BY NIAMH DAVIS, FITHUB LETTERKENNY: Why should you spend money on a massage?
Well.. you shouldn’t if you’ve never suffered stress, a restless night’s sleep, injuries or done a hard or challenging day at work.
If only, right?
I’m not here to tell you to go and get a massage three times a week, although that would be quite beneficial, especially, if you have a hectic lifestyle, but I would just like to tell you of the benefits of a massage for everyone, even those who do not play sport.
Over the last two articles I’ve written about how massage can help injuries caused by exercise, over-training and general muscle tightness, but what about the benefits that are not so obvious and are not as well known?
There are many reasons why everyone should go and get some sort of massage as often as possible and here are a few for those who feel they need more of an excuse to treat themselves.
Apart from the fact it feels good to have an hour where it’s like the weight has been lifted off your shoulders, it is genuinely good for your health, physically and mentally.
Studies show that people who go for a massage on a regular basis have better immune systems and are happier more of the time.
The president of the American massage therapy association has said that “massage can improve how the immune system functions”.
Massage can help fight off the common cold or flu.
People looking to fend off the cold and flu virus or are constantly getting the ‘sniffles’ should speak to a massage therapist about prevention strategies.
When carried out in the right environment the relaxation of a massage can have phenomenal benefits.
It is proven to relieve stress, depression and anxiety.
A study was done with military veterans, who had obviously suffered a lot of trauma in their lives. After numerous sessions with a massage therapist not only was there a decrease in stress, worry and anxiety but there were also declining levels of irritability in the patient.
Another study ((University of Miami and School of Medicine) of 500 people of different ages and gender, who all suffered with depression or stress problems found that massage therapy lowered levels by 53%.
No statistics were shown as to how long the affects lasted but if they only lasted a few hours it would definitely be worth it for those suffering.
A similar university study found that those who got a ten minute massage three times a week for three weeks lowered their blood pressure significantly.
It’s impossible to list all the benefits related to a good massage. It can relieve back pain, headaches, increase circulation, help people suffering with fibromyalgia and so much more.
If none of that has convinced you to get a massage then what about this – picture it, a whole hour to yourself, some relaxing music, no noise just sounds of the ocean (or other soothing sounds) and every bit of tension falling away.
It doesn’t stop there though – it’s followed by a solid night’s sleep! That’s right….n top of that wonderful floating feeling you’ll have afterwards, you will also sleep so much better.
There are plenty of different types of massage; sports, Swedish, Thai, hot stone…etc so if you’ve had a bad experience and didn’t enjoy the last massage you got, don’t give up hope.
Try a different therapist, ask around and find out which ones your friends liked most.
It really is important to take the time to relax, especially in this day and age.
Guest Columnist Niamh Davis is a neuro-musclar physical therapist based at Fit-Hub, Mountain Top, Letterkenny.
Her Facebook page is here:
https://www.facebook.com/Neuromuscular11/?ref=ts&fref=ts
