NATIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY WEEK Every year during the last week in October, National Massage Therapy Week celebrates the massage therapy profession. Also known as National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, the week promotes the many benefits of therapeutic massage. Massage promotes many health benefits including relieving stress and tension. Other proven benefits of massage therapy include:
Relieves pain
Reduces anxiety
Improves sleep
Increases range of motion
Promotes relaxation
October may be National Massage Month, however getting a regular massage is a great way to boost your immune system and ward off nasty germs. Massage has been proven to reduce inflammation (which hurts the immune system) and increase numbers of your bug-fighting white blood cells.
Massage therapists perform several kinds of massages. Each type of massage is used for a specific purpose. For example, a Swedish massage helps to remove knots in the muscles and relieves tension. An aromatherapy massage boosts the mood and alleviates symptoms of depression. Other types of massages include deep tissue massage, LaStone massage, chair massage, and prenatal massage. Stress causes the blood vessels to constrict and reduce circulation. Muscles become tense. This decreased circulation to our brain hinders our ability to focus, problem-solve and be productive. When our muscles are tense, and our circulation decrease, our mental health may be at risk. Massage can increase circulation by manually applying pressure and movement. It stimulates nerve receptors causing the blood vessels to dilate, it increases oxygen capacity, loosens muscles, and increases body’s secretions. All of this is great for promoting the body’s relaxation response. A relaxed and healthy body promotes a relaxed and healthy mind.
Aside from all its wonderful therapeutic effects, massage just plain feels good. Massage is one of the few nice things you can do for yourself that’s also good for your mental and physical health.
Remember that your needs are important. You need to take care of yourself first and foremost. My favorite
quote always reminds me of this…”How thin can I spread myself before I no longer exist?” Our mental health is important and massage can play an important role in helping us to relax and keep life in perspective. So lay back and enjoy!