Inner Focus Massage & Bodywork

Professional massage therapy for women and children.

General Wellness

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Massage and Medical History: Top Three Things to Tell Your Therapist

If you’re looking for a good massage therapist, it’s important to find someone who is invested in getting to know the entirety of their clients and not just what hurts in the moment. A good therapist wants to know not only how a client feels mentally and physically at the time of the massage appointment, but also how they can help their clients move forward to accomplish their goals during and after the massage therapy session.  In order to give you the best massage experience that meets all of your needs medically, mentally and physically, Inner Focus Massage encourages its clients to discuss the following three areas with their therapists prior to receiving a therapeutic massage.

Medical History

Getting a massage is more than just rubbing a tight muscle here and there. Therapeutic massage is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to well-being based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions that range from stress-induced tension and sleep disorders to high blood pressure, diabetes, lower back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, cancer-related fatigue, post-operative care, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation and depression.

Due to the power of massage to heal and restore your mind and body’s health and wellness, it’s important to disclose all of your medical history to your therapist before starting a session so that he or she can customize your massage experience. Prior to getting your first massage from a new therapist and every massage going forward should include a thorough dialogue between you and your therapist about current and past medical conditions.

Current Medications

When you’re seeking a massage to relax and unwind your muscles and your mind, you may not think about the importance of letting your therapist know about prescription and over-the-counter medications that you take regularly. However, massage is such a circulatory process that can promote healing on even a cellular level that it’s important to disclose every medication or pain relievers that you may be taking. This critical information can help the therapist make sure that the bodywork he/she provides doesn’t interfere with the purpose of your medications.

Accidents and Injuries

Using massage therapy to encourage a more rapid healing process for existing injuries can be a powerful approach to rehabilitation and recovery. In these instances, therapists will want to know specifics about the pain you’re feeling and the details associated with the injuries so they can deliver the best massage experience to meet your goals. However, it’s also important to let therapists know about past injuries or accidents too so they can ensure to not aggravate the affected area.

Before getting a massage always take the time to discuss your medical history, medications and accidents or injuries with your massage therapist. Trust Jodi at Inner Focus Massage to work within your physical limits to help you relax and restore. Call for an appointment today 701-238-8257.

Quality Over Quantity: Daily Approaches to Make the Most of Your Life

We’ve all been told at some point in life to “make the most of your life.”  However, do you really know how to make the most of it? Here are a few things you can do each day to help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Hold on a Minute
One of the many things you can do each day is to take a minute and put life on pause. Take just a couple of minutes for a break and concentrate on living in the “now.” It can act has a bit of a reset button for each day. Check yourself to make sure you are focused on that moment.

Get Better Sleep
We’ve all heard about how important sleep can be. Well, there’s a reason everyone says that: an excellent night’s sleep directly affects our mood and our body. Without sleep, you’ll be irritable, less productive and could have a difficult time remembering things.

Get Physical
It’s amazing how a good workout benefits both your body and mind. You need to do something physically active every day. Even if it is just a quick walk, you’ll feel better about yourself.

Set Daily Goals
Each day wake up and think about a goal that you would like to accomplish for the day. Make it something attainable. If your goals are too lofty and at the end of the day you don’t achieve them, you’ll get down on yourself.

Control What You Can
If you can’t control it, don’t stress it. If there’s a situation that you can’t control, you shouldn’t spend time stressing. Put your time and energy that you can directly affect the results. You’ll be happier.

A key component of making the most of your life and leading a quality life is eliminating stress. Massage therapy from Inner Focus Massage is just one way to help reduce stress. Call Jodi for an appointment right now: 701-238-8257.

Importance of Taking a Full Mind and Body Approach to Wellness

When it comes to your health, do you think about your body or your mind? Do you think of mind and body as one? Well, you should. Your body reacts to how you think, feel and act.

When you get stressed, you may notice that your blood pressure goes up. You might get a headache, experience body aches, or insomnia. If you are depressed, you might be constantly fatigued or lack motivation. All of this is simply your body telling you something is wrong.

Mind and Body Healing
In order to keep your body healthy, you need to keep your mind happy and healthy. One of the best ways to do this is to keep your mind relaxed.

Here are some ideas to help you relax your mind and your body:

  • Balance– Bring balance to your life and do your best to leave work-related stress at the office. Dwelling on something after hours can create stress you do not need. In addition to work-related stress, try not to let stress at home take over your life. Whether it’s taking five minutes for a cup of hot tea and some solitude, or booking a monthly massage to give yourself regularly dedicated time to decompress, find a relaxation technique that helps you release your stress.
  • Exercise– Aside from the obvious healthy effects of a quick workout, incorporating exercise into your day is a great way to relieve stress.
  • Express Your Feelings– Keeping things bundled up inside can contribute to increased stress levels, lack of sleep and more. Finding a way to express your feelings, whether it’s having a heart-to-heart with a close friend or keeping a regular journal, can help you improve your mental well-being.
  • Relax– Find ways to relax. Get a therapeutic massage to relax your body and your mind completely. A weekly calming personal massage will help ease your muscle tension therefore helping to relax your mind.

