Though massages are often regarded as luxury experiences, that’s only partially true. While there are plenty of reasons to enjoy a massage, there are also plenty of reasons to consider a massage to be beneficial to your health and wellness. A Greentoes massage helps both the mind and the body, and it does so in a variety of ways.
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Better Posture
A lot of lifestyles often lead to back pain. If you have a desk job or you’re otherwise mostly sedentary, you’re probably familiar with the aches and pains that come along with a body frequently at rest. Chronic back pain is one of the leading causes of disability. Even if you can’t move around as much as you’d like to, focusing on proper posture will allow you to sit comfortably for prolonged periods of time.
Bad posture puts strain on the muscles, namely those in the neck and back, but also sometimes in the shoulders. After a while, habitual slouchers find it difficult to sit up straight. A massage to work those muscles can help relieve that strain while promoting flexibility in the joints. The end result is the ability to sit up straight without discomfort holding you back.
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Relaxation
Stress isn’t merely mental – it’s also chemical. When you’re stressed out, your body produces more cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Many people with high cortisol levels struggle with things like weight gain, headaches, stomach and digestive problems, and they may even have trouble sleeping. To limit or eliminate some of the ways that stress hormones affect your life, you need to counteract them.
Massage therapy can kick out some of the cortisol. With lower levels of cortisol, the body can recover. This recovery process is exactly what you body needs to undo some of the awful affects of cortisol, allowing you to relax properly.
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A Stronger Immune System
The reduction in cortisol that occurs as a result of massage does more than make you feel better – it boasts some long-term positive effects in the form of improving the immune system. Stress hormones push the immune systems past its limits, making stressed out people more susceptible to illness or even injury due to the muscle tension they often experience.
Massage opens up new doors for people. Since cortisol levels are lower, it’s easier to get the sleep you need for your body to be able to fight off bacteria and infection. Since massage also improves muscle health, it’s easier for people who receive regular massages to exercise without aches or pain. Exercise is also necessary for a strong immune system.
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Stress Reduction
Not only can massage therapy reduce the presence of the stress hormone, it can prevent it from being released in the first place. The stimulation provided by a massage is both emotionally and physically beneficial.
During a massage, your body releases serotonin. Serotonin is the body’s natural “feel good” chemical. It’s a mood booster and a natural pain reliever. By getting a little more serotonin, you’re bound to feel a little more blissful. If you get massages on a regular basis, you can ride the wave of happiness as far as it will take you.
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Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is dangerous. Some people don’t even realize they’re living with high blood pressure until they experience a medical problem. When your blood pressure is high, you’re more likely to have a heart attack or a stroke. It can even lead to kidney damage.
Consistent use of massage therapy has been shown to decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels over time. The more you work it, the more it works for you. The lowering of blood pressure can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the reduction of cortisol and the reduction of muscular pain, both of which can cause spikes in blood pressure.
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Better Circulation
When you get a massage, all of that hands-on pressure is setting you up for the long-term benefit of improved circulation. When the muscles are being worked and the knots and scar tissue are being broken down, new blood is encouraged to flow through the muscles.
The reparative effect of the message ensures that oxygen-rich blood continues to flow through those muscles. This process helps muscles repair themselves. It also removes lactic acid while stimulating the lymphatic fluid to carry away all the waste that’s been hiding in those muscles.
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Less Muscle Tension
Muscle relaxation is the obvious benefit of massage therapy, but it shouldn’t be undervalued. Your muscles, both separately and in conjunction with each other, are incredibly busy. It shouldn’t be a surprise when little aches and pains pop up, because your muscles don’t get a day off. A massage is essentially a vacation for your muscles – it’s providing your body with everything you need to feel healthier, happier, and pain-free.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits for yourself, book your massage with us here at Greentoes in Tucson. We would be thrilled for the opportunity to make your first massage one of the greatest experiences you’ll ever have.