The Benefits of Regular Massage for Stress Relief and Overall Wellness

Often associated with spas and sports therapy facilities, there are a number of different types of massage – from deep tissue to sports and recovery massages, as well as massage treatments which are targeted at specific parts of the body.

And while massages were once exclusive and only available to those who were members of elite health clubs or sporting facilities, today massage is an accessible form of relaxation treatment which can be enjoyed by consumers and customers from all walks of life.

In this blog post, our team of massage therapists at Boilerhouse Jesmond are sharing just some of the main benefits of regular massage, including the links between massage therapy, wellness, and stress relief.

What is massage and what does it involve?

With so many different forms of massage available, from stroking to gentle pressure and the more intense treatments and muscle manipulations which are generally associated with sports therapy and recovery, massage is somewhat of an umbrella term which covers a broad array of treatment options.

To look at what massage is in its simplest form, the treatment involves pressing, stroking, kneading, and manipulating the skin, muscles, and tendons in such a way as to work out any tension and achieve optimum relaxation. Typically lasting anywhere between 10 minutes and 90 minutes, the relaxing benefits of a massage can be further maximised by creating a light and warm setting with soft music and gentle aromas, calm and tranquillity.

For those seeking this form of light massage, the process is largely enjoyable and very relaxing. Sports therapy massages on the other hand, tend to be much heavier handed and can often bridge the gap between relieving the muscles of aches and pains, and exerting so much pressure that it can feel quite painful at the time.

What all of these massage therapies and treatments do have in common, however, is their vast array of benefits – which range from the physical to the mental and beyond.

The benefits of massage

The benefits of massage depend largely on the type of massage that you have, however we tend to find that almost all clients benefit from reduced stress, enhanced relaxation, improved circulation, and much looser muscles which genuinely feel as if all the tension has been alleviated and lifted away.

The physical benefits of massage, as mentioned above, result in more energy and alertness which in turn makes you feel much better. And as we all know, when you feel more energetic and alert, you are more likely to get out and about and continue to be active, which will likely have a knock-on and long term effect on your health and fitness.

Similarly, when you exercise you produce endorphins which help you to feel more positive and optimistic – an excellent side effect for your mental wellbeing and health. Not to mention, when your body is allowed to completely relax and the tension is knocked out of your muscles and tendons during a massage, the relief that you will feel can present itself as a physical weight being lifted from your shoulders.

All that, just from indulging in a massage. So, why is it so important to make massage a regular and consistent part of your routine?

Why indulging in a regular massage is great for your wellbeing

If you’ve ever been to massage before then you will likely be familiar with the concept of tense shoulders and “knots” in your muscles. A massage therapist will spend time during your sessions easing and kneading away those knots to make your body feel more relaxed – however, if you only book very occasional massages then every session will be spent ridding the body of knots with little further progress achieved.

Here at Boilerhouse Jesmond, we pride ourselves on offering clients a regular massage service whereby we work with them to help ease away their concerns and physical aches and pains during a course of treatments – with both overall wellness massages and more targeted massage sessions available as required.

Over time, we find that regular massage can have a positive effect on everything from anxiety and mental wellbeing to chronic pain, long term injuries, and even things like insomnia and trouble sleeping.

For more information on the benefits of massage or to book your sessions with the Boilerhouse Jesmond team, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly or visit the team at our salon.