At the end of a long hard day at work, we all yearn for a massage. The mere thought of firm fingers kneading out your pent up stress can bring a blissful smile to your face. But did you know that besides relaxing you, a body massage has a host of other benefits for your health? Yes, it has positive impacts on various parts of your body right from your limbs to your brain. 

There are various techniques for a body massage. For example, you could get a dry massage with all your clothes on, or get an oil massage, that not just relaxes you but also nourishes your skin. Different oils have different properties and resultant benefits for your body – for example, mustard oil has thermogenic properties, keeping you warm in the winters and helping your body heal. 

For more information on how massage oils can enhance your wellness, both physically and emotionally, click here. 

Following are some of the ways in which a body massage is beneficial for you: 

1. Eases Muscle and Joint Aches and Pains

Back pain is one of the most common ailments today, even amongst the youth. While popping painkillers is a common practice, these pills can have adverse long term effects, and hence it is best to opt for a natural solution. What better than a back massage that works on your pressure points, and eases pain without any side effects. While a massage gives immediate relief, regular massage therapy can ensure a stronger back and prevention of future back-related problems. This applies to other limbs and joints as well. 

2. Controls Blood Pressure

High blood pressure levels can result in serious health issues like heart attacks and seizures. Research shows that getting regular massages can help prevent these by keeping a check on your blood pressure. 

3. Improves Posture and Increases Flexibility

With most of our time being spent sitting or bent over gadgets, our postures are getting affected, causing stress in our shoulders and neck regions, ultimately resulting in chronic pain and bone-related disorders. Getting a body massage regularly can help combat this by kneading out your stress points and ensuring your bones are kept healthy. 

The techniques used in a massage also help maintain flexibility of your limbs, keeping you fit and active. They work on various parts of your system including your joints, muscles, tissues, tendons, etc. to keep you flexible. 

4. Fights Insomnia 

A massage soothes and relaxes you, and helps you sleep better and for longer durations. Why opt for a sleeping pill with potential side effects, when you can get a good night’s rest through a massage instead! 

In addition to strengthening their limbs and improving their flexibility levels, a massage also helps regulate the sleep cycles of babies, and calms them, making them cry less. Cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy are also advised massage therapy since it helps reduce the harmful impact of these treatments and helps them sleep better. 

5. Relieves Headaches and Prevents Them 

With increasing use of electronic devices, our eyes are constantly at work, resulting in severe headaches and migraines by the end of the day. A massage will not just get rid of your headache but can also help prevent the occurrence of future aches and pains by improving circulation and clearing blockages that may result in headaches. 

6. Boosts Immunity 

Did you know that getting a massage can make you stronger from within and increase your ability to fight diseases? Yes, studies show that massage therapy can increase your white blood cell count, thereby improving your immunity levels. 

7. Improves Emotional Health 

Getting a massage has positive impacts on your overall emotional wellness right from improving your mood to helping with anxiety and depression. Massage therapy reduces the level of the stress hormone cortisol, and increases the levels of the ‘happy’ hormones dopamine and serotonin. 

To know more about massage therapy and the oils that can be used for the same, click here.