Ask a Massage Expert! Answers To Your Top Questions

If you’re considering a massage, in Seattle or anywhere else in the country, you may have some questions about what to expect during your first visit. Of course, this is perfectly natural. After all, while you may have heard from friends what a massage is like, you’re about to experience it for yourself. And you may want to have a better understanding of how your session will go when you arrive.

Not to worry.  The massage experts at Dreamclinic are here to answer your questions. Our professionally trained staff is always happy to provide you with guidance when it comes to your health and massage, in Seattle or beyond. And today, we’re answering some of your top questions!

What should I wear when I get a massage?

You should dress as you normally do and in what is most comfortable for you. Our staff recommends dressing down, and for many patients, a pair of shorts works well, along with a t-shirt. Once you have had a massage, your relaxed body will appreciate a comfort-oriented approach to your wardrobe.

Are there any risks associated with getting a massage?

While massage therapy is known to be an extremely safe activity, patients should be aware of a few considerations before beginning. If you have concerns or known medical conditions, it’s best to talk with your doctor to make sure massage is medically safe for you.

Should I feel sore after my massage session?

Especially if you’re getting a deeper tissue massage, it’s normal to feel a little soreness the next day after your massage. In fact, that soreness is likely a result of the positive effect of your massage. Increase your fluids to assist your lymphatic system and decrease soreness.

Is a massage more about the experience or the medicine?

The answer is: both! Massage therapy is as much as a science as it is an art. In addition to being enjoyable and relaxing, massage therapy does  also offer numerous health benefits.

Can a massage help me with my active lifestyle?

Yes! For those of you who live an active life, massage can offer even more benefits. That’s because active people tend to pick up dings and stress to their muscles and need more regular maintenance. When you arrive for your  Dreamclinic massage, please feel free to bring up how massage can benefit you regarding the specific activities you engage in.

What licensures exist in the United States for massage?

In the United States, each state has its own regulation that pertain to massage therapy. For our massage team in Seattle, our  excellent team of professionals are licensed with over 750 hours of training.

Does my health insurance plan cover massage sessions?

In some cases, insurance plans may cover your massage therapy. This is especially true if your general doctor or specialist has referred you for massage therapy. However, every insurance plan is different. Best practice is to check your specific plan for benefits pertaining to massage. Also if you have been in a car accident, your auto insurance should cover massage.

Does Dreamclinic offer office-based sessions in Seattle?

Yes! We’re proud to offer workplace massage, onsite sessions for your office or corporate events.

Can I customize my massage session at Dreamclinic?

One of the most important aspects of getting a massage is discussion your goals for the session with your therapist before the massage begins. Before your first session, talk to one of our trained staff about what is right for you.

Ready to get your first massage at one of our Seattle area locations? Get in touch with us!

 

6 Health Food Blogs for Almost Any Diet

At Dreamclinic, in addition to being your trusted source for massage and Acupuncture in Greater Seattle, we also like to share with you information on living a healthy and fit lifestyle. Whether you’re a teenager or a retiree, man or woman, one fact remains the same: you need quality insight that will help you make your health decisions. At the same time, we know you also want to keep up with the latest in trends and research from the medical industry. This is true whether we’re talking about finding a trusted massage therapist, a new exercise for your active schedule, or even, like today, discovering health food blogs.

Now, more than ever, it seems like there are some great resources on the Internet that let you tap into an entire health community. Of course, our health professionals here at Dreamclinic are happy to share all of this essential advice and the reliable online resources we recommend. After you’ve gotten an invigorating massage at our clinic, you also want to maintain a healthy diet as well. So, from vegetarians to food connoisseurs, this is your list of must-read health food blogs to check out when you’re dining in.

My New Roots

This health food blog is jam-packed with some seriously good recipes. It also helps that the blogger is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner. That means you’re not just getting another recipe or food idea. In fact, you’re getting meals founded on good eating. While this blog isn’t solely vegetarian, there’s a focus on staying plant based most the time.

