Stress Free in Factoria: Get in Touch with 10 Unexpected Benefits of a Massage
Posted by Elizabeth on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
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I love a massage. I would call it a borderline addiction. There’s no better way to kill aches and pains, ditch stress, and completely realign your attitude toward life than surrendering to an hour devoted completely to making you feel good. We’re pretty health conscious here in Seattle, especially around great locations like Factoria, University Village, and Bellevue. But we might not always know all the benefits of a specific treatment. Whether you love a deep tissue, knead your knots until you weep approach, or a gentler Swedish massage, getting one will make a real impact on your health and your life. Here are just 10 of the ways that massage is as good for you as drinking a green juice, going for a run, or hitting the mat for a yoga class.
Lower cortisol and fight depression: Massage has been clinically shown to reduce your cortisol levels. This helps with everything from just feeling stressed to accumulating belly fat to depression and anxiety. A University of Miami study confirmed a direct correlation between massage and reduced depression in patients. The change happens at a deep biochemical and hormonal level.
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Fight back pain: Of course you think of hitting the spa when your back hurts. But studies have actually shown that massage can be as helpful in managing chronic back pain as meds, acupuncture, and exercise regimens. What sounds more fun: getting a massage or hitting the gym? I thought so.
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Overcome insomnia: People who get regular massages have been shown to sleep better. In addition to being more relaxed, massage appears to fight insomnia by impacting the brain’s relationship to delta waves which are crucial for a good night’s sleep.
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Kick that cold: Massages have been clinically shown to improve your immune system, which is something to keep in mind this winter to help keep colds at bay. It can also be a great way to pamper your body when you feel something coming on. In addition to the immune benefits you get from just lowering your stress, massage also increases your white blood cell production which lets you more effectively fight infections.
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Beat back PMS: If you suffer from PMS, some studies have shown that massage can help alleviate the symptoms that drive women crazy. The obvious ones were bloating and mood swings. Timing is the key to this being effective.
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Perform better mentally: Did you know that massages can help increase your alertness and improve general cognitive function? A study at the Touch Research Institute demonstrated that adults that received a short massage were more alert and did better on a math test.
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Say good-bye to headaches: Massage has been shown to be effective against a number of types of headache. Tension headaches are a no-brainer, but it also helps headaches associated with TMJ, migraines, and increased people’s ability to function despite a headache even if it didn’t alleviate it totally.
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Reap the beauty benefits: Since massage increases blood flow, it makes you look better too. A scalp or facial massage can alleviate puffy skin, increase the moisture in dull skin, and drain away the toxins that make you look blah by stimulating the lymphatic drainage system.
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Manage chronic illness better: If you’re combating a chronic illness like cancer or an autoimmune disorder, many studies have shown that massage can help patients manage side effects. Fatigue, infections, tension, and stress have all improved when chronically ill patients receive regular massage.
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Heal better after working out: Workouts and injuries alike can cause inflammation. Massage, even just 10 minutes, can shorten the amount of time it takes your body to heal by decreasing the levels of inflammation in your body.
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So the next time you’re worried about spending the money or taking the time to get a massage, remember: it’s not just an indulgence (even though you’re worth it!). There are serious health benefits you shouldn’t ignore! Set up an appointment in Factoria or one of our other great locations today!
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