Massage may seem decadent. It might seem like a luxury. Perhaps the word even conjures up images of fancy robes, spa products, and…somehow… the sounds of whale song filtered through Enya’s vocals. (Weird.) It might seem like nothing more than a way to pamper oneself and indulge in a little bit of self-care. But massage is more than just a way to relax and feel good. (Not that relaxing or feeling good is something to laugh at – or worse – take for granted.) As osteopaths, we know that massage therapy is in fact incredibly beneficial to your general health and well-being.
Why get a massage?
Let’s start with some of the obvious points:
Pain relief: Massage can help alleviate acute and chronic pain by reducing muscle tension, increasing blood flow, and promoting the release of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. When you feel less pain everything else in your life gets a little easier – sleep, exercise, eating well…
Stress reduction: Massage therapy has a calming effect on the nervous system. As mentioned, it triggers the release of endorphins through the pituitary gland, leading to relaxation and a reduction in stress levels. It also flushes cortisol out of the body by increasing blood flow to muscles and tissues, which brings us to…
Some of the less obvious points:
- Improved blood circulation: The manipulation of soft tissues during a massage helps to enhance blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs while removing metabolic waste products.
- Muscle relaxation and flexibility: Massage techniques like effleurage, petrissage, and stretching can help relax tense muscles, improve their flexibility, and enhance joint range of motion. And since moving well brings so many health benefits the knock-on effects of a massage start to add up. Massage can be particularly helpful in breaking down scar tissue and adhesions, which can help improve range of movement and further reduce pain.
- Enhanced lymphatic circulation: Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in removing toxins, waste products, and pathogens from the body. Improved lymphatic circulation can strengthen the immune system.
- Improved posture: Muscular imbalances can lead to misaligned posture, which can lead the tensions and imbalances to get further cemented into your movement patterns. Addressing your overly tense muscles is not simply pain relief, but a way to improve your movement patterns, which brings us back to the potential healthy knock-on effects of better movement and posture.
So, book yourself in for a massage. At Active Osteopathy the whale songs and Enya music are entirely optional! (OK – we might not even have them.) Yes – it is self-care and yes – it will make you feel better, but as osteopaths we also know that it can set you up to feel, move and be better for the long term. So, make an appointment via our booking link.
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