3 Reasons to Treat Yourself to Massage Therapy During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the human psyche, and balancing the weight of emotional, physical, and financial strains has been nothing short of arduous. Now more than ever, it’s essential for us to prioritize wellness and self-care, and a great way of doing so is through massage therapy. 

Massage therapy has long been a go-to health solution for everything from relaxation to injury recovery, and this article will cover the numerous ways massage therapy will benefit you during the pandemic. 

1. Tend to Your Mental Health 

One of the most significant benefits of massage therapy is that it calms the nerves and relaxes the mind. Skin-on-skin contact triggers the release of oxytocin, the “happy hormone” that helps the body relax and be more at ease. Massage therapy also releases endorphins, or “feel-good” chemicals, and increases dopamine and serotonin, mood regulators. 

The use of aromatherapy during the massage can also add to relaxation, particularly with essential oils like lavender and camomille, which are known to relieve stress and anxiety and induce sleep.

When it comes to combatting depression, an interview with the American Massage Therapy Association reports that massage therapy can be a tool in helping patients remember what a relaxed mind and body should feel like.

“Depression is considered a mental illness, but one feels it in the body as well, a sense of heaviness in the corporeal,” said Alice Sanvito, massage therapist, in an interview with the American Massage Therapy Association. “The physical experience of massage can change the physical sensation of heaviness to something lighter and can restore the feeling of living in one’s body again instead of being lost in one’s head.”

We recommend Swedish, hot stone, or shiatsu massage for increased mental wellness. Swedish massage has a gentle approach, with massage therapists alleviating tension through kneading, strokes, and circular movements. A hot stone massage uses heated stones placed on specific body areas to effectively balance energy-releasing tension and muscle tightness. Shiatsu massage improves energy flow by targeting acupuncture points through rhythmic motions. 

2. Reduce Body Pain and Tension

Pain relief is one of the main reasons people seek out massage treatments. This is no surprise considering chronic pain, as discussed in the American Massage Therapy Association, affects more than 50 million Americans. 

Whether your body is tense from the 9-5 behind a desk or you’re recovering from a sports-related injury, massage therapy is an excellent way of relaxing your muscles and easing tension and strain. According to a 2016 article published by Harvard Health Publishing, massage therapy can even alleviate chronic neck pain. 

“A study published in Annals of Family Medicine in 2014 found that 60-minute therapeutic massage sessions two or three times a week for four weeks relieved chronic neck pain better than no massage or fewer or shorter massage sessions,” Harvard Health Publishing wrote. 

Thai, neuromuscular, and deep tissue massage techniques are great for pain and tension relief. Massage therapists use firm pressure during Thai massage and combine yoga and acupuncture practices. Neuromuscular massage targets the soft tissue to correct muscle spasms, pain, and discomfort. Benefits include greater flexibility and range of motion. Deep tissue massage targets musculoskeletal issues and is excellent for treating chronic pain and sports-related injuries. 

3. Boost Your Immune Response

Research has shown that massage therapy can boost your immune response through increased circulation and flow of the lymphatic system, the part of the immune system that protects the body from invasive bacteria and removes cellular waste. 

According to researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, a 45-minute massage therapy session increased patients' lymphocytes, infection-fighting white blood cells. Patients also displayed decreased cytokine levels, which contributes to inflammation. 

As discussed in the bulletins above, massage therapy also helps alleviate stress, triggering everything from migraines to heart disease to gastrointestinal problems. 

Conclusion

The pandemic has been a stressful time, and getting a massage will not only relax your mind and body but strengthen your immune system against illness. If you’re looking to book your massage experience, MassageBook.com will help you find the perfect therapist who can tend to your specific needs.

Through Massagebook, you can browse extensive profiles of certified, licensed, and insured massage therapists, each with their client reviews. Our software removes the stress of finding credible massage professionals and allows you to book services, fill out new client intake forms and manage your appointments virtually. 

Take the first step in booking your massage appointment today. Your mind and body will thank you later.