Renew at Revive MonthlyJuly 2012

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The Power of TouchIn a High-tech World, It Pays to Reach OutNora Brunner

High-tech can mean low-touch. Ensure you're getting the tactile connection humans require.

"Freedom isnot Free"--- Unknown

Office Hours and Contact

Revive MassageRobyn Griffith LMT775-354 -6028http://revivemassage.abmp.comhttp://schedulicity.com

In this Issue

The Power of TouchCultivating a Gardening HabitMassage for Seniors

Physician and holistic health pioneerRachel Naomi Remen once confessedthat as a pediatric intern she was anunrepentant baby kisser, oftensmooching her little patients as shemade her rounds at the hospital. She didthis when no one was looking becauseshe sensed her colleagues would frownon her behavior, even though shecouldn't think of a single reason not todo it.

The lack of basic human contact in ourhigh-tech medical system reflects alarger social ill that has only recentlystarted to get some attention--touchdeprivation. The cultural landscape ispuzzling. On the one hand, we aresaturated in suggestive messages by the

mass media; on the other hand, thecaring pediatrician is afraid someonemight look askance at her planting a kisson a baby's forehead. What's wrong withthis picture?

Social NormsUnfortunately, touch has become, well,a touchy subject. Though there'sgrowing scientific evidence that

skin-to-skin contact is beneficial tohuman health, American social normsinhibit this most basic form of humaninteraction and communication.Despite our supposedly enlightenedattitudes, we Americans are among themost touch-deprived people in theworld.

"Touch deprivation is a reality inAmerican culture as a whole," writesReverend Anthony David of Atlanta."It's not just babies needing to betouched in caring ways, or the sick. It'snot just doctors and nurses needing toextend it. It's all of us, needingconnection, needing to receive it,needing to give it, with genuinehappiness at stake."

Distant, DisconnectedHow did we come to deprive ourselves sotragically? According to Texaspsychology professor David R. Cross,PhD, there are three reasons Americansdon't touch each other more: fear ofsexual innuendo, societal and personal

Massage helps boost self-worth and contribute to emotional well-being and connection.

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disconnection aided by technology, andthe fact that the ill effects ofnon-touching are simply not thatobvious and don't receive muchattention.

It's no surprise Americans are oftenafraid physical touching signals romanticinterest, which leads to the twin perils ofeither having our intentionsmisunderstood or wondering ifsomeone's gesture is an uninvitedadvance. This ambiguity is more thanenough to scare most people fromtaking someone's arm or patting themon the back.

The potential for the loaded gesture isfurther complicated by our litigioussociety in which unwelcome touch canmean, or be interpreted as, dominance,sexual harassment, or exploitation.People in the helping professions areregularly counseled on how to do theirjobs without creating even a hint ofambiguity. In one extreme example,counselors at a children's summer campwere given the advice that when kidsproactively hugged them, the counselorswere to raise both arms over their headsto show they hadn't invited the contactand weren't participating in it. Onewonders how the innocent minds ofchildren will interpret this bizarreresponse to their spontaneous affection.

Another reason for touch phobia,according to Cross, is that we live in asociety with far-flung families anddeclining community connections.Technology plays a significant role inthe way we communicate, and it seemswe move farther away from face-to-facecommunication with every newinvention. How ironic that the oldtelephone company jingle thatencouraged us to "Reach Out andTouch Someone" gave way to the slew ofelectronic devices we have today, allringing and beeping for our attention.While these devices were invented toimprove communication, some peoplewonder if the net effect is lower qualityin our exchanges of information.

While there is scientific researchshowing non-touch is detrimental tohealth, Cross says those negative effectsaren't obvious. The effects of a lack oftouch are insidious and long-term anddon't amount to a dramatic story forprime time.

"Humans deprived of touch are proneto mental illness, violence,compromised immune systems, andpoor self-regulation," Cross says. Soserious are the effects of touchdeprivation, it's considered byresearchers to be worse than physicalabuse.

Benefits of TouchStated more positively, science doessupport the preventive health benefits oftouch. For example, Tiffany Field, PhD,founder of the Touch ResearchInstitute, notes that in a study onpreterm infants, massaging the babiesincreased their weight and allowed themto be discharged earlier. Dischargingbabies earlier from expensive neonatalintensive care units could save thehealthcare system $4.7 billion annually.

In other research, scientists at theUniversity of North Carolina found the

stress hormone cortisol was reduced withhugging. Cortisol is associated withanger, anxiety, physical tension, andweakened immunity.

