schedule an appointment online at here.
As Michigan businesses open back up and life resumes some normalcy, we have been getting a lot of questions about social distancing with massage therapy.
Massage therapists all over the state have been virtually meeting, chatting, and discussing going back to work and conducting safe practices. We have been given specific guidelines and recommendations from joint efforts by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Agency (MIOSHA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Rest assured, All Body Kneads will be adhering to this guidelines and providing a safe, clean, and relaxing atmosphere for you to resume your massage therapy appointments. The even bigger news is that we have moved locations!
Our new location is 6910 South Cedar, Suite #4, Lansing, MI 48911. We are across the street from Lowe’s and in the buildling right next to Cause Way Bay Hotel to the south.
This move was in the works before the stay-at-home order was given, and the prolonged directive has given us time to move in, get settled, and make the space perfect to re-open. Stay tuned for specific open dates (tenatively Monday, June 15) and a Grand Opening celebration.
I don’t think anyone has escaped this world-wide situation and experience without some level of stress and anxiety. It varies for each individaul, of course, but stress can sneak up on you and appear in subtle or unlikely ways. If you switched to working from home, your new “office” may not be ideal or all that comfortable. Your shoulders and upper back could be paying the price.
Are you experiencing any of the following hidden signs of stress and anxiety?
Frequent headaches. The cause of this can be from clenching your jaw, tensing muscles in your neck, shoulders or even your face, and possibly grinding your teeth (sometimes in your sleep – so you don’t even realize it.)
Body Aches. Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response and blood rushes to major muscle groups with the anticipation of some action. However, most of us don’t react by taking of in a sprint to escape a lumbering predator. Your body still reacts like you ran a marathon – hence the muscle soreness.
Restlessness. Are you finding yourself tapping your foot (or hand), shaking your leg, or possibly experiencing restless leg syndrome while trying ot sleep?
Upset Stomach. It is really common for us to feel emotional stress in our stomach in the form or pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or a mild upset stomach.
Skin issues. Stress can also cause acne an eczema flare ups. When you are stressed your body produces cortisol (a stress hormone) which can increase acne. Stress can also increase inflammation of the skin which can trigger (or worsen) exzema.
Increased sweating. As if you didn’t have enough to worry about, adrenaline is a by-product of stress and can cause you to sweat more.
Sleep issues. If you are experiencing stress and/or anxiety, it is common to suffer from insomnia, nightmares, sleepwalking, or other sleep disturbances. Chronic stress increases rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and decreases slow-wave or deep sleep. This throws off the body and disrupts cell and body maintenance and repair, resulting in sleep issues. When you are overly stressed, anxious, AND tired, life can become quite difficult
Immune deficiency. Besides producing more cortisol, stress also causes the body to overproduce hormones that regulate the immune system and affects your ability to produce white blood cells that fight infection. This weakens our immunity – the exact opposite of what we need during a pandemic.
Sexual problems including fertility. When we are stressed, anxious, or overly tired we often don’t feel in the mood for sex. We also may not be able to get aroused even if we try. There is a scientific reason for this. While stress causes the body to overproduce some hormones, it also causes the body to underproduce the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the body’s main sex hormone. This can lead to reduced sperm count, ovulation, and sexual activity.
Anxiety and panic attacks. We can only handle so much. Sometimes, when people are under too much stress they can experiene a panic or axiety attack. These can be very scary and sometimes feel like a heart attack or other physical issues.
Massage therapy can definitely help reduce stress. It may not fix or completely eliminate all the things in the above list, but it can definitely help.
Everyone in Michigan has been experiencing a heightened level of stress these past few months. When you feel ready we are here to help you unwind, relax, achieve better sleep, and practice self-care.
Please call (517) 898-2899 to schedule an appointment or book online.
Are you experiencing back pain? You aren’t alone. Eighty percent of adults experience back pain sometime in their life. Not sure if that makes you feel better, but it certainly doesn’t make the back pain go away. The good news is that massage can really help.
If you are thinking about surgery to ease your back pain, often massage therapy and chiropractic care can help you avoid surgery. But not always. Regardless, massage can absolutely help with the symptoms before, after or as an alternative to surgery.
