There are over 1000 sensory neurons per square centimeter on your skin.  When you massage just your arm you are calming more than a million sensory neurons! Over a course of a day, 20 million sensory neurons are exposed to the environment and are aggravated by air, weather, stress, travel, clothes and everything in between.  Applying organic sesame oil to the skin can calm these neurons.  In one study, the hormone that increases with stress, ACTH, was decreased by 20% for a group that experienced massage compared to an increase of 30% of those who rested but did not receive a massage.  You also get the added bonus of nourishing your skin and decreasing dryness. Contact me if you would like to purchase organic sesame oil to add to your winter regime. 

It's that time of year again, the cool dry weather,   all part of winter that causes our skin to shrink up in retaliation.  But there is something we can all do to combat old man winter...daily self massage or abhyanga.  Abhyanga is one of the services provided by Health in Harmony but it can also be performed by anyone in the comforts of your home.  Below is the first of five reasons why this special treatment can enhance your sense of well being while nourishing your physical body.

1. Massaging the skin increases oxytocin.  Oxytocin is known as the feel good hormone.  It boosts feelings of bonding, loving, giving and caring.  In a recent study published in Alternative Therapies, 95 subjects had their blood levels evaluated for oxytocin before and after a 15 minute massage. Oxytocin levels increased by 17% for the group that received a massage.  The control group who just rested showed a 9% decrease in oxytocin.

Abhyanga delivered by Health in Harmony is by two practitioners working on one body simultaneously.  So you not only get the benefit of increased levels of oxytocin, but by working on both sides of your body at the same time at the same speed,  your brain becomes completely relaxed.  During daily activities one side of your brain or the other is working. During an abhyanga provided by professionals, both sides are stimulated at the exact same time allowing your brain to completely stop working, and surrender.  There is no other treatment available that allows for such relaxation.  You emerge from the treatment totally relaxed like you have never felt before.  Use the contact button to book your appointment and tune in next week for the second reason why abhyanga is beneficial.