Azul - Experience the DifferenceOctober, 2019

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Age is a State of MindBaby Boomers Combat Aging with Bodywork

Massage therapy can play an important role in aging well and remaining youthful and healthy.

Be happy forthis moment.This moment isyour life. - OmarKhayyam

Office Hours and Contact

Azul Massage and Body Care810-522-5460Sun. 12:00-6:00 PMMon. 12:00-9:00 PMTues. thru Thurs. 10:00 AM -9:00 PMFri./Sat. 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

In this Issue

Age is a State of MindRelief for Computer UsersThe Power of Tea Tree Oil

According to the U.S. Centers forDisease Control and Prevention,preventing disease and injury is criticalto reducing the expected growth ofhealth-care costs headed our way, asmore than 70 million U.S. babyboomers cross the 60-year-oldthreshold. Moreover, disease preventionis critical to, well, your health!

Whether you're a boomer who isrunning a marathon or running afteryour grandchildren, you know thatgrowing older doesn't mean growingold. If you're wondering how to stave offthe effects of aging, the preventative andrestorative nature of massage andbodywork might be just what the bodyordered.

Improved Circulation,Healthier SkinAs our bodies age, our circulation slowsand our skin loses its once youthfulvitality. Experts say the mechanicalnature of massage combats these effectsby increasing circulation through themanipulation of tissue, improving theappearance and condition of the skin

and its elasticity, and toning muscletissue. Massage also creates a stimulatingcellular function in the hypodermis,dermis, and epidermis layers of the skinand increases the production ofskin-nurturing sebum.

Immunity and StressIf you're already a frequent recipient ofmassage, you know what the work does tocombat daily stress. But did you knowhow detrimental those stressors can be?

Experts say the majority of disease weencounter today is associated with stress.Not only that, stress is a huge factor inpremature aging of the body.Researchers say chronic stress ages the

body, weakens immune cell function,and can make cells appear up to 17 yearsolder than they really are. Through itseffects, massage deftly attacks stress,while boosting the immune system.Massage encourages the release ofoxytocin, a stress-reducing hormone inthe body most often associated with

The aches and pains that often accompany the aging process can be managed with bodywork.

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birth and bonding, and activates theparasympathetic nervous system and itsrelaxation response. Massage alsodecreases beta brainwave activity,increases dopamine and serotonin levelsin the body, and reduces cortisol levels,all of which are linked to decreasedstress.

Squashing the PainPart of the aging process, unfortunately,involves dealing with aches and pains.You might find a day of gardeningbrings on back pain you neverexperienced before, or your bikingregimen now requires greater recoverytime afterward. Even though pain is aconstant source of grief for an agingbody, massage can make a difference.

The passive movement in massage keepsjoints more mobile and stimulates thesynovial fluid, which lubricates the jointsand nourishes the articular cartilage.Massage also prompts the release ofendorphins and other pain-reducingneurochemicals.

In addition to the pains of physicalexertion an aging body experiences, thediscomfort caused by arthritis can bejust as debilitating. Experts predict thatone-third of Americans will get arthritisas they age. Ironically, most arthritissufferers may not think of massage whenthey start to explore which therapiesmight ease their pain. While it isdoubtful an arthritic joint can "heal"completely with massage, it can feelbetter. And for an arthritis sufferer,better is a welcome word, particularlywhen there are no side effects involved.

According to the Arthritis Foundation,an increasing number of doctors arerecommending massage to their arthritispatients to help relieve the pain andstiffness caused by their disease. Massagecan increase circulation around painfuljoints, bringing healing oxygen andnutrients, including amino acids, torebuild tissue. Many massage therapistsreport that their arthritic clients findbetter and longer-lasting relief frommassage than from pharmaceuticals.

Whether its reducing the symptoms ofarthritis, or simply addressing the achesand pains of living an active life, massagecan play an important role in aging well.

Bennies for BoomersThe benefits from massage andbodywork can help bodies of all ages,especially for baby boomers. Researchhas shown that massage:- Improves range of motion anddecreases low-back pain.- Increases circulation, allowing thebody to pump more oxygen andnutrients into tissues and vital organs.- Provides exercise and stretching foratrophied muscles.- Reduces swelling and scar tissue.- Reduces recovery time frominjury/surgery.- Reduces stress, a major contributor todisease and ill health.- Releases endorphins, the body'snatural painkiller, thereby reducing theneed for medications.- Stimulates lymph flow and supportsthe body's natural process ofdetoxification.

