Often times massages can seem like the ultimate splurge, but in the end it's just as good for you as it feels.
Newsweek recently outlined a few things about massage that you may not have known, and here are five highlights:
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As you may well know, running is really tough on your feet and the muscles in your lower legs. These often neglected body parts do a lot of the work and absorb most of the shock of your run. Ignore them and you can end up with cramped, achy, throbbing, or even numb feet, shins, or calves from running, which not only sucks due to the pain, but can prevent you from getting in a good workout.
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When you make an appointment for a massage, you're expecting it to feel good, that it will release tension, stress, and ease tight or sore muscles. You should know that that's not all you can expect though. In rare circumstances, getting a massage can present health risks including nerve damage, a pulled muscle, temporary paralysis, or internal bleeding because of too much pressure.
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I have had deep-tissue massages that have left serious bruises, but barely made a dent in my tight muscles. I have also had Swedish massages that felt like I was being tickled for 60 minutes no matter how many times I told the massage therapist to increase the pressure. Recently, I went to see a massage therapist who has studied the Hendrickson Method (formerly called orthopedic massage, but so many independent therapists use that descriptive that the man who created this technique decided to name it after himself). 
With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is important to make sure you fit in a little "you time" every now and again. I was given the opportunity for some serious "me time" during a recent Aston Patterning Massage (APM) session compliments of Tre Balm Beauty Boutique and Skin Care Studio here in San Francisco and let me tell you, it was much needed.
For anyone that has never had this type of massage before, APM is basically a massage technique that combines deep tissue work, massage, and movement all in one. RSS Feed 
