Do you ever feel selfish when you get a massage? Like you're some kind of diva doing something deliciously indulgent?  

I used to, but not any more. I now recognize that massage therapy, like any other kind of therapy, is necessary for my health – physical, mental, and emotional.  The benefits of massage therapy are many and varied and while they certainly include the fact that massages simply feel good, their benefits are certainly greater than just the feeling.  

Massage therapy, at its most basic, fosters relaxation and helps reduce the effects of stress and anxiety.  It can also provide a great deal of pain relief for muscles that are aching from overuse, sports, and / or ongoing tension.  As toned / tight muscles relax, the other parts of the body can return to their correct position and alignment, which results in postural improvements. In addition, patients often see an increase in range of motion and joint mobility.  

Most of these things would be immediately obvious to the recipient of a good massage therapy session, but some of the internal benefits are not as quickly noticeable. In addition, the massage therapy may not immediately be recognized as the cause.  Internal benefits may include lowering blood pressure, strengthening immunity, improvement of blood circulation, and stimulating lymphatic flow to flush out toxins. 

Our licensed massage therapists here at Aloha Wellness Center employ a variety of techniques such as Deep Tissue massage, Swedish massage, Myofascial release, Trigger Point therapies and the like. They are conscientious and thorough in their initial question time with each patient to ensure they address your needs for each particular session.

Massage therapy is most beneficial when combined with an overall health and wellness plan that includes good nutrition, gentle-touch chiropractic alignments and postural exercises.  Aloha Wellness is your one-stop shop for each of these needs, so give us a call today to schedule your next visit – (512)694-6933.

Next time you get a massage, remind yourself that you not only deserve it, you need it because you care about your overall health.

Aloha ~ It is a rich word with many meanings to many people.  We looked at some thoughts in Part One of our "Why Aloha?" series. Here, in Part Two we'll explorate some excerpts from the article "Origins of Aloha" by Curby Rule of Aloha International:

The spirit of Aloha was an important lesson taught to the children of the past because it was about the world of which they were a part. One early teaching goes like this:

Aloha is being a part of all, and all being a part of me. When there is pain – it is my pain. When there is joy – it is also mine. I respect all that is as part of the Creator and part of me. I will not willfully harm anyone or anything. When food is needed I will take only my need and explain why it is being taken. The earth, the sky, the sea are mine to care for, to cherish and to protect. This is Hawaiian – this is Aloha!

As the child grew, the need for a fundamental code of ethics was taught. This code is found within a deeper layer of the meaning of the word Aloha. The code is derived from one of the acronymic meanings of Aloha.

A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia'i'o, truthful honesty
H, ha'aha'a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance 

Here at Aloha Wellness, we appreciate the concepts taught here. We find it a privilege to practice this code of ethics with you as we all work toward your greater health.

That's all for your lesson on Aloha today. Please take these ideas to heart and see how you can bring a little more Aloha to your job, family, and friends today.

What would we do without computers? Can you believe that a mere 30 years ago the first personal computers were just making their debut? And then came the World Wide Web and all her wonders.  I can still remember laboriously building my first website in college using HTML code. A few years later Front Page made things much, much easier and today, all I can say is, "Thank you, WordPress!"

These days we rely heavily on the convenience of the information super highway (for you young-uns, that's what some called the internet in the 90's) and computers we toss in our pockets and carry with us everywhere we go. They allow us to complete tasks that were unimaginable only a few years ago and help us instantly connect with a wealth of information and ideas.

But did you know that we possess our own internal information super highway more powerful than the strongest super computers? 

According to Dr. English here at Aloha Wellness Center: 

"Your brain, spinal cord, and nerves that go to virtually every cell, tissue, and organ in your body make up the super computer called your nervous system.  Thousands upon thousands of messages are sent from the brain down the spinal cord (your super highway) to a vast network of nerves, which in turn relay messages back through the spinal cord to the brain for immediate responses. Without this feedback loop constantly sending and receiving information, well, there would be no breathing, no heartbeat, no thoughts, no feeling, no movement; we’d just be lifeless lumps of water, bone, and tissue (with a few trace minerals and elements to add a little spice)."  

Dr. English goes on to ask (and answer) some very important questions: "So, if your nervous system is the “command center” of virtually all body functions, what happens if the message to the target organ is blocked, interrupted, or choked? The function of that organ would be placed in jeopardy, wouldn’t it? What causes the nerve messages to get “blocked” or “distorted”? Let’s look at one of the most common causes of nerve interference: 

"Your brain and spinal cord are protected by a hard bony skull and spine respectively, which protects them from injury.  However, the 31 pairs of nerves that branch off the spinal cord, leaving the safety of the spine, aren't so lucky. These nerves, which form the vast network of nerves connecting the cells, tissues, and organs of the body, are directed through small openings in the movable bones that make up the spine.  These movable bones (called vertebral bones) get out of position and place pressure on the nerves as they exit the small bony openings (we call this a subluxation).   When pressure is placed on a nerve, it doesn’t function properly.  As a matter of fact, tests have shown that the weight of a dime applies sufficient pressure to disturb communication between the brain and your nerves.  If the nerve is not functioning properly, whatever is on the other end of the nerve – the stomach, lungs, digestive system, muscles, etc. – will not function properly, either. Eventually, if the nerve interference is not removed, we begin to feel discomfort and experience a cascade of symptoms as the loss of function progresses.

"In most cases your nerve interferences are present long before you begin experiencing specific pain or symptoms.  Fortunately, state-of-the-art technology is able to identify the specific levels of nerve interferences before they become problematic. If you are currently experiencing symptoms or would like a nervous system evaluation, I strongly encourage you to contact our office just for the health of it."

So, that's your lesson on the nervous system for today.  Let us help you get back into proper alignment so you can continue to do all the amazing things your pocket-sized computer and your built-in super computer can think of.

snap. crackle. pop.

I'm not gonna lie. During the chiropractic adjustment, when Dr. English gets to the part where he adjusts my neck, there's always a moment when I feel…continue reading…

My basic smoothie formula…

1. Fill cup or blender halfway with dark, leafy greens

     – Spring mix is a good option for veggie-haters because the flavor isn't as strong, but spinach and kale pack in a lot more nutrients!

2. Fill the rest of the way with fruit

     – I always include a frozen banana in the mix because it makes it nice and creamy. I tend to pick sweeter fruits (pineapple, peaches, and berries are all good options) because it helps to mask the "green" flavor. Frozen fruit also eliminates the need for ice.

3. Add an "extra"

     – "Extras" are things I use to boost flavor and nutritional value. Examples include peanut butter, protein powder, nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, greek yogurt, etc. For these, I do anywhere between a tablespoon and 1/4 cup.

4. Add liquid

     – Purified water is always a good go-to option, but occasionally I'll use almond milk for a creamier, more filling smoothie. I fill it up until it's about 3/4 to the top of the other ingredients.

Blend until smooth!

Smoothie o' the Day:

banana + chocolate protein powder + coffee or almond milk 

What's your favorite smoothie combo?