Massage is one of our most popular treatments at The Spa at Bedford Lodge and it’s no wonder when massage can bring so many benefits to both body and mind. As one of the oldest healing arts, not only is massage an effective treatment for reducing stress and muscle tension from everyday living, it has also proved beneficial for many chronic health conditions. There’s no better reward for me and my team than when we see one of our spa guests leave looking lighter and brighter as a result of their treatment.
While most people still see a massage as a treat, it’s important for us all to recognise massage as an essential therapy for our wellbeing and something which we should incorporate into our lives on a regular basis. Our bodies are very good at telling us when they need a massage! Here are some of the tell-tale signs to look out for:
- Your neck and shoulders ache
Our bodies weren’t built for a sedentary life so if you sit at a desk most of the day then it’s not uncommon to suffer from an achy neck and tension around your shoulders. When our body is kept in one position too long, muscle fibres can contract (referred to as a knot) and restrict blood flow which leads to aches and pains, Try pressing your fingers into the area and you should feel a sense of discomfort but also immediate relief.
- You don’t feel as flexible as you used to
A healthy body has a full range of mobility allowing us to move with ease. If any part of you is feeling stiff or doesn’t rotate as it should then this can severely limit movement and agility. Gentle kneading of the area can help relax muscles and encourage much greater flexibility.
- You frequently feel stressed
Stress is both good and bad for us. It can help motivate and prepare us for a situation but when it’s constant it can have a detrimental effect on our health. Massage has been shown to lower our heart rate and blood pressure and increase the production of endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel good’ chemical.
- You’ve recently started working out or taken up a new sport
When you exercise or take up a new sport for the first time, the after effects are not always the most pleasant. This is why you’ll see professional runners and athletes with a team of people including a massage therapist, helping them to recover after their race. Massage post exercise helps relax tense muscles, healing minor scar tissue and therefore prevents further injury.
- Sleepless Nights
According to research one in three of us suffers from difficulty in sleeping. This can result in a number of side effects including bad mood and poor concentration and can even lead to serious health issues. Massage is a relaxant and helps to combat insomnia by promoting the production of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is used by the brain to produce melatonin, a known, natural sleep aid.
I hope these tell-tale signs have been useful.
Love Rebecca x