Massage therapy has shown to be beneficial for a variety of ailments such as chronic pain, headaches, insomnia, stress, carpal tunnel and more. Massage therapy has numerous health benefits such as improving circulation and lowering blood pressure. The positive effects of human touch alone are also undisputable.

Cancer has a major impact on our society. A stark number to see, about 39.6% of adults will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Cancer not only leaves physical scars, but emotional ones as well. Cancer treatments can be painful and difficult to endure. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can cause nausea, fatigue, pain, diarrhea, constipation and muscle spasms.

Research shows that therapeutic massage results in a significant improvement quality of life during these treatments.  A study published in Applied Nursing Research shows that massage therapy significantly decreased anxiety and fatigue in those undergoing chemotherapy treatments, compared to a control group who did not receive therapeutic massage. Radiation therapy can also cause muscle spasms and fibrosis, both treatable through therapeutic massage.

Previous schools of thought suggested that because massage therapy increases blood and lymph circulation, that it may aid in spreading the cancer. As stated in an article published in Seminars in Oncology Nursing, health care professionals no longer believe that circulation influences the spread of cancer. Instead, the spread of cancer is not random, but more dependent on the affinities of the specific type of cancer. If circulation affected the proliferation of cancer, then exercise, hot showers and other activities of daily would not be recommended by doctors as they are today.

A review of the research available shows that massage therapy can be widely useful and effective as a complimentary therapy to those undergoing cancer treatments.

If you believe you may benefit from therapeutic massage, please visit us a www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com or call us at 904-874-8413 for more information or to make an appointment. Our office is located in the Baymeadows area of Jacksonville.

Pet ownership can be challenging, but it is also rewarding, fun and good for your health. Have you ever noticed how easy it is for your pooch to cheer you up after a difficult day? Or how relaxing it can be to cuddle with your cat and listen to them purr. Pet ownership can benefit your health in more way than one, in fact owning a pet can improve your physical, emotional and mental health.


1.     Reduced stress

April is National Stress Awareness month, and it’s important to note that pets aid in a lower level of stress. Studies show that pet owners report subjective stress reduction, meaning they perceive things to be less stressful. Pets promote exercise, lower blood pressure, and improve mood; all factors that contribute to less stress.

2.     Increased exercise

Owning a dog requires taking regular walks, a low impact form of exercise that reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and promotes overall health. If you’re already the active type, a dog can make a great jogging, swimming or hiking partner, and will get you out of the house, even on days that you don’t want to. Studies show that dog owners are less likely to be obese. But a walking partner isn’t limited to a dog, cats can be trained to walk on a leash too!

3.     Promotes heart health

Studies conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and American Hearth Association (AHA), among others, have shown that owning a pet promotes heart health. Research shows that pet owners have a lower risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Whether it’s due to the love and emotional support pets provide, the promotion of physical activity, or reduced stress levels, having a pet may be good for your heart.

4.     Improves mood

It might be safe to say that all pet owners would agree that a beloved pet has a powerful ability to beat a bad mood. Pets provide emotional support, and make for a great snuggle buddy when feeling sad or upset. A pet's goofy antics can make us laugh too! Pets can lower feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. Research supporting this is also proven every day through the use of animal assisted therapy (AAT) and emotional support animals (ESA). Therapy animals are used in hospitals, assisted living facilities, schools and even in your psychotherapist’s office.

5.     Promotes social interaction

Pet people love to talk about their pets, and pet people love to talk with other pet people. Whether you’re a cat lover, a dog lover or even a bird lover, conversations become easier when you’re able to relate about the love for your animal child. Whether at the park or the pet food store, pets can increase social interaction and friendships.

While pet ownership has many benefits, it comes with much commitment and responsibility. Pets require much attention, time, and money in order to keep them healthy and happy as well. Pets require regular time commitments and expenses for their care, including exercise, play, food, grooming, veterinary visits, vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention. Consider both the monetary, time and attention costs when thinking about becoming a pet owner. Cats and dogs can live upwards of 15 years, making it a lifetime commitment for your pet. It is also important to have a pet emergency fund in the event an emergency situation arises.

If you are considering becoming a pet owner, make adoption your first choice. Five million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters each year, many pure breeds in need of a home. To find your next pet partner, visit PetFinder.com to view pets from rescues and shelters in your area. Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services and the Jacksonville Humane Society house hundreds of rescue pets in need. All pets come neutered and vaccinated. JaxAdoptsPet.org hosts Jacksonville’s Mega Pet Adoption Event to find homes for hundreds of pets several times each year.

Stress can be unavoidable and is a normal part of life. However, chronic stressors in life that are experienced without periods of relief or relaxation, can be harmful. Stress can affect your physical, emotional and mental health. Physically, stress can be harmful to your health by leading to high blood pressure, headaches, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, skin breakouts and stress can weaken your immune system. Cortisol, the stress hormone, has been linked to a weakened immune response, trouble with memory, and increased blood sugar. Stress can also cause moodiness or irritability, trouble concentrating, worry, feeling overwhelmed, and changes in appetite.

