So what’s all this got to do with massage?
Massage can help in a number of ways.
Primarily, it can work with the symptoms present. For example, if your muscles are tense, it can increase the flow of blood and oxygen to them, or if your digestive system is sluggish, it can help stimulate it.
But massage can also go beyond the symptoms and treat ‘stress’ itself. Think of it as a sort of ‘reverse button’ for the stress response system. Positive touch can send calming messages to the brain, encouraging it switch off its defence system. This can, in turn, help to reverse the effects of stress.
Effects of stress might include….
- Tense muscles
- Higher levels of anger, anxiety, irritability or depression
- Lack of energy
- IBS and other digestive trouble
- Disturbed patterns of sleep
- Suppressed immune system
- Skin problems such as acne or eczema
- Increased blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Reduced metabolism
- Aches and pains
- Inflammation
And so many more…..