Massage Therapy; an Investment in Your Health
Massage Therapy is often viewed as a luxury, but those who receive regular massage know that it is a KEY Component for maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle. Massage Therapy is a Proven Ancient Modality for Wellness, and Qualifies as Holistic Health Care & Preventative Maintenance. While it is commonly known that Massage Therapy helps to relax the mind and body, I wanted to share a few of the important biochemical processes that directly benefit from Massage.
-
Decreased Cortisol
- Cortisol is the "stress hormone" that increases Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Respiration & Muscle Tension. When Cortisol levels are raised by stress, the digestive system & reproductive system are also shut down, as they are body systems "not needed" during a crisis. High Levels of Cortisol are also Linked to Anxiety & Depression.
-
Increased Serotonin
- Serotonin is known as the "Happy Chemical" and is considered a mood-stabilizer. It has a wide variety of functions that contribute to wellbeing & happiness. Serotonin helps regulate the body's Sleep/Wake Cycle and Internal Clock, as well as helps reduce Depression, Regulate Anxiety, Heal Wounds & Maintain Bone Health.
-
Increased Dopamine
- Dopamine is a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger that plays a role in how we feel pleasure, as well as the ability to think & plan. Dopamine helps Motivate us to go after a "reward", such as food or water. Lowered Levels of dopamine can cause us to lose pleasure in things like eating and drinking, two Key Components essential to our very Survival!
-
Increased Leukocytes
- Leukocytes are White Blood Cells that are made in the Bone Marrow and found in Blood & Lymph Tissue. They are part of our Immune System & Help the body fight foreign invaders & diseases such as Bacterial Infections & Viral Illnesses. A Cedars-Sinai Study has shown that after just 45 minutes of Massage Therapy, participants had an Increased number of Leukocytes, as well as lower levels of Cytokines, which play a role in inflammation.
These are just a few benefits of massage, but with the heightened state of awareness we are all experiencing right now, I find it important to remind people of the important chemical processes involved with our overall sense of Wellbeing. I hope you find this info to be Encouraging, especially if you find it hard to "justify" the expense of Routine Massage Therapy Sessions. If you are working on Self-Care and abstaining from old habits (i.e. smoking, drinking, fast-food, etc), diverting those expenses into a regular Massage Routine is a Wonderful, EASY Way to Invest in Your Health. Please Let me know how I can be of Service to you, and I hope to see you SOON!
Be Well,
XO jess
*Note To Clients: I Do Not Provide Massage Therapy Services when I am sick. I will try my best to give plenty of advance notice in these situations. In order to Protect Myself, PLEASE reschedule your session if you are Experiencing symptoms of a bacterial infection, viral illness, or showing signs of contagious skin conditions. (Symptoms Include, but are not limited to: Fever, Chills, Sore Throat, Cough, Swollen Lymph Nodes, Difficulty Breathing, Nausea and Diarrhea.)
