Massage

• Jin Shin Do Acupressure, 1981, Marie Riley, Acupressure Center of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
• First Level Reiki, 1989, Helen Haberly, Reiki Master, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Second Level Reiki, 1992, Helen Haberly, Reiki Master, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Reiki Master Training, 1995, William Rand, Reiki Master Teacher, Springfield, Oregon
• Advanced Reiki Training, 1995, William Rand, Reiki Master Teacher, Springfield, Oregon
• Licensed Massage Therapy Program, 1995, Cascade Institute of Massage & Body Therapies, 565 hour program, Straight "A" Student, Eugene, Oregon
• State of Oregon, Licensed Massage Therapist #5473, 1995 - present
• President, Oregon Massage Therapists Association, 2008-2010 & 2012-2013
• Secretary, Oregon Massage Therapists Association, 1997 - 2000
• Directory Editor, Oregon Massage Therapists Association, 2001 - 2002
• Webmaster, Oregon Massage Therapists Association, 2001 - 2011
• Member, Oregon Massage Therapists Association, 1996 - present
• Member, International Massage Association, 1996 - 2000
• Member, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, 2001 - present
• Aromatherapy, Independent Studies and various classes, 1997 - present
• Biblical Aromatherapy, Author, Published, 1999
• Hypnotherapy, Knightsbridge Institute of Hypnotherapy & NLP, 2001 - 2002
• Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), EFT-CC, EFT-1, 2005; EFT-2, EFT-ADV, 2006

The Top Ten Reasons to Get a Massage

1. Massage heals by assisting the body regain normal functioning.
2. Massage moves blood and lymph fluid for better circulation.
3. Massage breaks up scar tissue, giving tissue and bones better movement.
4. Massage promotes the flow of metabolic waste from muscles, organs, tissues for better elimination.
5. Massage stimulates digestion in the stomach and intestines.
6. Massage reduces inflammation and relieves pain.
7. Massage calms irritated nerves.
8. Massage stimulates tired muscles and relaxes tight muscles.
9. Massage eases stiff joints.
10. Massage feels good.

Did you know that Hippocrates was a massage therapist? Hippocrates, the founding father of medicine, lived from 460 BCE to 377 BCE. He used friction to treat sprains and dislocations and kneading to treat constipation. Hippocrates wrote: "A physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly also in rubbing." He believed that disease results from natural causes and should be treated using natural methods—rest, exercise, proper diet, fresh air, massage, baths, music and visits to friends—to restore the body to a healthy state, and that the body has the power to heal itself.

Whether you are seeking relief for a medical condition, looking for a method to help deal with stress or just want to maintain good health, look to therapeutic massage.

Massage feels good. Research shows that massage relaxes muscles, reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Therapeutic massage enhances most kinds of medical treatment and helps people feel less anxious, less stressed, more relaxed and more alert.

Massage is to the human body what a tune-up is to a car. Research reveals that people are getting more massages and that therapeutic massage has become mainstream, appealing to everyone from premature infants to seniors.

There is a growing trend of offering therapeutic massage in the workplace. Massage therapy isn’t just a perk, but actually increases employee productivity and morale, and reduces absenteeism.

According to a recent survey of employees who regularly receive therapeutic massage at their workplace, 98 percent said it helped them reduce work-related stress; 92 percent said it increased alertness, motivation and productivity; 83 percent said it had sufficiently addressed a problem so medical attention was not necessary; and 66 percent said it had enabled them to stay at work when they would have otherwise gone home sick.

Therapeutic massage is the manipulation of soft tissue to prevent and ease pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress; and to promote health and wellness. Therapeutic massage improves functioning of all the body's systems and improves the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness. Massage involves gentle strokes, friction, circular movements, applying lotions or oils, movement of soft tissue, and applying pressure to the body.

Massage is a therapy in and of itself. It is not alternative anymore. Research on touch has found that:

• Massage increases activity level of the body's natural "killer cells", boosting the immune system.
• Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better and were less stressed than those who were not massaged.
• Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in burn patients.
• Abdominal surgery patients recovered more quickly after massage.
• Premature infants who were massaged gained more weight and fared better than those who were not massaged.
• Autistic children showed less erratic behavior after massage therapy.

During your first appointment, I ask your current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress level, painful areas, your health goals and what you hope the massage will do to help you achieve those goals.

Put more life in your years!
Robert Bike, LMT, Teaching Reiki Master, EFT-CC, EFT-ADV
541-465-9486
Member OMTA & ABMT

I am a retired Oregon Licensed Massage Therapist (#5473) doing EFT, and teaching continuing education in massage therapy in Eugene, Oregon. I offer energy work, Reiki, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and Jin Shin Do acupressure. I teach personalized Reiki classes. And in my "spare time," just for fun, I write about my hometown, Freeport, Illinois. Call any time for more details: 541-465-9486. E-mail: .