Why Should We Get Massage Regularly?
Have you ever wondered why people get sick?
There are hundreds of possible reasons—genetics, stress, lifestyle, environment, aging, lack of movement, poor sleep, and many others. And as science and technology continue to develop, we will probably learn much more about the connection between our bodies, minds, and overall health.
As a massage therapist, I believe one of the most overlooked parts of wellness is simply paying attention to our bodies before they begin demanding our attention through pain, stiffness, exhaustion, or stress.
That is one reason I believe periodic massage can be a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle.
1. Massage Supports Healthy Circulation
Our bodies depend on circulation to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and carry away metabolic waste.
Massage involves pressure, movement, and manipulation of soft tissue, which can temporarily increase local blood flow and help muscles relax. This is one reason people often describe feeling warmer, lighter, and less stiff after a massage.
Massage should not be viewed as a cure for disease, but it can be one way of supporting the body while maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
2. Massage Helps You Pay Attention to Your Own Body
This may be one of the most important benefits of regular massage.
We often become so busy that we stop noticing what our bodies are telling us. We may not realize how tight our shoulders have become, how much tension we are holding in our neck, or how shallow our breathing has become.
During a massage, you have an opportunity to slow down and notice your body.
Where am I holding tension?
Which muscles feel tight?
Am I breathing deeply?
Does one side of my body feel different from the other?
Regular massage can encourage greater body awareness. And when we become more aware of our bodies, we may also become more motivated to stretch, exercise, improve our posture, rest when necessary, and take better care of ourselves.
3. A Sound Body Can Support a Sound Mind
The body and mind are not completely separate.
When your body is constantly tense, uncomfortable, or exhausted, it can be difficult for your mind to feel completely relaxed. Likewise, emotional stress can often show up physically—in tight shoulders, clenched jaws, headaches, or muscle tension.
Massage gives the body an opportunity to slow down and relax.
When physical tension decreases, many people also experience a greater sense of calm and well-being. Taking care of the body can therefore become part of taking care of the mind.
4. Massage Can Feel Similar to Meditation
Have you ever noticed how quiet your mind can become during a good massage?
For 60 or 90 minutes, you are not checking your phone, answering emails, driving, working, or taking care of someone else.
You simply lie down, breathe, and experience what is happening in your body.
In that sense, massage can create an experience similar to meditation. Your breathing may become slower, your muscles begin to release tension, and your attention returns to the present moment.
Sometimes our nervous system simply needs permission to slow down.
Massage Is Not Just for When You Hurt
Many people wait until they are already experiencing significant pain or stiffness before booking a massage.
I prefer to think about massage differently.
Just as we exercise regularly, stretch regularly, and take care of our skin and teeth regularly, massage can also become part of a consistent self-care routine.
You don’t have to wait until your body is hurting to start listening to it.
Regular massage is not a promise that you will never become sick. It is an opportunity to slow down, improve body awareness, release physical tension, and give your body and mind time to recover from the demands of everyday life.
Sometimes taking care of your health begins with something very simple:
Stop. Breathe. Listen to your body.