You just need the proper touch.

I don’t know why most of us often forget just how powerful a massage can be. Instead of grabbing for the bottle when we find ourselves under terrible stress, we should get the appropriate massage that can provide the best type of relaxation for our body and mind. I recently spoke to Marcelo Holzinger, the owner of FitLife Bodywork & Massage in Miami because I wanted to explore this topic more.

Why do people workout all day and then default to drugs and alcohol when they are facing challenging times?

Marcelo said, “It’s a quick fix but most folks don’t realize the harm they are doing to their bodies. Massage therapy is far more rewarding because it’s an important part of overall health and wellness. It can help you feel more in touch with yourself and more connected with the present.”

I was fascinated by his answer. I’m not sure why I don’t have a massage on a regular basis rather than resorting to eating candy and ice cream when I’m frustrated or bored. I’ve had massages before and loved them. They made me feel like I had a new positive outlook on life. I may not have indulged myself in a series of massages because I thought they were too expensive. It suddenly occurred to me, after talking to Marcelo, that if I ever added up all of the money I spent on junk food, and on new clothes every time I gained weight, getting massages would have been much cheaper.

Marcelo has one of the most successful massage practices in Miami because he understands the art of the touch. He has been a well-known and respected contemporary visual artist for years. His art is exhibited and collected around the world.

Marcelo believes there is a definite connection between both his passions. He has a fascination for physiology, anatomy, and how amazing – and almost miraculously perfect – the human body is.

When you hear words like this from an artist, you absolutely want to feel Marcelo’s touch. Marcelo has a degree from Miami-Dade College, Medical Campus and is a Florida State Licensed Massage Therapist.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of massage therapy is the fact that it can be used as an alternative approach to pain relief. It has a beneficial part of integrative treatments for medical conditions. Massage therapy can help patients recover from surgeries and joint replacements. It can help relieve anxiety and depression and boosting overall mental health. The health benefits of massage therapy are heightened even more for athletes of all skill levels – it helps condition the muscles, enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury.”

Marcelo approaches Massage Therapy as both a science and an art. Massage therapy involves the manipulation of muscles and there is  a creative, intuitive, and artistic component to this process. In this dimension he is creating a healing environment in which he provides the most caring, effective, and therapeutic treatment to each client.

The therapist’s touch causes an immediate reaction in your brain. As soon as your skin’s nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release feel-good chemicals which boost your mood, give you a natural high and sense of well-being. Massage increases the secretion of endorphins, dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, and reduces the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, which can reduce anxiety, fatigue, stress, and physical and mental strain.

25 BENEFITS OF MASSAGE (according to the American Massage Therapy Association).

• Relieve stress • Relieve postoperative pain • Reduce anxiety • Manage low-back pain • Help fibromyalgia pain • Reduce muscle tension • Enhance exercise performance • Relieve tension headaches • Sleep better • Ease symptoms of depression • Improve cardiovascular health • Reduce pain of osteoarthritis • Decrease stress in cancer patients • Improve balance in older adults • Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain • Temper effects of dementia • Promote relaxation • Lower blood pressure • Decrease symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Help chronic neck pain • Lower joint replacement pain • Increase range of motion • Decrease migraine frequency • Improve quality of life in hospice care • Reduce chemotherapy-related nausea.

About Marcelo’s Art

In the mid 1990’s Marcelo left his beloved Argentina and moved to New York. He worked as a Graphic Designer and continued to pursue his passion for art and design. After several great years in New York, Marcelo moved to Miami Beach, where he worked as a Designer and Creative consultant. Next, his professional journey led him to Houston, where he launched his career as a professional artist.

Attracted by Miami’s burgeoning art scene, in 2010, Marcelo returned to Miami. Since then, he’s been exhibiting his art in renowned art fairs, shows and events – including exhibits during Art Basel/Miami Art Week – among many other exhibits in prominent galleries and selected venues in Miami, New York, Houston, and Los Angeles.

Marcelo has also exhibited his art around the world: Monaco, China, Belgium, Dubai, London, Venice, and France at the Carrousel du Louvre, Paris (Louvre Museum.  Marcelo’s work has been acquired by private and corporate collections, including the Art Collection of the City of Miami.

Marcelo has been honored with a Proclamation from the Mayor of Miami as Distinguished Citizen of the City of Miami “in recognition of his exceptional artistic accomplishments, his valuable contribution to the cultural life of our community and his acts of humanitarianism and philanthropic spirit toward humankind.”   Marcelo was also appointed by the Mayor to serve as a Board Member of the City of Miami Arts & Entertainment Council.

With art exhibitions throughout the USA, Europe and Asia, Marcelo has been receiving national and international attention – with articles, interviews and profiles in numerous media, including The Miami Herald, CNN Español, Univision, Upscale Living Magazine, NBC Miami, Fine Art Magazine, and many others.

Art website:  www.HolzingerArt.com

Massage Therapy Website: www.FitLifeBodywork.com