important is to have “good posture” on some level, how much better you feel when you’re sittings up straight. But in today’s world of desk jobs and technology, and long commutes it’s quite easy to let your posture go to the wayside.
Despite our human bodies not being designed for sitting for hours and hours on end, that’s the way of life for a good majority of people.

Posture can have a huge effect on overall health, self confidence, attitude and feeling.

After you’ve been on a long car ride or sitting for hours at a desk, it’s pretty common to feel neck pain or back pain. By simply sitting up straight with your shoulders back, alot of this pain can be alleviated.

When you hunch your back, or slouch over, your vital organs can be squished. Having good posture keeps all of your organs in the correct position which allows them to function better and work more efficiently.

Sitting upright and standing with your shoulders back and your head up high also communicates a powerful body language. When your body is in a powerful position, you come across as a powerful person. This could help you make decisions or take control.

Another thing that you might notice when you start focusing on having correct posture is improved energy levels. Many studies have shown that hunching over and slouching can be related to poor posture. Walking and skipping increases your energy. Have you ever gone for a walk and came back with more energy? Studies have shown that walking increases blood flow thus increasing energy.

One other surprising fact about having positive posture is that studies have shown that we tend to think more positively when we sit up straight. In an experiment, people with good posture were more likely to remember positive memories or think about something positive in general.

So sit up straight, it’s important!

According to the American Chiropractic Association, lower back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Every year, Americans spend at least $50 billion on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs. Many people in the United States are just discovering the remarkable health benefits of owning their own massage chair.

For hundreds and hundreds of years, Asian countries have recognized the benefits of massage therapy as a way to treat injuries ailments in the human body.  It’s estimated that more than 20 percent of households in Japan own a massage chair. Compared to the US market, where it is estimated that only 1 percent of households have discovered the therapeutic revitalization of robotic massage. Eastern philosophy of massage therapy is nothing new, dating back thousands of years, however it is just now starting to catch on here in America.

Some people have the notion that massage chairs are a luxury item, reserved for only for those with disposable incomes. However the need for massage therapy in alleviating pain and stress affects as many as 80% of the population, and massage therapy is growing at 23% pace in the USA (Bureau of Labor Statistics). 85% of massage chairs sold in the US are purchased by individuals and families with median incomes, as American consumers increasingly recognize the quality of life gains available from therapeutic products.  When you compare insurance-related costs of regular massage therapy, a premium massage chair can prove a valuable investment.

Some common benefits of massage chairs and massage therapy are better sleep, quicker recovery from exercise and physical exertion, lowered stress, mental clarity and mood improvement.

If you’re reading this, it’s no accident you’re looking into the possibility of owning your own massage chair – you’re part of a growing number of Americans who are learning of the powerful benefits of this remarkable health solution.

Wisewell is here to answer any questions you might have regarding massage chairs and life enhancement seating.

“Health is the greatest wealth,” –Virgil

Massage Therapy Provides Many Health Benefits

Who doesn’t love a massage? Although typically thought of as a “treat yourself” form of relaxation, there are many benefits and advantages to getting into the habit of regular massage. Frequent massage provides therapeutic relief to people of all ages and all walks of life, from professional athletes to gardeners to the over-stressed business person.

This is why: Massage therapy offers a humanistic, drug-free and simple approach to wellness, all based on the central idea that the body can heal itself when given the opportunity.

While finding a reason to treat yourself to a massage may be easy, finding the time to do so may be more challenging. Taking time to prioritize your health and wellness  has the potential to make everything you do less stressful and less painful, allowing you to be more productive with the rest of your day!
​
The health benefits of massage are undeniable:

1. Lymphatic stimulation, your body’s first defense against toxins
2. Increased blood flow and overall circulation
3. Endorphin release, which can act as a natrual painkiller
4. Increased range of motion and less discomfort associated with lower back pain
5. Relaxation of overworked and injured muscles
6. Less muscle spasms and cramping
7. Increased joint flexibility
8. Quicker recovery time from workouts
9. Migraine relief
10. Reduce post-operative adhesions and edema, as well as reduced scar tissue

At Wisewell, we believe that the body can heal itself. We’d love to give you a complimentary 1-hour massage.

Mayo on Massage?

