When you first look for your certified massage therapist in Philadelphia, you may just be seeking a little time for relaxation. But, did you know a massage can also make you healthier? There are many mental and physical benefits of massage.
Stress relief. Seek out a Philadelphia spa massage therapist to help you relax your muscles and your mind. A common massage used to reduce stress and lower anxiety is called the Swedish massage. This is one of the most popular styles of massage in Philadelphia and around the country. It is a gentle massage that involves long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping. Your certified massage therapist will use this style to help relax and energize you.
Strengthens immune system. This is in part because massages relieve stress, which improves your immune system, and because clinical studies have indicated massage can naturally increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity. Simply put, massage increases the activity level of the body’s natural “killer” cells, which fight off sickness. So, getting a massage is very useful, especially during the months when everyone seems to be sick.
Blood flow. A certified massage therapist in Philadelphia can even help improve your circulation and lower blood pressure. The pressure of the massage helps move the blood through congested areas, which lets new blood flow through. Long-term studies have even shown that regular massage sessions can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure and decrease salivary and urinary cortisol stress-hormone levels. A massage therapist should be able to help you through this process.
Rehabilitation. Often times, athletes look for a massage therapist to help prevent and heal muscle injuries and sooth muscle soreness. Athletes should consider a sports massage, a deep massage, or a trigger point massage. A sports massage is similar to a Swedish massage, except that it is geared toward people involved in sport activities. A certified massage therapist in Philadelphia will be able to provide a deep massage, which includes slower, more-forceful strokes than the Swedish massage. A trigger point massage is also a good consideration for athletes because it focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that often appear after injury or overuse.
Headache relief. Are you one of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches? Massage can help headaches in two ways: It relieves stress, which in turn reduces headaches, and a massage can help ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache. An experienced massage therapist will know how to focus on your neck, shoulders, and head to decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraines or tension headaches. These massages can help prevent and decrease the frequency of your headaches.
Prenatal benefits for mothers. A woman’s body goes through many changes when she becomes pregnant. Many of them are wonderful changes, and some are changes women could live without. Pregnant women are encouraged to seek out a certified massage therapist in Philadelphia who can help her relax, ease discomfort, and promote good circulation. The mother can either lie on her side or use a pregnancy pillow, which allows her to comfortably lie on her stomach through her third trimester. Special attention is given to her legs and lower back, which are often areas of discomfort during pregnancy.
Now you have even more reasons to indulge in a massage in Philadelphia. If you are not sure which massage is right for you, we would be happy to give you recommendations for the massage that will provide you with the benefits you are seeking.
To schedule an appointment, contact us online, or call at 215-569-9599.
