Unexpected Ways Massage Therapy Can Improve Your Health
Massage therapy isn’t just for stress relief and injuries. Regular sessions can alleviate migraines, improve sleep, and soothe anxiety. This healing practice benefits your heart, skin, and digestive system while boosting your mood. Its health benefits have been known for thousands of years.
Need more proof? Here are five unexpected ways massage therapy can improve your health:
Offsets the Harmful Effects of Prolonged Sitting
How many hours do you spend at your desk? Is it five, eight, or more hours? Believe it or not, prolonged sitting is just as bad for your health as smoking.
According to researchers, too much sitting increases the risk of death from all causes. It’s a major contributing factor to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic ailments.
Massage therapy can offset all that sitting you do. This form of treatment reduces postural stress, eases neck and back pain, and stretches your muscles. If you’re spending too much time sitting, book a massage! Your future self will thank you.
Relieves Menopause Symptoms
This therapy is particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women. Menopause triggers hormonal changes that affect sleep, metabolism, body composition, and mood. Insomnia, for instance, is a common symptom.
Evidence shows that regular massage can improve sleep quality and relieve menopause symptoms. On top of that, it has none of the side effects associated with hormone replacement therapy.
Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease. Before taking pills, try massage therapy! This healing practice stimulates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower cortisol levels and balances your emotions. As a result, your blood pressure will drop.
Prevents Diabetes
Regular massage decreases the production of stress hormones and relaxes the nervous system, which helps improve insulin response. It also increases circulation and removes toxins from your body. These factors may lower your risk of diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
Supports Digestive Health
This therapy can improve organ function, leading to better digestion. It’s beneficial for your kidneys and liver, assisting in the removal of metabolic waste. Certain massage techniques increase peristalsis, which helps prevent constipation and improves colon health.
When was the last time you had a massage? If you can’t remember it, book a session today! The benefits are immediate.