More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Why Everyone Needs Massage In Their Life
Massage is no longer just a luxury but a real necessity. Sure it's great to take a spa day and get the works massage, facial and mani/pedi but more and more people are discovering the seemingly never-ending benefits of regular massage. Just to name a few of the benefits, massage can help to ease muscle pain, improve range of motion, boost blood circulation, reduce stress and even improve your sleep.
Massage helps to relax muscle and connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints. Spasms can also be relieved and range of motion and flexibility can be improved. Pain in the lower back, hip, buttocks and leg, caused by the compression of the Sciatic nerve (a nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg), for example, can be relieved by massaging areas of the lower back.
Good blood circulation is an essential function for a healthy body. Massage can help to flush out the lactic acid in our muscles and improve the flow of lymph fluid. Improved blood pressure and body function as well as boosted immunity is the result.
Massage can also cause the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can help you feel relaxed, which helps improve the quality of your sleep. By improving your sleep cycles you could ultimately improve many aspects of your life. With more sleep comes a more relaxed mind, which usually goes hand-in-hand with more happiness.
Among all of the benefits of receiving regular massage, stress reduction may be the most important. Work, family, school or money are probably just a few causes for your stress not to mention all the little daily annoyances traffic, the line at the grocery store or those pesky kids that just don't want to go to bed. Did you know stress is thought to be a risk factor for many chronic diseases such as depression, obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's, gastrointestinal problems and many more?
We are all guilty of leading busy lives in a very hustle-and-bustle world, but it shouldn't affect our physical and mental health. Despite the many different stressors that can affect us, we must remember that we have the ability to change our lifestyles to reduce these stressors and gain control over our happiness. A good way to reduce these day-to-day stressors is massage therapy. So what are you waiting for? Make regular massage a part of your new healthy lifestyle and schedule your next muscle-easing, stress-reducing, happiness-boosting massage in a calm and serene atmosphere.
