A recent study by the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society found that "the rate of global cognitive decline was reduced by an average of 70% in persons who were frequently socially active compared to persons who were infrequently socially active." This is good news for older people who are worried about their mental health as they age. So, what leisure activities are good to do to avoid cognitive decline? According to researchers, activities such as playing board games, reading, writing, painting, playing music, dancing, performing, watching TV and listening to the radio all can help. In addition, other activities such as walking, fishing, running and gardening and even social activities such as visiting friends and relatives and traveling are also important.Over the years, numerous other studies have shown that people who challenge their brains throughout their lifetimes -- through reading, writing and playing games -- are less likely to develop protein deposits in the brain linked with Alzheimer's....

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If you've suffered from low back pain over the past few days, or if you get back pain sometime in the future, the tendency will be to wait it out and see if it gets better. Sometimes we even decide to take time off and lie in bed, hoping we will eventually be feeling better and back to our usual activities or work. However, more and more research shows that lying in bed or waiting it out is the worst thing you can do for yourself. Remember, only 10 percent of people develop chronic low back pain, but those cases account for an estimated $100 billion a year in health care and other costs. It's a safe bet that most of them have taken this incorrect "wait and see" approach.

Research suggests that when it comes to back pain, early intervention is best. There are many reasons for this concept, but here is a basic summary of what current guidelines are saying:

1. There are ways to predict if acute pain will end up developing into chronic pain. One of the most frustrating things health professionals face is the fact that although some patients may have undergone treatments, they still develop chronic low back pain. The good news is that there are certain predictors that can identify someone who may end up developing chronic back pain. When you look at these, it becomes more apparent that seeking treatment and following all the above points is crucial to getting better. One of the biggest predictors is called "pain avoidance behavior." Quite simply, it means once you get the pain, you will do everything you can to avoid anything that will cause pain.

What happens next? You guessed it. This type of person lies in bed as much as possible. This type of person will try to avoid any exercise that may cause the slightest discomfort. Essentially, they will avoid everything that could be helpful to their condition. That's why I always take time with my patients to stress the importance of not letting the pain overtake their lives. Continue doing what you did before, no matter how small of an effort you put in. The back pain feels like your back is going to break in two. However, with proper supervision and the right recommendations for treatment, you will not be able to damage your back any more than the situation it is in.

So, the next time you experience back pain and feel like you can't do anything, always remember that any movement or activity or Massage Therapy that keeps you moving is crucial for your recovery. Another factor is that you may be deconditioned and not fit enough. With back pain, you can become even more deconditioned. That's why starting to move and then progressing to an exercise program is crucial to ensure not only that you get better, but also that you don't get future bouts of low back pain.

"Stretch Your Way to Good Health"

When you talk about fitness and exercise, many people ignore one important aspect of a healthy fitness regime.
While it’s important to get enough cardiovascular and weight bearing exercise every week, it’s also extremely important to strech.

That’s right!

No matter what your age or activity level, stretching should be a part of your daily routine.

What’s so great about stretching?

Well, as we age we have less range of motion in our joints, and our muscles also become tighter.

If you are like many people, at one time or another you’ve probably bent over to pick up something you’ve dropped and realized you’re not quite as limber as you used to be! People who stretch, however, enjoy the benefits of more limber muscles and joints.

One of the best things about stretching is that just about anyone can do it. You don’t have to be incredibly fit to stretch, nor do you have to have tons of time.

As a matter of fact, there are relatively few excuses not to stretch!

So when should you stretch?

Try in the morning after you get up, as well as right before you go to bed.

Stretch while you are watching television, at your desk or computer, or even while doing chores like making dinner or folding laundry.

If you participate in cardiovascular or weight bearing exercises, stretch both before and after your workouts to keep muscles and joints warm, limber, and injury free.

In addition to keeping joints and muscles in good shape, there are other benefits to stretching.

Stretching enhances muscle coordination, and also increases blood circulation. This increased blood circulation increases energy levels. Finally, stretching just feels great!

So be kind to your muscles and joints and add stretching to your fitness routine.

In addition to stretching, treat your muscles and joints right by keeping up with your massage appointments.

Come in for your regular bodywork sessions so we can help your muscles and joints to stay in the best shape possible!


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Massage therapy and other touch therapies have been shown to alleviate depression and improve sleep in pregant women and postpartum women.

Now research shows soon-to-be and new dads can become depressed as well.

According to a meta-analysis from James F. Paulson, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School, fathers in substantial numbers experience prenatal and postpartum depression.

Paulson's analysis shows about 10 percent of fathers experience prenatal or postpartum depression. The first three months postpartum show the lowest rates of depression (7.7 percent), while the three- to six-month postpartum period shows the highest rate (25.6 percent), according to a press release posted to the website of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Research also shows a moderate correlation between depression in fathers and mothers, and fathers in the United States have higher rates of depression, 14.1 percent vs. 8.2 percent worldwide.

"Future research in this area should focus on parents together to examine the onset and joint course of depression in new parents, " Paulson writes. "This may increase our capacity for early identification of paternal depression, add leverage for prevention and treatment, and increase the understanding of how paternal depression conveys risk to infants and young children."

The research was published in the May 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association's theme issue on mental health.

Related articles:
• Research Review Shows Massage Therapy Effectively Addresses Symptoms of Depression