Stress Relief from Massage Therapy

This is a guest post written by Laurie Schnebly.

We all know the effects of stress. We see them every day. Even worse, we sometimes feel them every day without stopping to realize what they mean. We’ve become so accustomed to the anti-stress chemicals our bodies release that we don’t even notice our adrenal glands overworking and our immune systems weakening.

There are numerous physical, emotional and spiritual ways to manage stress, and each has its own benefits. One of the most effective methods is regular spa massage therapy, which research has shown will actually boost the body’s immune system. The benefits of stress-relieving massage include lowered heart rate and blood pressure, muscle relaxation, and increased endorphins…all of which contribute to health and wellness.

Physical Benefits from Massage Therapy

The physical benefits of massage are only the beginning, yet they are significant in improving and maintaining wellness. Stress, combined with less-than-ideal nutrition and poor sleep, impairs our ability to protect ourselves from infection and bacteria. Studies have shown that massage can increase the body’s “killer cells,” also known as cyotoxic capacity, and decrease T-cells that improve the functioning of the immune system.

People suffering from stress frequently don’t make time to address aches and pains, but instead simply shift their posture to find some temporary relief. That shift becomes a habit, yet the aches and pains remain, creating even greater stress on the body. Massage can improve posture relaxing and loosening muscles, relieving pressure points and providing joints with greater freedom.

Tight joints are often a function of aging, because connective tissues change over the years. Our bodies gradually dehydrate, but massage can stimulate the retention and even the production of natural lubricants between connective tissue fibers. This makes movement and stretching considerably easier, and is an important contributor to creating greater flexibility and range of motion.

Emotional & Spiritual Benefits

Feeling better physically contributes to emotional and spiritual well-being, since it can be difficult to maintain a positive attitude when suffering from sore muscles and aching joints. In addition, the kind of simple relaxation that comes from massage therapy not only improves mental outlook, but also enhances our ability for calm and creative thinking.

Taking steps to reduce daily stress levels is possible only when we have a means of recognizing what true relaxation feels like. The lingering effects of massage enable us to become more aware of rising stress, because we have a solid basis of comparison. Once we’ve grown accustomed to the sense of health and wellness fostered by professional massage therapy, we’re better able to spot stress factors in everyday life and take steps to address them before they become a source of chronic tension.

Finally, taking the time to maintain and boost our own wellness is a powerful statement that we — and those who depend on us — deserve to live a healthier life. Feeling better enables us to be better at what we do, whether that involves caring for others, creating any kind of art, providing essential services, learning more about the universe, or celebrating everyday life. When we make the time for the improvements that come from regular massage therapy, we’re not only reducing stress but also making the world a better place for everyone around us.

Author Bio

Laurie Schnebly writes for Massage Envy Spa, a leader in customized professional, affordable and convenient massage throughout the US. With a master’s in counseling and 11 years as a therapist, she focuses on issues that affect daily life for people who want to improve their health.

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