Massage Therapy
Tips for the Winter: Massage Therapy Can Help Your Winter be More Enjoyable
Staying fit during the winter holiday season comes with a long list of unique challenges and obstacles, but staying injury free can take even more of an effort when you introduce winter-specific activities like skiing, skating, snow shoveling to your fitness routine. Before the winter activity season is in full swing, take steps today to warm up and loosen your muscles so you can hit the slopes pain free, as well as minimize after-activity soreness and fatigue.
To kick off your winter pre-season regimen, it is a good idea to combine consistent stretching sessions with routinely scheduled monthly massages 8-12 weeks prior to the start of your favorite wintertime activity. Regular therapeutic massages prior to your desired activity allow your body to release the toxins found in tight muscles, while increasing overall flexibility and circulation. Additionally, your massage therapist can assess and monitor your body’s flexibility range, while suggesting specific stretches and other techniques that will focus on lengthening and strengthening your body’s problem areas.
As the snow begins to fall and the barometric pressure takes a dive south, your body faces some unique challenges, especially as you get older and recovery times for muscle injuries and overuse get longer. Even when you focus on preparing your body for winter wear and tear before the season starts, there still may be an unfortunate event where you will become injured or experience some sort of ache and pain associated with muscle overuse and fatigue.
Lower back pain, in particular, is a common injury culprit in the winter as you can overdo it shoveling snow, incorrectly bending over to push your children’s sleds or accidently slipping and falling on ice covered sidewalks. Luckily, research supports that massage therapy can minimize pain and disability, while increasing the speed of return to normal function. Massage specifically is beneficial for patients with non-specific low back pain, lasting four to 12 weeks and chronic (lasting longer than 12 weeks) especially when combined with exercises and education.
The Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, revealed that massage therapy has helped reduce pain and improve function more rapidly than usual medical care in people with chronic low-back pain.
Whether you are preparing yourself for winter activities, dealing with chronic pain, recovering from a wintertime sports injury or accident, therapeutic massage sessions combined with a consistent stretching regimen should be your strategy for minimizing aches and pains this winter season.
All of our Licensed Massage Therapists are trained in:
Swedish Massage - Using a firm but gentle pressure to improve the circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, improve flexibility and create relaxation.
Deep Tissue Massage - Can focus on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.
Sports Massage - Can help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. But you don't have to be in the Olympics to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion.
Athletic Club of Bend Massage Therapy Rates and Services MEMBER Massage Rates:
One Hour - $60.00
One & One Half Hour - $90.00
Two Hour -$140.00
Bowen-$50.00
NON-MEMBER Massage Rates:
One Hour - $70.00
One & One Half Hour - $100.00
Two Hour$160.00
Bowen $55.00 Call Front Desk 385-3062 to schedule your appointment. Gift certificates are also available if you are looking to give the gift of massage to someone special.
Our therapists have other specialties that can be integrated into the experience you would like to achieve. Discuss your preferences and goals with our therapist so that your massage treatment achieves your expectations