Tired of feeling tired, achy, hazy, like your head is in a fog? Have you ever considered massage therapy? There are far more health benefits to massage therapy than just getting that namaste feeling after it is over. Speaking of namaste, I bet you didn’t know why you felt that way after a relaxing, full body massage. We all deal with stress of one kind or another. Whether it be work or taking care of a child, we all deal with our own version of stress, which does things to our brain chemicals and alters how we feel. Increased levels of cortisol & stress neurotransmitters and lowered levels of serotonin and dopamine all equal more stress. Massage not only has the opposite effects on cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine levels, but it decreases frontal right lobe activity in the brain and increases activity in the left. Meaning less anxiety and stress, helping to ease depression and bring about mental clarity. 

With a regularly scheduled weekly massage, you can help alleviate these mental blockers as well as the more commonly known use for massage therapy, and that is pain management. Along with aiding in the restoration of soft tissue due to injury, massage can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, increase joint mobility and flexibility as well as a stimulation of the lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system, part of your immune system plays a big part in keeping you healthy. It helps protect you from illness causing invaders! And in times like these, it is of the utmost importance to look within and do what needs to be done to stay healthy and happy. 

The body works as one unit. When one thing is off, it can easily send our system "out of whack". This is why we must do what we can to maintain a happy and healthy mind and body. Nothing fuels your body better than plenty of thirst quenching water. Up to 60% of the human adult body is made of water! According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery, being composed of 31%. Being composed of that much water, it's no wonder we need so much to function properly. 

Water and massage go hand in hand. That being said, after a relaxing, therapeutic massage, you'll want to make sure you drink plenty of it! Not only does it replace any hydration lost, it helps with soreness and helps to flush "waste" from your system. 

So you've read this far...seeing so many benefits to massage, why wait any longer to get one? Call and book an appointment now for whatever your massage needs may be...whether it be a restorative, therapeutic massage due to an injury or just a relaxing getaway for a "me day".

Check out a list that we found helpful of 7 tips to help take care of the lymphatic system verified by neurologist and sleep medicine physician, Dr. Jeffrey Durmer.