If you’re reading this then chances are you’re in need of a massage and want to find out how you’ll benefit from one. Perhaps you are trying to figure out why your shoulders hunch over and your neck is tight, feeling like it’s about to snap. Or maybe you’re just one of those people who love massages. Whether you’re craving a massage at home from someone you trust or you’d prefer a professional massage therapy session, lots of people enjoy a massage as part of their lifestyle and routine now and then. But what are the possible benefits of a massage? We have researched the different types of massages and their benefits, for you to better understand why you should be adding them to your schedule.
What Is A Massage?
Massage therapy is systemically and strategically manipulating the soft tissues of the body to produce a relaxed state. It alleviates discomfort, anxiety and fatigue. This definition covers a broad range of different massage styles and techniques.
10 Benefits Of A Massage
If you enjoy spending time pampering yourself or going for massages in spa-like environments, that’s more than enough reason to get a massage. If you’re still wondering how beneficial massages can be, especially if you have a medical condition, the SweepSouth team is here to give you some helpful answers.
Speak to your primary care doctor before booking a massage for specific ailments. Listed below are 10 of the most common and prominent benefits that a massage will help with.
1. It Can Counteract Hours Of Sitting
If you sit at a desk all day for work, then it’s likely that a lot of strain and stress has manifested in your back, shoulders and neck. Postural stress often presents itself as pain or weakness in the lower back and glutes caused by prolonged hours of sitting.
Luckily, if you suffer from pain in your neck or shoulders, a massage can counteract the imbalance caused by sitting. So you don’t have to quit your desk job, just schedule a regular massage.
2. It Eases Back Pain
If you have sore muscles, massage therapy can help you. Massages increase and improve circulation. Just as we rub our elbows when knocking them against a table or another hard surface, it helps to minimise and relieve the pain. Massage therapy can be just as effective as other studied treatment methods for chronic back pain.
3. It Soothes Anxiety And Depression
Human touch in the professional, friendly and safe context can be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing. Many people who receive massage therapy at least 3 times a week have been reported to be less depressed and less angry. It’s also been found that patients who were depressed and anxious were much more relaxed and in a better mood, with reduced stress levels, after a massage.
4. It Improves Sleep
One of the greatest benefits of a massage is that it encourages restful sleep, and also helps those who can’t usually fall asleep. Massages promote relaxation and sleep particularly for those undergoing chemo or radiation therapy. Also, massage therapy can help infants sleep more, cry less, and be less stressed.
There are RMTs (registered massage therapists) that are qualified to do infant massages. And if you’d like to do it yourself as a parent, there is no particular technique. Simply doing whatever soothes your child regularly will be effective.
5. Boost Immunity
It has been found that massages boost your white blood cell count, which plays a vital role in defending the body from disease. Also, it improves immune function for those living with HIV.
6. Relieves Headaches
A massage decreases the frequency and severity of tension headaches. Research has found that a single session of massage therapy immediately affects perceived pain in people with headaches or chronic tension headaches.
7. Improved Bone Blood Supply
Did you know that your bones also have a blood supply and receive the same advantages from a massage as your muscles? Blood flow brings calcium and other minerals to your bones to help support their strength and function, so your skeletal system receives a major boost after a massage.
8. Lymphatic Detox
The lymphatic system is vital to balancing fluid and the function of your immune system. Lymphatic vessels parallel blood vessels throughout your entire body; large groups of lymph nodes are found in the neck, armpits and groin.
Your massage therapist works on flushing blood through your muscle and tissue, while also draining the lymphatic system, where the lymph nodes filter dead cells, waste products, and even pathogens. Staggered lymph flow contributes to fluid retention, and draining the lymphatic system may reduce Edema in various parts of your body.
9. Musculoskeletal Benefits
Muscles are like sponges – when contracted, blood and lymph fluid squeezes out, and when relaxed, fresh blood enters bringing fresh oxygen, immune cells and nutrition with it. Your massage therapist may incorporate stretching and various motion movements into the massage, which mobilises the joints and places beneficial tension on your muscles, ligaments and tendons.
10. Improved Breathing
While having a massage, your therapist may ask you to take a deep breath at the beginning of the massage. Unrestricted breathing is one of the quickest ways to reduce stress, and your first breath on the massage table may become a sign of relief. In addition to the diaphragm, there are muscles in your chest, ribs and neck that also assist in your breathing.
There are many more benefits of a massage, you just need to book one to experience them. A full-body massage with soft music in the background, and low lighting, provides a feeling of tranquillity and bliss. A massage stimulates your nervous system and wakes up your muscles, organs and glands. It also moves blood and lymph fluid and works for multitudes of cells to produce and release chemicals and hormones. After reading this, you may want to book a massage for your body to renew and reverse the effects of stress.
We go through a lot of stress in our lives, but at SweepSouth, we can take on the stress of cleaning your home, so you can go for that massage and come home to a clean and rejuvenated space.
