10 Reasons to Incorporate massage into your life

10 Reasons to Incorporate massage into your life

When you think of massage, odds are you think of an hour of relaxation – a little “me” time. Massage certainly offers a great way to escape from the stresses of our everyday lives, but more and more studies are showing that regular massage gives you so much more: a range of emotional and physical benefits. Here are the top 10 reasons to incorporate more massage in your life.

1. Massage reduces stress – A single massage can lower your heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels, all of which are tied to how stressed you feel.
2. It helps you relax – Long after your massage is over, you will still benefit from a host of brain chemistry responses that encourage feelings of relaxation, lowered stress and improved mood.
3. Improves posture – Massage helps your body to reinforce healthy and natural movements, which will help correct any posture problems you may have.
4. Improves circulation – The pressure from massage moves oxygen-rich blood through the body to damaged, tense muscles so they can heal, while removing lactic acid and other metabolic waste.
5. Lowers blood pressure – Studies have shown that massage can lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
6. It relaxes muscles – Sitting causes a lot of chronic back pain and massage can help with persistent pain by relaxing those tense muscles.
7. Improves flexibility – Sedimentary lifestyles and age can make joints less flexible.
8. Massage helps improve fluidity and range of motion in your joints and connective tissues.
9. Massage helps you breathe better – Massage can relax muscles in the upper body, which, if they become too tight, can constrict breathing.
10. Relieves headaches – Regular massage reduces your chance of developing a headache in the first place by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. Already have a headache? It can decrease the pain.

With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder today’s client is beginning to see massage as an integral part of their well-being journey. As we all re-examine our wellness choices, massage therapy is shedding the stereotype of being an occasional indulgence. Instead, it’s become a highly integral body maintenance experience that offers any number of health benefits when consistently incorporated with other total body care actions.

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