Massage is often seen as a luxury spa treatment that helps you to relax and unwind – and whilst this is certainly true, the other health benefits of massage are often overlooked and underestimated.

In reality, massages are capable of aiding serious conditions – with regular massage being capable of everything from helping to lower blood pressure, to treating a number of stress related conditions.

What conditions can massages aid?
• Poor posture – Especially for those who sit at a desk all day.
• Sleep problems – So effective is massage at inducing healthy sleep patterns and behaviour, that increasing numbers of parents attend baby massage classes to help their baby to sleep better.
• Muscle pain – Research has demonstrated regular massages as effective as official methods for treating chronic back pain.
• Stress – Further research has also found that regular massage resulted in stressed patients becoming happier and more relaxed.
• Anxiety and depression – Massage helps increase the body’s levels of oxytocin and serotonin, which results in lowered stress.

So why does regular massage prove so beneficial?
With so many compelling benefits that massage provides, why is massage capable of such impressive outcomes? The answer to this lies in the fact that massage affects many systems of the body – here’s a brief overview of each:

The skeletal system: The skeletal system is fed with oxygen and nutrients that are produced and processed throughout a massage – this can help increase joint movement and muscle flexibility.

The muscular system: The muscular system benefits from muscles that are relieved and stretched throughout a massage – this can help improve mobility, flexibility and even improve muscle tone.

Circulation system: As a massage works on the muscles, the circulatory system benefits from improved blood flow. This can help those with blood flow problems – especially those who may be bed bound or largely immobile.

The nervous system: Massage has been scientifically proven to stimulate the nervous system, which in turn produces hormones for overall body benefits (such as the production of numerous feel good hormones, including dopamine, serotonin and endorphins).

Lymphatic system: The lymphatic system is responsible for eradicating the body of potentially harmful by-products. During a massage, the lymphatic system can be stimulated, allowing for a boosted immune system.

Respiratory system: As the patient becomes relaxed during massage, and their breathing becomes deeper, the respiratory system slows. When this is coupled with cupping actions over the lungs, lung congestion may be relieved.

Digestive system: As a patient’s muscles relax, the digestive systems works more effectively, allowing for food and waste products to pass more efficiently. This in turn can redress digestive issues.

Urinary system: Massage can release waste products that build up over time –allowing for the kidneys to process and eliminate the products from the body.

Our qualified massage therapists are available throughout the week, including weekends. So if you’d like to discover the benefits of massage call 020 8316 5316 to book an appointment.