Bodywork at EPRD: Massage and Acupuncture

You lie on a table in near darkness, covered by a soft blanket, your eyes closed, breathing in the scent of lavender and listening to the tranquil sound of a bubbling fountain as hands gently but firmly knead the tension out of your muscles. An hour and a half passes as though in a dream. You emerge from this cocoon feeling serene, ready to face the world again.

No, it's not TallGrass. Believe it or not, you can have the experience of a relaxing full-body massage for a fraction of the cost of a spa, in the pastoral massage room tucked into a corner of Buchanan Park Recreation Center. Experienced massage therapists work their magic to soothe nervous tension, increase blood circulation, and alleviate muscle cramping, tightening and knots.

Benefits of Massage

The fountain in the massage room

What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments? Massage can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight,or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

Learn more at massagetherapy.com.

Chair Massage

Enjoy a chair massage in as little as 10 minutes,
Tuesdays at Buchanan

Stressed out or short on time? Why not get an after workout chair massage on Tuesdays from 9 AM - 1 PM in the lobby at Buchanan. Choose any increment of time. Learn more. Acupuncture Acupuncture points are seen by western practitioners as places where nerves, muscles and connective tissue can be stimulated. Acupuncture practitioners say the stimulation increases blood flow while at the same time triggering the activity of our own body's natural painkillers. Learn more. Increase Benefits with Frequent Visits Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massages frequently can do even more. Regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you'll be and how youthful you'll remain with each passing year.

Learn more about Evergreen Park & Recreation District's massage and acupuncture offerings, and meet our therapists, Kristi Africano, Julia Weldon and Rob Meek.