Sometimes we view massage therapy as a luxury - something to only get at a spa or on vacation. However, massage is a legitimate form of healthcare (did you know you can use your HSA account for massage??!).
Here are our top 5 reasons to get a massage! 1.) You Need a Break (Maintenance for Your Body and Mind) - You wouldn't let your phone battery go dead, would you? Would you not change the oil in your car? Our bodies need maintenance too, and you need a break! A massage is a perfect reset for the mind and body. 2.) You Sit All Day at Work and/or Have a Long Commute - Sitting is hard on the body. Chronic pain patterns can start to develop after sitting for long periods, contributing to back pain, neck pain, arm and hand pain (if working at a computer). Massage therapy is excellent for unwinding these patterns and for releasing tight muscles associated with sitting. 3.) You are Feeling Stressed, Anxious or Depressed - Unfortunately, these symptoms are all too common in today's society. Massage therapy can help release happy brain chemicals such as serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. These neurochemicals help to make us feel happy, calm and have pain-killing properties. If you're going through a tough time, show yourself some extra love with massage. 4.) You Want to be a More Effective Parent, Spouse and/or Employee - Reducing stress and boosting your happy brain chemicals actually can make up show up as a better parent, partner and help us perform better at our job. Massage therapy helps to shift us out of the fight-or flight stress mode. When we're in fight-or-flight, it's much harder to make good life decisions and show up as a calm presence for the people around us. 5.) Massage Can Boost the Immune System - Massage therapy helps us to produce more immune-enhancing chemicals in our blood, which can help us defend from viruses that we may be exposed to. If you're looking to keep your immune system healthy, regular massage therapy is a great tool to add to your arsenal. Schedule your massage today in Jacksonville, Florida and let us help you feel at your best! ----- We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and more.
0 Comments
The Wellness Hub Staff's 2023 Guide to Jacksonville, Florida (and surrounding areas) Part 14/10/2023 Jacksonville, Florida is a city with lots of natural beauty and a great diversity of local businesses and cultural institutions. Here we are sharing with you our staff's favorite places in the city (and nearby) where we love to spend our time when we aren't helping to heal the residents of our city with acupuncture, massage and more!
------ Ronnie- Ronnie, co-owner of The Wellness Hub and owner of The Bow Acupuncture, enjoys watching movies at Sun-Ray Cinema in Jacksonville's Riverside neighborhood. He says it's the best place to catch an indie film or a blockbuster with some beer and popcorn or pizza. Wildcrafters, just down the street from Sun-Ray, is a non-alcoholic bar serving Kava, non-alcoholic beer, virgin cocktails and more. It's a nice place to visit when needing a mellow night or afternoon. The music playlist is always spectacular, Ronnie says! Ronnie is also an avid hiker and likes to trek the trails at The Jacksonville Arboretum. While the trails aren't quite the mountains he is used to in his home state of California, they are some of the nicest hiking trails Jacksonville has to offer, with beautiful natural scenery. Elizabeth - Elizabeth, The Wellness Hub Lead Massage Therapist and Fertility Massage Expert, loves the local Jacksonville store Earth Gifts. Earth Gifts is a metaphysical paradise with a wide array of crystals and gemstones, jewelry, books, tarot cards, candles and more. She loves to look at all of the shiny crystals and often picks some up to decorate her massage room with. Kendra - Kendra, co-owner of The Wellness Hub and licensed Acupuncture Physician is with Be Well Healing Arts, is a fan of the beaches in St. Augustine. Vilano Beach is especially nice, with clear water on a lot of days, which reminds her of her childhood going to the Gulf of Mexico beaches of the panhandle. St Augustine Beach's main pavilion is also nice, watching kids play at the splash pad and the Bocce Ball courts are some highlights. Going on a day trip to St. Augustine from Jacksonville is definitely a favorite activity of Kendra's, any day of the week! For healthy food and snacks, including gluten-free fare, Grassroots Market in the Riverside neighborhood of Jacksonville is one of Kendra's picks. It features an impressive array of natural products in a small space, including supplements and natural body care items For a fun-filled Saturday, Kendra enjoys going to The Cummer Museum and the Riverside Arts Market - right next to each other on the banks of the St. Johns River. From local crafts and local produce to world-class artwork - you are sure to find something to interest you at these two Jacksonville institutions. Kimberly - Kim, Clinical and Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage Therapist at The Wellness Hub is a longtime Jacksonville native. However, unlike many locals, she is the first to admit she doesn't like the beach too much. Instead, she loves exploring Florida's outdoors through hiking, biking and kayaking. Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka (a short drive from Jacksonville) is one of her favorite hiking spots. For Kayaking, she likes many of the springs in the Ocala National Forest, especially Silver Springs. Seeing manatees, alligators and Florida's many birds is a highlight for her. Kim is also an Indian food lover and recommends Masala Indian Cuisine for delicious curries and vindaloos. Hannia - Hannia is a newer addition to Jacksonville from central Florida and has been attending the University of North Florida and working at The Wellness Hub for just over a year. You will see her smiling face at the front desk ready to book your massage! South Beach Park in Jacksonville Beach is a favorite of Hannia's for the diversity of offerings including a playground and tennis courts. pickleball courts, picnic areas and even a skate park! For a special culinary treat, she also loves Le Petite Paris, featuring delicacies from croissants and baguette sandwiches to quiches and French pastries. Colleen - Colleen is a Massage Therapist, Reiki Healer and Craniosacral Therapist at The Wellness Hub. She is a recent transplant to Jacksonville and is greatly enjoying the warmer weather here compared to the frigid winters in her home state of New York. She is a big fan of Black Cat Yoga Studio and had this to say: "I've only been to Black Cat Yoga studio a handful of times, for a couple classes and various events they have had. But it is by far one of my favorite places in Jacksonville. Kevin and Lisa truly embody their message of love and community, and you can feel it the second you walk through the door. A wonderful place to nurture the heart and soul." Bri - Bri, Massage Therapist at The Wellness Hub, recommends checking out DJ's Record Shop - a black-owned record shop that has been open in Jacksonville since the late 1960s! She says the number of records there will astound you. Bri is also a huge fan of sitting by the river and reading a book at the beautiful Memorial Park, sometimes described as Jacksonville's Crown Jewel. Being the book lover that she is, Bri also greatly enjoys perusing the aisles at Barnes & Noble at the Town Center while sipping a coffee. Look out for part 2 of our staff guide to Jacksonville, coming soon! -------- We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and more. We want you to have the most enjoyable and therapeutic massage at our clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. While getting a massage isn't rocket science, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most benefit out of your massage.
