Indulgence 101 - Soothing Massage

Am so excited over the coming weekend. A college friend just came back from work abroad, and as practiced, get together was set for a day of catching up on each other's lives. This time, we'll be having another eating-out session but I encouraged them to try also one of my indulgence and will be forever part of my life routine ever since Day 1 I've discovered it - a trip to the spa.
I'm a self-confessed nerve-wrecked every after project. Perhaps it comes up with age, as I don't get used on constant pressures and stress as I used to be. Getting through a week or two of sleepless night projects, I see to it I get my well deserve reward for a work done. I de-stress myself on a soothing massage. Its my 1-hour escape from the busy world. Just how addicting holistic massage can be more ever when you discover not just how good it feels afterwards but also its health benefits.

(Taken from Libratherapeutics)

Regular massage can, in the long-term:
1. Improve nerve communication and relax the nervous system to alleviate anxiety
2. Improve muscle suppleness
3. Improve circulation
4. Boost the immune system
5. Lower high blood pressure
6. Assist the digestive system to operate in a more efficient manner
7. Improve skin elasticity
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are other physiological effects of massage, for example:
1. Massage can help to improve skin tone and colour
2. Massage can reduce localised swelling by encouraging better lymph drainage
3. Relieve muscle fatigue caused by exercise or heavy physical work
4. Improve articulation of stiff joints
5. Promote general relaxation
6. Encourage sleep, helps insomnia
There are also psychological effects of massage. Massage is a wonderful antidote to stress. Stress is of course well known for its dangers, but even in its mildest forms can have a draining effect.

During the course of the massage the effects of stress can be alleviated in a number of ways:
1. Massage releases endorphins - natural painkilling and uplifting hormones
2. It stimulates the part of the nervous system that slows the body down, encourages deeper more relaxed breathing, slower heart beat and restart sluggish digestion
3. It stimulates the immune system which can be weakened by constant stress
4. It can help address depression and low self-esteem by producing a feeling of well-being and hence improved self-worth
5. It stimulates the body’s natural repair work at the lowest (cellular) level

Muscle tension
Massage can relieve many types of muscle tension. Without realising, many of us habitually clench our teeth or sit hunched leading to tense muscles. The appropriate massage technique works to release tension by working directly on the muscles, whilst other techniques work indirectly by affecting the nervous system to allow the muscles to relax.

Muscle fatigue
Vigorous exercise or sustained physical work both create a build up of waste toxins in your muscles which leave you feeling tired and sore. Massage increases circulation, removing the waste and bringing in healing nutrients.
Injury
Massage can help the healing process in injuries such as tendonitis, as well as ligament sprains or muscle strains. Massage reduces inflammation through increased circulation to the affected area, removing waste products and brings nutrients to injured cells. Certain massage techniques can limit the formation of scar tissue in new injuries and can help to increase flexibility in scar tissue from older injuries.
It goes without saying that you should only consult an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Warning
If you are suffering from high blood pressure but are not presently taking medicine for it, consult with your physician before attempting medical massage therapy, due to the fact that massages work to raise the blood flow--which could potentially result in severe problems, such as the distension of the blood vessel walls and severe bleeding in the case of an accident.

As for me, on every after a massage, I feel light and refreshed, or should I say my perspectives are back on the normal good view point. So why not reward thyself of a soothing moment after a hard day's work. Trip to the spa doesn't always costs you much nowadays, I frequent a salon near our home that offers a massage for just Php300, but the services are fine for me. Try to find one that suits your budget, and I bet you will never be the same old negative ion again.