7 Benefits of a Monthly Massage
Posted on August 11, 2017
Cultures around the world have practiced massage for several millennia and yet, researchers and practitioners still haven’t learned all the benefits of a long-term massage regimen. However, a significant body of new research suggests that regular massage offers even more advantages than infrequent sessions.
If you’re not doing so already, here are seven more reasons you should consider adding massage treatment to your monthly calendar.
1. Manage Anxiety and Stress
Numerous studies have confirmed that massage as instrumental in reducing stress. For example, a 2016 Journal of Clinical Psychiatry study revealed that anxiety disorder patients who receive massage therapy show a substantial reduction in symptoms.
Researchers attribute this improvement to the “feel good” chemicals — endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine that the body releases during and after a massage. It’s no wonder therapy patients who make regular appointments to their massage therapists report a drastic reduction in stress.
2. Muscle Relaxation
Massage therapy is the perfect way to relax those sore muscles. Whether the soreness stems from an intense workout or sitting in front of the computer for hours on end, there’s nothing better for pain relief than a great sports massage.
We tend to carry a lot of tension in our neck and back muscles. As such, these muscle groups require special treatment which is why many practitioners advocate monthly treatments as opposed to periodic or single visits. Many of our customers get monthly Swedish and Deep Tissue Massages.
3. Increase Blood Flow and Circulation
Our muscles and organs need oxygen to heal and function properly; this is one of the key benefits of massage since it stimulates blood flow. Massage therapy helps provide oxygen and other necessary nutrients to our blood. In doing so, it relieves back pain, heals sore muscles, and is beneficial for one’s overall health and well-being. These benefits are heightened by getting regular massages.
4. Provide Lower Back Pain Relief
Many Americans suffer from lower back pain. We tend to hurt our lower back muscles one of two ways—sitting at a desk all day or working out at the gym. As a result, our back muscles get tense from repetitive use or overuse. Getting regular professional massages is one of the best ways to properly relieve tension and lower back pain.
5. Improve Your Mood
Apart from helping manage stress and anxiety, a massage can also be instrumental in lifting your spirits. Since our brains produce happy chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, etc. during a massage session, anyone suffering from high anxiety levels can benefit.
If you’ve ever seen our customers leave our massage spa, this is why. And if a single massage can improve your sleep, imagine what monthly massages can do.
6. Relief From Symptoms with Fibromylgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain and is often accompanied by mood swings and sleep issues. In some instances, it causes fatigue and flu-like symptoms, as well. Those who suffer from this condition may sometimes feel stiffness and pain in their back muscles.
Fortunately, it’s nothing that a monthly trip to your massage therapist can’t address.
7. Improve Sleeping Habits
Sleep is critical for good health. Whether you’re having a difficult time falling asleep or just having a difficult time sleeping through the night, a massage acts as a holistic sedative and rivals any sleeping pill.
Massage helps patients sleep because it aids in the body’s release of serotonin. Since regular therapy means a steady flow of neurotransmitters, monthly massage all but assures good sleep – night after night.
As the research and data accumulate, we’re bound to learn even more benefits of monthly massage but for now the items above are reason enough to consider converting those one-off massage sessions to monthly visits.