Mark Gerard's Therapeutic Massage

Don’t think. Just be. You know that this approach toward life is near and dear to me. So I think it’s fitting that I begin my debut e-newsletter by telling you how my philosophy helps me, especially with the holidays fast approaching.

It’s easy to get really stressed out come November, with all thoughts turning toward Thanksgiving and the December holidays. Our to-do lists seem to double or triple in size and scope with each passing week. It’s enough to make even the most relaxed of us tense up. And as your muscles tense, they hold on to built-up toxins that can lead to more discomfort and even illnesses like colds and flu.

So I want to share four ways to beat the stress of the holiday season.

Don’t buy into the rat race. Slow down. Think of other ways to express your love for family and friends beyond buying material things. Instead, spend quality time together, perhaps simply sharing a bottle of your favorite wine.

Take some “me” time. The holidays are a joyous time, but they can sometimes leave you feeling harried. Though it’s wonderful to be in the spirit of giving and sharing, it’s easy to lose sight of doing things for yourself. So take yourself to a movie, go for a brisk walk, or just sit and listen to your favorite CD.

Create your own haven. At the end of a busy day, come home and light some candles, fluff up your cushiest pillows, and dive into a great book or meditate on this season of giving and spirituality. It’s a great way to center yourself during a hectic time of year.

Relieve your stress with the art of touch. I’m not only a massage therapist, I’m also a massage client! And I love nothing more than relaxing on the table once a week knowing that I’m doing something nurturing, therapeutic, and healing for my body and mind. It leaves me refreshed, energetic, and feeling ready for anything.

Of course, I am always delighted and honored to be given the privilege of massaging my clients. But the absolute power of touch can be realized outside of a massage therapist’s office too. Simple and loving massage techniques are wonderful to share with your life partners and friends, whether a deep foot massage after a day of shopping, a back rub while carving a turkey, or even just a hug. I’d be happy to talk with you during your next appointment about some easy ways to bring the art of touch to your holidays! The therapeutic value of touch at the Glavin Institute
I’ve always believed that life gives us gifts. And I was recently given a wonderful one by the Irving Glavin Institute in Shrewsbury.

This amazing facility provides assistance and care to mentally and physically challenged adults. Once a week, I have the privilege of providing therapeutic massage to some of its residents.

To be honest, I never know how ANY new client will respond to massage. So I was very interested to discover how the residents at the Institute would take to therapeutic touch. One of its residents is confined to a wheelchair. For me, she has come to symbolize why I feel so blessed to do what I do.

As I did some light tissue massage with her, an enormous smile appeared on her face and she let out a shout, “I love massage!” – drawing out the word “looooove.” When I asked her how the pressure was, she yelled out, “It’s fantastic!” She was absolutely reveling in this experience.

At Glavin, I’m learning that these residents, many of whom are isolated from the larger world because of their condition, crave the therapeutic value of touch. And they receive great joy from it when it finally finds them.

It’s a wonderful message for the holidays