Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol Levels

On December 28, 2020   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol Levels

Lower your stress and lower cortisol levels.

Stress is the root cause of many diseases and complicates our lives in small and big ways. Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the United States? Stress is hard on the heart, so anything we can do to lower our stress levels will help our hearts.

What Is Cortisol?

Cortisal is often called “the stress hormone” because it is a naturally-occurring steroid hormone that plays a key role in the body’s stress response. It also contributes to many of the body’s processes. Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the regulation of the following:

  • Blood pressure
  • Glucose metabolism
  • Immune function
  • Inflammatory response
  • Insulin release

What Happens when Cortisol Levels are too High?

As you can see, cortisol is important. However, when levels stay too high, you might experience a range of unwanted symptoms such as:

lower cortisol
  • Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
  • Decreased bone density
  • Decreases in muscle tissue
  • Higher blood pressure
  • Impaired cognitive performance
  • Increased abdominal fat
  • Lowered immunity
  • Slower wound healing
  • Suppressed thyroid function

In rare cases, very high cortisol levels can lead to Cushing’s syndrome, a rare but serious disease.

Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol and Stress

Luckily, there are several things you can do to lower cortisol levels. One of the most enjoyable and relaxing things you can do is get a massage. There are numerous benefits of massage, and of the main ones is relaxation and lowering stress. You can book a massage today and start lowering your cortisol levels for a great night’s sleep.

Book Your Massage Now!

Massage for Business Executives 2

Additional things you can do to lower cortisol include:

  • Get enough, good sleep every night
  • Maintaining a good bedtime routine
  • Moderate Exercise
  • Eat a good diet
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Taking up a hobby
  • Laughing and having fun
  • Avoiding caffeine at night
  • Cultivating healthy relationships
  • Getting a pet
  • Taking fish oil and ashwagandha supplements
  • Drink chamomile tea, and other soothing herbal teas
  • Spending time in nature
  • Meditation
  • Yoga

Which one are you going to try this week?

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.

Back to Top

Chronic Pain: Can Massage Therapy Help?

On November 21, 2019   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
Chronic Pain: Can Massage Therapy Help?

Chronic pain is debilitating. It makes your tired. It is harder to cope with normal everyday activities and obligations. It affects you mentally as well as physically.

If you are living with chronic pain than you have likely tried many ways to get some relief. Are they working?

What is chronic pain?

The Institute for Chronic Pain defines chronic pain as pain that lasts longer than 6 months. It does not differentiate from how the pain started or where the pain is located. Pain is pain and it HURTS!

One minute or one hour in pain is awful. Six months of pain is way too long. However, we know that many people deal with pain for a lot longer than that. For years even. One day is too long. Six months or longer can feel like torture.

How can massage help with chronic pain?

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. Massage therapy is often prescribed as a regular, non-evasive, non-addictive pain management tool.

Besides the pain itself, as if that wasn’t enough, 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 with the problem.

People who are dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome and/or fibromyalgia also experience levels of chronic pain.

Here are some key ways massage therapy can help:

  • eases tension in sore muscles
  • loosens key muscle groups that may be overworked or compensating for injuries
  • reduces scar tissue
  • increases blood flow to injured areas, promoting faster healing
  • speeds recovery time after surgery
  • promotes healthy sleep
  • reduces depression and anxiety
  • relaxes the mind as well as the body

Are you suffering from chronic pain?

You have dealt with it long enough. Talk to your primary care doctor or pain management specialist about massage therapy. As professional massage therapists we will consult with you thoroughly before your massage about your symptoms. We will work to alleviate pain while avoiding aggravating any issues. We want to understand your unique pain situation before we provide massage therapy.

We will tailor approach to your specific condition. We will ask if you have had any recent flare-ups, what triggers them (if known), surgeries and history of illness and injury.

We will communication with you often during treatment to insure the techniques and amount of pressure is suitable.

Are you ready to feel better?

Of course you are! We cannot guarantee that you will be pain free as a result of massage therapy. However, our expert knowledge of anatomy and vast array of massage techniques will hopefully offer you relief and help on your continued journey to a pain free life.

Please call All Body Kneads today and schedule your appointment for a Massage. Feel better soon!

517-898-2899  or schedule online.

Back to Top

Massage for Food Service Workers

On September 25, 2018   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
Massage for Food Service Workers

Restaurant work may be one of the most common jobs across the country but that does not mean it is easy. It is no secret that the food service industry is very demanding.

Kitchen staff, bartenders, wait staff, hosts and hostesses, and all the other people who make up the food industry work extremely hard to make sure the rest of us eat well and have an enjoyable experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the restaurant and food service industry sees nearly 200,000 injuries per year, resulting in approximately 9,000 days away from work by injured employees.

massage for food service workers

The Sprains and Strains of Food Service

Food service workers are almost always on their feet. They rarely sit down and work under hectic and strained situations. Many food service workers are attracted to the industry because of the fast-paced and exciting environment. However, this is also what leads to work place injury.massage for food service

Wait staff and bussers are at a particularly high risk for back, neck, and shoulder strains due to assuming awkward postures while serving customers or clearing tables. Heavy trays, walking all day, and bending and leaning puts undue strain on arms, elbows, and so forth. Proper technique for carrying heavy or awkward items is crucial to avoiding injury, whether in the kitchen or on the floor of the restaurant.

Even with proper technique, your body will feel it over time. Especially after long shifts, double shifts, busy weekends, large parities and events, and other times when you are working especially hard.

The most common injuries to restaurant and food service workers include:Foot Massage Therapy

  • sprains and strains
  • lifting and carrying injuries, including back injuries, joint damage, and other musculoskeletal injuries
  • slips and falls
  • repetitive stress injuries for food servers, busboys, meat cutters, and bartenders
  • motor vehicle accidents for delivery drivers and caterers
  • burns
  • cuts and lacerations

Not to mention that your feet hurt all the time!

 

The Mental Toll of Food Service Workfood service

Besides the physically demanding aspect of food service, there is also the mental strain to consider. Hungry people can be difficult to deal with. Picky eaters can be hard to please. Intoxicated people are often unreasonable. Early mornings and late nights can create poor sleep cycles.

Customers who have never worked in the food service industry may not always have empathy or understanding for what restaurant workers are going through to deliver hot food on time. If you have never had to rely on tips to support yourself, you may not understand what you have to do in order to receive fair tips. It’s not easy.

Working in fast paced environments can also make it difficult to wind down and relax once your shift is over.

The Benefits of Massage for Food Service Workers

Food service workers across the industry can benefit greatly from massage. It is a physically demanding, hectic, and mentally challenging career path. It is isn’t for everyone, but those who thrive in this environment need to take care of themselves so they can enjoy a long career.

Massage can help in the following ways:

  • Ease sore muscles and joints
  • Reduce back, shoulder, and neck pain
  • Provide a relaxing environment to unwind
  • Promote better sleep
  • Reduce pain from repetitive motion injuries
  • Help with carpal tunnel syndrome and other similar types of injuries
  • Promote faster healing after slips and falls

Check out the many types of massage that are available.

Need more convincing?

Can’t you just feel your muscles relaxing, your breath deepening, and a calm setting over your mind?

At All Body Kneads, we specialize in helping you feel your best so you can do your best.

Give us a call today at 517-898-2899 or schedule an appointment online.

You can also email for an appointment or with any questions at bilky@allbodykneads.com.

We’d also be happy to talk to your work place about at in-house wellness and chair massage program.

Feel better today!

 

 

Back to Top