Welcome

Please enjoy my newest blog. If there is something else you would like to know, a question about my writing or just a question for me, please feel free to contact me at Melanie@TampabayMassageTherapy.com

Healthy Blessing to you!

Melanie~

Thursday, April 5, 2012

April news and more...

Tips for reducing stress:

Drink Green Tea: Drinking green tea produces calming brain waves in as little as 15 minutes. An amino acid in the tea ups the production of alpha brain waves by 38%!

Orange Juice: Drinking just two glasses of orange juice a day can lower stress induced cortisol levels by 300%! It also increases the production of collagen, a protein that strengthens connective tissue and helps prevent cellulite from forming.

Whey smoothies: Drinking 15 grams of whey protein can raise testosterone levels by 25% for up to 48 hours. This increases metabolism and improves muscle tone. Drinking a post workout smoothie may double fat loss and increase muscle gain by 63%. Add variety to your smoothy by adding various fresh fruits. So delicious your kids will beg for more.
(Information from the April 16th edition of Women First Magazine)

Get a massage! Not only does routine maintenance of massage therapy help reduce stress, it improves flexibility, increases circulation, strengthens the immune system, improves mood with the production of serotonin and dopamine and reduces pain naturally through the production of endorphins.
Save money and buy a package of 5 or 10 massages. Get the best at Tampabay Massage Therapy & Wellness Center, Inc. The best massage for the best value. Packages never expire, no contracts and top of the line service.

www.TampabayMassageTherapy.com

Simple Healthy Recipe You'll Love


Simple Garlic Shrimp (to be serviced over toast or other starch)
From Chef John at Foodwishes.com  I made this recipe myself and it was simple, didn't take long to make and everyone loved it! Delicious and healthy!

for video: http://allrecipes.com/video/560/simple-garlic-shrimp/detail.aspx?prop24=VD_RelatedVideo

Ingredients for 2 large or 4 small portions:
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 pound shrimp
salt to taste
6 cloves garlic, minced fine
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp cold butter, cut in 4 pieces
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp caper brine
1/3 cup chopped Italian parsley, divided
water as needed to thin sauce

What's New at the Office??

Staring in May I will be phasing out of weekend hours. I will take appointments from 10:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday and will have one Saturday a month that I will work. I will have some other therapists on call for Saturday and Sunday hours, by appointment. So if you are looking to book an appointment with me please keep the new days and hours in mind. ~ Thank you!

We Need Your Feedback!

Do you have any suggestions for not only the Blog/Newsletter but the office? Is there anything that you would like to see here, fitness tips, nutrition information, health related topics?? Or perhaps you would like to see something different in the office, amenities, hours, specials, etc... Just let us know. You are what makes us a success and we want to hear what you like. You can e-mail us MassageTherapy@Tampabay.rr.com or post your comments on the Contact page of the website. www.TampabayMassageTherapy.com

Thank you! We are looking forward to a healthy and fit summer ahead.

Blessings,

Melanie M. Neumann, LMT, NMT CD(DONA)
Tampabay Massage Therapy & Wellness Center, Inc.
7158 Seminole Boulevard
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 392-2458

Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Golfer's Worst Nightmare Rehabilitated Through Massage#.Tw7unWFEhhs.facebook#.Tw7unWFEhhs.facebook#.Tw7unWFEhhs.facebook

A Golfer's Worst Nightmare Rehabilitated Through Massage#.Tw7unWFEhhs.facebook#.Tw7unWFEhhs.facebook#.Tw7unWFEhhs.facebook

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Massage Therapy Treatments A to Z

Massage Therapy- Treatments A - Z        

 

Massage therapy is as old as mankind. It is instinct to touch when we are in pain or injured. A mother’s instinct to hold her child when he is injured or in pain is almost primordial. As a healing modality it dates back over 5000 years ago to China from the same origins as acupuncture. Massage was used to treat sports and battle injuries dating back 4000 years to Greece and Rome. Not until the 16th century did massage take on a more anatomical and physiological approach. In the 19th century the Swedish began using massage to treat their gymnast and the birth of the “Swedish Massage” is the basis for most of the current day modalities.

Today massage therapy can be found in hospitals, doctor’s offices and sports clinics as well as a variety of other settings. The benefits of massage have long been documented and are now accepted as the standard of care for sports injuries and car accidents, often with insurance covering the expense. Massage therapy is having a profound impact on the health and wellness industry. Treating successfully everything from A to Z!


