Guest Post: Massage Your Way to Health & Vitality
Sophia’s Choice is a wonderful Beaminster hub of all things health and wellbeing, offering natural tonics and healthy options to live your best life, treatments as well as workshops. We asked Charlie to tell us more about the art of Massage and why it’s so important for us to consider this as part of our daily lives.
Here’s what she writes:
Massage dates back thousands of years with China, Egypt and India all practising a form of massage therapy, in some cases as far back as 2,500BC.
Throughout my time as an Holistic Therapist, massage has always been my favourite therapy to not only give, but also receive. It is a joy to see my clients float out of my treatment room after a relaxing massage and I’m a big advocate of its many benefits.
We live in a fast paced, often stressful world. Therefore, taking time out to relax and remove yourself from the hubbub of modern life, is becoming more and more important. I hope by sharing with you the many benefits of massage, that you will put some “me time” aside and book yourself a treatment.
Massage comes in many forms; Therapeutic Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Sports & Remedial Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Acupressure Massage, Shiatsu, Tui Na Massage, Thai Massage and Indian Head Massage. Not all forms involve removing clothing, so there is a massage therapy for everyone dependent on your needs.
So, what are the many benefits of massage?
Reduces Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Massage induces a deep state of relaxation which can help those who are suffering with stress and anxiety. It calms body and mind, reducing stress hormones and releasing our “feel good” hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin. This in turn affects our mood, making it helpful for those suffering with depression or low mood.
Relieves Headaches and Migraines
For those who suffer with headaches and migraines, massage can be a great way to relieve tension, and relax the tight neck and shoulder muscles that can restrict blood flow into the head area. Many people find that having a regular back, neck and shoulder massage reduces the severity and frequency of their headaches.
Reduces Muscle Pain & Tension
Massage helps to reduce tension in the muscle tissue and eases muscle spasms, which in turn can help to reduce pain. Massage also helps to soothe the nerves which again can affect pain levels in the body.
Increases Joint Mobility & Flexibility
As we are working on the body’s muscles, tendons and ligaments during a massage treatment, those with stiff joints and reduced mobility can experience a real benefit in this area.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
By inducing a state of relaxation, massage helps to reduce blood pressure, and stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Massage also improves the blood circulation, increasing the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen to all the body’s cells.
Stimulates the Lymphatic System and Boosts Immunity
Massage affects our lymphatic system, which helps to remove toxins from the body’s tissues and reduces excess fluid build-up. The lymphatic system also produces white blood cells which are increased after a massage treatment.
A study carried out by the Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in 2010 and more recently carried out on a small scale, on BBC’s ‘Trust Me I’m A Doctor’, showed that white blood cells were significantly raised after a massage treatment, even more so that just rest alone.
Improves Skin Tone
As well as improving muscle tone, massage can also improve our skin. Oxygen, nutrients and blood flow are brought to the area, which helps the skin to renew cells, and remove dead skin cells. This is particularly relevant when we have a facial massage.
Improves Sleep and Relieves Insomnia
Massage, particularly therapeutic massage, is deeply relaxing. This can be helpful in supporting those who experience reduced sleep and insomnia. I find my clients sleep very well on the night of their treatment.
May Help Support Those with Chronic Illness or Cancer
Massage can be exceptionally beneficial for those who are going through long term treatment of a chronic condition or cancer. As long as your GP or Consultant have no concerns, massage can be a wonderful therapy to help you cope through this difficult time both physically and emotionally.
On your first visit for a massage treatment, your therapist will take you through a consultation where they will detail your health picture. This allows them to decide if massage is suitable for you or if they need to adjust the treatment for your specific needs. If you have a serious health condition, then it is advisable to chat to your GP before embarking on a massage treatment.
After your treatment, you should hopefully feel relaxed and recharged. It is advisable to drink water in the hours after your treatment to help flush out any toxins the muscles wish to release. This also helps reduce any muscle soreness. If possible, rest and relax, as this will prolong the benefits of your massage.
Above all, enjoy your massage experience and if possible, make it a monthly treat to yourself. You won’t regret it!
We are blessed in Beaminster to have an array of places offering relaxing treatments including massage therapy. These include Salon on the Square, Sophia’s Choice, The Beauty Room and The Ollerod. In addition, we have many independent holistic therapists in the area who also offer massage therapy.
The next time you feel you need a bit of hands-on time, make sure you book a massage with any of the amazing service providers in Beaminster. Want to know more about Sophia’s Choice? Visit their website here.
