"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain"
Carl Jung
Often, when people think of the word ‘massage’ they associate it with ‘luxury’, ‘indulgence’ and ‘pampering’. It’s seen as a treat, and something people may allow themselves once or twice a year.
The notion that massage is ‘just an indulgence’ is just not true.
The benefits of massage are endless and something that not enough people are aware of. That and often we listen and don't necessarily hear it as something that "doesn't apply to me".
Believe me, it does, it applies to us all.
In fact it’s easy to see why massage is commonly described as a luxury; it makes you feel amazing!
That feel-good emotion that we all love is due to the release of endorphins that produce a feeling of wellbeing, whilst stress causing hormones such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine are reduced.
Cortisol is a stress hormone and unfortunately when you feel anxious, your body pumps out even more of it, fuelling your stress levels and causing them to rise.
Having your body feeling relaxed and de-stressed is also super important when it comes to getting a good night’s rest. And when it comes to functioning properly, rest and quality sleep is vital to your wellbeing! My clients always tell me, and I know from my own experience, that they sleep like a baby after a massage with me.
What are the benefits of a relaxation massage?
Massage improves circulation
The gentle stroking and kneading movements over your skin can improve the flow of blood circulation peripherally, bringing fresh blood to the area providing better local nutrition and hastening the removal of toxins and waste matter. This in turn will improve the recovery of soft tissue injuries locally and improve your skin tone.
Massage reduces muscle tension and eases muscle pain
In the past two years, the move to working from home has done our posture absolutely no favours' whatsoever. Muscle tension, which is often down to poor posture, can be reduced dramatically by a regular relaxation massage.
Often we don't realise how tense we have been until we are fully relaxed.
That feeling of tension we hold in our jaw, our neck, our shoulders is real and often begins to feel "normal" - believe me it's not!
Gentle but firm pressure to specific shoulder muscles for example will help disperse any tension build up/tightness in this area - the feeling of relief is amazing!
Muscular fatigue from over-use during exercise can also be greatly reduced by having regular relaxation massages. The effects of the kneading and stroking movements to your muscle fibres help disperse/remove lactic acid build up, reducing fatigue, discomfort and recovery time .
Massage will also help increase your energy levels.
Reducing your muscle tension, reducing stress, and improving your sleep - it's a win win situation.
Massage can help alleviate anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are a real part of many of our lives due to our stressful lifestyles.
By creating a calming atmosphere and with the healing benefits of skin to skin contact, as well as the practical analgesic effects of massage itself, this therapy can alleviate some of the symptoms of instances of anxiety and depression. Your overall wellness can be improved.
Massage improves sleep
Relaxation massage relaxes you and provides relief from stress and the feeling of calm, which can help you fall asleep more quickly, sleep more deeply and be less disturbed during sleep.
Massage therapy also relieves postural stress and localised pain so that you will find it easier to sleep more comfortably.
Massage improves immunity
By reducing stress hormones and lowering blood pressure the body is better able to target its immune response to ward off disease or infection more efficiently.
So now do you need a massage?
It is fair to say that we look at massage as a luxury however with all of these benefits to your whole being, wouldn’t you say that it is an essential and should form part of everyone’s wellbeing plans?
I know I never feel better or sleep better than after my massage and the effects last for days and often weeks, rubbing away the stresses of life.
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