New Center Offers Wellness Boost for Fitness Fans

If you have been feeling icky from the aches and pains that result from limited movement or stiff muscles in the colder months, there's a new wellness center in town that will give you the reset you need to feel better this summer.

Medical and Sports Massage, owned by Denise Leslie, opened its doors last month and will be the site for a series of free wellness workshops that will focus on wellness for runners, bikers, yogis and hikers.

The series of events, hosted by Liebe PR and Best Self Magazine, will offer insight on wellness benefits to help fitness enthusiasts perform better in yoga, pilates, hiking/running, golf, swimming, and other summer fitness activities. Event attendees will enjoy a night of free wellness talks, cryo and cupping demonstrations, refreshments and exclusive Liebe PR deals.

Anyone participating in an upcoming marathon or gearing up for a race should join them for a night of chill techniques to soothe muscles and boost performance, according to Liebe PR.

The events take place from 6:30-8:00 pm on several days through the end of August at Medical and Sports Massage, located at 220 Sandy Springs Circle, Ste 157b Atl, Ga:

• May 31
• June 14
• June 28
• July 12
• July 26
• Aug 9
• Aug 23

Liebe PR, a literary and lifestyle agency representing first-time novelists and independent establishments, will be giving a wellness package at each event, provided by Medical and Sports Massage. Due to space constraints, those interested should send an RSVP to Pr@Liebepr.com.

Rooted in medicine

Leslie, who just opened Medical and Sports Massage in Sandy Springs, knew from a very young age that she wanted to heal people. She said her practice is different than most because of the medical studies upon which she bases her therapy. Leslie has conducted studies on using massage to treat fibromyalgia, meniscus tears and stress and anxiety.

"We were able to get people off Adderall. We were able to see that massage helps fibromyalgia when it's done a certain way," Leslie said. "I was able to show that massage can help after knee surgery in an athlete, keeping the scar tissue away, giving them back that range of motion and getting them back to performing."

Her staff have access to these studies and follow the protocols that have been developed as a result, she said. While these protocols offer a guideline, her staff are also trained to look for signs in each individual's case to ensure the pain is treated appropriately.

"They learn those protocols here," Leslie said. "But do we want to be robots at Medical and Sports Massage? No. But we know what it’s like when a muscle becomes inflamed, and how to respond to it in that moment so a client doesn't feel like a freight train ran over them."

Beyond medical and sports massage, her facility also offers reflexology, lymphatic drainage, cryotherapy and cupping treatments.

Reflexology

Reflexology allows a practitioner to access all systems of the body right through the feet, Leslie said. A practitioner applies pressure to different parts of the foot using his or her hands, and studies have indicated that these methods may reduce pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Each part of the foot corresponds to a different part of the body, and this can relieve stress in those areas.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy could also be another way to get a burst of energy while removing aches and pains. This treatment utilizes a cold chamber that runs on nitrogen. The nitrogen then turns to cool air.

“We have the ability to drop the temperature to -120 degrees Fahrenheit,” Leslie said.

The reason why people do cryotherapy is to help stop joint and muscle pain. This has mostly been utilized by athletes looking for quick recovery, but can also be used for anyone experiencing nerve or muscle aches. The cold air stops the nerve signals, and the practitioner is then able to follow up by working more intensely on those muscles during massage therapy.

The treatment lasts 3-4 minutes, and the temperature is brought down gradually. Plus, it does not feel like being dunked into a tub of ice. Instead, it is a mist, so the cold is tolerable for most people. However, those with any kind of heart or circulatory issues should not opt for cryotherapy.

Cupping

According to Leslie, cupping is another treatment that can help those in pain. It is used on both the sports and medical side of her practice. Suction cups are used to pull muscles off of the spine, allowing the practitioner to relieve nerve pressure and promote blood flow through the muscle fibers. This releases trigger points and allows a client to have a better range of motion, according to Leslie.

Residents who are actively engaged in sports or fitness activities, or people who are recovering from surgery or other medical conditions can learn more about these wellness treatments and techniques by attending the events hosted by Liebe PR and Best Self Magazine in the coming weeks: RSVP to Pr@Liebepr.com.