Your 2025 Body Audit (Neck, Back, Knees—How Are Yours?)
A new year has a way of inspiring reflection—on goals, habits, routines, and intentions. But one thing that often gets overlooked in January is the body you’re carrying into the year ahead.
Before you set fitness goals, commit to better posture, or promise yourself fewer aches and pains, it’s worth doing a body audit. Think of it as a check-in—not to judge or criticize, but to notice patterns, imbalances, and signals your body has been sending you.
Let’s start with three areas we see most often in the treatment room: the neck, the back, and the knees.
Chronic Stress and the Lymphatic System: What Really Happens
Stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, also known as fight-or-flight mode. In short bursts, this response is helpful. But when stress becomes chronic, the body remains stuck in a heightened state of tension—and several things start to impede healthy lymph flow.
What Does Massage Do for Your Immune System?
As the weather cools and the holiday season approaches, our immune systems are put to the test. Between stress, busy schedules, and less sleep, it’s no wonder many people find themselves catching colds or feeling run down this time of year. While most of us know that massage helps with muscle tension and relaxation, you might be surprised to learn that it also supports your body’s natural defense system — your immune system. Let’s look at how massage therapy helps you stay healthy from the inside out.
Posture, Movement, and Muscle Balance: Why Alignment Matters in Every Workout
When it comes to exercise, most people focus on how much they move—how many reps, how long they run, or how heavy they lift. But how well you move matters just as much. Good posture and proper alignment aren’t just about looking graceful—they’re the foundation for strength, mobility, and injury prevention. Whether you’re lifting weights, doing Pilates, or going for a walk, alignment shapes the way your muscles fire, your joints move, and your body feels.
Massage Therapy & Posture: How Bodywork Supports Spinal Alignment
Posture is more than how you look when you stand or sit—it’s the physical expression of balance, strength, and alignment throughout your entire body. Over time, daily habits, stress, and repetitive movements can pull your spine out of its ideal position, leaving muscles overworked in some areas and underused in others. Massage therapy offers a powerful way to restore balance, relieve tension, and support the natural alignment of your spine.
The Spine & Your Health: Why Posture Matters More Than You Think
When most people hear the word “posture,” they think about standing up straight to look confident or avoiding the dreaded slouch. But posture is much more than how you carry yourself—it’s the foundation of your health. Your spine doesn’t just hold you upright; it protects your nervous system, supports every movement, and influences how the rest of your body functions.
Wrist Pain: Carpal Tunnel or Something Else?
Wrist pain is one of the most common complaints among people who type, text, lift, or use their hands repetitively throughout the day. The first assumption many people (and even some providers) make is carpal tunnel syndrome—but in reality, wrist pain isn’t always coming from the wrist itself. A frequent misdiagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is actually thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that originates higher up in the shoulder and neck. Let’s break down the difference between these two conditions and how massage therapy can help with both.
Neck Tension, Breathing, and the Nervous System: A Hidden Link
Most people think of neck tension as a result of bad posture, stress, or long hours at the computer. While these factors certainly play a role, there’s a deeper connection many overlook: the way neck tension influences breathing—and, in turn, the nervous system. Understanding this hidden link can open the door to new ways of relieving discomfort and improving overall wellbeing.