We so often consider massage as a self-indulgent luxury and pampering exercise, that we spend money on now and again. Usually more infrequently, than frequently.
But massage is really short for massage therapy and is in fact more a therapy than a relaxation technique.
Believe it or not, there are around 80 distinct types or styles of massage, each one with its own specific set of benefits. For example, sports massage is aimed specifically at aiding recovery from a sports injury or reducing soreness in muscles after an exercise workout. In contrast, a prenatal massage will be designed to ease pelvic tension and backache in pregnant women.
Massage therapy of the types or ranges that MindBody Oasis offers can be very beneficial on many levels.
1. Massage Can Reduce Stress
Massage has been known to decrease the stress hormone named cortisol in the body and to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This allows the body to move out of the freeze, fight and flight response into “rest and digest” response.
The reduction of cortisol is supported by the physical release of tension through the hands-on manipulation of fascia and muscle tissue.
2. Massage Can Improve Metabolism & Weight Loss
Studies have shown that massage can improve metabolism and help break up fat deposits in the body. Massage improves the circulation of blood flow and lymph, and therefore it can aid detoxification and weight loss.
Additionally as stated under 1. above, the parasympathetic nervous system activated by massage allows you to digest food. When you’re too much in stress mode, you’re more likely to put on weight as the energy is diverted away from digestion and into a heightened and sustained state of alertness (causing muscle tightness and spasms).
When combined with a good exercise regimen and a natural whole foods diet, massage can help reduce excess fat and weight in your body. It can therefore ultimately help improve body image, awareness and general self-esteem.
3. Massage Improves Circulation, Muscle and Skin Health
The friction and rubbing movements in massage help to warm up your tissues and increase blood flow.
As blood is a key carrier of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, improving blood flow and circulation enhances the delivery of nourishing compounds to muscles, connective tissues, and the skin.
You can experience enhanced physical performance (muscle suppleness and tone and limb mobility) as well as a speedier recovery of muscle/tissue tension, strain or damage if you opt for regular massage.
Massage also helps rejuvenate the skin through improved blood flow and desquamation (shedding of dead skin cells to aid skin renewal). Detoxification and draining of stagnant lymph, which can cause puffiness in the skin, are also benefits of regular massage.
4. Massage Can Improve Sleep
So many are afflicted these days with restless or poor sleep. This can be down to:
- anxiety caused by Covid-19
- lack of job or financial insecurity
- tensions in relationships
- chronic pain or other health issues
- overwhelming stress
- irregular work shifts
- certain medications
- sleep apnea or some other form of sleep disorder.
In fact, there are many causes of sleep disruption. And not getting enough sleep affects not just our physical health, but our emotional and mental well-being too. We become fractious, irritable, and are less able to cope, concentrate and focus.
Tossing and turning in your sleep can also create sore muscles, knots and tension.
Massage can really go a long way to calm your nerves, soothe your mind as well as placate your feelings. It can also reduce the stiffness and discomfort of tense, aching muscles from restless tossing and turning.
Overall, massage will help improve the quantity and quality of your sleep.
5. Massage Can Reduce Pain & Injury
Massage can physically loosen tight muscles, release muscle adhesions (scar tissue) from past injuries, ease out knots and increase the range of motion around a joint, all of which can mitigate pain and stiffness.
Additionally, massage releases endorphins. These are feel-good hormones that help to block or override pain receptors (nociceptors) and thus minimise the perception of pain. If further interested in this idea, do check out an earlier newsletter post on Reflexology and Pain Gate Theory.
With regard to injuries, massage through improved blood flow helps provide the injured site the vital nutrients it needs to rebuild and repair. It also helps remove waste products, dead cells, and inflammatory compounds surrounding the injured tissue.
In cases where an injury leads to an enforced state of inactivity, massage can provide the necessary stimulation to the inactive tissues to keep them nourished and supple.
6. Massage Relieves Anxiety and Can Stimulate Emotional Healing
As mentioned already, massage triggers a shift to the parasympathetic nervous system. This calms your body and mind and can ease away anxiety and overwhelm.
Massage can support emotional release and healing as my example below will elaborate.
Recently, I had a client come to me for a back massage. It was her first time. At the end of the massage, she experienced a massive emotional release (she began to cry almost spontaneously and uncontrollably). She admitted that not long before Covid, her husband had passed away, but for some reason, she wasn’t able to accept or come to terms with it at the time. After her outpouring of grief she felt so much better and more able to cope with her loss.
It is important to know that past experiences and traumas are stored not only in our mind and memories, but in our bodies too. Massage can help release not only physical pain, but emotional pain too. You do not need to worry about feeling over-exposed or out of place if and when this happens. As a massage therapist we are trained to maintain a safe and confidential space for clients to release and heal.
7. Massage Can Improve Focus and Mental Acuity
Massage can improve focus and mental clarity by balancing your nervous system, connecting your mind and body, decreasing cortisol levels, and encouraging alertness and mindfulness.
While many people associate massage with relaxation, massage can also have an invigorating and energising effect since it can increase energy levels by letting go of pain, tension and strain in the body (which have the effect of sapping energy from the body).
9. Massage Can Boost Your Immune System
Massage promotes the flow of lymph, a fluid that carries immune cells throughout the body and helps fight infection and inflammation.
Massage has an anti-inflammatory effect by lowering levels of cortisol and cytokines (small proteins that control the growth and activity of immune cells).
Massage leads to greater balance of the immune system and helps it reach an ideal anti-inflammatory state.
There is also some evidence demonstrating the ability of regular massage to reduce symptoms and disease severity in those with autoimmune diseases.
Massage therapists recommend drinking a lot of water and taking immune-supportive supplements like vitamin C and zinc to augment the immune benefits of a massage.
10. Massage Can Boost Your Mood and Lower Depression
Massage stimulates the production of feel-good endorphins and oxytocin. Both compounds elevate your mood and help you feel happier, more optimistic, and energised.
Conclusion
Perhaps it may be time to consider massage as less of a luxury and as more of an essential healing and well-being therapy that your body, mind and soul will thank you for now and in the future.
That’s why at MindBody Oasis we have developed 2 new payment plans to make it affordable to have monthly treatments.
For the optimum therapy frequency we have the Winter Boost Package which only costs £70/month for 2 treatments a month.
Alternatively, you can purchase the 5-month payment plan, providing you a massage or any other treatment of choice within the plan for just £39 / month. This is called the Power of 5 Wellness Package.
To go direct to our booking site for these payment plans visit the Fresha Booking App today.
What Our Clients Say
We have several testimonials published on our Testimonials page, but additionally here are more recent quotes from clients:
The best massage I’ve ever had. Didn’t hurt at all, just perfect. I feel so relaxed tonight. I will definitely be back 😊 thank you so much. What a lovely lady. – Fiona T
Lovely relaxing massage, by Esther. I felt safe too. – Dawn E
Heavenly experience! Esther was amazing 🤩. I will definitely recommend this to everyone. – Chidubem A-N.
Wonderful added bonus for the hotel. Fantastic, relaxing massage. – David D
Great massage and wonderful to experience. – Stuart E.
Another lovely treatment – completely relaxed me and didn’t want it to end – thank you. – Sadie H.
Absolutely amazing, perfect relaxation. Wonderful! Will be back. = Jenni J.
Sensational. Best massage I’ve ever had. – Huw J.
First class. 10/10 = Justine M.
Absoluately amazing! – Laura R.