If you have a high stress job and are looking for a good reason to invest in a massage and yourself-check out this research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (2007;165:828-837) the study detailed how a high stress job can increase a person’s risk for obesity. Upon deeper investigation, we know that if we are successful with implementing a de-stressing plan as part of our daily ritual we can “offset” the stress and bring ourselves back into harmony and balance…deep breathing, laughter with loved ones, exercise, yoga and massage are all great bets to help you keep your body, mind and waistline in check-enjoy!

 Dr. James Rouse

Dr. James Rouse is a naturopathic physician with extensive credentials in the wellness field including post-doctorate work in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and transpersonal psychology.

Whether a persistent nemesis like your freeloading brother-in-law, or a surprise - yet unwelcomed - visitor like a process server, back pain is never something you want to stick around. Unfortunately, today’s lifestyles practically invite back pain for prolonged stays.

Of course, guys who wield sledgehammers for a living have to worry about injured backs. But more and more, desk jockeys are realizing the agony of back pain. Hours of hunching over a computer keyboard while sitting in a office chair, followed by vigorous exercise to work off the stress it causes, is the perfect recipe for a sore back. Making even the simplest tasks huge, painful challenges.

But there is hope. Quite luxurious, indulgent and stylish hope, in fact. Turns out regular massage from Human Touch massage chairs can help prevent back pain from rearing its ugly head and relieve it more quickly once it shows up.

Human Touch massage chairs ease pain and hasten recovery by gently and gradually stretching and manipulating muscles, joints and ligaments, which improves flow of oxygen-rich blood. Frequent massage also prompts the body to release endorphins - the body’s natural painkiller - to relieve muscle tension and stiffness. The results? Faster recovery, improved range of motion and simply feeling better.

There may be no cure for long hours at the office (except maybe hitting the Lotto), but there is way to prevent and heal back pain. Regular massage from Human Touch massage chairs can help you feel better, play better and perform better.

It wasn’t until I was in Munich, as a member of the US Olympic Team, that I learned about the benefits of massage. I had been running for 14 years, had suffered from more than 100 injuries, and had come to believe that lingering fatigue was an inevitable part of world-class sport. Then, I met several Scandinavian runners who were ranked higher than I, who had massages after every hard workout or race.

Each believed that he would not have achieved world-class status without these sessions. After a visit to the library, I learned that tired/exhausted muscles could be returned to top capacity quicker by massage-especially in my sport, distance running.

An exhausting workout damages several areas of the most-used muscles. It may take 7-14 days to recover from one of these workouts/races without massage. Several of my resource sources noted that massage can allow healing after a really tough workout in as little as 48 hours by moving the “junk” out of the damaged area. This stimulates repair and recovery of muscle cells. Experienced massage therapists can manipulate the muscle to promote better blood flow which delivers healing agents and rebuilding material.

I had significant injuries in both of my calf muscles, that kept recurring and stopped me from running for a week or more. Deep tissue massage eliminated the problems: One required 11 treatments, and the other needed 6 sessions. After each session, the leg kept getting better. I have had no further problems with either leg since the treatments.

In my experience, the Human Touch product simulates the muscle manipulation used by a therapist in most of the ways needed. The best part is that I can relax, let the machine’s “fingers” move the “junk” out of my muscles, and feel great afterward. In case of significant injury, see a doctor or deep tissue therapist.

When I start my run, on the next day, the muscles are more resilient and ready to run. What a joy for me, in my 50th year of running. Maybe I can run until I’m 100!

Note: Over a million runners and walkers have attended Jeff Galloway clinics, running schools, wonderful retreats, training programs or read his books. To subscribe to his free newsletter and/or blog, visit www.JeffGalloway.com

Here are some more good reasons to consider raising your personal bar towards greater self care with powerful modalities like massage: a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology revealed that a positive state of mind is associated with favorable health outcomes. The results confirm that happy people have lower chronic inflammation and lower levels of stress hormones-including cortisol, potentially decreasing the risks for high blood pressure , abdominal obesity, and compromised immune function.

I immediately thought of how every time I “emerge” from a session with my Human Touch massage chair-a more positive state of mind and overall happiness is always the outcome-enjoy! - Dr. James Rouse - Naturopathic Doctor

Dr. James Rouse is a naturopathic physician with extensive credentials in the wellness field including post-doctorate work in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and transpersonal psychology.

Human Touch advocate and wellness council member, Dr. Alan Weidner, loves the massage given by Human Touch massage chairs.

Human Touch Massage Chairs are endorsed by the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACCO).

The HT-1650 is the perfect bridge between state-of-the-art technology and the ancient healing art of massage. It’s a key ingredient for a balanced life, conveniently designed for use at home.

Featuring the very latest Robotic Massage system, The Human Touch Massage System emulates the same techniques used by massage and chiropractic professionals for back and spinal care. Superior technology, combined with a wide variety of massage modes and sleek design, means your HT-1650 chair will be a permanent fixture in your home for years to come. The Human Touch HT-1650 is elegantly scaled and robustly engineered to pique consumer desire.

See Dr. Alan Weidner demonstrate the HT-1650 massage chair with lumbar heat. click here.