Benefits of Massage

The benefits from massage on the human body are expansive. It not only effects us physically but also psychologically and energetically. One of the main systems which I believe that massage has the biggest impact on is our Nervous System - the communication centre for our whole body. It is our nervous system which controls our perception of pain, our release of hormones, our muscles, our heart and breath rate.

Many of us in modern life are running on varying levels of stress which stay in our system for long durations, which is known as “chronic stress”. When humans are in this state we tend to not complete the stress cycle resulting in the continual release of stress hormones in our blood stream. This has a massive impact on our bodies, it weakens our immune systems, our digestion - reducing nutrient absorption, creating anxiety, low energy, insomnia and even depression.

Our nervous system holds our story. Unprocessed trauma is remembered and can manifest physically in our body. Touch can help us to reconnect, bringing our awareness back into our body and to assist with the processing of emotions and completion of stress cycles.

Touch is the first sense which we develop in the utero and is an essential part of our survival and social attachment. Massage communicates to our bodies that we are safe and helps the body shift out of the “I am in danger” state. This shift can be more effective coming from our bodies then our minds. When massage is performed in the right and safe environment it can help re-align the body back into the parasympathetic system enabling energy to be returned to digestion and healing. Pain is reduced, mood is enhanced, sleep improved, and the immune system is strengthened giving an increase in general wellbeing.

Experiencing massage can remind us of what this feels like and the more we experience this feeling of stepping out of the stress response the more we can make empowered changes in other areas of our lives. Ultimately returning to our relaxed and safe selves.