There are several reasons, or causes, that contribute to back pain and most of them are mechanical. This means that there is something physically wrong with your spine, discs, muscles or nerves.
Main Causes of Back Pain
The following are common and mechanical reasons that your back hurts:
Sprains and strains (overworked muscles). Weekend warriors, athletes, and let’s be honest, adults in general, often injure their backs in a mild way that can cause a lot of pain. This can happen from twisting or lifting something the wrong way, lifting something too heavy, or overstretching. This may also trigger muscle spasms which can be really painful.
Sciatica. This is a burning pain in the lower back that usually also radiates down one leg. The technical cause for this is compression of the large nerve (sciatic nerve) that travels through the buttocks and extends down the back of the leg. Yikes!
Intervertebral disc degeneration. This is one of the most common mechanical causes of low back pain. It is caused by the normal process of aging where the discs in your back lose their rubbery flexibility and start to deteriorate.
Herniated or ruptured discs. This happens when intervertebral discs are compressed and bulge outward (herniation) or rupture, causing low back pain.
Spinal stenosis. This occurs when the spinal column narrows, which puts puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This often results in pain or numbness when walking and can lead to weakness of the legs and even loss of sensation.
Radiculopathy. This condition is caused when a spinal nerve root becomes compressed, inflamed and/or injured. Pressure on the nerve root can cause numbness (or a tingling sensation) that can travel to other areas of the body that are served by that nerve. This is sometimes a result of spinal stenosis or herniated/ruptured disc.
Skeletal Misalignments or Irregularities. Congenital anomalies of the spine can cause back pain over time. Sometimes the pain doesn’t show up until adulthood. This can include scoliosis (a curvature of the spine) and lordosis (an abnormally accentuated arch in the lower back.)
Non-Mechanical Causes of Back Pain
In addition to structural issues with the back, there are other causes of back pain that require additional medical attention due to the nature of the cause. This can include:
Kidney stones. These can cause sharp pain in the lower back, usually on one side.
Inflammation. This can include arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoporosis. Reduced bone density over time.
Endometriosis. The buildup of uterine tissue in places outside the uterus.
Fibromyalgia. A chronic pain syndrome involving widespread muscle pain and fatigue.
How Does Massage Help with Back Pain?
Massage is a gentle, non-invasive way to help ease back pain. It also helps to relax the mind and promote good sleep. Chronic, or long last pain, can be very emotionally stressful as well as physically daunting. Here are some the main ways massage can help with back pain:
Increased blood flow and circulation. This is like feeding injured and sore muscles and tissues. It decreases muscle soreness from physical activity or soft tissue injury (such as muscle strain). When muscles are more relaxed they are more flexible.
Increased endorphin levels. This is the body’s natural pain medicine. The “feel good” chemicals in the brain are release with enhances moods and can decrease depression and anxiety. This helps reduce pain and speeds up recovery. If you have chronic back and/or neck pain you understand how much joy can be had from a few hours of relief.
Improves Sleep Quality. Sleep is very important, especially when recovering from and injury or dealing with pain. Quality sleep is crucial. Massage facilitates physical and mental relaxation that aids with better sleep.
The Best Types of Massage for Back Pain
There are three main types of massage that are helpful in easing back pain:
If you would like to talk more about massage and back pain or would like to book an appointment for yourself or someone you know please call Bilky at 517-898-2899 or you can email at bilky@allbodykneads.com.
Tax season is upon us. Some of us don’t think about our accountants until this time of year as we are gathering up all of documents and stuffing our receipts into shoe boxes. However, this time of year is extremely busy for accountants and auditors. They spend a lot of time hunched over computer keyboards, peering into glowing screens, tallying up numbers on calculators, making phone calls, and basically working hard so we can keep doing what we love to do.
This tax season, you could say “thank you” with a gift of massage. Our accountants keep us out of trouble and we can pay them back by helping with their “trouble” spots. Mainly, neck, shoulders, arms and lower back. Maybe headaches too, for those really difficult clients!
Accountants, like most professionals who work at desk, spend long hours sitting–especially during tax season. This puts a lot of strain on the body. Coupled with higher stress and less sleep, and your body is NOT happy with you. We need our accountants to be sharp and focused. Massage is the answer!
