October 2026

Hello, and welcome to this month's article! How have you been? Are you ready for the rest of the year? The holiday season is fast approaching!

According to an online search, the end-of-year holiday season—specifically November through December—is widely considered the most stressful time of the year.

Data from the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that nearly 90% of adults experience heightened stress during this period, so prepare accordingly.

Thank goodness for massage! According to consumer surveys by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), 66% of people seek professional massage primarily for relaxation and stress reduction.

And when you reduce your stress levels, you’re helping your body to maintain better health, since medical experts estimate that 75% to 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses, complaints, and ailments.

Please enjoy the rest of this month’s issue. See you soon for your next soothing massage!

How does massage therapy help with recovery?

Massage therapy helps recovery by reducing muscle tension, boosting blood circulation, and calming the nervous system.

Physical Recovery (Workouts & Injuries)

Increases circulation: Brings fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients to damaged tissues to speed up healing.
Relieves muscle tightness: Calms guarded muscles, releases knots (trigger points), and reduces delayed-onset soreness.
Improves flexibility: Breaks down scar tissue and adhesions, helping joints and muscles regain their full range of motion.

Mental and Emotional Recovery (Stress & Addiction)

Lowers stress hormones: Decreases cortisol levels in the body to reduce overall anxiety.
Boosts feel-good chemicals: Increases levels of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin to improve mood and emotional stability.
Rebuilds body awareness: Helps individuals process trauma or manage stress triggers by creating a safe association with physical touch.

Expanding Access to Massage Therapy Could Save the U.S. Healthcare System $11.1 Billion Annually

Expanding access to massage therapy could potentially save the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $11.1 billion annually, according to new economic research released by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The findings are featured in AMTA’s 2026 Massage Therapy in Integrative Care and Pain Management report, which examines the growing role of massage therapy in healthcare and the potential impact of making it more broadly available through public and private insurance programs. The report comes as millions of Americans seek effective ways to manage pain and healthcare leaders look for approaches that can improve care while controlling costs. Massage therapy is increasingly being incorporated into hospitals, rehabilitation centers, medical practices and other healthcare settings as part of a comprehensive approach to pain management and patient care. ...

“This research points to an extraordinary opportunity to improve access to care while potentially saving billions of dollars across our healthcare system,” said Rick Greely, National President of the American Massage Therapy Association. “For millions of Americans living with pain, massage therapy can be an important part of a comprehensive care plan. Expanding coverage would give more people the opportunity to benefit from massage therapy while helping build a healthcare system that offers patients more choices for managing their health and well-being.” ...

Source: prnewswire.com

Lullabies help old folks sleep better too: Music at bedtime improves sleep quality for people over 60

Lullabies are a great way to ease a restless baby to sleep. It turns out they may also help millions of older adults who struggle to get to bed each night. Researchers in Taiwan find listening to music can improve sleep quality among older people who toss and turn throughout the night.

Between 40 and 70 percent of older people struggle with sleep problems, studies show. These individuals frequently wake up in the middle of the night or rise prematurely in the morning.

Not getting enough shut-eye can not only lead to a poor quality of life but also lead to serious mental and physical health implications. This is because adequate rest gives the body and brain the time it needs to repair itself before starting a new day. Now, researchers at the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taipei find enjoyable melodies may be the solution.

“Music intervention is an effective strategy and is easy to administer by a caregiver or healthcare worker,” study author Dr. Yen-Chi Chen says in a media release.

“Music therapy might be the first line of therapy to recommend in older adults with sleep disturbances, which would reduce the need for dependence on sedatives and sleeping medication.”

Soft beats put seniors right to sleep— While traditional wisdom says people need eight hours of sleep, studies show six to seven provide most with proper rest. In this study, researchers pulled together English and Chinese reports of randomized control sleep studies from five databases. Each analyzed the effects of music on the sleep quality of people over the age of 60.

“All studies were reviewed by two independent investigators,” researchers write in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. “This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of listening to music on sleep quality in older adults.”

The results show older adults who listen to music before bed enjoy a “significantly better” sleep than those who nod off in silence. In particular, those who listen to “sedative music” rather than rhythmic beats displayed the highest increase in sleep quality. Sedative tunes typically have a slow tempo, between 60 and 80 beats per minute, a soft volume, and smooth melody. ...

Source: studyfinds.com

Studies have shown that people who are physically active sleep better than those who are sedentary.
The more energy you expend during the day, the sleepier you will feel at bedtime.
— Andrew Weil