Aches and Pains


Everyone knows that a good massage can cure common aches and pains. Sleep wrong and get a kink in your neck or have low back pain. Nothing better than a good therapeutic massage to cure you! But what if it’s something more serious than just sleeping poorly? Massage many times is just the thing. With the benefits of massage ranging from improved circulation, reduced pain, improved mobility and flexibility as well as strengthening the immune system, there are virtually no ill side effects from massage.


Arthritis


Arthritis is a painful condition that causes pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage and surrounding structures. This can lead to joint weakness, instability and can visible deform joints, which can cause severe pain and the inability to do the most simple of day to day tasks. Read here for more detailed information on all the many varieties of arthritis there is. http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-is.php


Although massage cannot stop or cure arthritis it is a very beneficial treatment. Improving joint mobility by breaking up adhesions, improving circulation and relieving pain are just a few of the benefits of massage therapy for this condition. For more please read here.
http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Massage-Therapy-for-Arthritis


(As with any medical therapy, please consult your physician before starting any treatment plan.)




Thursday, March 3, 2011

Happy St. Patty's Day!

http://mim.io/8de5d?fe=1&pact=3056554759

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring and stress free year. Please click on the link above to read my latest newsletter.

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on March 13th! The first day of spring is March 20th!

Have a wonderful St. Patty's Day and may the luck of the Irish be with you all year.

Peace ~

Melanie

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A Little Something Extra for You!

Over the past year I have strived to provide the best possible treatment to all my customers. I have been listening and compiling data on what makes someone consistently come back for more. One of the things that my clients like is that I take the time to listen to them and learn about what they really need. I always give them a full hour, without rushing and often spend some extra time when necessary to get those problem areas addressed. And then there are the extra little touches. One of the things that I have had many many comments on is the music that I have playing. I have more than 8 hours of continuous music going and am adding more music all the time. If you would like to listen to and purchase some of that music please check out the link to the right. There are several to choose from.



The second most commented on aspect of my massages is the oil that I use. Actually, many people are very surprised that I usually use oil, not lotion, because it is so light. This oil absorbs into the skin, leaving it feeling very soft and silky, never greasy. I use all natural organic jojoba oil that I add a few drops of essential oils to. One version has a blend of citrus essential oils added. This is a very energizing blend that leaves people feeling more energized and ready to take on the day. The other blend has lavender, sandalwood and patchouli essential oils added. This is a wonderful blend that is very relaxing and leaves you feeling ready to sleep a good 8 hours. I now have both these blends available in the office and on my website for purchase.


I have also been recommending several books on nutrition, stress management, and pregnancy and childbirth over the years. These are also linked here and on the website. I hope you enjoy these new features that I have added for your convenience. If there is anything else that you would like to see please do not hesitate to contact me and let me know. It is my honor to be part of your healthcare team. www.TampabayMassageTherapy.com

Healthy Blessing,

Melanie M. Neumann, LMT


Friday, November 26, 2010

Holiday Stress Releif Tips

Stress relief tips


Stress relief tips: you can learn to manage bad stress by making a committment and doing one or two of these tips.

Stress can act as a motivator or energizer. Too much of bad stress can cause medical and social problems. Because the body responds to stress physically, bad stress causes the “fight or flight” reaction. The body changes, prepares to either confront the challenge or flee from it. Stress releases adrenaline (the stress hormone), heart rate increases, breathing quickens and blood pressures rises. The liver increases output of sugar and blood flow is diverted to the brain and large muscles. Symptoms of stress include, feeling anxious, feeling scared, irritable or moody. Stress affects thoughts. Thoughts of low self-esteem, fear of failure, inability to concentrate, worrying about the future, preoccupation with thoughts/tasks and forgetfulness can be present. Stress affects behavior. It can cause stuttering and other speech difficulties, bouts of crying for no apparent reason, laughing in a high pitch or nervous tone of voice, increased accident prone behavior, overeating, under eating and increased use of drugs and alcohol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80% of health care is spent on stress related disorders. These ailments include hypertension, migraine, headaches, ulcers, anxiety, allergies, asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Constant, chronic stress can also suppress the immune system thereby making the body more susceptible to disease, even the common cold and flu.