Remind your accountant that he or she could benefit from taking care of themselves while they are also taking care of all of their clients. We all need this gentle reminder sometimes.
Massage can help with:
Upper body tension (neck, shoulders, jaw, face, head)
According to AccountingWeb.com, additional ways finance professionals can combat work-related stress include:
Exercise daily (e.g., yoga, walking, running).
Enjoy time with friends or a significant other after work.
Engage in a hobby (e.g., gardening, reading).
Listen to music.
Take vacation time to recharge.
Work-Life Balance
No matter what your profession, it is really important to work on a healthy work-life balance. There will be times in our lives that are busier than others (like tax time), and we can maintain an out-of-balance work load for short periods of time. However, overall, week-to-week, month-to-month, our work-life balance should be, well, BALANCED. It is a lifestyle change that includes prioritizing different areas of your life and making a conscious effort to bring those areas into balance.
Massage can really help with this because it gives you time to relax, listen to your inner voice, reconnect with yourself, and let your subconscious start working on some of these things for you. Self-care is not just a popular buzzword right now–it is really important as statistics of cancer, stress related diseases, hearth attacks, anxiety and depression are running amok in our society. And dear accountants, we know how you love statistics. Just don’t let yourself be one by not taking care of yourself. We all need you to crunch those numbers and keep us honest.
Can’t you just feel your shoulders relaxing and the tension easing from your body already? Don’t you deserve a good night’s sleep?
Please share this article with your accountant, your colleagues, workaholics, and anyone else you think might benefit from a great massage. So, really, everyone! Thank you and be well!
It is no secret that Customer Service Representatives have a very hard job. Their job becomes even tougher during busy times of the year like the holidays and summer vacations.Customer Service is one type of job where the emotional strain outweighs the physical demands on the body. Even though retail customer service workers can be seen running around stores helping needy customers, it still doesn’t compare to the “emotional labor” involved. The same goes for call center workers other types of customer service reps.
Emotional labor is a term coined by Arlie Hochschild’s in her book The Managed Heart. It refers to the effort a person must put forth in order to exude an emotion that they are not necessarily feeling at the time. We have all experienced this from time time in our daily lives. Can you imagine having to do this every day while people are complaining to you? It’s exhausting just thinking about it.
Customer Service Representatives are suppose to seem happy all the time.
#1. It does not come natural. Who would naturally be pleasant to someone who is yelling at them? Flight or Fight instincts kick in and we have to work really hard to overcome our natural tendencies to defend ourselves.
#2. Our perspectives are different. People perceive situations differently, as well at the importance of problems and issues. Something that might ruin one person’s day is just standard every day occurrences for someone else. Empathy plays a large role in being good at customer service.
#3.It’s sometimes hard to be friendly. It just is. The worse you feel, or tired, or stressed, or even hungry, the harder is to be friendly and cater to other peoples’ needs.
#4.Multitasking really isn’t a thing. People refer to multitasking all the time, but as humans, we aren’t good it at. It’s true. Sorry. We can only process one conscious thought at a time. When we try to do too many things at once, which is often required for Customer Service Representatives, our brains want to shut down in protest.
#5. Directed Attention Fatigue. Have you ever heard of this term? You have most definitely experienced it even if you didn’t have a name for it. Chronic multitasking causes it by overusing the part of our brain that focuses attention. If you had to read that sentence twice, you might be suffering from it. Some of the symptoms include:
Getting distracted easily
Irritability
Impatience
Indecisiveness
Difficulty starting and finishing tasks
How Can Massage Help Customer Service Representatives?
Massage therapy is not just physical therapy. It provides emotional support and help as well. When we take time to slow down, focus on ourselves, relax, and rejuvenate, we feel better. The uplifting effects of a massage can last for days. Massage therapy also promotes better sleep and concentration–two more things that will help you with your customer service job.
When we are emotionally (or physically) stressed we tend to hold tension in the body. Common areas are the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Some people also grind or clench their jaw during the day or in their sleep. This can result in chronic or debilitation headaches.
If you work in customer service (or know someone who does) we encourage you to seek regular massage–especially during busy times of the year. You will be able to maintain a good attitude despite difficult customers. Your bosses, managers and the company will benefit from it and so will everyone around you.
Book a massage today and spend some time unwinding. You deserve it!
