The holidays may be a time of celebration, but the pressure involved means they can often be as stressful as they are enjoyable. Unfortunately, this stress can have a significant effect on your body since when you feel stressed, your body produces hormones that trigger your natural ‘fight or flight’ response. This response causes your heart to race, your breathing to speed up and your muscles to tense, ready to react. These effects aren’t serious if they only happen once in a while, but when your body goes through this process repeatedly in a short span of time, it can be bad news for your health.

Issues that can arise as a result of stress include:

• Headaches

• High blood pressure

• Stomach aches

• Fertility problems

• Low sex drive/erectile dysfunction

• High blood sugar/risk of diabetes

• Insomnia

• Depression

• Weakened immune system

Fortunately, there are several ways to help combat stress and the effect that it has on your body. One of the most effective ways is with massage therapy which is what makes a massage an ideal gift for a loved one this Christmas.
 

What is massage therapy and how does it work?

Massage isn’t only a spa treatment. In fact, massage is now a fairly mainstream treatment provided by many chiropractors and other practitioners as part of their services. Massage is a manual treatment that uses hands-on movements and manipulation of the muscles and soft tissues of the body in order to promote healing and enhance a patient’s overall health and wellbeing. There are actually many different types of massages, each with their own benefits. For example, sports massages are designed to help athletes recover from injuries and improve their overall performance. While relaxation massages are most often recommended for patients who are experiencing some degree of stress or anxiety in their lives.

Each massage is tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Most range in length from 15 to 90 minutes and can focus on one specific area of the body such as the back and shoulders or on the body as a whole. In most relaxation massages, the atmosphere is set with calm, tranquil music and a warm massage table and towels. These help your mind to relax as well as your body. Your relaxation massage will most likely use oil as this helps the therapist’s hands to glide across the body more easily and undertake better manipulation of the skin and soft tissues.
 

Physical benefits of massage therapy

Many people mistakenly believe that massage is purely for relieving stiff joints. However, there is a wide range of physical benefits associated with massage therapy that reaches far beyond loosening your body. Some of the key benefits of massage include:

• Reduced tension in the muscles.

• Improved circulation, which can also aid healing.

• Stimulation of the lymphatic system, which helps to remove toxins from the body.

• Reduction in the level of stress hormones within the body.

• Increased mobility in the joints.

• Enhanced flexibility.

• Improved skin tone.

• Faster physical recovery from many types of injuries, including soft tissue injuries.
   

Emotional benefits of massage therapy

Massage therapy has also been shown to be beneficial for a patient’s emotional wellbeing. Massage fulfills the body’s natural need for touch, leaving you feeling nurtured after a massage appointment. Some of the psychological benefits of massage include a reduction in negative mood states such as depression, anxiety, and anger as well as a decrease in stress hormone production. Other distinct benefits include improved concentration and better sleep.

A relaxing massage could be the perfect gift this Christmas. To find out more or to schedule an appointment, please get in touch with our offices.