Naturally Ella

Speaking of vegetarian eating, here is a blog that hits that spot. If you’re into the veggie lifestyle, you’re going to love this one. It has information on how to best stock your pantry, an area to explore ingredients, and so much more. The recipes? Absolutely tasty with a focus on flavorful and fit.

Skinnytaste

This one is as straightforward as it gets: regular meal ideas that are low fat and healthy, but also friendly for the family. In addition to good tasting meals, you’ll also discover that the blog is centered around seasonal eating and best of all, portion control, but with big flavor.

Nutrition Stripped

Run by a Dietitian Nutritionist, this health food blog definitely has a good diet in mind. With articles on subjects like eating well while traveling and practical workout tips, it has a little bit of everything you’ll need.

Nutrition Unplugged

And when it comes to getting into nutrition, it doesn’t get any better than this health food blog. If you’re in search of a source that really dives into the world of food science, this might be right up your alley. A little more in depth, but very interesting, it’s one you can get lost at very easily.

Nom Nom Paleo

Let’s finish this list off with a fun one that takes its inspiration from a popular diet right now: the paleo diet. This health food blog has some really creative ways to enjoy this lifestyle, even as you stay fit in the process. The blog is an excellent resource, but also a lot of fun.

Once you’ve chosen one of these health food blogs or even a few of them, check out the health-minded services we provide at Dreamclinic. They go perfect with any diet!

 

Depression and Diet: Could What You Eat be a Big Factor?

For decades, researchers have been trying to pin down the exact causes and factors involved in Depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States, over 350 million people worldwide are battling this health issue in their personal lives. Over the years, countless studies have attempted to address the effectiveness of treatment, while others focused on the possible biological basis. Because Depression can be such a serious challenge for those who have it, any new research that can shed light on it is welcome news to both the health community and the general public. And just this year, researchers have uncovered a significant connection between Depression and diet that could rock the healthcare world.

How One Study is Changing How We View Depression and Diet

Experts at Deakin University in Australia have published new results in the medical journal BMC Medicine that are sure to change many people’s lives. In essence, the scientific study has shown that there may be a strong association between Depression and diet that researchers may have been overlooking. During the study, patients with Depression were given guidance on how to better choose their regular diet and with a foundation of healthier choices. The results? Patients that more closely followed the dietary recommendations showed dramatic impact on their symptoms.

Comparing This News to the Classic View of Depression

Through history, the views on Depression have shifted and changed with time. Not until the early 1900s did professionals formulate that it could be a result of something other than a patient’s external situation. As the decades went on, researchers used various methods, from cognitive-behavioral therapy to antidepressant medication, to help patients manage their symptoms in everyday life. Still, because diet was less of a focus, it’s unclear if those methods were having their maximum effect.

Why this Study is so Important Today

While some meta-study data indicated that there might be a link between Depression and diet, this study is the first of its kind. In reality, it represents a major breakthrough in how we understand Depression. Because it was also a rigorous scientific study, it has the backing of the scientific community and offers a good first indication of where new methods of treatment might come from. This very well could mean a healthier and happier life for anyone who is or has been suffering from Depression at any point in their life.

Next Steps if You Suffer from Depression

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of Depression, you’ll want your first step to be seeking the support of a professional. Since each person’s situation is different, relying on their expertise to help you with any signs of Depression is a must from the start. In addition, you can also discuss with them some of the dietary changes suggested in the Deakin University study. These include focusing on a diet composed of:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Legumes and nuts
  • Leaner red meats
  • Fresh fish
  • Olive oil

In addition, the research indicated that you may want to avoid some of the following if you’re considering Depression and diet:

  • Sweet snack foods
  • Fried foods
  • Refined cereals
  • Fast-food meals
  • Meat that’s been processed
  • Sugary drinks

As always, our professional staff here at Dreamclinic will continue to follow the news regarding this subject, as well as other medically-relevant news. This way, you have a trusted source for your health-related needs and updates.

 

Is the Paleo Diet Everything It’s Cracked Up to Be?