Major life events or changes are the greatest contributors of stress in most people. These events place the highest demands on resources for coping. On most life stress evaluation tools, the top ten stressors in life are

-Death of a spouse -Divorce -Marital Separation -Jail Term -Death of a Close Family Member -Personal Injury or Illness -Marriage -Loss of Job -Marital Reconciliation -Retirement

Below are tips for reducing stress and managing the stresses in every day life.

Breathe Deeply – Inhale deeply through your nose for the count of four. Pull the air all the way down, deep into the lungs. Hold the breath for a count of six. Exhale slowly through the mouth to the count of six. Do this for several minutes. Be careful not to hyperventilate. If dizzy or light-headedness occur, begin breathing naturally.

Express Feelings and Thoughts - Call a friend. Join a group. Join a community on the Internet. If you feel these avenues are not helping talk to your doctor, seek out a counselor. Use all resources after through work, church and community. If seeing a counselor is something you’re fearful of, consider getting a pet. Pets listen very well.

Make Time for Relaxation and Fun – Find an activity that makes you feel good. It may be dancing, listening to music, walking along the beach, prayer, hiking in the mountains, working in the garden, taking photographs, watching birds, going to the movies, golfing, swimming, visiting museums. Make a list of activities that give you joy. Break them down into time segments of 2-5 minutes, 5-20 minutes, 30 minutes to ½ day and ½ day or longer. List the activities that give you joy under these time segments. Do at least three of them everyday. Most people think they have to do big things, such as vacations of whole days away from work or home to relieve stress. Not so, small activities that give you joy are the best stress busters.

Exercise - Try something new, like swimming. Begin a walking program. Do some form of exercise that interests you. Make sure to consult your physician beforehand.

Laugh - Laughter is a great way to relieve stress. If you find something funny, have a good belly laugh. Watch funny movies. Read funny stories.

Learn Happy Talk - Humor your stress. Go to www.stressed.com for a class in happy talk.

Get Rid of Negative - Take a hard look at the circle or environment you’re standing in. People who are negative and prone to “moods” spread negativity to others. Learn to say no to negativity and remove yourself from it whenever possible.

Write – Write out your complaints or troubles. Writing is no substitute for professional help but it does allow you to vent your feelings and frustrations. By writing with pen in hand or at the keyboard, you may discover an insight or solution to whatever is frustrating or bothering you.

Get A Massage – Make an investment in yourself. Massage therapy can relax muscles, easy muscle spasm, increase blood flow to skin and muscles and relieve mental and emotional stress. A massage will be one of the best investments you’ve ever made.



Be Realistic in Expectations– Don’t expect everyone to be like you or behave to your code of “shoulds and oughts”. Don’t expect to be right all the time. Don’t expect harmony all the time. Real life has conflicts in it. Be willing to confront conflict, state your needs then work at coming to a mutual compromise.

Examine your expectations of yourself - When you can’t live up to them, they will cause stress, tension and pressure. Learn to say no when unrealistic demands are placed upon you. Communicate what you can do and what you can’t do clearly. Be honest with yourself on the expectations (goals) you place on yourself. Don’t let ego and social pressure force you into being/doing something your not.

Monitor Your Communication Skills – Aggressive and hostile communication with others antagonizes and alienates. Assertive training can help you learn to express your needs without offending others or feeling ignored.

You can only change yourself - Work to grasp the full meaning of this statement. Trying to change another person causes stress to both parties. It can ruin relationships, damage relationships and cause others to withdraw from you. If you make statements such as – if only he, if only she, if only they – then you need to look in the mirror and say, what can I change about myself to make the situation better.

Accept - If you can’t leave a situation that is causing you extreme stress then accept it as it is. Adjust your approach to it. Look for ways to see positive things. Do not dwell on the negative. Above all, if the situation is abusive, either physically or emotionally (this includes work situations also) seek professional help through counseling.

Stress will not suddenly disappear in modern day life. It will remain even increase. To reduce and manage stress takes a commitment to do so. Make a commitment to practice or do anyone of the following tips and chances are stress levels will begin to fall to a range where it is manageable and causes no long-term damage to health or relationships.



Saturday, October 16, 2010

Steps to Wellness With Tampabay Massage Therapy & Wellness Center, Inc.

