Breaking the Cycle of Pain
Regular massage helps an Arizona financial planner find freedom
from arthritis
AT AGE 51, MELISSA MYERS looks forward to
hitting the "halfway mark" on her birthday this October. The date
will represent an important milestone in her life journey. "I was
diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 26. I've had it half
my life now," says the Tempe, Ariz., financial planner. "There is a
mix of pride and determination there."
In the 1980s, Myers had aspirations to coach and play amateur
tennis. "I went from this Bionic Woman athlete to not being able to
button my shirt."
After battling back from depression and managing her disease now
for 25 years, Myers knows firsthand that rheumatoid arthritis
attacks more than joints. It attacks dreams. "I had to reinvent
myself," she says. "Now I am a financial planner and a swimmer.
Next season, whatever it is, will be great, too."
Arthritis motivates Myers to take control. She embraces modern
medicine, remains physically fit, and taps the healing power of
regular massage
therapy, which studies have shown to relieve pain,
improve flexibility and enhance mood in
arthritis patients."Massage breaks the cycle of pain," she
says.
Regular treatments at Massage Envy also give Myers the
opportunity to hit a mental reset button. "Sometimes you just feel
like your body is aching and twisted. When someone is touching you
in such a restorative way, it's freeing."
And finding freedom is the key. "Massage empowers me," Myers
says. "It helps me say, 'I'm not at the mercy of this.' "
-By Laurie Davies