Considering Massage Therapy in Hendersonville, NC? Here’s How It Could Help You.
Massage is among the most ancient practices in the world. Perhaps when you think of massage, you picture a 5-star spa, scented candles, and luxurious hot towels. Maybe you think of someone vigorously ‘karate chopping’ your back. No matter what your modern interpretation of massage looks like, it sure is fascinating to think that this art goes back to the ancient world and is even depicted in cave drawings. So what does that have to do with us Hendersonville residents?
We’ve come a long way since the days of cave drawings and massage has come with us. Nowadays, massage therapy from a licensed massage and bodywork therapist is growing as part of regular self-care and medical regimens. Western North Carolina has a plethora of therapists and settings to choose from. Whether you select Active Tranquility or a different small business for your massage needs, here are some benefits that modern research supports.
Anxiety and Depression Symptom Relief: When you receive a massage, your body enters a parasympathetic state. This means your body feels safe to ‘rest and digest’. Massage promotes feelings of deep relaxation, reduces stress hormones, and may promote mood regulation.
Headache Relief: Several common types of headaches are caused by tightened muscles. If you find yourself hunched over a computer for much of the day with your eyes focused on a screen (like me right now), you might know what I’m talking about. A skilled massage therapist knows exactly which muscles are involved and will use the right techniques to loosen and soothe those tight muscles, allowing your headaches to ease up.
Pain Relief: Maybe it’s lower back pain, or perhaps it’s hip, knee, elbow, neck, or shoulder pain. Massage therapy, especially from a licensed therapist certified in clinical neuromuscular therapy (like me!), can target the exact muscles involved in your pain, break up trigger points, increase range of motion, and give you strategies to maintain long-term results. If you experience muscle tension, arthritis, sciatica, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, adhesive capsulitis, or other types of chronic pain, massage therapy might be a great fit for you.
Enhanced Mental Health and Sense of Well-Being: We feel better when we take care of ourselves. Deeply relaxing while a skilled professional tends to your warmth, stress, and pain is the ultimate form of self-care.
Improved Sleep Quality: Because of the calming hormones that are released during a massage, you may find yourself sleeping better at night.
Muscle Relaxation and Increased Flexibility: Massage isn’t just for vacations, birthdays, or holiday gifts! Massage helps loosen tight muscles which can enhance flexibility and range of motion. If you’re an athlete or someone who struggles with mobility issues, regular massage may be a great fit for your self-care routine.
Stress Reduction: Massage therapy has been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol while increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine (AKA feel-good hormones). If you work in a stressful field or otherwise experience daily stressors, you may benefit greatly from massage therapy.
These are just a few of the range of benefits massage can provide. More specific modalities, such as manual lymphatic drainage, can produce even more targeted results. Massage is a wide, wonderful world and it’s no surprise that humans are still practicing it centuries later! I invite you to visit ActiveTranquilityMassage.com to learn more about what I do and book your appointment today!