We’ve posted many articles chronicling the benefits of massage for a variety of syndromes, diseases, conditions and injuries. Often, we have cited studies published by the Mayo Clinic as sources for those articles. Today, let’s see what Mayo has to say about the big picture: massage and health.

A Wide Range

Massage is now recommended by doctors in a broad array of circumstances. Generally, massage is considered a complementary or alternative modality offered side by side with standard medical treatment. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension, and is widely recommended for the following, many of which we have previously discussed:

• Anxiety
• Digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Insomnia related to stress
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Soft tissue strains or injuries
• Sports injuries
• Temporomandibular joint pain

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage in these instances, studies already support massage therapy, including that delivered by a premium massage chair, as effective treatment.

Dr. Feelgood

Whatever measurable benefits may be accrued from massage, and beyond the measurable benefits for specific conditions or diseases, many people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection. These “feel good” aspects of massage go deep; the feelings aren’t simply emotional or illusionary.

Studies suggest that massage stimulates beneficial endorphins while reducing levels of stress hormones like cortisol. And soothing relaxation itself may inspire more healthy habits, such as increased exercise: if our body feels healthy, we are more inclined to use it.

Mayo’s Conclusions

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing many sorts of stress, pain and muscle tension. At the Mayo Clinic, massage therapy may be recommended to help people cope with the pain and stress of cancer, heart disease, stomach problems, fibromyalgia or other conditions.

The Mayo Clinic concludes: “Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. On the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever.”

And Beyond

Interestingly, there may be additional benefits of massage treatment yet to be determined. Massage therapy’s well-established clinical benefits—its beneficial effects on anxiety, depression, and pain— may stem from other causal mechanisms, which are still to be identified.

Be sure to make massage a part of your regular self-care. Take a look at our range of Massage Chairs and Massage Products at Wisewell.

“Never Had a Massage? What You Should Know.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Dec. 2015, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743.

Moyer, Christopher A, et al. “Does Massage Therapy Reduce Cortisol? A Comprehensive Quantitative Review.” Science Direct, Elsevier, 2 July 2010, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859210000896.

UCS or upper crossed syndrome sounds obscure, but we see it every day. First dubbed “Text Neck” by Dr. Dean Fisher in 2008, the condition is seen by many as a scourge of 21st-century technology.

Fishman coined the term when a mother brought in her 17-year-old daughter who was complaining of headaches and neck pain. As the mother described the symptoms, Fishman looked at the girl, hunched over her smartphone. “I knew I had something,” he said.

Millions of people, especially young people, spend inordinate amounts of time texting, gaming, posting to social media. The American average is 4.9 hours every day—a figure arrived at by a 2015 Informate Mobile Intelligence report. The figure is surely higher for teens and preteens. Given the world, as it is, that’s only going to get worse. But why is this posture so potentially harmful?

What’s the Cost of Texting?

The average human head weighs about 10 pounds—but for every inch the head hangs forward, the amount of weight put on the spine increases by 10 pounds. So if you’re looking at a smartphone in your lap, your neck is holding up what feels like 20 or 30 pounds.

According to Kenneth K. Hansraj, M.D., chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine, in New York, New York, this posture often results in a loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine, leading to increased spinal stress. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly even surgeries.

Massage to the Rescue

So much for the bad news. What’s the remedy? Massage therapy can provide the damage control needed to combat text neck and other injuries of the digital age. Have you seen the massage chairs available at Wisewell? Among its benefits, massage reduces muscle tension and stiffness, increases range of motion, fosters the healing of strained muscles and ligaments, reduces the pain and swelling of overused muscles and tissues, promotes blood and lymph circulation, and improves posture.

More is Better

Furthermore, recent studies indicated that frequency of massage is a key factor in maintaining a healthy balance. Study researcher Karen Sherman, senior scientific investigator at Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, found that compared to those who got no massage, “people getting massage three times a week were almost five times as likely to have a clinically meaningful (i.e. important or noticeable) improvement in function and over twice as likely to report a clinically meaningful decrease in pain.”

Don’t Wait

Anyone who uses a smartphone, pad, joystick, laptop or desktop computer—and that’s most of us—should not wait until the cumulative effects of digital device use blooms into a text neck, painful hands or emotional stress. Frequent massage can help. Consider that convenience and cost both might argue for premium massage chairs or a massage recliner chair in your own home. Just remember: regular massage therapy can defuse the effects of our ubiquitous devices, keep one’s mind and body ready and maintain health and wellness for the next challenge of the digital age.

