A Massage Saves a Spa Owner’s Life

Massage therapy is becoming increasingly popular among people who are in search of relief to pain from ailments such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. Many studies show that a regular massage can help ease the pain that comes from such ailments and can help lower stress levels and blood pressure, but can a massage save your life?



Greg Robertson, owner of the Hillsborough and Flemington Massage Envy Spa locations is living proof of the impact massage can have on people. Greg recently went in for his bi-weekly deep tissue massage and got some unexpected news from the massage therapist, Colleen Shaughnessy. Colleen expressed concern about a bump she had came across on Greg’s back and suggested that he visit a doctor and get tested for skin cancer, noting that certain bumps on someone’s back is an anomaly that needs immediate attention. She explains:



"I looked at Greg’s bump and knew immediately that it just didn’t look right," she says. "Obviously I’m not a doctor, but after you do something for a while, you end up getting an eye for what does and doesn’t look right."



Greg took her advice and visited a specialist who then confirmed that he indeed had skin cancer. "Had I not gotten that massage, I may not have known for a while since I didn’t feel it," he explains. Because of the early detection of the cancerous skin cells Greg was able to take care of the problem before it got worse and the cancer spread elsewhere.



Greg’s story is a true testament to the power of something as simple and enjoyable as a massage. Massages are especially important because as much as they help decrease stress levels and help ease pain, they can also be a key weapon in detecting abnormalities within the body; this is especially true if you go to the same massage therapist consistently.



Massage therapists aren’t cancer specialists or doctors, but an experienced one will have the knowledge and craftsmanship necessary to help detect anomalies that develop within the body, especially a protruding bump, or change in muscle texture.



Because of the regular massages, this is one story that had a happy ending.