If you’re experiencing stress, we’ve found 6 ways to help handle and reduce stress.

1.    Get a massage
Massage therapy has been proven effective in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. In addition to relieving muscle tension, massage therapy can reduce cortisol levels, improve mood and lower blood pressure almost immediately.

2.    Take a walk
Like other forms of exercise, walking boosts endorphins that improve your mood. Walking can also quiet the mind, improve memory and decrease fatigue.

3.    Take a time out and breathe
Deep breaths can help reduce stress in the moment the stressor is occurring. Deep breathing has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and anxiety, as well as oxygenating your blood. Take about 3 minutes and focus on slow deep breaths. 

4.    Listen to music
If you are feeling overwhelmed, try playing some soft, soothing and calming music. Playing soothing music can lower stress and promote relaxation.

5.    Phone a friend
When feeling stressed, take a break and call a friend or family member. Talking with someone that you trust is a good way to express your feelings and gain some assurance. Good social support is important for a healthy and balanced life.

6.    Eat healthy
Stress can be exacerbated by a poor diet. Make sure to eat a balanced diet with protein, grains, fruits and veggies. Vegetables and fruit provide antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for fighting stress and supporting your immune system.

Stress can wreak havoc in your life. Be sure to listen to mind and body, and take care of your stress levels before it becomes overwhelming. If you’re in the Jacksonville area, and would like to schedule a massage and tackle stress, call 904-874-8413 to schedule an appointment. Visit us online at HolisticBodyworksMassage.com

Living with chronic pain can affect you at work, with your daily activities, at home and in your personal life. Chronic pain can also have a variety of causes including past injuries, poor posture, pinched nerves, bulging or herniated disks in the spine, soft tissue damage, arthritis, bone degeneration and more.

So how can massage lessen the pain when faced with these ailments? 



1.    Increases blood flow and circulation
Massage increases blood flow and oxygen to the area massaged, allowing the body to naturally repair tight or damaged soft tissue.

2.    Improves mobility
Massage therapy can also decrease adhesions in the fascia (connective tissue). Myofascial release works to stretch and lengthen connective tissue (or fascia) that has become tight over time. This fibrous tissue can restrict movement and increase pain. Releasing adhesions in the fascia allow for greater movement and decreased pain.

3.    Reduces inflammation
Massage therapy increases lymphatic drainage, which aids in removing waste and drain inflamed, swollen tissues

4.    Reduces tension
Tension in the body can cause pain and exacerbate existing conditions. Tension can increase with day-to-day stressors and other life events. Massage therapy releases tension held in the body to help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

5.    Releases trigger points
Trigger points, also known as “knots”, are painful points in the muscle that are tight, tender and easily irritated. The muscle fibers in these “knots” are contracted and thickened in a small area or point. Trigger points cause pain in localized areas, but can also cause pain in satellite areas in which pain can be felt in the head or neck, where the trigger point is located in the shoulder. Trigger points cause pain and can restrict movement, making it important for them to be released.

Massage can reduce pain due to ailments such as restricted range of motion, low back pain, chronic pain, past injuries, car accidents, Piriformis Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Runner’s Knee, Osteoathritis, poor posture, and various muscle tension. Contact me at 904-874-8413 to schedule an appointment and begin experiencing relief. We are located in the Baymeadows area in Jacksonville, FL.

According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects 3-6% of the general population. Generally, the causes of carpal tunnel are related to repetitive motion, such as typing at a computer for the majority of the day.  However, other factors can also contribute to the cause of carpal tunnel such as genetics, diabetes, pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis.

As stated in an article published in the Massage Therapy Journal, “Simply put, carpal tunnel is the inflammation or entrapment of nerves within the carpal tunnel of the anterior wrist, which can cause pain and numbness.” This pain and numbness can make it difficult to continue working, grasping objects, and affect your ability to sleep comfortably.

If you suspect you have carpal tunnel, it is best to get a diagnosis from your medical provider. Massage therapy can be helpful in bringing relief and lessening symptoms. When receiving massage therapy for carpal tunnel, a lot of the focus may be on the wrists. However, other muscle groups in the body may also be off balance. This is very likely to occur with muscle groups in the shoulders, neck and back, and even more so if you are typing at a computer for the majority of he day. The focus of therapeutic work would be releasing tension, trigger points and adhesions in the muscle and fibrous tissue.

If you have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and looking for relief, contact us to schedule an appointment. After gathering some background information, we will discuss treatment methods and the number of recommended sessions in order to get you on the road to less pain. Call us at 904-874-8413 or visit us online at www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com. We are conveniently located in the Baymeadows area at 9220 Cypress Green Drive Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Happy Holidays from Holistic Bodyworks Massage! We hope your days are both merry and bright. May your new year be filled with hope, happiness and health!

Give the Gift of a Relaxing Massage & Save $20!

Give the gift of a relaxing massage this holiday season, or schedule an appointment and treat yourself. Our gift certificates for 60- minute and 90-minute massages are currently on sale for $20 off. Purchase your gift certificate here.