We recommend you explore your options of massage chairs with Wisewell for “text neck”. We offer the best massage chairs in the market.

 “Text Neck.” Byward Massage Therapy Centre, 27 Jan. 2015, bywardmassage.com/text-neck/.

Menehan, Karen. “The Text Neck Explosion-and Other Injuries of the Digital Age.” MASSAGE Magazine, Massage Magazine, 23 Sept. 2015, www.massagemag.com/the-text-neck-explosion-32654/.

Doheny, Kathleen. “Timing Is Key to Massage’s Benefits for Neck Pain.” WebMD, WebMD, 14 Mar. 2014, www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20140314/timing-is-key-to-massages-benefits-for-neck-pain-study#1.

Massage Chairs, Good For Body and Mind

Massage can ease neck and shoulder tension, relieve pain, and improve muscle recovery after exercise. That is all wonderful for the body, but did you know massage is also therapeutic for the mind?

What Are the Mental Benefits of Massage?

The power of touch is an amazing thing. State-of-the-art massage chairs, a masseuse, or even a loved one rubbing your shoulders not only releases tension but is also emotionally beneficial for fighting stress. 

In today’s world filled with anxiety and pressure, making time for yourself is more important than ever. The personal aspect of owning a high-end massage chair is time spent focusing on what your body and mind needs. You choose the time and space most comfortable, and with the release of shoulder, back, and foot pain those pesky thoughts start to dissolve, leaving you in a peaceful “meditative” state.

Wikipedia defines meditation as a practice where an individual focuses their mind on a particular object, thought or activity to achieve a mentally clear and calm state. It goes on to say meditation can be used to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, while sitting, repeating a mantra, and closing the eyes in a quiet environment.

This is what is so appealing about massage chair technology. Real emotional and physical relief can be achieved in the comfort of your home.

Quiet Your Mind

Learning how to quiet our brains from all of the incoming stimuli that can trigger our natural “fight or flight” response is critical. Calming what some psychologists call “monkey mind,” the process of our brains processing all of the incoming stimulation, can be accomplished through massage therapy. 

Whether your worries are financial, work-related, or over relationships often leads to unhealthy stress that can cause physical pain. Usually, women hold their anxiety in the shoulders and neck, men in their lower back. This is where massage really helps the body and mind. Spending time in a massage chair can not only relieve physical ailments, but can release mental tension buildup. 

When you consider your next massage think about the mind-body connection. How relaxing not only helps heal your aching neck or throbbing feet, it stills the mind at the same time.

Wisewell has a massage chair to fit your needs. Contact us, and our friendly experts will guide you through a massage demo that can help you start feeling better today!

Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

“Adhesive capsulitis,” aka frozen shoulder, is a painful and complicated condition that may be caused by physical injury, poor posture, or even hormonal factors. Symptoms include discomfort and inflexibility in the shoulder area. Restricted motion, stiffness, and pain are constant reminders of this disorder.

Frozen shoulder remains quite the mystery, while doctors can offer multiple treatment options, most agree that in 2 years or longer the shoulder will “thaw” on its own. For those suffering, that is not good enough.

Massage The Pain Away

Acupuncture, physical therapy, and cortisone shots are all viable and worthwhile options; consider adding massage therapy for frozen shoulder in your treatment regimen. 

Massage therapy, including the use of premium massage chairs, increases blood flow to the wounded area, this increase encourages the body’s healing process. Massage also can lessen the formation of scar tissue.

The benefits of massage include improved range of motion, which is especially encouraging to those coping with frozen shoulder. Massage therapy is multifactorial, meaning it creates interconnected adaptive responses in the nervous system and soft tissue. Massage works not only physiologically but psychologically.

Consult the Doctor

Only your doctor can accurately diagnose frozen shoulder. Meet with them to discuss your treatment possibilities and choices.

Shoulder pain can be calmed and relieved with massage therapy. Wisewell is here to help. Our friendly experts will guide you through a range of high-end massage chairs to find your perfect fit. Ease the pain, contact us today!

