By Milan Baudelaire
It still astonishes me that most people only regard massage a treat to be indulged once a year, during the family vacation to the tropics. Touch is not a luxury; it is a basic human need. Those 5 million touch receptors embedded in your skin aren’t there for nothing! Massage not only feels delicious, it…
Improves Sleep
More than 50 million Americans suffer from sleep problems that affect their health, and constantly reaching for more sleep medication is never recommended. Massage with both light and deeper pressure have been found to trigger the body’s release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of calm and comfort.
Boosts Immunity
Massage has been clinically proven to stimulate the body’s production of lymphocytes, white blood cells that help protect the body from disease. Not only that, but studies have shown that massage has an inhibitory effect on cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
Reduce Pain
Way, way too many people develop neck, shoulder, or lower back pain and say “Well, this is my life now…” No it’s not! Massage therapy is not just for relaxation—it goes right to the site of muscular pain and kneads it into oblivion using a combination of trigger point work, muscle stripping, and connective tissue release. Therapeutic massage can be delivered with light, firm, or deep pressure and can be used to treat headaches, carpal tunnel, sciatica, shin splints, and a host of other muscular maladies! Time to show that frozen shoulder who’s boss.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Although individuals with untreated hypertension are advised to check with their doctor before booking that back rub, studies have long shown the positive effects of massage on diastolic and systolic blood pressure. The slow, stroking movements of a professional massage produces a sedating effect that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s “rest and digest” mode. This stimulates the Vagus nerve to slow down heart rate, which lowers blood pressure and leads to a sense of relief and peace.
Is Drug-Free, Non-Invasive, & Compassionate
Massage therapy, “The Art of Laying Hands,” is an ancient technique that works by harnessing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. There are over 200 different styles of massage, each designed with their own unique blend of relaxation, pain relief, and spiritual balancing. As society moves faster and we become more detached from fellow human beings, having someone touch you with compassion can be crucial. You are never just a number to your massage therapist—whether you chat during your treatment, remain completely silent, or just fall asleep (all of which are totally fine!), simply being one-on-one with someone whose sole focus is YOU may be all the vacation you need.
Milan Baudelaire LMT, CLDP
Milan Baudelaire is the owner of Dandelion Massage Boston and brings professional massage directly to homes, hotels, and offices in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline. Check her out here! www.dandelionboston.com