Massage Aftercare Instructions for The Wellness Hub in Jacksonville, Florida: 1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate - Massage helps to activate your body's detoxification pathways including the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system needs enough pure water to work properly and remove waste. Before and after a massage, emphasize drinking pure water or herbal teas, and avoid caffeine or alcohol - which are dehydrating. A good rule of thumb for proper hydration is to drink ½ of your body weight in ounces per day (so if you weigh 150 pounds, you drink 75 ounces per day). Obviously, certain medical conditions require different hydration needs, so you should always check with your doctor or medical professional about your unique water intake needs. 2. Make Epsom Salt Your Friend - A nice warm bath is very soothing after a massage, particularly with Epsom Salts. Epsom Salts are Magnesium Sulfate, which is a natural muscle relaxer. They are also wonderful at drawing out toxins in the body, as is massage, so it will enhance this effect. You can get Epsom Salts at most grocery stores or pharmacies. Epsom Salt Soak Recipe After Massage 2 Cups Epsom Salt Hot Water 15-20 Minute Soak, Before Bed 3. Mind Your Posture and Your Activities - After your massage, you’re likely feeling great! Notice if any common activities or ways you hold or move your body seem to aggravate your muscles after a massage. Perhaps it’s time for a new chair or computer desk? This would be a good time to start a new stretching routine or pick-up an abandoned one in order to make the results of your massage last! Side Effects of Massage - You may feel a little sore after a massage. Getting a massage is kind of like working out your muscles, but passively. So it’s normal to feel a little soreness, which should dissipate after a day or so. It is similar to getting back into the gym after not working out for a while - you'll feel a little sore! Epsom salt baths are helpful for this and you can also use a natural topical pain reliever and/or a warm heating pad until it feels better. We recommend and carry Evil Bone Water, a Chinese Medicine topical liniment for increasing circulation and relieving inflammation. This is a great complementary product to use after your massage to relieve any residual soreness and help to relieve muscle tension and pain in general. If you're in the Jacksonville, Florida area and are looking for a great therapeutic massage experience, we look forward to seeing you soon. You can book online now or call us at 904-512-7551. -------- We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and more. April is recognized as Stress Awareness Month in the United States. This month-long observance aims to raise awareness about the causes and deleterious effects of stress.
Stress has become so ever-present in our lives, especially in the past few years since 2020 and the global pandemic. It's important to understand that living in a constant state of stress is unhealthful in many ways and it's not really normal, though in our culture it's become usual. We are here for you in Jacksonville, Florida with therapeutic massage to help you reduce your stress load. What are the Physical Mental and Emotional "Symptoms" of Stress? Stress can have a significant impact on both physical, emotional and mental health. Below are just a few of the ways that stress can negatively impact our health:
How Can Massage Therapy in Jacksonville, Florida Benefit Your Stress Management Efforts? 1. Reduced muscle tension: Massage can help to loosen tight muscles and reduce muscle tension, which is a common physical symptom of stress. By releasing tension in the muscles, massage can promote relaxation and reduce feelings of anxiety. 2. Lowered cortisol levels: Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and high levels of cortisol in the body can contribute to feelings of anxiety and tension. Massage has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, which can help to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. 3. Improved mood: Massage can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals that help to reduce pain and produce feelings of well-being. By increasing the levels of these chemicals in the body, massage can improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. 4. Increased relaxation: Massage can help to promote relaxation by slowing down the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, and promoting deeper breathing. These physical changes can help to induce a state of relaxation, which can be beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety. 4. Better sleep: Stress and tension can interfere with sleep, and lack of sleep can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety. Massage can help to promote better sleep by inducing a state of relaxation, reducing muscle tension, and promoting deeper breathing. Improved sleep can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and improve overall well-being. As you can see, receiving regular massage therapy to reduce stress has a plethora of benefits. Massage isn't a luxury, it's a necessity for your whole-body wellness and overall health. Additional Life Benefits of Stress Relief Massage in Jacksonville, Florida The stress-relieving benefits of massage go beyond just physical and mental health improvements. When you feel better and manage stress, everything in your life is better. You are more effective and efficient at your job, allowing you to make better decisions and communicate better. Over time, better performance at your job could eventually lead to advancements and raises. Additionally, when you are less stressed you are more patient and loving with your spouse and can be present for your children more, being a better parent. You are also modeling good self-care to your children when you regularly take part in stress-relieving lifestyle activities such as massage. We're not saying that massage is the key to improving your entire life, we're just saying that the stress-relieving benefits of massage are a vital part of your wellness self-care plan! -------------- Give us a call today at 904-512-7551 to get started with massage therapy in Jacksonville, Florida for stress relief. Ask about our introductory rates for first-time clients. -------- We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and more. |
AuthorThe Wellness Hub Center for Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Organic Skincare and Holistic Health in Jacksonville, Florida. A place for wellness, healing and renewal. Categories
All
Archives
August 2024
|