Benefits of Massage
Massage treatments are beneficial to the body and mind. Our lives are all very busy and we take on stress in our body and mind without realising. Manual labour, repetitive movements and working for long periods of time without moving all cause stress on your body which can be relieved with massage.
Massage manually stimulates the muscles of the body aiding in the breakdown of tension nodules and leaves the skin feeling smoother and softer. During massage the temperature of the skin is increased, therefore increasing blood flow which helps with distributing nutrients around the body and eliminating toxins. Regular massage will assist in the skin texture and appearance, and muscle tone can be improved.
By using flowing movements towards the heart, this increases blood flow and aids your body in lymphatic drainage.
The psychological effect of massage are:
- Creates a sense of well being and health.
- Increases energy.
- Gives you a better awareness of your posture.
- Promotes relaxation.
- Stress relief and improved mood.
The physiological effects of massage are:
- Increases your blood circulation and can lower blood pressure.
- Improves your skin condition.
- Enhances joint mobility.
- Helps your skin rejuvenation and tone.
- Aids the body in lymphatic drainage.
- Improves the absorption of nutrients in the body.
- Loosens and relaxes muscle tissues and helps with muscle fatigue.
- Promotes better sleep patterns.
- Has a balancing effect on your nervous system.
- Aids digestion.
Recommended actions to take after your massage treatment
After your massage you should be feeling relaxed and a greater sense of well being. To ensure that you gain the maximum benefits, it's a good idea to follow a few simple guidelines:
- Rest and relax as much as possible. Resting assists the muscles in relaxing and helps the benefits of massage last longer.
- Ensure you drink plenty of water or herbal teas which will help flush out any toxins released by your treatment.
- Practice deep breathing exercises whilst relaxing your shoulders.
- Keep yourself warm.
- Take extra care when driving as your reactions may be slower.
Here are some ongoing lifestyle tips which will help you in everyday life:
- Ensure you partake in regular exercise.
- Try to walk whenever possible.
- Practice deep breathing exercises to help you relax.
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables in your everyday diet.
- Drink plenty of water each day.
- Pay attention to your general posture.
- Sitting and walking up straight is important.
Avoidance after your massage
To continue feeling the benefits of your treatment, and aid your body in it's healing process, try to avoid the following activities:
- Avoid eating a heavy meal for 2-3 hours as your body is in a healing state and eating may make you feel nauseous.
- Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee or alcohol as these could cause dehydration.
- Smoking.
- Any strenuous activities for a few hours.
It's always best to listen to the needs of your body and try to react to what it requires.
Possible after effects
You may experience some minor after effects from your massage, however these should usually pass within 24 to 48 hours. These effects are caused due to the toxins being released from your body, the stimulation of the lymphatic system and the relaxation of your body.
Here are the possible effects:
Here are the possible effects:
- Increased thirst.
- Stiffness or aching muscles.
- Tiredness.
- More frequent urination or bowel movements.
- Runny nose or coughing.
- Headache.
- Nausea or feeling light headed.
- Heightened emotions or vivid dreams.
- Spots may appear on skin.
After your body has adjusted, you should feel calmer, relaxed and a better sense of well being.
