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Massage therapy is not just for overworked muscles

Anyone who has ever overworked their neck and back muscles knows how relaxing it is to have those muscles massaged. Massage, however, is not just for tired and overworked muscles.

Massage therapy is effective for reducing stress, relieving fatigue, relaxing muscles and improving circulation. It can also be used among athletes to prevent injuries, by enhancing the athlete's performance. In recent years, it has been found to be effective in relieving symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

McDowell Wellness Center, located at 1107 Ben Ali Drive in Danville, offers massage therapy as one of its services. It is provided by Danville resident Lowrey Jackson, who graduated from Bluegrass Professional Massage in Lexington.

–All of my clients seem to leave a massage session feeling better than they did when they got there,” Jackson said. –People need to realize how important it is that they take the time to do something for themselves that will make them feel good.”

Massage therapy services are available to anyone, even if they are not a member of McDowell Wellness Center. However, Wellness Center members receive a discounted rate on the fees for massage.

Massages are available by appointment only, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday. Appointments can be scheduled for 30, 60 or 90 minutes. The fee is $35, $60 and $80 for Wellness Center members and $35, $65 and $85 for non-members. Packages are also available for purchase: $135 for six 30-minute sessions or $282 for six hour-long sessions.

All massages are provided at McDowell Place of Danville, located adjacent to the Wellness Center at 1181 Ben Ali Drive. A private changing area is available for all clients, who may disrobe to their comfort level and will remain completely covered at all times.

Jackson provides Swedish deep tissue massages. That system of massage uses deep pressure to treat tender points in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues.

Jackson said she became interested in massage because it is a therapy that addresses an individual's mind, body and spirit. When an individual focuses on keeping those aspects of themselves healthy and in balance, they attain optimum wellness, she said.

Jackson said she has regular clients who have massages to help relieve the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. According to a study by The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, individuals who received 30-minute massages twice a week for five weeks reported less anxiety and depression and lower levels of stress hormones.

Jackson, the mother of an 8-month-old daughter, also is well-versed on the benefits of massage for infants, especially those born prematurely. She said massaging premature infants aids in helping them to catch up developmentally with full-term infants. Research shows that massaged babies gain more weight than those not massaged and are more active and alert.

–I love what I do,” Jackson said. –I feel like I'm doing something that makes people feel good and that benefits them.”