Over the weekend I was foam rolling my leg and back muscles before a workout and I realized I had soooo many knots!
I thought to myself, 'jeez, when did I last get a massage?'
Figured that it was probably when I was on vacation in July.
That's over two and a half months ago.
All I remember is I picked a Japanese Shiatsu style treatment (even though we were visiting CHINA) and that there was a small woman pummeling me for 60 minutes.
Massage is not just for luxury or pampering, it's a real part of staying healthy and well.
To back that up, a recent study came out in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine about the additional benefits of massage beyond breaking up muscle tension and knots.
Here are some of the findings 1. Single session of massage caused biological changes in blood and saliva
2. Swedish massage led to significant decreases in stress hormones
3. Swedish massage led to increase in white blood cells for the immune system
4. Individuals that had a 'light massage 'experienced increases of oxytocin, hormone associated with contentment
5. The light massage group also had bigger decreases in a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol
So not only is massage therapy important recovery for your muscles, but also your mind and hormonal system.
Why that is important to you is, lowering stress hormones and increasing white blood cells keeps you younger, slimmer, and healthier.
I thought to myself, 'jeez, when did I last get a massage?'
Figured that it was probably when I was on vacation in July.
That's over two and a half months ago.
All I remember is I picked a Japanese Shiatsu style treatment (even though we were visiting CHINA) and that there was a small woman pummeling me for 60 minutes.
Shame on me, I haven't been taking my own advice ...
Massage is not just for luxury or pampering, it's a real part of staying healthy and well.
To back that up, a recent study came out in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine about the additional benefits of massage beyond breaking up muscle tension and knots.
Here are some of the findings
1. Single session of massage caused biological changes in blood and saliva
2. Swedish massage led to significant decreases in stress hormones
3. Swedish massage led to increase in white blood cells for the immune system
4. Individuals that had a 'light massage 'experienced increases of oxytocin, hormone associated with contentment
5. The light massage group also had bigger decreases in a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol
So not only is massage therapy important recovery for your muscles, but also your mind and hormonal system.
Why that is important to you is, lowering stress hormones and increasing white blood cells keeps you younger, slimmer, and healthier.
Nuff said.
Schedule one for you every 1 to 2 months.