Gainesville Sun’s Community Choice Awards “Best of the Best” 2018 Winner for “Best Massage”   Gainesville Massage Therapy is grateful to all who voted! It came as a pleasant surprise when my neighbors and my clients were congratulating me.  I had not solicited any votes, and had only heard of this event via one person.  I did not give it any attention! So imagine my surprise when I won; my business won.  I am Julie Burgevin

Do you feel tension in your upper or lower back? Many suffer from back pain and while often dull and constant, it may include moments of sharp, shooting pain. The causes vary, yet there is hope with massage therapy as a quality solution to pain. The accounts below represent some true stories from our clients. Of course names have been changed. Pain from computer work Jen works as a bookkeeper at a small accounting office,

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Athletes Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is different from the pain experienced during a workout. It typically affects a person 12-24 hours after the exercise took place, and is most painful between 24 and 72 hours afterward.  It is primarily caused by a type 1 muscle strain, a minor degree of fiber damage. It is predominantly as a result of “more than usual” exercise. These tears lead to temporary inflammation, which then contributes to

Benefits of Corporate Chair Massage for Employees The increase in employee stress, depression, and anxiety is startling. A recent (2016) analysis of global EAP (Employee Assistance Program) data found employees are seeking help for more severe mental health issues than ever before. Some data shown here supports this conclusion – Employee depression cases increased by 58% Employee anxiety cases increased by 74% Employee stress cases increased by 28% Data is based on 2-year period between

Your first massage may not be your last! Getting a massage for the first time can be intimidating. However, the therapeutic benefits are numerous that one ought to face their initial worries, and schedule an appointment with well educated and quality massage therapist. Health studies have revealed that a quality massage can help with a array of health issues, ranging from pain related to injuries and repetitive stress, to decreasing symptoms stemming from emotional dis-ease. 

“Not a Knot” At one point or another, many people have experienced those painful muscle twinges that just won’t go away. The common term for these irritating spots are muscle “knots.” The purpose of this article is to help explain what exactly a “knot” is, how they form, and what massage therapists can do to help relieve them. First of all, what is a knot? Although many depictions of knots show muscle fibers twisted like

How to relieve lower back pain You’ve likely felt it before – that excruciating ache searing through your lower back, just irritating enough to distract you from your everyday work. Lower back pain is frustrating and debilitating, and it’s incredibly common in our culture. In fact, 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time. The tension is enough to keep you from fully living and enjoying your life. Lower back pain is

Benefits of massage therapy for stress & anxiety Massage Therapy can be extremely beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety, or are under consistent stress. Humans often feel some level of stress on a daily basis, however, if this stress becomes prolonged or it starts to interfere with daily life, it can turn into an anxiety disorder.  People that have been diagnosed with anxiety often have to cope with not only psychological symptoms, but physical

In a previous article, we explored some common “massage myths.” Here we’ll take a deeper dive into one of those myths – the idea that massages are a luxury, not a necessity. This myth purports that massage is simply a form of pampering; a frivolous indulgence available only to the wealthy. As discussed in our “Common Massage Myths Busted” article, this misconception could not be further from the truth. So, let’s examine the proven health

The health benefits of massage – from stress reduction to the treatment of pain and muscle tension –are well-documented. But despite the facts, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that only 19% of adult Americans received at least one massage between July 2015 and July 2016, and an average of 32% of adult Americans received a massage in the previous five years. In other words, 81% of U.S. adults within the past year, and 68% of U.S. adults

Clients frequently come to me suffering from joint pains they believe are tendinitis or bursitis, and that they hope are not due to arthritis. With simple assessment techniques, I can evaluate which tissues are injured or causing pain and which treatment approaches can help. Tendinitis and tendinosis are dysfunctions of tendons, which are the crucial structures in our bodies that connect our muscles to our bones. Tendons must be tough enough to withstand our strongest

Researched Findings on Massage and Fibromyalgia Pain, extreme fatigue, anxiety and depression are common symptoms of fibromyalgia (FMS), a debilitating and confusing disease.  New medications and diagnostic methods are being developed, and the current best hypothesis about the origin of the pain is that it is due to musculosketal changes or myofascial trigger points.  It is this pain that a recent study hoped to decrease by examining the effects of massage-myofascial release therapy on patients

By Sara Gonzalez If you suffer from lower back pain, you’ll be glad to know that ordinary Swedish relaxation massage is just as effective for early relief in pain levels as the often-costlier specialized structural massage. That is the conclusion of a Seattle study in which people suffering from chronic non-specific lower back pain were treated with either structural or relaxation massage. Gainesville, Florida, massage therapist Julie Burgevin comments, “I was deeply curious about which 

Managing stress with massages Stress can be a positive force at times. Positive stress can give you the anticipation you need to prepare for a test, protect yourself in a time of crisis or make a split-second decision. But stress is most effective in short bursts that are just long enough to release hormones and blood sugar. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol. In times of physical stress, cortisol releases more blood sugar and hormones