1. Stress relief
Massage calms the nervous system and assists the release of feel-good chemicals and hormones.
2. Mood boost
Massage has been shown to aid the release of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone in the body, which leads to feelings of social bonding. It also increases production of serotonin and dopamine.
3. Pain Relief
Massage makes a body feel better by increasing circulation, improving flexibility and releasing those "knots" that can seem stuck in muscles. Massage has been shown to reduce low- and upper-back pain, neck pain and headache, and to be effective for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
4. Relaxation
Massage therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of well-being. According to this article, published by the American Psychological Association, the relaxation response is “a physical state of deep rest that changes a person’s physical and emotional responses to stress”—and massage therapy is one practice that effects this response.
5. Heart health
Massage has been found to reduce heart rate and to have a lasting, positive effect on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Massage has also been shown to benefit cardiac surgery patients by reducing anxiety, pain and muscular tension, while it boosts relaxation. Expand your idea of the traditional Valentine’s Day heart from red greeting-card cartoon to the life-sustaining muscle that beats inside yourself and your loved ones, by booking or gifting an appointment for massage.
Chocolates are lovely, and a card is nice—but nothing says, “I truly care for you and your health” like the gift of massage therapy.
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