If we take a second and think about relaxation many of us will picture spa days, cozying up beside the fire, staying in bed until 2pm and of course a massage. A massage is a great way to help you relax but it also has many therapeutic benefits.
A massage incorporates a wide array of different types of massages. It can range from a Swedish Massage, which is the most common, to one that is for a specific purpose such as a Sports Massage.
Having a massage, no matter what type comes down to one main thing: pressure. When moderate pressure is applied it allows for the calming and slowing of the nervous system. This can lead to other physiological effects like a decrease in your heart rate, changes in EEG and lowered blood pressure. Plus, it takes less time than you think. You’re able to see the positive changes that come from a massage in as little as 20 minutes!
Let’s talk about the five largest benefits from massage therapy.
Fight Fatigue
We’ve all been there at some point. Are you tossing and turning at night thinking about the work you have? Are you restless and feeling tired? Do you feel like you don’t even have 5 minutes to yourself?
Fatigue can be caused by various factors including not getting enough sleep and biological factors. But no matter what the cause is, there is a solution available for you. You guessed it, a massage. To get the best benefits it is recommended to get a massage once per week.
Get A Better Nights Sleep
Does it take you a long time to fall asleep or suffering from insomnia? A massage can help you go into deeper sleep. When you get a massage your nervous system slows down due to the pressure allowing you to relax and fall asleep.
In addition when you get a deeper sleep it helps to restore aches and pains. Therefore a massage will do a double-duty.
Boost Focus
Have you recently been feeling distracted and not able to get your thoughts together. The effects of a massage will help improve your ability to focus and attention.
Because a massage is able to slow your heart rate it in turn lower your nervous system. During a massage pressure receptors stimulate activity that could ultimately lower your heart rate and increase your focus.
Relieve Anxiety
A study suggests that if you suffer from anxiety a massage can help to significantly reduce your symptoms. The study has seen significant results which was due to a decreased sympathetic tone in the patients.
The sympathetic nervous system is also known as your fight or flight. If you’re getting chased by a cheetah you are using your sympathetic nervous system causing an increased heart rate. However during a massage your parasympathetic nervous system gets activated which is where the calming sensation gets released. The study has even shown that the results from a massage can be long term to decrease anxiety.
Heal Joint Pain
If you experienced an injury and/or joint pain you may have what is called soft-tissue restrictions which cause knots or trigger points of pain. A massage therapist knows the optimal pressure to apply in certain areas to relieve the soft tissue restriction and increase circulation.
If you have more questions about our Registered Massage Therapy services in our Vaughan or Toronto location, we would love to help!
Simply click the link below to connect 👇👇
Find out more at www.bodyandsoulclinic.ca
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