The healing benefits of massage go far beyond just alleviating sore muscles.  As humans, we thrive on positive touch.  We have all heard of prematurely born babies who begin thriving with a loving massage.  When did we think that we outgrew that need for touch?

Unfortunately, in the modern world with advances in technology, we experience less and less physical human contact.  In many other cultures, people still greet each other with big hugs and kisses on the cheek – but in our society, it seems much more common to send friends a quick text or chat message saying hello.  Combine this with a mentality of fear regarding germs, assault, and with many people not being comfortable with their body in general, and we have become a touch-phobic society.  Without touch, it is easy for people to feel a sense of loneliness and isolation.

Did you know that touch is the first sense that is developed in a fetus?  It is also the last sense to go with old age. And in the in-between years, a safe and positive touch can do wonders for you, both on a physical and mental level.  Forget the once-a-year birthday massage. Treating yourself to a regular massage, at least once a month can be one of the most powerful ways to keep yourself vibrantly healthy.

Experts say that up to 90% of disease can be traced back to being stress-related in some way.  Massage can undoubtedly help manage stress, and bring your body back to a state of balance.  Some physical benefits of regular massage include improved range of motion in both muscles and joints, enhanced immunity due to lymph flow stimulation, increased digestion and muscle tone, promotion of tissue regeneration, and improvement of the condition of the body’s largest organ (your skin).  A good massage can help to detoxify the body.  Think of it this way – your body is made up of mostly water. And what is the state of water when it has been left without movement?  It ends up like algae-infested swamp water!  On the other hand, water that has been encouraged to move freely is more like a crystal clear, rushing mountain spring.  Getting a deep massage can get your circulation going on a very deep level, helping to clear out old debris and purifying your body. When toxins are disposed of quickly, disease can be fought off more effectively and healing after injury is readily advanced.

On a mental level, massage releases endorphins, improving your mood and outlook on life.  It can remarkably lessen depression and anxiety.  Honestly, is there no life problem that doesn’t seem at least manageable when you are in a post-massage state of bliss?

So as helpful and nice as a once-in-a-blue-moon massage is, you deserve to benefit from more regular massages.  Do yourself a favor, set up some monthly appointments in advance, and make the rest of your life work around your ‘you’ time for once.  YOU should be your biggest priority, because if you don’t take care of yourself, how can you expect to take care of anything or anyone else?