During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, my massage therapy business, like many others, had to close for 16 weeks. This was a strange and unsettling time and lockdown impacted us all in different ways. It was a challenging few months both mentally and physically and since reopening in July I have seen a noticeable increase in clients with myofascial pain; caused by bad posture, injuries, repetitive movements, stress and inactivity.
As many of my clients have acknowledged, self-care needs to be top of our agenda and they recognise that massage plays an important role in their wellbeing. But why is massage so good for us? Here are my top 5 reasons:
- Self-Care. Massage is the ultimate form of self-care. Stress, anxiety and tension can affect and attack your whole body. When you’re in pain your body constricts blood vessels, but massage increases blood flow to these areas of tension, making you feel better.
- Managing pain. Massage is perfect for chronic pain, sporting injuries and general healing. It is also good if you’re suffering with aches which are related to poor posture and bad habits. A lot of us are now working from home and a poor ergonomic set up is leading to back, neck and shoulder pain. A treatment can help improve this.
- Mental health. Massage benefits your mental health. It has been proven to trigger endorphins making you feel happier and more relaxed. Endorphins are natural pain killers and act as natural stress relievers, boosting the immune system. Clients can arrive anxious and stressed and noticeably more calm and happier post treatment. Anything that can improve mood is surely a good thing!
- Good sleep. Massage naturally influences the body’s production of serotonin, which is essential for the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. A good night’s sleep is crucial for our well being and can help you view life positively.
- Uninterrupted time out. If you’re craving some RnR then massage is the perfect solution. It is an hour or so away from kids, partners, work, and household chores! You can switch off and forget about everything for a short while.
Whether you have a specific condition or are just looking for a stress reliever, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and wellbeing. Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to pamper yourself and book yourself an appointment today.
