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What is Neuropathy? Neuropathy – also called peripheral neuropathy – refers to any condition that affects the normal activity of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. Causes can be both inherited and acquired. Diabetes is often a factor. The peripheral nervous system is made up of 3 types of nerves, each with an important role to play in keeping your body healthy and functioning properly. Sensory nerves carry messages from your senses through your spinal cord to your brain. For example, they tell your brain you are touching something hot. Motor nerves travel in the opposite direction. They carry messages from the brain to your muscles. They tell your muscles to move you away from the hot surface. Autonomic nerves are responsible for controlling body functions that occur outside…

Massage Therapy Offers Relief from PTSD for First Responders First responders—police officers, firefighters, 911 operators, EMTs (emergency medical technicians), and search and rescue personnel—put themselves in harm’s way every day in order to keep our communities safe. They are first on the scene in every dangerous and life-threatening situation. Most critically, they do this whenever necessary, sometimes even every day, without taking time in between these stressful events to recover. So while we generally think of PTSD, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder as a concern for soldiers with battle-zone experience, in fact, first responders also have an significantly higher risk of developing PTSD than the average citizen. What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is—to put it most simply—our body’s way of coping, or surviving, exposure to a traumatic event…

Sports Massage Therapy for Peak Athletic Performance For professional, semi-pros or professional hopefuls, and so-called “weekend warriors” alike, achieving athletic success—however you define “success”—requires hard work and dedication. Performing at your best, whether that involves making an elite team or running a competitive race, means working your body hard: pushing the limits of your endurance and building muscle strength and flexibility. Yet all that hard work, and your athletic success, can be quickly undermined by pain, fatigue, and injury. Staying at the top of your game means taking care of your body “off the field” as well as “on the field” through proper nutrition, active recovery, injury avoidance, and rest. Sports massage therapy, in addition to good eating and sleep habits, can play a critical role in maintaining and even…

Anyone who’s ever had a hair stylist massage their scalp knows that it’s remarkably relaxing to have the nerves on the skin’s surface stimulated with gentle pressure. Research shows that scalp massage can lower blood pressure, reduce levels of stress hormones, and slow heart rate. That’s why scalp massage is an important part of the Zeel sleep massage. What is a scalp massage? A scalp massage is a head massage designed to relax the mind and encourage circulation. Many times, tension is felt within the head and neck, so scalp massages can be very effective as a stress reducer. Warm oil is massaged throughout the scalp, working to relax tight muscles in the temple and neck regions. As with any good massage, a scalp massage with tried-and-true techniques can turn…