| Sleep and Massage therapy should be a normal part | | | | Massage therapy is a technique of applying pressure |
| of your natural life rhythm. We have a biological clock | | | | on the upper tissue levels of the body using kneading |
| that is called a circadian rhythm. This rhythm is what | | | | and pounding and rubbing. Sleep and massage are |
| keeps us healed and whole. On a 24-hour cycle, the | | | | perfect partners, because massage activates the |
| sleep and wake rhythms carry us through the vitality | | | | parasympathetic half of the autonomic nervous |
| of the day and the restfulness of the night. | | | | system for relaxation. |
| But what happens when you interrupt any rhythm? | | | | Massage also turns off the sympathetic nervous |
| Pretend you are at a stunning Beethovan concert | | | | system which is the source of stress. In doing so, |
| listening to a piece being performed, awaiting the | | | | getting a massage and relieving stress create better |
| crescendo. Suddenly, the music quits. | | | | sleep patterns. If you want to sleep and massage |
| When rhythms are broken or interrupted, the result | | | | therapy can help, there is no reason to delay. It is a |
| is discord and feelings of anxiousness and maybe | | | | therapeutic drug-free means of reducing incidences |
| even anger. Interrupting the circadian rhythms | | | | of insomnia. Instead of singing the blues, you will be |
| produces the same results. Lack of sleep can have | | | | singing songs of exaltation. |
| you singing the blues all night long. Massage helps | | | | Sleep and Massage - All Night Long |
| restore balance so the rhythms of your life ebb and | | | | The daylight hours must not be long enough, because |
| flow in a natural pattern. | | | | many of us use what should be sleep time to stress |
| Sleep and Massage - Chronobiology and Songs of | | | | about problems. Massage therapy is a technique that |
| Exaltation | | | | can eliminate the physical results of the day's |
| Chronobiology is the study of biological rhythms and | | | | stresses so sleep is enhanced. There are many |
| that is what sleep is - a biological rhythm. When your | | | | reasons why sleep and massage make a great match |
| sleep is consistently poor or constantly interrupted, it | | | | - reasons both emotional and physical. |
| has a direct impact on your physical and emotional | | | | - Lessens lower back pain |
| health. While you are sleeping, the body is preparing | | | | - Eases chronic fatigue syndrome |
| for another wake cycle. It is during sleep that most | | | | - Reduces muscle tension |
| of the healing process takes place. | | | | - Eliminates headaches |
| Sleep promotes immune function and restores | | | | - Lessens effects of medicinal side-effects on sleep |
| metabolic balance. During sleep, brain proteins are | | | | - Relieves stress |
| increased which affects mental acuity the next day. | | | | - Assists with weight control |
| Adequate sleep is instrumental in maintaining weight. | | | | - Relaxes nervous tension |
| Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by a | | | | - Increases blood circulation |
| severe lack of sleep. | | | | Hospitals use physical therapy massage to help |
| The consequences of insomnia on your health include | | | | insomniacs sleep as an alternative to drugs. If you |
| loss of concentration and decision-making abilities. It | | | | can't sleep and massage therapy sounds as if it can |
| causes irritability and emotional instability. Many people | | | | help, please visit your local massage therapist. She or |
| turn to over-the-counter drugs to combat insomnia, | | | | he can help you find your circadian rhythm again. |
| but massage and insomnia relief is a much more | | | | Get a massage and sleep will be restored as a time |
| natural approach to the problem. If you have | | | | of rest instead of a time of restlessness. You will be |
| insomnia and message therapy is available to you, life | | | | able to sleep all night long, waking refreshed instead |
| is about to improve drastically. | | | | of tired and tense. |