Bodyworks Massage Therapy

11/22/2025

From chronic pain to mental health issues, military veterans often face a host of health concerns upon returning from service. During , explore recent research on the many ways massage therapy supports the health and well-being of veterans: https://bit.ly/478uCWp

10/31/2025

🧠🌹 In a brand new study, researchers found that women who wore rose essential oil on their clothing for just 30 days had significant increases in gray matter volume across the whole brain on MRI scans.

When the aromatic molecules of rose essential oil are inhaled, they travel through the olfactory system to the brain’s limbic system, which governs emotions and memories.

The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is particularly responsive to the rose scent. The researchers suggest that the sustained exposure of the PCC to the rose scent leads to continuous processing and memory storage related to the scent, leading to an increase in gray matter volume.

This process of sustained scent exposure also appears to engage and stimulate memory-related neural pathways, driving neuroplasticity and positive structural brain changes.

Increased gray matter is associated with enhanced cognitive function (memory, learning and executive functions), better emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety and improved overall mental health.

PMID: 38331299

What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever noticed how certain scents can affect your mood or memory?

Informational content. Sources are available in scientific publications.

10/21/2025

In preparation for Thanksgiving, we have a lengthy shopping list. Last year we served over 280 meals - all thanks to our generous donors!

We need:

Corn bread mix
Turkey broth
Sweet potatoes - fresh
Broccoli-fresh
Mushrooms
Celery and carrots
Mushroom soup
Big cans of green beans
Cranberry sauce - whole berry & sauce
Dried cranberries
Walnuts
Mayonnaise
Canned corn
Individual packets of honey
Gravy - powdered or jarred
Stuffing mix - Stove top or other
Better than bouillon- chicken or turkey
Canned fruit - apple sauce, pears, pineapple
Cream soups
Bisquick
Noodles

THANK YOU !!!

10/20/2025

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION

As you deck out your porch or yard this fall, remember — you’re sharing your neighborhood with more than just humans. 🐿️

Here are a few ways to make your spooky setup shine without putting Pennsylvania’s wildlife at risk:

🎃 Skip the chemical pumpkin washes. They won’t stop decay — they’ll just make your pumpkin toxic. Let nature take its course and enjoy the natural rot of the season.
🎃 If painting instead of carving, choose non-toxic or natural paints so your pumpkins stay critter-safe if nibbled. Or, keep your painted masterpieces indoors and dispose of them properly later.
🎃 When it’s time to switch from spooky to harvest décor, consider composting your pumpkins or donating them (if chemical-free) to farms, shelters, or zoos that use them as tasty treats.

🕸 Ditch the faux “spider webs” outside — real animals like birds, bats, and squirrels can get tangled in them, leading to serious injuries or even death.

Thanks for helping keep Pennsylvania’s wild neighbors safe and happy this Halloween season.
Have a frightfully fun and wildlife-friendly Halloween! 👻

Pennsylvania Game Commission

10/20/2025

10/19/2025

A study found that soaking fruits and vegetables in a mix of 1 teaspoon baking soda and 2 cups of water for 12–15 minutes removes 96–99% of pesticides, like thiabendazole and phosmet, from their surface.

This works much better than just rinsing with water or vinegar.

Baking soda’s alkaline nature helps break down and wash away pesticide residue on foods like apples, cucumbers, and grapes, making it a safe and cheap way to clean produce at home.

Quick Tip: Soak your fruits and veggies in the baking soda mix for 12–15 minutes, then rinse them with clean water.

10/18/2025

Chlorophyll is responsible for absorbing sunlight and giving leaves their green color. As chemical changes begin to take place inside the plant, a corky wall of cells forms between the twig and the leaf stalk. This corky wall eventually causes the leaf to drop off in the breeze 🍂

As the corky cells multiply, they begin to seal off the vessels that supply the leaf with nutrients and water and also block the exit vessels to some extent, trapping simple sugars in the leaves. The combination of reduced light, lack of nutrients, and less water triggers the trees to start the process of breaking down the chlorophyll, and the green color fades.

Because the green color was “masking” other color pigments, you start to see leaves change color into yellows and reds! Here's more on the science of why autumn foliage looks the way it does! 🍂 Almanac.com/Fall-Leaves

10/15/2025

10/15/2025

While many view spa days as a luxury, research shows that a simple massage is so much more: It can help beat stress, soothe tired muscles, and boost your mind. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can harm your health over time, and Harvard researchers found that regular massages