Massage (relaxation and deep tissue) benefits
Stress relief and Relaxation: Adrenaline and cortisol are stress hormones which are released to boost your heart rate and blood sugar level. This is a physiological reaction that protects humans against predators and other aggressors. Such threats are rare in modern life; however, this ‘fight or flight’ response can be triggered with everyday multiple demands (for example heavy workload, taking care of the family, paying the bills) being constant. When there is no relief from such stressors (and therefore the ‘fight or flight’ response), this can result in physical manifestations such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, raised blood pressure, chest pain, insomnia, anger, anxiety and drug and alcohol abuse. It is estimated that a significant number of diseases are stress related. High levels of cortisol and adrenaline could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune disease. High stress levels can also contribute to premature aging. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether may be unrealistic in the modern world, massage can help to manage stress. During a massage, stress hormones are decreased and endorphins, ‘feel good’ hormones, are increased. The increase in endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, results in a feeling of relaxation that makes chronic and acute stress easier to manage, improving your general vitality and state of mind. By decreasing cortisol and adrenaline levels, rest and recovery can take place, helping to improve your overall health profile and disease risk. A regular massage programme can help to lower blood pressure, therefore contributing to the reduction in the risk of having a heart attack, kidney failure or stroke.
Posture: A significant contributing factor in neck and back pain and tension is poor posture. When you hunch forward for prolonged periods, be it sitting at a desk, driving a car, or computer your body is incorrectly aligned. Over time, poor posture forces some muscles to become overworked and tight while others weaken. Massage can help to relieve pain and loosen tight muscles, allowing your body to align itself in its natural and pain free posture.
Breathing: Massage plays an important role in helping the body to relax and improve breathing, which can be affected by high stress levels. Respiratory issues, such as allergies, sinus problems, asthma and bronchitis, are one group of conditions that can benefit from massage therapy. In addition, when the parasympathetic nervous system responds to massage the rate of breathing slows and becomes deeper and more regular.