Why Do Massages Feel So Good?
One luxurious session of massage and weeks upon weeks’ worth of pent up stress and fatigue is gone! We all can just unanimously agree that a spa day with full body massage is nothing short of heavenly. Makes you wonder – Are there any surprising benefits of massages?
Why do massages make you feel so good? Simple answer – getting a massage releases a cocktail of assorted feel-good chemicals in the body. Endorphins are the feel-good hormones released by the body in response to something good for it. For example, nice sweaty work out session or a long destressing run. Oxytocin, another feel-good chemical released by the brain reduces pain and induces a sense of calm by relieving stress.
A study conducted to further understand the effects of massage on the body also revealed that a good pressing and kneading of the muscles reduces the levels of cortisol, the hormone that causes stress, and adrenaline, the hormone that increases the heart rate. At the same time, the levels of dopamine and serotonin, the hormones associated with happiness and mood regulation, increase significantly, calming us down and engulfing us in euphoric bliss.
All these feel-good hormones’ effect is similar to that of morphine on the brain. They block the pain signals from entering the gates of our brain and as a result, the pain diminishes. It is much like our mind resets and starts afresh. Researchers also believe that a short 15 minutes massage can help people think clearly by making them more alert and aware.
Therapeutic massages can also have a psychological effect on us. A spa day starts to feel good even before the masseuse gets down to business. The setting for a massage usually includes dim lighting and soothing music. Together they help us unwind. We can leave our tensions and worries at the door and enter with a relaxed state of mind.
While these effects are on the emotional end of the spectrum, massages also affect our bodies physically. The act of getting a massage done reduces the soreness and inflammation of the muscles caused due to straining the muscles during an intense workout or a particularly active day spent mostly standing or running around.
Massages also improve blood circulation in the body. This helps by releasing the ‘knots’ of lactic acid and protein build up in the muscles that obstruct blood flow, eventually causing pain. Improved blood circulation activates the restorative mode of the muscles, promotes quicker cell repair, renews, and rejuvenates the muscles and alleviates soreness. As a result, strained muscles heal faster. A good massage helps a great deal in detoxifying the body. It helps you remove all the excess protein and lactic acid, cell waste, and toxins that tend to build up in the body.
Most massages also include aromatherapy to induce relaxation. The healing touch of the therapist combined with the sweet scents from aromatic oils and candles sweep us in a sense of calm and quiet. Our heartbeat slows down, and we begin to relax at the mere prospect of the oncoming massage. We become more receptive and the massage benefits us better. Many essential oils such as lavender oil, ylang-ylang oil, bergamot oil, etc. have a calming effect on our bodies and they promote the release of natural painkillers.
A more primal explanation as to why we like getting a massage lies in the fact that humans enjoy the element of touch. For us humans, physical contact is essential for our emotional well-being. That explains why hugging or cuddling feels so good. It reduces pain and makes us feel safe and protected.
Getting a massage done is an excellent way to show some love and gratitude for our amazing bodies that enable us to live our best lives. Self-care is the first step towards embracing self-love. Indulging in some sort of pampering session once every week goes a long way into improving our self-image and promotes a healthy relationship with our bodies. We become kinder to ourselves and more confident in our demeanor.
As for the kind of massage that will work best to deliver optimum benefits to you and your body, it is important to understand what you need. A discussion with your physician can help you pinpoint your problems and get a massage therapy tailored to suit your requirements. Even though our wallets might indicate otherwise, no amount of massage is too much. *Wink*. In all seriousness though, get a massage as frequently as you can. If spending on a spa day is not an option for you, get your loved one give you a back rub now and then. It will work wonders for your emotional and physical well-being.
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