Massage Therapy: Self-Care or a Luxury? By Kristina Mozzicato, LMT, BCTMB
valuable health benefits? It seems there is a widespread misconception that massage should be a guilty pleasure, or a “treat” that should only be indulged in every once in a great while. In reality, massage therapy has countless benefits in addition to relaxation and feeling good.
H Massage Is Not a Luxury
Lots of people, especially women, tend to feel guilty about taking time out to look after themselves. Sometimes, other people can try to make you feel as if indulging yourself in a massage is a waste of time and money. Your well-being is important, and self-care plays a vital role. Even if you’re a busy par- ent, worker, or caregiver, it is imperative to take time to do something good for yourself because if you’re depleted and exhausted, you’ll have no energy to do anything for the important people in your life who need you. Regular massage therapy should be a vital component of your self-care regimen, in addition to adequate sleep, regular exercise, good nutrition and supplementation, and other healthy lifestyle choices. Just as it is important to take good care of your vehicle with regular gas fill-ups, car washes, oil changes, and other maintenance in order to ensure smooth operation and performance, it is just as relevant to take care of you, in order to keep you healthy and prevent a condition from progressing.
ow do you view massage therapy? Should it be treated as a rare in- dulgence or luxury or does it offer
According to the Touch Research Insti-
tute, which has carried out over 100 stud- ies on massage and its many benefits, mas- sage therapy has been proven to help treat the symptoms of conditions as diverse as depression, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and MS. Even if you’re not managing a particu- lar health condition, you still need massage in your life. It can help keep your joints and muscles supple so you’re less prone to injury. It’s great for dealing with stress— even if you’re not actually depressed—and improves immunity and sleep, making you more present and productive at work. Mas- sage also plays a large part in injury and disease prevention.
Massage for Stress and Sleep
It is widely known that living with high lev- els of stress for a prolonged period of time can be responsible for many physical and mental conditions, such as muscle tension (especially in the back, neck, and shoul- ders), headaches, insomnia, and even heart disease. Regular massage therapy sessions help to lower your body’s cortisol levels and increase serotonin and dopamine, resulting in relaxation and a positive mood. Research has demonstrated that massage can be helpful in reducing depression, anx- iety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In particular, Swedish massage and hot stone/ Himalayan salt stone massage are very ef- fective. MediCupping™ also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby resulting in relaxation.
“Regular massage therapy should be a vital component of your self- care regimen, in addition to adequate sleep, regular exercise, good nutrition and supplementation, and other healthy lifestyle choices.”
Massage therapy also helps to combat
insomnia by helping to boost serotonin levels, which have been proven to improve sleep. Deep tissue and Swedish massage have been proven to support the lymphatic system, which is your body’s defense sys- tem against illness. Research suggests that receiving regular massage increases white blood cell count, thereby strengthening your immune system.
Massage for Muscles and Joints
There is a saying that “sitting is the new smoking,” and the average American sits still for eight or nine hours every day. In addition to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and shortening your lifespan, excessive sitting creates even more problems. Cornell University researchers discovered that up to 90% more pressure is applied to your lower back when you sit versus when you stand. If your job means that you have no choice but to sit at the wheel or a desk, it will pull your shoulders forward and cause them to become rounded. This has the effect of weakening your upper and lower back muscles, which is why you’ll be feeling
www.NaturalNutmeg.com 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