Steps to Wellness

There are a variety of steps on the path to wellness. Addressing Body, Mind & Spirit are essential to good health. We take care to correct or improve your foundation of health. By doing a postural analysis we are able to address areas of constriction, tight muscles, limited range of motion and impinges nerves. Through a variety of modalities and techniques we can correct or improve your areas of weakness. This is just the start. It’s important to take care of not just your body but your mind, your spirit. Take time to laugh. Have a positive outlook. Be grateful for the things that you DO have, not dwell on what you do not. By feeding your body with not just proper nutrition, but proper exercise, care and emotion, you feed your whole self. That is the path to true wellness. Let us help you get there and stay there!

“The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.”
Deepak Chopra
Establish a Strong Foundation      
Postural analysis can give clues as to where your imbalances are, where you have shorted muscles and lack of range of motion. Your nervous system is your body's electrical system – it controls and manages all functions of your body. If a nerve is pinched off by vertebrae in your spine that are out of place, then it is not functioning at its optimal level. This can cause pain and or affect the rest of your body’s systems. With a variety of massage therapy techniques, stretching and muscle energy techniques, we will locate your structural problems and reduce or correct them.
http://www.tampabaymassagetherapy.com/default.html

Detoxification
Pollution from things we encounter everyday like power lines, fluorescent lights, and computers affect our health, energy and nervous system, our own energy field and nervous system making many of us feeling weak, have headaches or just feel ill. With the use of special therapeutic techniques and tools, we help your body to better protect itself from such pollution. Combining Detoxifying Body Wraps, Foot Baths and Lymphatic Massage yield amazing results that any one therapy alone cannot accomplish.

Great for reducing or eliminating toxins in the body, the detoxifying foot bath used at Tampabay Massage Therapy & Wellness Center supports healing for chronic illness and speeds recovery from acute illness. Some patients that have come to us with pain and inflammation have reported immediate relief. Others with arthritis, allergies, gout, lymphedema, headaches, and other symptoms have experienced relief and benefits with multiple treatments. Some have experienced fatigue during the foot bath as the body's detoxification process progresses, but passes quickly as the body expels the toxins and regenerates itself. Here's how it works. As the patient sits with their feet soaking in a warm foot bath for approximately 20 minutes, a copper coil placed into the water creates a bioenergetic exchange that painlessly draws the toxins from the body using ion exchange. After treatment is completed, patients will see a dramatic change in the color and consistency of the water in which their feet have been soaking -- a result of the detoxification process. Patients who are pregnant or nursing, have a pacemaker, transplanted organ, arrhythmia, or are taking heart-regulating medication may not be candidates for the detoxifying foot bath. We recommend to patients who are diabetic or have low blood sugar, to eat a meal prior to treatment. Through a regular detoxification program, patients can maintain a general feeling of wellbeing and overall health.
http://www.tampabaymassagetherapy.com/Services---Specials.html


Improve Your Immunity
 Your immune system is your body’s first defense against germs that can make you ill. Doesn’t it make sense to make to be sure you are doing everything that you can to ensure a strong immune system? Through a variety of techniques we can help you improve your immune system and keep you feeling great.

“Many people tend to think of breakthroughs in medicine such as a new drug or high-tech surgical procedure. They often have a hard time believing that the simple choices that we make in our lifestyle -- what we eat, how we respond to stress, whether or not we smoke cigarettes, how much exercise we get, and the quality of our relationships and social support -- can be as powerful as drugs and surgery. But they often are. And in many instances, they’re even more powerful.”
Dean Ornish, M.D.



Balanced Nutrition
Everyone is in a hurry these days and seldom do we take the time to eat the way we should. Fast food is cheap and easy but unfortunately lacking in the nutrients we need and worse high in fat. Our country is facing an epidemic in obesity. Our children are unhealthy and overweight. Good nutrition is vital to good health and mental well being. Take the time and invest in your health. Make sure you are getting the nutrients that you need. We will take the time to go over your health issues, assess your diet and suggest ways for you to improve your nutrition. Eating healthfully and drinking purified water not only sustains our bodies but also provides the foundation to maximize health and wellness. But even that isn't always enough which is why, at Tampabay Massage Therapy & Wellness Center; we offer an array of natural supplements of only the highest quality. Come in for a free consultation to discuss what your particular needs are. We will put together a plan to get you feeling great and keep you feeling great; Mind, Body and Spirit.
https://www.juiceplus.com/nsa/content/Home.soa?site=mn44384