What’s better than a loving hug from your kids or spouse? Hugs say congratulations at weddings and graduations. When you can’t find the words to comfort someone who has lost a loved one or has been told they have an incurable illness, a hug will convey all the feelings. How about holding hands along the beach or curling up on the couch with that special someone to watch Netflix?
Touch, our bodies crave it. In the article “What Does It Mean to Be Touch Starved” in Healthline, it discusses how skin-to-skin contact is vital not only for mental and emotional health but also physical health. When stressed, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol. Touch can reduce this stress hormone, allowing our immune system to function properly. I can relate to that line of thought.
After a car accident, I had severe whiplash and sought chiropractic care. My doctor’s treatment included weekly massage therapy sessions. After the therapy, not only were my muscles more relaxed for the chiro adjustment, but I also had a general decrease in stress. After my whiplash healed, I noticed that regular afternoon headache no longer showed up and minor problems seemed much less taxing to deal with.
Until these therapy sessions, I thought a stiff neck and tight shoulders were unavoidable since I sat at a desk pounding at a keyboard all day while working out bugs in computer programs.
Have you ever had a massage from a licensed therapist? Let me tell you, with the right therapist, it’s magical. Massage therapy has expanded beyond the luxury health spa.
Health and well-being benefits of massages can include:
- Stress reduction
- Pain and muscle soreness reduction
- Improved circulation
- Improved immune function
As research continues, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.
Even after the chiropractic treatments ended, I continued scheduling periodic massage therapy sessions. My first regular therapist used aroma therapy along with the massage. I really enjoyed those sessions. She knew my tight spots that needed more convincing to untangle and relax. Unfortunately, after she received her physical therapy degree, she quit her massage work. With a heavy heart, I said goodbye, wished her the best of luck, and started on a journey to find a new therapist.
I drifted between therapists trying to find the right fit. Since I prefer deep tissue massages, finding the right therapist took some time. One therapist I went to wanted to try cupping therapy. Not knowing exactly what it was, I agreed. I’m sure this type of massage works great for some people, but it was one of the worse things I had ever experienced. For several days after the session, my back had round, sore red marks. But I didn’t let that setback stop my search.
I finally found a great therapist in a convenient location. When I first met her, she was so tiny; I doubted if she had the strength for a deep tissue massage. Boy, did she prove me wrong!
Even on out-of-town vacations, I try to fit in a massage. More than once, during a flight layover, I’ve indulged in the back and shoulder massages offered at airports. I find airplane seats uncomfortable, and I usually have some sort of kink or soreness in my back after deplaning. Since I tend toward longer layovers to avoid unnecessary stress about making a connecting flight, fitting in a twenty-minute neck and shoulder massage between flights is easy to accomplish. I must admit, I’ve eyed the mini suites, or sleep pods, you can rent for napping. I haven’t indulged yet, but maybe someday.
