Why Massage Therapy Is Best for Stress Reduction
Imagine a time where you can honestly say that you felt no stress at all.
If it took you more than a minute to come up with something, chances are, you’re like most Americans – perpetually stressed out.
Life likes to throw us curveballs to see how we react.
Oftentimes, the pressure of keeping up in such a fast-paced world builds up and brings us to our breaking point.
But research shows that this one practice can help alleviate the effects from stress on our body: massage therapy. In fact, a study from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) found that 29 percent of people sought out massage therapy for stress reduction last year. Here’s why you should consider it too.
Types of Stress We Endure
We often associate stress with negativity, however, there can actually be good stress – it’s one of the many categories Stress.org explains.
Acute Stress
This is that ‘fight or flight’ mentality that takes over when your body needs to defend itself.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress refers to the motions we go through every day, such as work, paying bills, and raising kids.
Eustress
This is that ‘positive’ stress mentioned. Things like marriage, a promotion, or winning a race are actually healthy, despite having caused potential stress leading up to the event.
Distress
On the opposite spectrum, distress includes life events such as divorce, punishment, or injury.
No matter what category you identify with most, massage therapy for stress reduction really can work. Here’s how.
How Does Massage Therapy for Stress Reduction Work?
When we experience stress, our muscles tighten up and spasm. According to Healthline, they tense up to protect themselves from injury. The body takes on that protection shield mode and you can be left feeling the effects.
A trained massage therapist will hit the appropriate trigger spots in your body, using the right amount of pressure, to allow you to relax.
By using long strokes, kneading, and circular movements, your therapist will pinpoint your tense areas. This helps to improve blood circulation, and relieve your muscle tightness. Plus, a massage simply feels good. And feeling good is a great way to reduce stress.
Massage Therapy in Seattle
To schedule an appointment, call (206) 324-8600, text (470) 236-2225, or send us a message here.
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