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Researchers are finding more and more links between stress and illness. Whether it comes from a sudden trauma like the death of a family member, from prolonged emotional strain caused by a divorce, or simply from the day-to-day hassles associated with work, commuting, family and paying the bills, stress can weaken the immune system, cause headaches, irritability, high blood pressure, sleeping disorders and may even play a factor in cancer and heart disease. Experts estimate that from 75 to 90 percent of doctor’s visits are for stress-related illnesses. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that stress costs American businesses approximately 0 billion annually.

Stress is a problem that, if not addressed, can take a big chunk from your pocketbook, if not years off your life. The world isn’t going to get any easier to live in, so what can you do to alleviate its ill-effects?

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Most people will agree that massage is a wonderful way to relax and feel pampered. Some folks however, remain unaware of how dramatically it can help them with stress relief and pain.  It’s understandable.  People don’t usually think of something so pleasant as being therapeutic.

What Can Massage Do For You?

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ZON Hand Massage Ball

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Product Description
Step-by-step full-color photographs and detailed instructions present more than twenty stress-relieving techniques that combine essential oils with soothing massage to help alleviate tension, headaches, insomnia, and other stress-related ailments…. More >>

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Relieving neck and shoulder tension is one of the most common advantages of getting a massage, and usually requires more pressure in the tense areas. Get rid of your neck and shoulder tension with tips from a licensed massage therapist in this free video on massages. Expert: Melisa Brown Contact: www.uneedamasage.us Bio: Melisa Brown is a licensed massage therapist specializing in Thai massage, Shiatsu, pre-natal massages for expecting mothers, post-mastectomy massages and more. Filmmaker: Paul Muller

Scenario:
A man and woman have been married for over 10 years. The woman really enjoys getting massages from her husband. The woman expects to get a massage – at least a short one (10-15 minutes), if not a full hour – every other day (15x/month) to help her cope with the stress of work, kids, carpal tunnel, physical relief, whatever. The man doesn’t particularly enjoy giving the massage, but he does it because it makes her happy.

Three times per month, the massage is long enough and timed right enough such that it actually leads to sex. This is the only sex they ever have, and thus gives the man incentive to give more massages, but the percent chance of the massage leading to sex is small. Only a 1 in 5 chance, or 20%.

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One of the leading reasons that Swedish massage therapy is requested more than any other technique is that is has established a solid reputation for being a very effective and pleasurable treatment for relief from the discomfort of many medical conditions. Doctors are even touting its success in the treatment of some health issues as well – or better than – traditional methods. 
The main difference of the Swedish massage therapy over its traditional predecessor is the firmer delivery of the pressure that is used to relax the muscles and relieve tension. In addition to being firmer, the strokes used in Swedish massage therapy at the same time need to be gentle and targeted. Many therapists like to use oil or lotion to stimulate the skin and reduce uncomfortable friction.The main goal of Swedish massage therapy is to relax the entire body and provided that it is performed correctly (by a trained professional), it will:
Increase oxygen in the blood;
Remove harmful toxins from muscles and tissues;
Improve circulation and flexibility in the ligaments;
Ease stress-related illnesses.
Swedish massage therapy also has an edge over drug therapy because it doesn’t create long-lasting side effects; instead, it safely:
Relaxes tight muscles;
Relieves pain from cramping and spasms in the muscles;
Increases mobility;
Improves skin tone;
Strengthens the muscles;
Reduces rehabilitation time for illness or injury;
Eliminates waste that can harm the body;
Relieves pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and headache/joint pain.
But Swedish massage therapy is not only known for its healing properties for the body, its benefits carry over into the mind as well by:
A much better general sense of overall well-being;
A better night’s sleep through relaxation and relief from pain;
Relief from the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression;
Improved concentration.
As mentioned above, Swedish massage therapy is gaining respect from the medical community because of its proven ability to calm the body, greatly reduce the effects of depression and tension, decrease blood pressure and improve circulation. Many doctors are prescribing Swedish massage therapy as a complementary (not a replacement) method in the treatment of chronic headache pain, asthma, arthritis and facial pain, to name a few.
Swedish massage therapy has also been proven to shorten the rehabilitation period required as a result of overextension of the muscles by flushing the body of metabolic wastes which can slow recovery. Swedish massage therapy has also been proven to increase circulation, keeps ligaments and tendons supple and pliable and stimulates the skin and nervous system, making it a preferred program for stress management.