Whether you experience occasional shoulder knots or persistent muscle pain, the benefits of massage go beyond loosening those tight spots. Yes, you’ll feel relief from tension and soreness in your lower back, but you’ll also get the care and attention your body deserves.
Professional Therapists and Massage Options
Professional therapists can customize a massage to suit your needs, so be sure to tell them why you’re attending therapy in the first place. If you don’t want to spend a fortune (or don’t like being touched by strangers) you can opt for a whirlpool bath or a few minutes in a massage chair. Either way, it’s important to pay attention to which muscles are bothering you so you can focus on them and get the most out of your massage.
Here are five benefits of pampering your body:
1 Headache Management
According to the Mayo Clinic, massage can help ease the discomfort of headaches, which is exciting news for those who suffer from frequent headaches. If you’re looking for a way to supplement your current headache treatment, try some massage sessions. See if the pain starts to lessen.
2 Relieve Muscle Pain
It’s no surprise that gym-goers experience occasional muscle soreness after running on the treadmill or lifting weights, but if prolonged soaking in hot water doesn’t help, then it’s time to try something new. A study on massage published in Science Translational Medicine found that participants who received massage had less muscle inflammation, which means the body recovers faster and spends less time feeling uncomfortable after exercise.
3 Reduce Stress
Managing stress in a healthy way is an important part of your overall health, and one of the most documented benefits of massage is that it can actually reduce stress. After a massage, the stress hormone (called cortisol) decreases, and so does your sense of well-being. The increased hormones (serotonin and dopamine) will not only relax your muscles, but you’ll also feel the mental benefits of the massage, explains Prevention magazine.
4 Improve Sleep Quality
Have you ever seen a cat sleeping in front of a fireplace and wished it was you? The Massage Trajectory, According to the National Sleep Foundation, receiving a massage releases neurotransmitters necessary for a good night’s sleep. Who knows? You might even take a nap during training.
5 Things that Will Help with Your Workout
The hard work you put in the gym deserves to be rewarded. Of course, feeling healthier and more energized is a reward in itself, but it’s not easy to enjoy when you’re feeling unwell. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer, as Shape Magazine points out. As stated, sports massage “can reduce muscle tension and soreness, lower blood pressure, increase circulation and lymphatic flow, improve flexibility and range of motion, and shorten muscle recovery time.”
