Team Franciscan Center: Why Get a Massage!



Kristin Pitstick Spa Manager



I get a lot of questions regarding massage and exercise. “Why should I get a massage? Isn’t exercise enough on its own? I don’t think it does that much.” New research is emerging to explain the “why’s” of getting a massage post exer-cise.


According to www.huffingtonpost.com, a new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that a short, 10 minute Swedish-style massage can reduce inflammation, which can aid in muscular recovery post workout. The study had 11 healthy young male participants work out to their max on a station-ary bike. Muscle tissue samples from the legs were taken pre and post workout. They also took a third sample after it had been subjected to a 10-minute massage. The results showed that the post-workout tissue samples from the massaged leg contained less NF-kB (a protein which plays a role in creating an inflammatory response to exercise). Massage also seemed to help the production of new mito-chondria (organelles that are crucial for muscle energy generation and adapta-tion to endurance exercise).

So, the next time you ask yourself “Is massage really beneficial for my training regime?” The answer should be a resounding “YES!”

The Franciscan Center Day Spa offers several different types of massage. Please feel free to stop by the spa and take a look at our menu of services! We are happy to answer any questions that you might have. Or, call us at 432-6540.

Team Franciscan Center: Spa Update!

Kristin Pitstick Spa Manager

April is also known for National Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Most of us know what Parkinson’s is (nearly 1 million American’s live with the disease). But for those that don’t, I will be going over what Parkinson’s is and how massage therapy can help.

The following can be cited from the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (http://www.pdf.org/about_pd). According to PDF, it is a chronic and progressive movement disorder. Parkinson’s involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally. Primary symptoms of PD include: tremor (could be of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and/or face), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity (stiffness), and postural instability. Although presently there is no cure, treatment options such as medication and surgery are available to help manage symptoms.

Massage therapy can be used to alleviate joint and muscle pain. A few pointers that PD clients need to understand before starting massage:

• Parkinson’s is a neurological disease. Although massage can help muscularly, the symptoms will never be completely resolved with bodywork alone.

• Make sure your primary physician and massage therapist are working together as massage may influence the need for medications.

Team Franciscan Center Spa Update!

Kristin Pitstick
Spa Manager

Winter is just about here and that means SNOW! I know, I shouldn’t utter the “S” word, but it’s important for us to prepare for the upcoming months. Here at the Franciscan Center, we are preparing with Paraffin Hand Treatments. They are excellent for helping with those aches and pains that inevitably come with Old Man Winter. Not sure what that is? PERFECT! I’m going to highlight it in this month’s issue.


The following information is taken from www.livestrong.com. A paraffin treatment uses warm oil-based wax to provide pain relief to hands, feet and sore joints and muscles. At the Franciscan Center, we primarily perform this on hands, but it can be done on the feet as well. Paraffin treatment is a form of deep heat therapy. The liquified wax is quite efficient at absorbing and retaining heat. In addition to its skin softening properties, a paraffin treatment will improve blood flow, increase range of motion for people with arthritis/bursitis or other chronic joint disorder, relax stiff muscles, and sooth pain.

Don’t let the cold weather ruin your winter! Bring a friend and stop by the Franciscan Center Day Spa to set up your appointment for a paraffin hand treatment, manicure, pedicure, or massage! While you’re here enjoy a dip in the pool, dinner and the Station House, and some socialization with great friends.

Team Franciscan Center: Massage and Alzheimer's Disease

Kristin Pitstick
Spa Manager

November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month! We know that massage therapy offers many wonderful benefits: increased circulation, decreased pain, and increased range of motion just to name a few. But did you know that massage can help those affected by Alzheimer’s? Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits massage can offer Alzheimer’s patients:


Reduces agitation and aggression

Improves quality of life

Improves balance and agility

Alleviates depression and anxiety

Promotes a sense of well-being

Increases body awareness and alertness

Reduction in the feelings of confusion

Eases the effects of isolation and boredom

Decreases stress

Assists with pain management and circulation

St. Leonard Massage Therapist, Tim Barringer, is certified in geriatric and special needs massage. He is here to serve our residents! With physician approval, Tim can perform “at home” appointments with residents that have limited mobility. If you have any questions or wish to make an appointment, you can call the Day Spa at 937.432.6540.

Team Franciscan Center: Day Spa News!

I can think of no better way to kick off the summer season than socializing outside with friends and family! Looking for an event? A great place to start is the St. Leonard 5K. For this month’s issue in honor of our campus race, I will be talking about the benefits of massage therapy for runners (and walkers too!).

Massage is an excellent tool to enhance any training program. You may find that it will help increase body awareness, help correct poor body mechanics, decrease injuries, reduce muscle soreness and stiffness, and speed up recovery time.

The St. Leonard 5K will be offering on-site chair massages for our entrants. I highly recommend you take advantage! From all of us at the Day Spa, good luck during your training and on race day! We hope to see you out on June 9th.

Father’s Day is just around the corner… The Day Spa has gift certificates available if you would like to surprise dad with a massage . Call the Day Spa at 432-6540 or stop by for more information !

Kristin Pitstick Salon Manager