Did You Know Massage Therapy Can Help With:
Insomia
Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating, or maintaining sleep at least 3 nights per week, in addition to complaints of sleep related daytime impairment. Sufficient and restful sleep is a human necessity. The average adult needs slightly more than 8 hours of sleep a day, but only 35% of American adults consistently get this amount of rest.
People with insomnia tend to experience one or more of the following sleep disturbances:
Difficulty falling asleep at night
Waking too early in the morning
Waking frequently throughout the night
Sleep that is chronically nonrestorative or poor
Insomnia may stem from a disruption of the body's circadian rhythm, an internal clock that governs the timing of hormone production, sleep, body temperature, and other functions. While occasional restless nights are normal, prolonged insomnia can interfere with daytime function, concentration, and memory. Insomnia increases the risk of substance abuse, motor vehicle accidents, headaches, and depression. Recent surveys indicate that 50% of people suffer from sleep difficulties, and 20 - 36% of them struggle with such difficulties for at least 1 year. Other studies show that one person out of three in the United States has insomnia, but only 20% tell their health care providers about it.
Massage has long been known to enhance relaxation and improve sleep patterns. While massage alone is an effective method for relaxation, studies suggest that massage with essential oils (called aromatherapy), particularly lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), may result in improved sleep quality, more stable mood, increased mental capacity, and reduced anxiety. Clinical studies have found participants who received massage with lavender felt less anxious and more positive than participants who received massage alone. Massage therapy will also naturally aid the body to produce melatonin, which is a medication often orescribed for treatment of insomnia.