You may have noticed that every few years or so, a new diet fad pops up. Paleo diet, South Beach, detox, macrobiotics. There’s even a grapefruit diet! In some cases, these fads can be based in healthy living and even scientific research. But other times, the trend can be full of misconceptions and outdated information. And fads like those can possibly have a negative effect on your health!

But because Dreamclinic stays on top of the trends and the latest research, you have a trusted health source in us.  And for one diet, the paleo diet, that has been gaining in popularity, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Today, we’ll be seeing how this diet trend stacks up, and whether it’s healthy or harmful to your body.

What Exactly is the Paleo Diet?

This is an excellent question. It also seems that whenever a diet fad pops up, there are variations on what people say counts and doesn’t count. However, the paleo diet is fairly easy to define. At its core, the diet is about getting back to how our ancestors may have eaten long ago. This often means more fresh foods and less processed foods and no flour products.  Imagine eating only what a caveman had access to.

What Might a Typical Paleo Meal Look Like?

The best way to get a sense of how a meal might look is through well-known recipe sites. You can check out a few here and here. But examples include, roasted chicken breast, fresh fish, hard-boiled eggs, trail mix, and fresh fruit and vegetables. But instead of regular bread buns, you might try avocado buns. Or instead of turning to dairy, you’d rely on alternatives.

What About the Critics and the Gurus?

Every health movement seems to have them: the people that claim to know it all and the people who say it’s all wrong. The paleo diet has many hardcore adherents that say it helps with weight issues and allergies. But we also wanted to give you a rounded perspective on this diet trend. What are the critics saying? One common criticism is that there isn’t any single diet that our ancestors ate. After all, when you think about it, different areas of the world had access to different resources. Another criticism compares how paleo diet gurus aren’t living in caves or putting on loin cloths like our ancestors either.

But What Does the Science Say?

At Dreamclinic, we  always turn to the latest research when it comes to new trends. And for the paleo diet, studies are showing positive aspects. For example, there’s evidence that the diet promotes weight loss and helps reset metabolic issues. And this scientific study showed improved circulatory function, increased insulin sensitivity and improved blood pressure. This was true even for people who tried the diet out for a short period.

What’s the Final Verdict on the Paleo Diet?

Whether or not the positive results from this diet can be attributed to its approach is still debatable. Eating less processed foods and consuming less  sugar is normally a good health move and may account for much of the benefits.  Une thing is for certain—trying this diet is sure to change your outlook on how we eat in the 21st Century.

Ready to talk to an expert at Dreamclinic for a massage or acupuncture session that can transform your health? Get in touch with us!

Dreamclinic wins Best of Seattle 2017 from Seattle Weekly

dreamclinic massage seattleSeattle Weekly magazine announced last week that Dreamclinic Massage is its pick Best of Seattle 2017 poll for the massage category.  Dreamclinic won this recognition over all other massage businesses based on voting by Seattle Weekly’s large reader base.

“We didn’t learn about the contest and the voting until the voting was pretty much over,” says Larisa Goldin, Dreamclinic Founder & CEO, “and we are honored and humbled.”  The Best of Seattle Award from Seattle Weekly adds to the many other awards Dreamclinic has claimed over the years – from Allure Magazine, Seattle Magazine, Seattle Metropolitan, King5, Citysearch and others.

What is behind all the success is Dreamclinic’s unique way of interacting with clients.  When you go to some other spots from massage, it’s as if you have a dollar bill tattooed on your forehead.  When you come to Dreamclinic for massage or acupuncture, rather, we look at you as a new friend, someone we want to help over the long-term to live with greater health and vitality.  So we don’t push or use gimmicks to earn repeat business, we just focus on the best bodywork you can find anywhere in the country.  The true passion for bodywork and appreciation for clients, of our entire team, is what clients notice when dealing with Dreamclinic.  And they recognize at a deep level that there is something different about Dreamclinic, that our healing intention is genuine.

The work we do at Dreamclinic and helping thousands of Seattle folks each month is in itself deeply rewarding.  The awards, like the Seattle Weekly’s Best of Seattle for 2017.. well they are icing on the cake!