We all know that a massage feels good, but did you know how beneficial a massage can be for your mind and body?

Mental Benefits:

A massage helps to reduce stress and increase relaxation. This leads to a feeling of well-being and peace of mind. Stress reduction helps you breathe, move easier and open the pathway for more creative thinking.

If you or someone you know suffers from depression or anxiety problems, a massage may alleviate some of these symptoms. Why? Because a massage increases serotonin and dopamine levels which contribute to happiness and contentment. Massage also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Plus, massage creates a self-awareness that causes you to be more in tune with your body and have a high level of alertness. Lastly, massage satisfies the need that we all have for caring, nurturing touch.

Healing/Growth Benefits:

Massage is great for tense muscles and stiffness. It aids in healing strained muscles and sprained ligaments. Massage can also ease pain from strenuous workouts.

This makes massage great if you or someone you know who is athletic. Why? Because massage increases the blood supply to and nutrition of muscles and it helps to prevent buildup of lactic acid which is the result of strenuous exercise or injury.

Massage will also reduce scar tissue, fibrosis, pain, swelling and inflammation. Massage aids in the retention of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur which is necessary for the repair of tissue. This is helpful in clients suffering from bone fractures.

Massage helps return blood to the heart and eases the strain on it as well. And if someone cannot exercise, it can also compensate for this lack of movement. Pregnant women may experience an alleviation of discomfort. Massage also contributes to a shorter labor and reduced tearing. It is also known to lessen medication and shorten hospital stays. Lastly, it is good for people who have recently had surgery or suffer from injuries such as whiplash.