The stress relieving benefits of massage are quite obvious to anyone who has experienced a full body massage. High performance athletes also use massage to help speed the healing of muscular injuries and also the stress of over training. In addition, although massage does not directly help promote muscle growth it does help decrease the recovery time between workouts.
Seven additional benefits of massage include:
- improved posture and flexibility (Thai massage in particular)
- improved immune system functioning (foot massage in particular)
- enhanced sleep quality
- reduced depression and anxiety (the one-on-one psychological healing nature of touch is well documented)
- enhanced clarity and alertness
- reduction in physical pain (e.g reduces pain from osteoarthritis)
- relieve symptoms of headaches and migraines (head massages in particular)
One of the benefits of living in Asia is the availability of cheap high quality traditional Thai and Chinese full body massages. If you can, try to get a full body massage every week straight after your high intensity weekly workouts. It’s also a great way to end a hectic week and set you on track for a relaxed weekend. If you don’t have access to a good massage therapist try a foot massage machine. The feet have a high concentration of pressure points so a foot massage can achieve a lot of the same benefits.
Recommended: Dr. Scholl’s DR6624 Toe-Touch Foot Spa with Bubbles and Massage
PARTING TIPS
- A massage should never cause you pain other than when your muscles are already tight from exercise or tension. Make sure you tell the masseuse if you feel pain.
- Ensure you drink plenty of water before and after your session. Because massage helps remove toxins you need water to completely flush them from your body. Interestingly Tradition Thai massage always serve very weak tea before and after each session.
- For Guys, go with the right attitude. It’s just a massage nothing more. Try meditative breathing while waiting for your massage to enter into the right mindset.
- Although never fully explained exactly why to me, never have a massage if you have a cold or a flu. It will actually make it worse.
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About Danny Sheehan
Danny lives in Hong Kong but is originally from Australia. He is Married to Maggie and together they have two children with whom they enjoy sharing and enjoying an exciting life with daily. Danny's passions are freedom, adventure and discovery, mainly in nature and science but also spiritually. He is a great believer in living in the NOW.
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Healthy Living