Massage Therapy Does More Than Just Relax You
Are you constantly bogged down at work and struggling to get a good night’s sleep? Already feeling overwhelmed by the impending holiday season? We get it. This time of year can be extremely stressful for people, and it doesn’t take long for it to wipe you out completely. Coupled with the fact that you’ll likely have to spend time out in the yard raking leaves or shoveling snow, you’re looking at a mentally and physically taxing season.
Don’t let the holidays get you down. If you are stressed out or in pain, something as simple as a massage can get you back on track.
Massage Helps to Relieve Stress
When you’re stressed, your body triggers its natural “fight-or-flight” response, elevating your heart rate and causing your muscles to tense up. Massage therapy counteracts these effects. During treatment, a massage therapist activates pressure points linked to the vagus nerve, which regulates blood pressure. This stimulation helps lower your body’s blood pressure. Multiple studies have also shown that participants undergoing massage therapy saw a decrease in the body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone) and an increase in production of endorphins (your brain’s “feel-good” chemical).
Decrease Anxiety and Depression
If you’ve ever experienced anxiety or depression, you know what a toll they can take. But something as easy as a massage can boost your mood and relieve anxious feelings. When you receive a massage, your body releases serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is responsible for stabilizing your mood and balancing any excessive stimulating neurotransmitters that cause anxiety and stress. Dopamine, on the other hand, battles depression and helps you focus.
Massage Can Help Boost Immunity
If you never seem to get away from those nasty winter colds, perhaps a massage could help. A study published in the “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine” found that massage therapy increased the presence of the body’s natural killer cells. These cells act as the immune system’s first line of defense, destroying cells that contain tumors and viruses.
Sleep Better After a Massage
When you don’t get enough sleep, you get cranky. But did you also know it can open you up to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and depression? Sleep plays a vital role in our overall health, but it’s not always easy to get in the recommended eight hours per night. If you find yourself tossing and turning, try massage therapy. Research has shown that massage therapy can improve sleep for just about everyone, including:
- insomniacs
- people with psychiatric disorders
- people who suffer from migraines
- people in physical pain
Thanks to the increase in serotonin from your massage, your body has an easier time producing melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. A massage can help you spend more time in the deeper stages of sleep responsible for restoring your body.
Reduce Back and Neck Pain
Your eight-hour workday does more than leave you mentally exhausted; it can leave you with uncomfortable neck and back pain. Spending long periods of time at your desk, hunched over your keyboard creates tension in your neck and back. Luckily, a massage can help. The American Massage Therapy Association states that massage therapy can benefit people who experience chronic lower back and neck pain. Massages help get your blood flowing, giving your body the aid in needs to restore your strained muscles. Plus, the physical kneading of pressure points on your neck and back relieve muscle tension.
Fall Onto Our Massage Table at Matrix Spa & Massage
If you’re ready to put your stress, winter blues and pain behind you, schedule a massage at Matrix Spa & Massage today. We offer a range of massage services, including deep tissue massage, and hot stone massage. Right now, if you book your appointment between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., you can get a Swedish massage for just $49. Visit our website or call us today at 801-505-9340 to make an appointment.
