What is so Great about massage?

Therapeutic massage is an important part of vibrant, healthy lifestyle. Giving many of the effects of exercise, massage increases the blood flow and necessary nutrients to tissues throughout your body, while carrying away waste products that can cause and aggravate pain and disease. This results in a younger, healthier, more flexible and energetic body and a more relaxed and serene mind, allowing you to do whatever you do more easily and joyfully. The benefits of massage are numerous and backed up by years of research.

Is Massage just a Feel-Good Luxury?

Our bodies and minds feel good during massage somewhat like we feel good drinking water when thirsty or eating when hungry. Massage gives body and mind what is needed to help our healing. Our bodies require movement to remain healthy.  Tissues need to move to maintain proper flexibility and tone and tissue fluids need to move to get nutrients in and waste products out of our cells. Massage provides therapeutic movement to tissues throughout your body which gives a whole host of benefits, many of which are listed below. In addition to these benefits, touch given with expertise and a therapeutic intent affects the nervous and endocrine systems giving a more serene state of mind and more peaceful emotions. Look below for some of the benefits of massage and click on the links for studies and articles about these benefits.

Some Of The Benefits Of Massage

• relaxes the whole body
• loosens and relieves tired, aching, tight muscles
• increases flexibility and range of motion
• diminishes chronic pain
• enhances skin tone
• assists in recovery from injuries and illness
• lowers blood pressure and heart rate
• strengthens the immune system
• calms the nervous system
• reduces mental stress
• aids in mental relaxation
• improves concentration
• promotes restful sleep
• increases blood circulation and lymph flow
• increases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers
• prevents and relieves muscle cramps and spasms
• improves athletic performance

Some Conditions Helped by Massage

• allergies
• anxiety
• arthritis
• asthma and bronchitis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• chronic and temporary pain
• circulatory problems
• depression
• digestive disorders - spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea etc.  
• headache, especially when due to muscle tension
• insomnia
• fibromyalgia
• myofascial pain
• reduced range of motion  
• sinusitis
• sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and sprained ligaments
• stress
• temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
• neck and shoulder problems
• facial skin and muscle toning
• edema relief
• lymphatic concerns
• immune system issues
• injuries and surgery
• post-exercise muscle soreness
• muscle spasms
• posture and coordination challenges
• diminished vitality and energy

Troy Maddux - Bio

Troy Maddux is a Licensed Massage Therapist and natural therapeutics specialist practicing in Corvallis, Oregon. First licensed in New Mexico in 1995, after completing his training at the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics, Troy developed a private practice, volunteered his massage services for end-of-life patients at New Mexico AIDS hospice, and worked at the Ayurvedic Institute, where he specialized in abhyanga and shirodhara (traditional Indian bodywork treatments.) Inspired by the beauty and power of Ayurvedic Medicine, Troy went on to study Ayurveda with Dr. Vasant Lad.  Troy currently incorporates polarity therapy into his practice of integrated relaxation massage.

   A seasoned educator with a Master’s in Biology, Troy has taught Human Anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and botany at the Master’s level at Southwest Acupuncture College, as well as at The Ayurvedic Institute and at The Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.  He is currently developing workshops geared towards the general public on the medicinal uses of herbs, self-hypnosis, couples’ massage, and essential oils. Troy lives in Corvallis, Oregon.