Massages are becoming one of the most popular forms of self-care. Whether you’re visiting us at 212 Salon and Spa or attending a physical therapy clinic, everyone can benefit from regular massage therapy. It ticks all the boxes – from easing anxiety to reducing headaches and boosting your overall wellness. Massages are something we could all benefit from having in our self-care routines.

Almost 1 in 5 American adults had at least one massage over a 12-month period, according to research conducted in 2017. Over 40% of these adults booked a massage for health or medical reasons. While a massage can feel like a luxury experience, it can also help your body, mind, and soul.

Massages affect the body’s hormone production, producing a range of wellness benefits that make massage therapy more than just a spa treatment. Experience the benefits of a massage by booking a treatment at 212 Salon and Day Spa using our online portal.

Can Massages Improve Your Wellbeing?

During a massage, your therapist kneads and rubs the soft tissues throughout your body. You can have a full body massage or target your treatment on the ligaments, skin, muscle, or connective tissue you’re experiencing problems with. There’s a massage therapy treatment for everyone, allowing you to tailor your experience to your wellbeing needs.

One 10-minute muscle massage can reduce post-workout soreness by 30%, making regular massage treatments a must-have for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Science proves that we all leave a massage feeling happier and more relaxed. A massage boosts your body’s levels of dopamine and serotonin, the happy hormones, by around 30%.

Massages improve your well-being by boosting the activity of the vagus nerve in your nervous system. It creates a similar effect to meditating, relieving your stress levels, and reducing your body’s cortisol levels.

While you might book a massage as a birthday gift or an act of self-care, a massage has mental and physical benefits we can all take advantage of.

What to Expect from Your Massage

Every massage should be a relaxing experience. It’s a chance for you to disconnect and unwind in an inviting environment that’s designed to put you right at ease. Your therapist will speak to you beforehand about any specific concerns or aliments you have to tailor your massage experience. They’ll focus the treatment on any specific areas of tension.

Your massage therapist will instruct you to move in a few different positions, depending on your individual treatment. The oils used by your therapist will help to relax the knots and tension in your body to make them easy to remove during your massage.

The Physical Benefits of Massage Therapy

If you suffer from any form of physical pain, regular massages can be a game-changer. Conditions like nerve pain and sports injuries can be made more manageable with a massage. Reliving the knots and tension in your body and boosting your hormone production can improve circulation, decrease joint inflammation, and strengthen your immune responses.

If you’ve been feeling achy and sore, a massage can be just what the doctor ordered! Here are some of the physical benefits of massage therapy:

1. Improve Blood Flow and Circulation

Massaging the body helps to boost the movement of blood. Different massaging techniques work to target and heal specific muscles, alleviating the pressure and enabling new blood to flow more freely. Improved blood flow works to reduce high blood pressure.

2. Improved Recovery Time 

Whether you’re a budding athlete or enjoy outdoor sports, anyone can suffer from a soft tissue injury. The techniques used during a massage allow oxygen to flow more freely to the tissue and organs in the body, aiding with injury recovery. Whether it’s back pain or an old sports injury, regular massages can be the key to recovery.

3. Increased Flexibility and Movement

You’ll come out of your massage feeling relaxed and flexible. That’s right. Regular massages will relax muscle tension and make everyday life a little easier. Increased flexibility makes joint and muscle movement easier, whether you’re climbing stairs or reaching new fitness goals. A massage will help you breathe a little easier and move freer.

4. Fibromyalgia Pain Management 

Regular massages are recommended for those dealing with fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain throughout the body. While a massage can help to alleviate some of this pain, it can also have knock-on benefits for your overall wellness. Massage therapy can improve your sleep pattern, improve memory, and reduce mood symptoms. You’ll want to check in with your doctor and have a consultation with us before booking in for a massage.

5. Tension Headache Relief

Tension headaches can start popping up at the worst times. Whether you’re stressed at work or experiencing headaches out of the blue, a massage can alleviate your headache symptoms. A massage that targets your shoulders, head, and neck will help relieve muscle tension and make your headaches more manageable.

The Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy

It’s not just the physical benefits you’ll get from a massage. Most people book in for a massage to experience its mental benefits, from stress relief to reduced anxiety. You’ll walk out of your massage feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. There’s no better feeling than that post-massage high!

Here are some of the mental health benefits of massage therapy:

1. Stress Reliever 

We all go through times when we’re feeling stressed, whether it’s after starting a new job, looking for a house, or juggling everyday life. A massage is the ultimate form of self-care as a natural stress reliever. A massage reduces the body’s cortisol levels, the stress hormone that gives you high blood pressure, mood swings, and muscle weakness. Take a deep breath and relax as the stress slips away.

2. A Better Night’s Sleep 

Are you suffering from stress-induced insomnia? Treat yourself to a massage. While there are sleep hygiene habits you can incorporate into your everyday routine, a massage is one way to guarantee a good night’s sleep by relieving stress and loosening muscle tension.

Experience the benefits of massage at 212 Salon and Day Spa. Relax, unwind, and rejuvenate your soul with one of our specialist massage treatments. Book your massage appointment today and say goodbye to stress.