Your whole body is connected. For total mind-body healing, you need to work on your entire self. If you are not sleeping or having aches and pains, think about what is going on in your mind. Is there a problem at work? Are you more stressed?

A therapeutic massage from Inner Focus Massage will help ease tension and have you completely relaxed. If this sounds like something that could help you, please call Jodi at Inner Focus Massage with questions or to schedule your appointment: 701-238-8257.

Cure Summer Aches and Pains with Therapeutic Massage

It is only natural that we are more active in the summer than in the winter months. The sun is shining, the weather is enjoyable and we are simply more prone to getting out of the house. It is as if our bodies come out of hibernation. It does not mean that you have to run a marathon — if you do, great — but if not, summer activity can mean just simply walking more, golfing or playing softball. However, is your body ready for your summer activity? If not, you most likely will have some aches and pains after your fun. Regular massage therapy will help prepare and heal your body from aches and pains.

It’s in Your Blood 
One of the main reasons for soreness after any activity is due to blood flow. When your muscles are overworked, your blood becomes restricted from the area. A massage will loosen your muscle tissue allowing your blood to flow freely to the stressed area. This helps heal your muscles and the tension your muscles hold, helping to eliminate soreness.

Get Rid of Acid Build Up 
Also when you are exercising more, you may experience muscle cramps, soreness or even muscle weakness. If so, lactic acid may have built up in your muscles. Therapeutic massage after your activity will help to relieve the acid and provide some much needed pain relief.

Relax Your Mind 
Often when you experience pain, your mind is stressed as well trying to cope with the pain your body is enduring. By treating your aches and pains with therapeutic massage, you’ll help relieve stress in your mind. Massage releases endorphins that naturally relieve pain, and without pain, your mind will be at ease.

There are numerous benefits to therapeutic massage, for both mind and body. Getting a regular massage will help increase the amount of nutrients in your muscles and relieve your pain faster. It’s summer, who wants to be in pain? For a great massage, call Jodi at Inner focus Massage – 701-238-8257. Conveniently located in North Fargo.

Increase Flexibility with Therapeutic Massage

You do not have to be an athlete to realize that being flexible is a necessary part of life. Think about the aches and pains and the grunts and moans as you live your life. If it seems that these grunts and groans are coming more and more often, you might want to think about therapeutic massage as a natural way to help improve your flexibility and overall health.

Life with Motion
Regular massage therapy helps to loosen muscles and tendons in your body. Massage causes friction that warms your body increasing blood flow. This helps your muscles have more elasticity increasing your range of motion and overall flexibility.

Get Rid of Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a killer when you are working out. As soon as it builds up your muscles begin tighten and drastically decreases your range of motion causing cramps and pain. A regular sports massage will help reduce lactic acid build up and condition your muscles to be more flexible.

Ease the Pain 
One of the key advantages of increased flexibility is the reduced risk of pain and injury. Simply put — the more flexible you are, the less strain your muscles will have. With regular massage therapy and more flexibility, your body will heal faster after strenuous activities.

It does not matter if you are a top athlete or someone who is just trying to live a healthier lifestyle; being more flexible and increasing your range of motion will improve your overall wellbeing.

Regular therapeutic massage from Inner Focus Massage will reduce muscle tension, ease pain, and improve your overall flexibility. Call Jodi for an appointment today at 701-238-8257.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Having a child is one of the greatest joys in life. However, before you meet the bundle of joy, your body and your mind will go on a nine-month roller coaster ride of change. Alone from the physical change there’s the exhaustion and emotional change that comes with being pregnant. Prenatal massage can be excellent for you and the baby.

Stress Relief 
Having a baby is one of the most stressful times in a parent’s life. Hormones are rapidly changing, leading to increased anxiety, stress, and depression. A soothing therapeutic massage has proven to lower stress hormone levels and increase dopamine and serotonin levels that help control depression among pregnant women. Lower stress levels can lead to better overall health throughout the pregnancy. This can lead to fewer complications for mom and baby during birth.

Soothe the Swelling 
When you are pregnant, you’ll undoubtedly experience swelling in your joints. This is because of the reduced circulation and pressure on major blood vessels. Prenatal massage will help stimulate the tissues and help reduce the collection of fluid in your joints.

Help the Pain
Discomfort and pain will happen when you are pregnant. Regular prenatal massage will help comfort you throughout your pregnancy. General muscle tension, back pain, can lead to headaches and lack of sleep on top of the stress of being pregnant is never a good mix. Relaxing your mind and your body is beneficial for you and the baby.

If you are pregnant, try consulting with Jodi, a licensed massage therapist at Inner Focus Massage. A custom massage will help ease the tension in your mind and your body, making your pregnancy a little easier for you and your baby. Call Jodi for an appointment at 701-238-8257.