Massage therapy has been found usefulin reducing symptoms such as anxiety,depression, pain, and stress, and ishelpful for those suffering with a varietyof illnesses, including anorexia nervosa,arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, andstroke. While more research is needed,massage therapy has also been shown toreduce symptoms associated with alcoholwithdrawal and smoking cessation, andcan strengthen self-esteem, boost theimmune system, increase flexibility, andimprove sleep.

As a nation, we are still finding our wayin terms of increasing our touchquotient; but those who make their wayinto a massage therapy room are fartheralong than most.

Gardening burns calories and improves diet.

Cultivating a Gardening HabitDiscover the Health Benefits of Yard Work

Massage for Seniors Bodywork Improves Quality of Life

Feeling the need to exercise, clean upyour diet, meditate? Want to be morecreative, get out and meet people, enjoythe outdoors, and slow down? There'sone activity in which you can accomplishall of these objectives: gardening.

Encouraging ExerciseStudies show that vigorous digging burns500 calories an hour, weeding burns210 calories, and mowing the lawnburns 400 calories. As a moderateexercise, gardening has been found todecrease the risk of heart disease anddiabetes, and a study at the University ofArkansas found that gardening wasalmost as effective as weight lifting inreducing the risk for osteoporosis inwomen. So instead of taking that indooraerobics class this summer, try mowingthe lawn or planting an herb garden.

As with any exercise regimen, the key isto start at a comfortable pace andgradually work your way up to longer,more difficult activities. Your heart rateshould be about the same as when you

take a brisk walk.

Improving Your DietGardening will also likely help you eatbetter. Research shows that people whogrow gardens eat more vegetables andfruits than those who don't. Growingfresh herbs, even in a container on thedeck or balcony, is another great way toadd flavor and freshness tohome-cooked meals and an incentive totry new recipes.

Boosting Your Social LifeGardening can also be quite social.Whether at a garden club, a communitygarden, or an online forum, people loveto share ideas, solve common problems,and connect through mutual interests.

Easing StressAnd finally, gardening is a great way tomanage stress. Spending time outsideand tuning in to the rhythms of nature,we're reminded to be patient, slowdown, and breathe the fresh air.Whether growing flowers, vegetables, or

herbs, a garden reminds us of ourconnection to life and the abundancethat nature so freely gives.

Almost 35 million Americans are age 65or older, and about 2,000 more reachthis age every day. As the U.S.demographic shifts to an olderpopulation, it's important to find waysof helping our elders maintain theirhealth and vitality. Massage for seniors isgaining importance as an alternativetherapy to increase quality of life, andmany massage therapists are gettingspecial training to better serve thisgrowing population.

Seniors' Special NeedsWhile similar in technique to otherforms of massage, geriatric massageconsiders the special needs of theelderly. The specialty trainedpractitioner knows about positioningfor greatest comfort and will often havethe client rest in the same position forthe entire massage. Mobility challenges

may dictate the massage be done in a bedor wheelchair. The therapist may alsowork both sides of the body at the sametime to enhance body awareness, or onlywork hands and feet, if the clientprefers. Sessions may be limited to 30 to45 minutes, as older clients often dobetter with shorter, more frequent,massages.

The geriatric massage therapist is awareof health issues associated with aging andhow to safely work with this type of clientand with associated physicians.Consequently, the practitioner is able toindividualize the massage service basedon the client's health, mobility, andcomfort level.

Benefits of Geriatric MassageA recent study conducted at the Weaver'sTale Retreat Center in Oregon looked

at the effects of massage for elderlyclients. The results of the two-year studyshowed that participants experienced adecrease in breathing rate of 50 percentand an improvement in range ofmotion, posture, body awareness, skincolor, and muscle tone. Furthermore, itis well documented that caring touchbenefits emotional well-being in seniors-- a population at greater risk ofsuffering from depression.

Massage therapy can add to the quality ofa senior's life, both physically andemotionally. Consider booking a sessionfor someone you love, and make adifference in their life.

"Give me libertyor give medeath!--- Patrick Henry

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men arecreated equal, that they are endowed by their Creator withcertain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Libertyand the pursuit of Happiness- That to secure these rights,Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their justpowers from the consent of the governed." People oftenforget that last part like these rights are not granted by ourGovernment that are just secured by our Government. It ismy hope and prayer that we as Americans do not take theserights of Life, Freedom and Happiness for granted. Thismonth Revive is proud to be a small business that has thefreedom to honor all fellow Americans by offering 40-50% offall regular massages. The discounts start on the 4th of July .Revive clients also now have the convenient option ofbooking directly online at Revive's website or by smartphone at schedulicity.com. Try it out! Regular clients areloving it!

Revive Massage

712 South Center StReno, NV 89501