News: April 2017

Get back in touch with yourself

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping people get in touch with their bodies. Once this fundamental step is achieved, we really start seeing results! Pain eases, range of motion increases, stress is reduced, and I see a lot more smiling.

Most of us don't realize how disconnected we are from our bodies. Our lives are fast-paced, stressful, and technologically driven. We become so outwardly focused that we can't hear our bodies speaking to us. We work and work without pausing to take some deep breaths, hydrate, or to acknowledge the tension building in our bodies. We might even be too busy to notice our bodies cuing us when we're hungry or full. We grab some lunch when we can and eat it quickly and mindlessly.

This pattern can only last so long before our bodies finally say, "No more!" It could be the flu, a splitting headache, or a debilitating back spasm that forces you to stop in your tracks. This disconnected lifestyle can even lead to problems like chronic pain, disc degeneration, heart problems, depression, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and the list goes on.

Most of the people that come to see me are already headed in this direction. They come because they have nagging pain or tightness that has finally gotten bad enough to notice. Often the symptoms are interfering with daily activities. Of course it's important to treat the injury sites, but if that's all we do, we are not addressing the underlying causes. A person might leave the session feeling better, but the symptoms are likely to come back.

One of the things I love about massage therapy is that, unlike many other specializations, it is a modality that treats the whole person. Massage affects us physically, physiologically, kinesthetically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Massage helps us reconnect with ourselves. This can also be achieved through mindful meditation and yoga. The point is, we need to practice withdrawal from distractions around us in order to experience and appreciate direct sensory experiences in our bodies. If we practice this regularly, we lower stress levels, enhance tissue repair, and live more fully.

Start by taking 10 minutes a day to practice mindful meditation. If you need some guidance, there is a wealth of information online. I suggest trying Headspace, or following along with me in my video on relaxation breathing. I also recommend getting massage therapy every one or two weeks. I find the combination of massage and meditation is most effective.

By improving our health, we are able to promote healing in others as well. Through massage and meditation, we learn to be more peaceful and compassionate beings. When we awaken this innate wisdom within ourselves, we can have a profound influence on the people around us.

Source: Massage Magazine, Feb. 2017

Relieve migraines with this simple self-massage

Migraines are a specific type of headache that require a specific treatment approach. It is unlikely, for example, that migraines will respond positively to massage techniques used for tension-type headaches. Try this short self-massage routine to help alleviate migraines before they start!

What's new with me ...

You asked, you pleaded, and now your wish has been granted. Rachel Richards Massage is expanding hours to include Tuesdays!

I wrote an article for Recovery Warriors online magazine. Check it out!

Congratulations to my husband, Jesse, on the 10th anniversary of his sketching meetup! With 6000 members, it has grown to be the largest art meetup in the world!

Sienna had a super fun LEGO themed birthday with multiple celebrations! Check out the new photos.