Stress reduction is one of the most widely cited reasons to receive a massage. But why? Why does massage therapy assist in reducing stress? What other health benefits are derived from the stress reduction?
Well, there is the obvious mental reduction in stress just from the pampering nature of a massage. Massage is a wonderful addition to your healthcare needs, and it's one of the nicest things you can do for yourself. Not only do you receive a number of health benefits, but you can also enjoy your time on the table. Often, this is all a person needs; those moments of "I don't have to move", "I don't have to answer my phone", and "I don't have to think about the next task at hand." There's some irony to be found in our believe that those moments are a luxury, usually one we can't afford.
I often tell people that the massage table does half my work for me because as soon as the client is comfortable they allow their bodies to relax. This is not something they allow themselves through most of their days.
In addition to the reduction in mental stress, massage plays a physiological part in reducing your bodies stress. It's believed that massage lowers the body's stress by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol. There's also some research that indicates massage may enhance the immune system.
So stress reduction is accomplished mentally, physiologically, and through the relaxation of the muscle and connective tissue. But again, why is stress reduction so important to your health. Many of us have become so accustomed to our cultural stress levels that we begin to judge a relaxed lifestyle as one of luxury and indulgence.
Stress is more than the ability to handle difficult situations. It can also be referred to as your bodies "fight or flight" response. In many situations, it can be helpful. Chronic stress, though, can cause or contribute to a number of growing health concerns. Included in these are pain symptoms, heart disease, sleep problems, digestive disorders, and obesity.
If you live a high stress lifestyle, it's important for your health to find a way to "take a moment" . . . often. There are a number of ways to control your stress from your own home: reduce the cause of stress, meditation, yoga, exercise. Massage therapy becomes an important part of your personal healthcare plan if you can benefit from it on multiple levels, such as pain relief, stress reduction, increase range of motion, decrease depression, and more.
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