How Can Massages Help Relieve Stress?
By LaSheida Spa Specialists
Massage Therapy and Stress
Whoever thought about pressing on the skin to reach the muscles was ingenious! We’ve come to know this method and called it a massage. Whether you’re going to the spa to get aromatherapy, reflexology, Thai or Swedish massage, they all do the same thing: to knead the muscles until all the tensions are released.
But how does massage work to help relieve stress? If you’re just as curious as we are, then, keep on scrolling as we go deeper into the mystery that connects massage and stress relief.
What is a Massage?
Massage for stress relief is being defined as a touch-based therapy that maneuvers muscles to bring about relief from muscular pain.
Since personal accounts reveal that they have experienced relief from their pain because of massage, researches have started to look into its efficacy as a “complementary medicine” or a treatment that could help amplify the effects of the main treatment.
Some of the studies that looked into massage as a supporting medicine included its benefits for the prevention of perineal tear during childbirth, treatment of cardiac arrest, management of chronic pain, as well as its good effects for patients who have serious mental conditions.
How does a Massage Help Relieve Stress?
When you come to the spa for a massage, you’re welcomed with a very relaxing ambiance–low light and aromatherapy scents usually in lavender or ylang ylang abound that initially helps set the mood for its customers.
Your attendant will lead you to the massage area and start to work on your muscles. Depending on the package chosen or area you want to target, it usually lasts for 15 to 90 minutes. To amplify the relaxation, you may also request for the aromatherapy oil of your choice.
It has long been theorized that the human touch has healing powers in both emotional and physical aspects.
When technicians knead or rub soft tissues in the body, signals are sent to the receptors in the brain which thereby trigger the increase of the production of endorphins and melatonin.
Endorphins are our body’s natural painkillers while melatonin is the hormone responsible for sleep.
Aside from triggering these hormones in your brain, massage allows blood circulation to and from the areas being massaged.
There is also a demonstrated lymphatic drainage that happens when muscles are massaged. With the help of kneading, the excess wastes that are kept in the lymph nodes are released as the muscles and tissues are massaged. This, in turn, help your body promote a stronger immune system.
Are There Risks to Getting a Massage?
As with all methods or procedures that have claims to heal diseases, it is important to check with your doctor whether it is safe to get a massage.
There is a risk when a pregnant woman gets a massage as certain nerves, pressure points, or veins can be considered risky to manipulate at such a delicate time.
People with any cardiovascular diseases, cancer, renal failure, skin diseases, or blood clots, may also want to stay away from getting a massage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, massage is a great way to alleviate stress and pains without taking in medications. Massage is effective because it can target acupressure points, release tension, drain lymphatic nodes, that helps the body release endorphins and melatonin. When these two hormones are released, the body achieves an even more relaxed state.
So, if you’re pretty stressed out about schoolwork or your profession, why don’t you try getting a massage? If you do, tell us how it has helped you to become more relaxed and stress-free.