Top 10 Registered Massage Therapy Benefits
How often do you find yourself rubbing your neck and shoulders after a hard day of work and thinking about how much you could use a massage right now? Or are you one of those people who loves it when someone gives you a great shoulder rub at the end of a long, hard day?
Unfortunately, for so many of us, we might only consider a massage when we're on vacation or when someone suggests the idea of a spa break to us. But there's a lot more to it than that. There's nothing more relaxing than a massage, especially if you've been overworked and feel a bit tired and stressed. But there are so many more benefits to getting regular registered massage therapy. Keep reading to find out why you shouldn't save getting a massage for your next vacation!
What is a Massage?
Simply put, massage is the process of manipulating the body's soft tissues systematically and strategically to help you relax and relieve pain, stress, anxiety, discomfort, and fatigue.
The term massage is a broad term for various methods, styles and techniques. There are too many to list here, but you've probably heard of Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and sports massage, at the very least.
You're probably also familiar with massage as a treatment offered at a spa or hotel. But it's also a recognized form of therapy for people with long-term pain and chronic conditions. And the benefits are vast. Here are our top 10 registered massage therapy benefits you should know about.
Registered Massage Therapy Benefits Explained
#1: Relieves Pain
Chronic neck and back issues are all too common nowadays, especially with many people working at a desk or in front of a computer all day. A good registered massage therapist will know how to find the source of your pain and create a treatment plan to help.
#2: Stress Relief
In this modern world, it's fair to say most people experience stress at some stage of their life. The CMHA discovered that around one-quarter of all Canadians experience moderate to severe stress most days. Massage can help relieve that stress, and it may also contribute to the reduction of cortisol levels, the stress-causing hormone.
#3: Reduces Anxiety and Depression
There's something about the human touch that can soothe and calm us. Research has shown that massage increases serotonin and dopamine, the hormones responsible for making us feel happy. This makes massage an obvious choice for helping with the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
#4: Improves Sleep
Who doesn't want a good night's sleep? A night of good sleep helps to re-energize us, and you always feel like a new human when you've slept well. Massage works by relaxing you, making it much easier to fall asleep.
#5: Boosts Immunity
One of our favourite registered massage therapy benefits is how good it is for your immune system. It works by stimulating the lymphatic system, which is directly connected to how your body defends itself. If you improve the lymphatic system, you strengthen your immunity making you less likely to pick up bugs and viruses along the way.
#6: Clears Toxins
Our bodies collect a whole host of toxins through what we eat and drink, the air we breathe, and what might enter through our skin from our environment. It's a lot for our bodies to be dealing with! Thankfully, registered massage therapy treatments can help rid our bodies of these toxins by triggering the lymphatic system to do its thing. Drinking plenty of water after a massage also helps to release those toxins.
#7: Relieves Tension Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common complaints many Canadians suffer with. So, instead of reaching for the painkillers next time your head starts to pound, consider booking a massage. Massage relieves the tension of the muscles in the back, shoulders and neck, to provide relief for those stubborn headaches you might be experiencing.
#8: Reduces Swelling
Do you often find you have swollen feet and ankles by the end of the day? Or perhaps you suffer from a condition like edema, which causes your body to swell. Massage is recognized as a great form of treatment for you. Massaging the soft tissues helps to release the build-up of fluid and eliminate it from your body.
#9: Relaxes Muscles
Okay, yes, you might already know this. But did you know that by relaxing your muscles, you'll also be reducing the strain on your body's other vital organs, such as your heart and lungs?
#10: Improves Flexibility
If you've been struggling with specific movements recently, a massage will help relax the muscles around the affected joint, increasing the flexibility and movement of the area.
So, if you find yourself experiencing any of the above and nothing seems to be working, why not book a treatment with one of our registered massage therapists to help find relief and improve your overall quality of life.