Lebert, Richard. “Massage Therapy For Frozen Shoulder.” Richard Lebert Registered Massage Therapy, Aug. 2018, www.rmtedu.com/blog/massage-therapy-for-frozen-shoulder.

ePainAssist, Team. “Massage for Frozen Shoulder: Benefits & Techniques.” EPainAssist, Painassist Inc, 5 June 2018, www.epainassist.com/manual-therapy/massage-therapy/massage-for-frozen-shoulder.

Massage, Dreamclinic. “Frozen Shoulder Is Unlocked with Bodywork |.” Dreamclinic Massage in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Dreamclinic, 5 Feb. 2015, dreamclinic.com/massage-therapy/frozen-shoulder-is-unlocked-with-bodywork.

Frightening headlines about coronavirus and shortages at the grocery store, sometimes the world can be overwhelming. These are the times we should encourage and take care of each other. Let’s focus on ways we can cope together!

Safety  

Creating new healthy habits will instill peace of mind. OSHA’s best practices for Covid-19 prevention are:

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Washing frequently used surfaces often, cleaning up after ourselves, using hand sanitizer, even covering our cough are ways to help prevent coronavirus. We can do small things that make a big impact. 

Wellness

Remaining calm when our everyday routines are upended can be challenging. We can use breathing techniques, sleep, and eating well to combat stress. When we practice social distancing, we can reach out to friends, family, and neighbors. Hearing a friendly voice, or lending a helping hand is wonderful for our mental health. Let’s support and check-in with each other!

“This too shall pass.” In the most challenging of times, it is important to look out for one another. Be safe and healthy, we are in this together!

It is universal knowledge that massage is relaxing. But how does it work? How does massage reduces stress?

#1 – Decreases Cortisol Levels

A body under stress produces unhealthy amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for weight gain, sleeplessness, digestive problems, and headaches. Massage aids the body in recovery and reduces cortisol levels.

#2 – Release Of Endorphins

When cortisol levels decrease, the body’s response is to release natural, “well-being”, hormones called endorphins. Endorphins boost oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin levels. These are the hormones that help physically and emotionally. Massage helps calm nerves, promotes healing + pain management.

#3 – Massage Targets The Source Of Pain

By eliminating tense muscles, increasing flexibility, and supplying relaxation to muscles, tissues, and organs, massage therapy targets the source of the body’s pain. Massage also works on affected or injured muscles by promoting circulation, which in turn increases nutrients and oxygen to the wounded area. 

#4 – Long Term Psychological Benefits

Massage deals not only with physical symptoms but also deals with emotional upset. The support and focus provided by massage aid the feeling of compassion and connection. This reassurance lasts well after a session, producing long term benefits

#5 – Improve Immune System Function

Researchers have found that massage therapy can improve immune system function in patients with comprised immune systems. Jeff Smoot, 2015 President of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), “Those benefits can translate to people seeking to fight off the common cold, flu, and other seasonal illnesses.” Further research in Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center showed that participants in a Swedish massage group encountered major changes in lymphocytes, a subtype of white blood cells, that respond rapidly to viral-infected cells.
The benefits of massage are amazing. For more information or a free demonstration, reach out to Wisewell today!

Massage is helpful and healing for the mundane aches and pains of everyday life. The professionals at Wisewell want you to know how a premium massage chair can ease insomnia, chronic headaches, and more. So what are the most beneficial massage styles? Let’s find out:

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage centers on the blood returning to the heart after it has oxygenated the muscles. Swedish massage uses long, gliding strokes and is one of the most popular massages in the world. Benefits – a light touch that encourages whole-body relaxation.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deeper and more firm than a Swedish massage, deep tissue focuses on the innermost layers of muscle tissue. These layers, the tendons, and fascia protect muscles, bones, and joints. Benefits – this setting is most helpful for sufferers of chronic muscle tension.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu, or “finger pressure” in Japanese, uses pinpoint pressure and has similar attributes of acupuncture. If acupuncture works for you, try this setting for your next massage. Benefits – targets specific areas of the body to relieve pain and tension.

Kneading Massage

This massage style mimics massage therapists’ fingers and thumbs movements. Benefits – this technique “kneads” out knots and muscle tension.

Wisewell offers a variety of premium chairs with multiple settings and functions. Our industry experts are available for any questions. Contact us to find your perfect massage chair!