Keep your Health & Wellness Resolution with Regular Massage Therapy

As your year has stated to ramp up (spring’s on the way!) and life gets busy, it’s a good week to check in on you’re a few month’s old New Year’s resolution. Have you started your new healthy lifestyle? Eating right? Exercising? Making healthy choices day-in and day-out? If not, now’s the time to start. If you’re looking for something that will help your mind and your body throughout your resolution, try regular massage therapy.

Massage & Wellness
When thinking of a fitness resolution, you’ve most likely considered a workout routine and healthy eating. Massage can play an intricate part in your 2018 fitness plan. Regular massage therapy will help improve your performance, balance and help you recover faster from your workouts. It doesn’t matter if your goal is to run a marathon or relax after a long week, incorporating massage therapy will help you feel better.

Physical Benefits
Your cardiovascular system and your muscular system improve with the help of massage therapy. Regular massage increases your blood flow to your heart, which helps produce oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and contributes to removing toxins. Having a healthier cardiovascular system helps your muscular system. The increase in oxygen and blood flow throughout your body can relieve muscle tension, help with faster recovery and reduce any soreness. You’ll also notice more flexibility and have an increase in your range of motion.

Psychological Benefits
Your overall health and wellness encompasses much more than your physical body. For a strong health and wellness resolution, you must think about your mind as well. So often we get caught up in life’s stresses and become filled with anxiety. Part of your health and wellness resolution should include relaxing your mind. Massage is the perfect way to help relieve stress and anxiety. Massage can increase dopamine and serotonin levels, which are directly linked to reducing stress.

Think about the resolution you made this year and make sure that massage therapy is part of your health and wellness routine. Massage therapy from Inner Focus Massage will help. Call Jodi with questions or to make an appointment at 701-238-8257.

Importance of Taking a Full Mind and Body Approach to Wellness

When it comes to your health, do you think about your body or your mind? Do you think of mind and body as one? Well, you should. Your body reacts to how you think, feel and act.

When you get stressed, you may notice that your blood pressure goes up. You might get a headache, experience body aches, or insomnia. If you are depressed, you might be constantly fatigued or lack motivation. All of this is simply your body telling you something is wrong.

Mind and Body Healing
In order to keep your body healthy, you need to keep your mind happy and healthy. One of the best ways to do this is to keep your mind relaxed.

Here are some ideas to help you relax your mind and your body:

  • Balance– Bring balance to your life and do your best to leave work-related stress at the office. Dwelling on something after hours can create stress you do not need. In addition to work-related stress, try not to let stress at home take over your life. Whether it’s taking five minutes for a cup of hot tea and some solitude, or booking a massage to give yourself regularly dedicated time to decompress, find a relaxation technique that helps you release your stress.
  • Exercise– Aside from the obvious healthy effects of a quick workout, incorporating exercise into your day is a great way to relieve stress.
  • Express Your Feelings– Keeping things bundled up inside can contribute to increased stress levels, lack of sleep and more. Finding a way to express your feelings, whether it’s having a heart-to-heart with a close friend or keeping a regular journal, can help you improve your mental well-being.
  • Relax– Find ways to relax. Get a therapeutic massage to relax your body and your mind completely. A weekly calming personal massage will help ease your muscle tension therefore helping to relax your mind.

Your whole body is connected. For total mind-body healing, you need to work on your entire self. If you are not sleeping or having aches and pains, think about what is going on in your mind. Is there a problem at work? Are you more stressed?

A therapeutic massage from Jodi at Inner Focus Massage will help ease tension and have you completely relaxed. Call Jodi today for an appointment or with questions. 701-238-8257

Massage – the Natural Relief for the Common Cold

We all know the feeling; it starts with a scratch on the back of the throat, then you’re tired, and then you cough. Yep, you’ve got a cold. It’s a pretty common feeling around this time of year, between your children bringing germs home from school and the added stress of the season changing — it is a popular time for the common cold to just pop into your life. However, before you reach for the over the counter decongestants and cough medicine — try some natural cold relief like massage therapy.

Heal with Stress Relief 

Did you know that is one of the most harmful things to your immune system? When the seasons change, we are more susceptible to colds because we all have a little more anxiety and stress. Regular massage therapy promotes deep breathing that helps lower your stress levels as well as your blood pressure. While reducing your stress, massage also increases endorphins that work to build up your immune system to help you fight off the pesky cold.

A Quick Recovery 

If you do get a cold, massage therapy can also help you recover faster. Massage increases the flow of blood and fluids that help nourish your body. Increasing blood flow also helps your body fight off germs and toxins in your system and contributes to removing any waste or germs from your body. If your cold symptoms include congestion in your head and chest, you’ll also feel relief and notice draining after your massage.

Although massage is good for colds, it’s also important to be mindful of your massage therapist and communicate your symptoms. As always, drink plenty of fluids and get rest with a cold, especially after a massage. Massage therapy helps keep your immune system healthy and ready for the cold season. The next time you start sniffling, try a relaxing massage for natural cold relief.