A Caring Touch: Massage Therapy

Thursday, December 14, 2006

The Wisest Gift

The holiday season approaches. A simple statement that can send the chills of fear and dread into the hearts of the sturdiest souls. Once again we are faced with the seemingly unending task of finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Seems easy enough. You survived last year, this year should be a breeze, right? But this year, people's tastes have changed-kids have grown another size-what was cool last year isn't cool anymore-the electronics from last year don't fit the accessories made this year- and how did you end up with more people on your list than you did last year, and where did these people come from?!?

Ok, maybe the holidays aren't the easiest of times. With so much going on, it is easy to loose sight of what this whole gift-giving thing is about. So many people get caught up in what is newer, smaller, and trendier than last year. It is easy to forget why we deal with this whole gift-giving thing to begin with. Most people give gifts to show love, appreciation, friendship, charity, and care to others. The main reason we should give gifts is because we want to, and not because we feel duty-bound and obligated to outspend the next person. So putting aside the beeping, blinking, exploding, and shiny things out there, what is something that you can give to someone that really means something? Something that says you really care about them and their well-being? A gift that can help someone body. mind, and soul? How about Massage?

(Hey, what did you expect? This is a Massage Therapy Blog. Did you really think I was going to sing the praises of Ipods and PS3s? You want things with batteries, go check the Sears Catalog. I'm here to teach you about the benefits of Massage Therapy. )

So yes, Massage Therapy has been helping people for centuries. The benefits range from simple stress-reduction and pampering to healing old injuries and maintaining health. What better gift could you give someone that has the benefits of multiple gifts in one? Perhaps you know someone who has an old sports injury that just can't quite make the pain go away. Maybe your best friend has been working overtime hours all month and dealing with kids with colds home from school and is really stressed out. The gift of Massage Therapy can be just the thing that the most difficult giftee needs. It's a gift that isn't flashy, but it sure is smart. It's actually a gift that can truly keep on giving. (Yes, it's a cliche - but this time it is true.)

Many massage therapists offer gift certificates for the various therapy services they offer. They can range from simple services to extensive day-long treatments. To decide what gift to give, consider the person you're gifting: Does this person have pain, are they a weekend warrior who plays sports on the weekends? They might want a sports-based massage or time focused just on the areas they tend to injure. Is the person in need of some relaxation or special treatment? A long massage with spa treatments may be just the ticket. If you know how much you love massage and want to share that knowledge with someone who isn't too sure about it, they might benefit from something simpler and shorter like a chair massage. As always, don't be afraid to ask you therapist what they would recommend for your particular gift-giving needs. The perfect gift(s) are out there, and simpler to find than you may expect.

During all this crazy hustle and bustle of doing all that perfect gift-searching, don't forget about yourself. You still need to keep stress and pain free, otherwise all your hard work will be for naught when on the big morning, you are sore, stressed, and miserable while your family and friends are perky and happy. Perhaps you could squeeze in a quick chair massage in between stores, or get that shoulder worked on where your shopping bags were too heavy. Or, maybe someone is waiting for you to drop a hint for the perfect gift you want or need.

So during this crazy season where priorities can be forgotten and mixed up, don't forget about the true meaning of gifts. Think about why you give gifts and how your gifts can do the most good. Don't get too suckered in by finding the most expensive, the flashiest, or trendiest gift. Consider instead to give the wisest gift.

Happy Holidays from A Caring Touch: Massage Therapy!!

Coming Next Time....... Exercise Repair