Massage Envy - Review and Give-away

Sunday morning I woke up with shooting pain in my neck. I couldn't turn my head to the left without intense pain. Utah Dad said I was just being "stiff necked". The pain continued and by Monday my shoulders and back were hurting too. So, it was timely that Massage Envy wanted me to come try them out.

I called for an appointment yesterday afternoon and had one scheduled for last night. I didn't know Massage Envy was open so late. It was very convenient to be able to help Utah Dad get the kids in bed before heading out for a massage.

I can count the number of professional massages I've had on one hand. The first one was in the hospital after I delivered Neal. It was standard in that NH hospital that all mothers received a massage the day after delivery. Ahh. Heaven. Five years ago for Christmas, Utah Dad gave me a gift card to a shwanky spa in the avenues of Salt Lake City. A year later, I used half the gift card for a fabulous massage. I still haven't used the other half. As a mom, it's just hard to schedule in that time.

However, as the folks at Massage Envy pointed out last night, massages are not just a luxurious, relaxing indulgence (as I have always thought of them) but they also promote good health and wellness. In fact, Massage Envy is less the spa experience and more a health conscience experience. The massage, though, was just as good. Fabulous, in fact. I feel 98% better this morning.

According to the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/massage/SA00082, some studies have found massage helpful for:

o Stress relief
o Managing anxiety and depression
o Pain
o Stiffness
o Blood pressure control
o Sports-related injuries
o Boosting immunity
o Cancer treatment


According to www.MedicineNet.com http://www.medicinenet.com/massage_therapy/page3.htm:

o A 2008 review of 13 clinical trials found evidence that massage might be useful for chronic low-back pain. Clinical practice guidelines issued in 2007 by the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians recommend that physicians consider using certain CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies, including massage (as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, progressive relaxation, and yoga), when patients with chronic low-back pain do not respond to conventional treatment.

o A multisite study of more than 300 hospice patients with advanced cancer concluded that massage may help to relieve pain and improve mood for these patients.

o A study of 64 patients with chronic neck pain found that therapeutic massage was more beneficial than a self-care book, in terms of improving function and relieving symptoms.

And if you are still trying to find the perfect, last-minute gift for someone on your list (think mother-in-law), gift cards for massages are just right! Massage Envy has locations in 43 states. I was delighted to find out there's one not really that far away from me.

The only thing better than a really great massage is a FREE really great massage.

Massage Envy is offering five one-hour massage gift cards to give-away to five of my wonderful, lucky readers.

Here's the deal:

Four of the winners will be chosen randomly from the comments on this post. The fifth gift certificate will be given to the person who can refer the most people to Utah Mom's Life Blog. I don't care how you do it. Facebook. Blog about it. Call everyone you know. Get them to mention your name in their comment on this post. If you get the most referrals, you'll win a free massage. Good deal.

To win:
1. You must be a follower of Utah Mom's Life Blog.
2. Leave a comment on this post.
3. Don't forget to mention the person that referred you.

The contest will be open until Sunday, December 19th at 11:59 pm MST. The winner will be announced on Monday morning. The contest is open to residents of the US only.