Massage Therapy

Canadian veterans are entitled to free massages
96 year old says they help him live longer
by Mark Taylor
For the Daily Gleaner (February 4, 2006)

Ian Newroth is an active 96-year-old man who likes many things ranging from spending time with friends to telling a story.

One thing Newroth has enjoyed for almost a decade is frequent massages.

I think it is good for you, the Fredericton resident said in an interview Saturday.

Newroth who served in the Second World War, is one of many veterans taking advantage of free massages courtesy of the Department of Veteran Affairs. He gets his massages through Positive Heart Living. A charity working to promote wellness in New Brunswick. Newroth has been receiving massages for about nine years.

You feel good and you have a young person looking after you, he said. It has a lot going for it. Newroth said he gets a massage about once a month.

He said the massages help him feel better, adding they are one of the secrets to his longevity.

It makes me feel better, Newroth said. It loosens my muscles. He said massage also gives him more energy.

Newroth called on other veterans to take advantage of massage. Take it now.

Special Number for massage

The founder of a group providing massage to veterans says the interest in her organizations service is strong.

But Bonnie Priest, founder of Positive Heart Living Inc., said veterans must have a K number and a doctors referral to take advantage of up to $800 worth of massages a year.

Priest said those with questions about a K number should contact the Department of Veteran Affairs.

They have to have that K number and they have to have a doctors referral, she said.

Massage Therapy & Prevention

Prevention leads to the reduction of illness and crisis. Massage and other therapies can help you to take more responsibility for your health.

History of Massage

Massage is one of the oldest methods of alleviating pain and the symptoms of disease, and for promoting good health. Massage appears in Chinese literature dating back to 2700 BC. The Greeks and Romans used massage to improve athletic performance, to hasten convalescence and for relaxation.

Users of massage as a healing tool realize quickly that they have found a form of drugless therapy. Headaches, backaches, insomnia, constipation, and minor aches and pains often respond. Massage can have a spectacular effect on nervous individuals who have become dependant on medications for rest and relaxation.

Massage can be seen as a healing art as well as a science. Massage is a unique way of communicating without words, or sharing energy, enjoying pleasurable relaxation, and of experiencing peace of mind.

Drugless Therapies

Drugless Therapy can help counteract the effects of stress, in the many areas of application. Some of these therapies include: Massage Therapy, and Aromatherapy.

What Does Massage Therapy do?

Massage Therapy acts directly upon muscular, nervous and circulatory systems to rehabilitate physical injuries and improve health.

Services Offered:

Relaxation Massage

Swedish Massage – The term “Swedish Massage” refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart – The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles – Swedish massage techniques include: long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions.

Deep Tissue Massage – Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber’s of the muscles, tendons and fascia – Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain – Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue.

Massage is designed to:

• Relax tension and muscular pain
• Reduce mental anxiety
• Better manage stress
• Improve circulation
• Improve digestion
• Increase flexibility
• Decrease fluid retention
• Enhance the immune system
• Flush toxins from overworked muscles
• Help heal injured muscles
• Create a sense of emotional, mental, & spiritual well being

Your Therapist

As a rule you will require five to ten sessions to fully attain the benefits or to realistically evaluate your progress.

• Every therapist is unique in style and specialty
• Ask questions
• Your massage or other therapist is your partner to wellness.

Stress & Illness

The relationship between stress and illness can be profound. Mental tensions, frustrations, and insecurity are among the most damaging.

Stress is a normal part of our lives. Stress makes us grow and change. However, when stress becomes excessive this can turn to distress and lead to illness.

Excessive stress is a risk factor for disease and can lead to heavy smoking, over or underrating, drug and excessive alcohol use, too little sleep, too much caffeine and other negative habits used to combat stress.

Massage and complimentary medicine helps us to look at stress and become more realistic in our perceptions of our life problems. Turning negative into positive is a choice we can make and in turn we become healthier.