It seems these days that if you don't have stress in your life you're not considered 'normal'.  For most of us, stress is the norm in our daily lives but not a lot of us take advantage of one of the best stress-reducing treatments known to man - massage.  Sure, there's yoga, vacation, exercise, comedy clubs, and long walks, but nothing compares to the muscle and mind 'de-tightening' of a hands on massage.

Massage provides us with many health benefits, not to mention just how damn good they feel. Here is a list of how massage changes your body and reasons why you need to make massage a habit in your wellness routine.

1. Relaxes Muscular Tension Caused by Stress

Do you have stiff legs?  Aching muscles?  Stress leads to muscular tension and massage can free your muscles from it’s tensed state.  A massage therapist will knead away those aching muscles, headaches or back pains.

The Annals of Internal Medicine published a study in 2011 concluding that getting a massage can be extremely effective in managing chronic back pain.

A good massage therapist will have a plethora of techniques to help bring muscles back to their natural state and with regular massages, they will stay in that state for longer periods of time.

2. Improves Your Body’s Flexibility

In the world of sports, massage is mandatory.  By manipulating the muscles, massage therapy actually improves your flexibility, which in turn increases your agility, something necessary to be a top performer.

Whether you are an athlete, a weekend warrior, a busy business owner, or a teacher, you should have a massage appointment on your calendar at least once every month.  

3. Improves Blood Circulation

Shoulder pain and neck tightness is common in this age of desk jobs working on a computer all day.  With limited movement, less stretching, less walking, your blood circulation takes a hit which can cause a plethora of other abnormalities - slow digestion, lowered immune system, muscle atrophy, among others.

You can help get your circulation back on track by integrating a regular massage into your routine to counteract that “sitting” energy. According to Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center, exercise is great but a massage for your body is just as beneficial in stimulating blood flow which helps keep your digestive and immune functions going smoothly.

4. Better, More Sound Sleep

When your blood circulation improves, you feel calmer and more relaxed – as if you have just been rejuvenated.  You can’t help but have a better perspective.

When your mind is clear after a good massage, you’ll indulge in long and deep sleep. Even infants who have no worries in the world sleep better and longer when massaged correctly, according to a study from the University of Warwick.

5. Depression and Anxiety Diffuser

Hippocrates defined a massage as the “art of touching” because human touch can change lives or it can simply be relaxing.  

Some cancer patients get regular massage therapy as part of their treatment and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry disclosed that a 30 minute back massage given daily for a 5 day period to 52 hospitalized depressed and adjustment disorder children and adolescents, reduced stress levels. When happy hormones are induced and neuromuscular pathways are calmed, anxiety and depression are significantly reduced.

6. Gives your Immunity a Boost

According to the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, people who get regular massages have better immune functions based on a study in 2010 conducted among HIV patients.

When you are stressed you are more prone to viruses and diseases. Help keep your body’s defenses up and running and treat yourself to a relaxing massage which can help reduce the level of stress hormones floating around your bloodstream.

7. Soothes Headaches

Instinct will tell you to rub or apply pressure on an aching part of your body or head to relieve the pain so next time you get struck by a terrible headache you can self-massage or someone can do it for you, either a loved one or a professional.  

8. Get that Skin Glowing

As blood circulation dramatically improves by simply massage your face or body so will your pale skin. Get that natural glow from the inside and save your skin from the harsh effects of stress!

9. Connect with yourself

Anxiety and depression are becoming more commonplace in the world today.  With so many gadgets that remove people from social interaction, there is a rise in people that are simply detached from the world, even themselves.

Did you know that regular trips to a massage therapist can get you into the zen zone? That zone of relaxation and solitude where your worries are being kneaded away?  Massage can help you 'feel' yourself again

We live in stressful times.  A massage will remove much of that stress in the short term.  By having regular massages you will become stress free for longer periods of time.  Start a regular massage routine and find out for yourself.

If you have never had a massage from us, come in for our 'First Timers' special of $55 for a one hour Swedish massage.  You won't regret it.