Valerie Garcia

Valerie Garcia follows the Hippocratic oath to do no harm.

My massage philosophies are:

- Massage is for everybody, it is not a luxury, it is essential to wellness for the whole human: mind, body, and spirit

- Massage services can be provided in a variety of ways, I offer services for: healing, restoration, and relaxation. "No pain, no gain" is a fallacy and does not always align with science and research. I massage with an intention for healing, a slow and calm touch with every massage stroke having a purpose. I strongly believe in my ability to help your body start healing itself; not to force tissue with agression, but to ease tissue out of tense holding patterns with intentional strokes and touch.

- It is always OK to ask for what you want and what you need during your massage; you will not hurt my feelings. I provide massage to meet your needs, not mine.

- Should my massage philosophies, teachings, and techniques not align with what you were looking for - that is also OK. I know other therapists and I am happy to refer you to someone who can provide the massage experience you seek.

- I graduated from Hands on Healing Institute (in Los Angeles) in 2013; look them up, they are amazing!

*Ask me about chair massage for your office or event!

#STRESS KILLSMASSAGE HEALS

Massage Therapy Benefits—as Demonstrated by Science

For healthy people: wellness, relaxation, revitalization, improved immune system function

While most research is conducted in the context of illnesses or conditions, some studies have looked at bodywork for healthy people, and concluded that massage therapy for wellness or for stress relief is consistently effective in a variety of ways. Even a simple hand massage appears to move healthy people into a relaxed state (Kunikata). A comparison of traditional Swedish massage and Thai massage found that Swedish massage produced stronger relaxation responses and improved sleep, while Thai massage led to a sense of energy and revitalization (MacSween). Improvements in immune system function, along with reductions in stress-related hormones have been found as well (Barreto, Lovas, Rapaport). More specific effects of massage for stress are covered in the context of some of the conditions listed below.

Massage in the workplace: reduced injuries, improved job satisfaction

Several studies have looked at what benefits occur when massage therapy is offered in the workplace. Through these we see that onsite massage can help to prevent overuse injuries (Cabak), decrease pain and increase range of motion (Siško), reduce blood pressure (Day), and improve job satisfaction (Back) among office workers. Other studies found it is both feasible and beneficial to offer massage to reduce stress-related symptoms among health-care providers (Engen, Keller, Mahdizadeh).

For athletes: improved strength, speedy recovery

The research about massage for athletes is not always consistent; it seems to depend a lot on the sport in question, and the type of athlete being studied. In general, massage appears to be a better choice after an event instead of before it (Mine). One study found massage may improve strength in muscles damaged by overuse (Shin); another suggests that people who receive massage feel they recover from overexertion more quickly, so they can return to training sooner (Poppendiek). A systematic review of several studies found that immune system recovery is supported by postexercise massage (Tejero-Fernández).

*** Bodywork by Valerie Garcia offers sliding scale pricing for those who qualify. Massage is necessary for physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wellness, it is not a luxury.