Mayo Clinic features Pilates, Yoga and Massage Therapy in their 2011 Guide to Alternative Medicine

People who take an active role in their health care experience better health and improved healing. It's a common-sense concept gaining scientific roots.

As studies continue to reveal the important role the mind plays in healing and in fighting disease, a transformation is slowly taking place in hospitals and clinics across the country. Doctors, in partnership with their patients, are turning to practices once considered alternative as they attempt to treat the whole person -- mind and spirit, as well as body. - Mayo Clinic Guide to Alternative Medicine 2011

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Alternative Medicine 2011 just hit magazine stands and we are delighted to see that we offer three of the treatments they highlight -- in fact two are on their Top 10 list of the best integrative therapies available. Pilates, Yoga and Massage Therapy are promoted as effective help for back pain, flexibility, posture, heart disease, stress and fibromyalgia to name just some.  Here are the highlights:

• Pilates helps improve flexibility, joint mobility and strength while contributing to a strong back and improved posture. According to the guide Pilates may also help with weight loss when combined with a well-planned weight-loss program. Though it didn't make it into the guide, we also offer sessions in the Gyrotonic Expansion System which offers many of the same benefits.
• Yoga decreases anxiety, stress, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure. The guide also notes that yoga can help with Osteoarthritis, binge eating, chronic headaches, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Research indicates that the "methodic breathing" used in yoga plays a major role in its effectiveness. Also mentioned in the guide is meditation, which is always a component of our Yoga classes.
• Massage Therapy offers relief from anxiety, back pain, fibromyalgia and sports related pain. It also contributes to the overall well-being of those receiving treatment for cancer, diabetes, and diseases of the immune system. The guide mentions two studies that found massage therapy following surgery can "lessen post-operative pain, anxiety and tension."

While this may not be new news for those of you who've received their benefits for awhile we believe it's great news for everyone who's been on the fence about booking a Pilates session, taking a yoga class, or receiving a massage. And as more people discovery the benefits of the Gyrotonic Expansion System, we imagine the research will follow and support the enthusiasm!

You can book Pilates, Gyrotonic and Yoga classes or private sessions and Massage Therapy appointments with us all week long. Take a look at our website for descriptions of our services, or email us with your specific questions.