Psychological ValueIn addition to all the physical benefitsmassage and bodywork offers, there alsoare proven psychological changes weexperience with massage. One of thereasons massage feels so relaxing is thatthere is a literal psychological benefit asdopamine and serotonin becomebalanced in the system. And whenmassage produces oxytocin in the body,there is a sense of being nurtured. Addthat to the restorative effect that comesfrom those quiet moments duringmassage, and you've got a process thatexperts say is incredibly healing.

Aging, obviously, is a process none of uscan avoid. As Benjamin Franklin said,"When you're finished changing, you'refinished." Turn the inevitability of aginginto a positive process of change and letmassage and bodywork help you alongthe journey.

Take frequent breaks to avoid eye strain.

Relief for Computer UsersMary Betts Sinclair

The Power of Tea Tree Oil

According to the American OptometricAssociation, 46 percent of Americansspend at least five hours a day on acomputer or smartphone. When lookingat a screen, many people hold their headforward of center and slouch, which putsmany upper-body muscles in ashortened position.

Here are some ways to avoid pain andstrain:Computer users tend to blink very littleand stare straight ahead, not using theirperipheral vision. Be sure to keepblinking, which washes your eyes innaturally therapeutic tears and breaks upyour stare.

Take frequent rest breaks using the20-20 Rule: every 20 minutes, spend20 seconds looking at something faraway, preferably gazing out a window.Also, stand up and move as much apossible. This is a great time to doeye-muscle stretches andrange-of-motion exercises for your backand neck. Use your fingertips to gently

massage around your eyes, temples, andforehead. Finally, rub your palmstogether and gently cup your closed eyes.Relax and breathe freely.

Make sure you have good light, andcheck that your monitor is the correctdistance away from your eyes and at theright height. Also, adjust the screensettings to where they are comfortable interms of resolution and flicker.

If you wear eyeglasses, have themchecked. For example, in order forsome people to see clearly with theirheads held in an upright and balancedposition, and without chronic tightnessin the back of the neck, they may need tohave a prescription for a longer focallength or larger bifocal inserts, or havean adjustment of their eyeglass frames ifthey are bent or twisted. Some peoplemay need a stronger or weakerprescription. If your doctor hasprescribed a pair of glasses specificallyfor seeing the computer screen, wearthem.

Mary Betts Sinclair is an Oregon-based educatorand bodyworker. Learn more about her atwww.marybettssinclair.com.

Is your medicine cabinet full ofointments, oils, and creams that eachtreats one specific ailment? Maybe youcan cut down on some of the clutter byadding nature's own wonder drug, teatree oil, instead.

What is Tea Tree OilProduced in Australia from the tree M.alternifolia, tea tree oil acts as anantiseptic, fungicide, insect deterrent,and more. It has been used in Australiaby aborigines for generations and, sincethe country's colonization, has spread tothe rest of the world.

Tea tree oil, which can be found as anessential oil as well as in creams,ointments, shampoo, and eventoothpaste, can be used to treat astaggering variety of conditions,including: acne, arthritis, athlete's foot,

burns, cuts, dandruff, eczema,gingivitis, infection, insect bites andstings, lice, muscle sprains, psoriasis,and rashes. And that's just a partial list!

Potential BenefitsThe exact cause of tea tree oil'seffectiveness is difficult to ascertain, andresearchers are still looking into justhow much the natural remedy can do forus. Newer studies have looked at itsability to stop the spread ofsometimes-deadly methicillin-resistantstaphylococcus aureus in hospitals.

Use SafelyWhile there are plenty of benefits tousing tea tree oil, its strength can also beproblematic, even dangerous. The MayoClinic advises that it's not safe to ingestor take tea tree oil internally, and it isconsidered particularly harmful if

ingested by pets.

Also, like most natural remedies, the USFood and Drug Administration does notregulate tea tree oil as it does othermedicines, leaving no standard qualityof tea tree oil products. And, whilemany people enthusiastically support teatree oil, it is no substitute forprofessional medical care.

Yet, many people agree that, if nothingelse, tea tree oil should be a part of yourfirst aid kit in case of bites, burns, orscrapes. But who knows? You might findyourself using it for much more thanthat.

"Every strikebrings me closerto a home run!"~Babe Ruth

Come and visit us at our new location! Just a hop skip and ajump (literally) from our previous location.

New Client Special $60.00 for 60 minute massage!

Wishing you health and wellness always!

JUST OWN TODAY!! Lavelle VanHorn

Azul Massage and Body Care

9835 Village Place BlvdBrighton , MI 48116