Get Pampered for Your Health…Learn the Benefits of Massage

One of my greatest pleasures in life is getting a two-hour massage.  I know, that’s a bit longer than the norm, but it’s a treat.  Not only is massage a great way to relax, it’s good for your health in many ways.

No longer are massages limited to fancy upscale spas and hotels and expensive health clubs.  You can find massage therapy offered at hospitals, clinics, and more unexpected locations such as a car wash and airport.

If you have never tried a massage because you thought it was just a way rich people waste money to get pampered, think again.  Massage has many possible health benefits that I will explain here.

What is Massage?

In a typical massage a trained therapist will typically use her fingers and hands to manipulate your skin, pressing, rubbing, and even gently stretching your muscles, ligaments, and tendons.  There are variations of massage where a therapist may use their forearms, elbows, feet, and even small tools to dig deeper and get into tight spots.  Pressure ranges from light to deep pressure, or if you ask my husband it ranges to almost unbearable depending on the type (like Rolphing which even involves manipulating internal organs).

Types of Massage

Swedish Massage is the most popular type. It uses long strokes, kneading, a deep circular motion, as well as tapping through light to medium pressure. It helps to relieve stress, reduce pain, and promotes relaxation.

Deep Tissue Massage is my favorite. This style uses slow, deeper strokes to penetrate deep into muscles and connective tissue.  It targets knots and helps to release chronic muscle tension.

Trigger Point Massage concentrates on areas within muscle tissue/fibers that may cause pain to other parts of the body.  This massage helps alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release.

Prenatal Massage is specifically for pregnant women. Trained professionals know how to calm aching and stretching joints, and soothe the discomfort of a mother-to-be.

There are many other types of massage such as hot stone massage, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy Massage, Watsu.

Benefits of Massage

Studies show that massage is effective for reducing stress, muscle tension, and even pain.

Massage may help:

• Anxiety
• Boost Immunity
• Digestive Disorders
• Ease Cancer Treatment
• Enhance Post Surgery Rehab
• Headaches
• Improve Circulation
• Increase Flexibility
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Promote Sleep
• Reduce PMS Symptoms

Remember that massage is not an alternative to getting medical help but it can aid your regular treatments greatly.

Besides all of the health reasons, a great reason to have a massage is for connection.  The power of touch is amazing, especially inside a loving relationship.  A great way to boost your health and boost your relationship simultaneously is to have a hubby-wife massage night!

During a couples massage night you will reduce stress, help your mate’s overall health, increase intimacy, spend time together, practice communication skills and meet each others needs. It’s a perfect FREE date night idea if you take turns massaging each other.

Question: What type of massage is your favorite?

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Annett Davis

Annett Davis is an Olympian in Beach Volleyball. She loves great food and helping people get healthy over at GetFitWithAnnett.com. Her favorite topics are marriage and anything fitness related. Being married to her soul mate, Life Coach and author Byron Davis for 16 wonderful years, Annett loves being a homeschooling mom of 2. She blogs over at FitMomsFitKidsClub.com, and inspires kids to grandmas to get in shape for life in her private accountability groups.

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