Relieving stress through massage will help to keep you on track as you follow the 21-Day Program. Sometimes it is just what is needed to break through old stress patterns and allow your body and mind to experience the dramatic benefits of the sweeping lifestyle changes you are undertaking. A client of mine, a busy executive named Alan, is a perfect example of the hard-driving, Type-A personality. He was having trouble with his digestion, and he was constipated most of the time. Although he denied it initially, it was obvious to me that a great deal of his problem was due to stress. He worked hard at changing his diet, took all the recommended supplements, adhered faithfully to his exercise, and cooperated in the cleansing program, but he was still holding a lot of stress in his body, particularly in his abdominal organs. Finally, I persuaded Alan to set up a series of appointments for massage. For the first time, Alan allowed someone to do something for him, rather than insisting on controlling what was happening to him. With regular weekly massage sessions, Alan finally learned how to let go and relax. He began to respond better to the cleansing program, and he also began to understand what I meant when I suggested he use his exercise period as a time to relax and breathe and open himself up to the beauty of the outdoors, rather than feeling compelled to push himself through a strenuous daily regimen. All the components of his cleansing program began to fall into place once he learned to relax and tune in to the stress signals his body was sending him.

I often find that tension held in the abdomen can be the principal cause of problems with digestion and elimination. Stress can cause clenching of the muscles along the intestinal tract, inhibiting peristalsis and preventing proper digestion and bowel movement. Massage is a great tool for helping people to recognize these muscular holding patterns and learn to release them.

More Client Stories: Alan  |  Amy  |  Anita  |  Melinda  |  Sara