Give The Gift Of Flexibility With A Massage Therapy Gift Card In Valrico, Riverview And Brandon 33511

Are you starting to plan your Christmas gift list? Take note that any adult in your circle of family and friends would love to receive a massage therapy gift card to a massage clinic in Valrico, Riverview, Bloomingdale and Brandon 33511. Availing of a massage therapy session through a gift card will definitely help improve anyone’s level of flexibility that is a major factor in achieving a feeling of wellbeing, optimum physical capacity and good health.

Jen Bondesen says in Massage Envy magazine’s Spring 2009 online issue that a person’s muscles tend to tighten with age, especially if the person is not very active. Tight muscles result in a loss of flexibility and decreased range of motion.

To loosen up tight muscles, lengthen them and prevent them from reverting to tightness, Bondeson recommends stretching. She points out that this produces a relaxed state by relieving tension and reducing stress. Since it has long been proven that mental and physical stress result in a weakened immune system, the state of relaxation in both mind and body logically leads to a stronger immune system and better health. Add to this the fact that circulation is boosted by stretching. Healing and recovery from illness is, therefore, facilitated other diseases are prevented.

Stretched muscles that are loose and elongated bring about wider range of motion and better posture. Even the American Council on Exercise or ACE advises that every fitness regimen should include stretching. This not only facilitates more efficient and powerful movement but also protects the muscles against susceptibility to strain and injury.

Bondeson interviewed Fabio Comana, one of the exercise physiologists of the American Council on Exercise. She says he recommends warming up first at the start of each stretching routine since stretching cold muscles results in temporary beneficial effects. He says stretching should start slowly and should be accompanied by rhythmic breathing. One should inhale first and then exhale during the slow and gentle stretch which should then be held steadily for about 15 to 30 seconds. Bouncing should be avoided since this will cause the muscles to contract and could cause injury.

Bondeson reiterates the American Council on Exercise warning that stretching should be done in moderation and should never be painful. A “pleasant tension” should ba aimed for. When pain is felt, the stretch should immediately be released lest it cause muscle tearing.

Bondeson also advises that a person should first consult a doctor and have his or her muscular and skeletal system evaluated first before undergoing a stretching workout. Once the doctor’s clearance has been received, the person should then ask for the appropriate stretching exercises and schedule the stretching workout for a minimum of three times a week.

Like stretching, massage therapy has been proven to loosen, lengthen and relax tightened muscles, according to Bondeson. It stimulates the body’s production of natural lubricants needed by connective tissues. This improves flexibility and increases the person’s comfortable range of motion. Massage therapy also dissolves any build up of lactic acid within the muscles. This eases the soreness that is usually experienced after exertions, such as in workouts or sports. Healing is hastened by the improvement in blood circulation brought by massage.

Giving a family member or friend a massage therapy gift card to a massage clinic in Valrico, Riverview, Bloomingdale and Brandon 33511 will enable him or her to incorporate massage therapy into his or her stretching regimen, thereby improving flexibility and overall health. He or she can choose among Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or, if pregnant, pregnancy massage therapy from your chosen massage clinic in Valrico, Riverview, Bloomingdale and Brandon 33511.