Has it been awhile since your last massage? Then it's time for your next massage appointment! Massage therapy is most effective when received on a regular basis. If you have chronic pain, or a specific concern you want to address, massage therapy on a weekly basis would be most effective. For overall wellness and maintenance, massage therapy once or twice per month would be beneficial. You don’t need to receive weekly massages forever, and can reduce sessions when you feel appointment. Massage can also assist in reducing stress and other routine tension. Are you overdue for a massage? Call to schedule your next appointment today.

Call us at 904-874-8413 or www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com. We are conveniently located in the Baymeadows area at 9220 Cypress Green Drive Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Chronic pain can be both physically debilitating and harmful towards your mental health. When chronic pain goes untreated or unmanageable on your own, it can affect your day-to-day life. Activities that you used to enjoy may no longer be enjoyable, errands and household duties may seem like mountains to be climbed. In addition, chronic pain can leave you irritable, short-tempered, and even depressed. Chronic pain can affect your sleep and sleep quality, appetite and social habits.

Research shows that pathways in the brain may change in sufferers of chronic pain. These changes in brain function can cause depression, disturbances in sleep and even trouble with decision making. In a study published in Neuroscience Letters, the research revealed that chronic pain alters anatomical brain connectivity and activity in the resting state networks of the brain. This impacts introspection and decision making. Research also supports links between chronic pain and depression, as stated in a study published in the Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain journal. 

So how can massage be beneficial in relieving these ailments of chronic pain? Research demonstrates that consistent massage therapy can both decrease pain and increase daily activity levels in chronic pain sufferers. Massage therapy can promote beneficial changes in the central nervous system, in addition to the soft tissue that is treated. Massage therapy releases tension in the body and increases blood flow, which in turn leads to greater mobility and pain reduction.

In addition, massage therapy can affect the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Massage therapy can stimulate serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep. Boosts of serotonin can also aid in feelings of happiness and contentment, which decreases feelings of sadness and depression. Multiple research studies also demonstrate massage therapy effective in lowering cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Increased levels of cortisol can negatively affect the immune system, your memory and metabolism.

Massage can be an effective method of treating chronic pain, as well as feelings of depression and stress that may be associated with chronic pain. Don’t allow chronic pain to take ahold of your life. If you are in pain and looking for relief, consider massage therapy as mode of treatment. Contact us by phone or visit our website to make an appointment. Call us at 904-874-8413 or www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com. We are conveniently located in the Baymeadows area at 9220 Cypress Green Drive Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Ok, so it’s been awhile since you last treated yourself to a massage. If one or more of these signs relate to you, it may be time to schedule your next appointment. We’ve created a list of some warning signs that you may be overdue for a massage.

1. You’re Experiencing Frequent Headaches
Tension headaches, the most common form of headaches, occur mostly due to muscle tension in the muscles surrounding your head, shoulders and neck. Anxiety, lack of sleep, stress, and poor posture are also contributing factors of tension headaches. These headaches can range from mild to moderate in level of pain, but chronic headaches are sometimes associated with an increase in severity. Massage therapy can be an effective form of treatment for tension headaches, as the massage therapist focuses on releasing tension in these muscle groups.

2. You’re Stressed, Irritable, or Both
Irritability is often linked to stress, in addition to being influenced by other factors, both physical (such as pain) or environmental (such as a tense work environment). When not addressed properly, stress can have an affect on your relationships, work performance, physical health and overall quality of life. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states massage therapy can be effective for stress relief. This supports findings in various research studies that state that massage therapy can decrease heart rate, blood pressure and the stress hormone called cortisol.

3. You’re Having Trouble Sleeping
Sleep is extremely important in maintaining both your physical and mental health. Chronic lack of restful sleep can lead to an inability to concentrate or use critical thinking. Lack of sleep can also weaken your immune system, increase weight gain and increase your risk of serious health problems. Research demonstrates that massage therapy can help people experiencing sleep difficulty by providing pain relief, reducing stress and aiding in relaxation.

4. You’re Experiencing Muscle or Joint Pain
Pain and chronic pain can have a serious effect on your overall quality of life. Massage and deep tissue massage can bring relief to people with pain, which could be due to injury, long-term muscle tension, and poor posture, all of which can cause scar tissue over time. Deep tissue massage therapy releases this tension and increases blood flow, which in turn leads to greater mobility and pain reduction. Research has shown that massage can be effective in treating ailments such as low back pain, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis and more.

5. It Has Been a Long Time Since Your Last Massage
Massage therapy is most effective when received on a regular basis. If you have chronic pain, or a specific concern you want to address, massage therapy on a weekly basis would be most effective. For overall wellness and maintenance, massage therapy once or twice per month would be beneficial. You don’t need to receive weekly massages forever, discuss with your massage therapist when you feel like your condition has improved. If it has been 6 months since your last month, you are probably way overdue.

If you live in the Jacksonville, FL area and believe you are overdue for a massage. Visit our website www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com or call us at 904-874-8413 to schedule an appointment.