That's Fit

Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.

Having worked in the spa industry for many years, I am a connoisseur of massages. While a massage can be the ultimate in self-pampering, it is also a genuine healing modality with many health benefits. Massage increases blood flow to our muscles, which increases healing and healing time of injured muscle tissue. Massage also provides essential relaxation for all parts of the body, aiding in lowering blood pressure, lowering the heart rate, and providing a healthy conduit for releasing stress and toxins in the body. However, massage is not always a good thing. There are times when one should not receive a massage.

Dislocated Bones, Muscles & Disks. Allan Platt, who teaches physician assistants at Emory University's School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia recommends skipping a massage if injured bones or muscles could actually be manipulated out of place. He cautions that a massage applied to the area of a slipped or dislocated disk could increase the irritation of the nerve or nerve roots.

Rashes. Martha Young, a certified massage therapist, recommends avoiding massage on her around areas that are infected with a rash. "Whether it's eczema, poison ivy or some other skin allergy, massaging that area might irritate it further," she cautions.