Handling the Holidays :: De-stress through massage

Okay, let me guess. You're working lots of hours; whether it's your dream dharma or drudgery job, it adds up to stress. You have relationships to attend to, gifts to purchase, and maybe even kids to educate. You're usually Type A, but with the holidays upon us, right now it's more like Type AAA. November and December have a way of amping up anxiety, expectations, and emotions.

I know you're all hip enough to know that massage is not just a luxury in exotic spas and upscale health clubs. Massage is recommended as a regular practice. For those not in the money to have a monthly (or weekly! Heaven!) rubdown, let's open our minds and remember why this holiday season, massage is the gift that keeps on giving. Of course it feels amazing, but there are some other reasons why you should "indulge" as well...

Self-esteem Massage involves direct contact with another person through touch, so it can make you feel cared for. It can improve self-image in people with physical disabilities. It helps when you are single, too! If you're out of the loop of loving touch, massage can bridge the gap and make you feel human again.

Immune System In a season of colds, flu and other illnesses, massage is clinically shown to up the body's natural "killer cells." It even helps peeps with eating disorders and diabetes. It moves the chi, people.

Anxiety Whether you're worrying if you'll get to the Amalfi Coast this year, sweating your rent, or if you're trying to quit smoking, anxiety and withdrawal symptoms are greatly relieved through massage.

Alcohol withdrawal Okay, so maybe it's not the time to dry out! But just fyi, massage, during withdrawal from alcohol, has shown benefits when combined with traditional medical treatment by increasing feelings of support, safety and engagement in the therapy.

Pain Relief Got fibromyalgia, tension headaches or IBS? Or just day-to-day aches and pains? Massage greatly reduces pain and inflammation and gives you a feeling of well-being.

I'm a writer and pianist, and log many hours on the computer and keyboard. My carpal tunnels were aching, my neck and shoulders needed excavating, and my mood was just grumpy. I choose to call it "edgy." No matter how much I talked to my therapist or did my yoga asanas, the stress was not leaving my body. I was looking for a massage, and not just any massage. I have had quite a few massages in my young, forty-ish existence, and I have hit upon the best of the best. Here's my experience:

I felt safe from the get-go, and Rod intuitively knew where the knots were. I like deep tissue massage, and I didn't have to beg Rod to go deeper, like I have with previous massage-givers. Words don't do him justice. I was speechless after he worked on me, and that's a hard state for me to attain. His calm, beautiful setting, along with his intuition and strong hands, made me feel like a different/better person. I can't believe I had to wait until I was 47 to have a stellar massage! I'm getting some gift certificates for friends for the holidays, but I may wind up "giving" them back to me. It's hard to share sometimes...

Rod Ferreira is a massage therapist and Reiki Master who practices at Shui Spa in Provincetown, Fia Salon & Spa in Newton, and he also works out of his home in Dennisport on Cape Cod. He specializes in Sports Massage, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Reflexology, Reiki and more. Rod says, "I put Reiki in my treatments, there is a lot of energetic work. While I'm treating your muscles, I'm also treating your soul."

"I know it's hard to have someone unknown. As a massage therapist, you have someone trusting you on your table. I become a stress-holder, a healer. You come to my place, you tell me your story, and I see what I can do for you."

Before Rod rubbed for a living, he had a seafood restaurant in Rio de Janeiro. Years later, he became a massage therapist. He could still treat people, but customize it. "In my new profession, I felt I was helping people one by one. It was more complete." He loves what he does and it shows.

His clients send their relatives. "I know that people trust me. I'm there for them. It's my first job to make them feel comfortable." Most of his clients are from word-of-mouth. And people are talking.

Contact Rod Ferreira at 774-268-9908.