Massage is Self-Love: A Natural Way to Reduce Stress & Inflammation

Let's be honest, stress shows up in more places than your calendar. It creeps into your shoulders, lower back, digestion, sleep and sometimes even the skin!

Many think massage is a luxury and it can be... but it's also a way for us to prevent stress, feel lighter and happier, look and feel more beautiful... and it's a great way to end the week. It's a powerful tool to reset the body and mind.

Massage not only calms the brain and body but it also helps reduce inflammation.

How Massage Reduces Stress & Makes You Feel Light Like a Feather

Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system.

This is your body's rest and digest mode. Massage signals the brain that it's safe to relax. This lowers heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol (the stress hormone).

Massage boosts "feel good" chemicals.

It increases serotonin and dopanmie, which help regulate mood and reduce anxiety. This is why after your massage, you feel calm, content and grounded and may feel like you're walking on a cloud on the way out the door.

Massage releases muscle tension.

Chronic stress can show up as a tight neck, clenched jaw or tesnes shoulders. Releasing the "knots" sends signals to the brain that everything is okay. Emotional tension melts and life feels easier too.

How Massage Reduces Inflammation

1. Improves Circulation.

   Massage helps blood flow better which means more oxygen and nutrients get to tissues and toxins and inflammatory waste are removed faster.

   
   

2. Stimulates the Lymphatic System.

   Massage supports lymph drainage, which helps clear out cellular debris and inflammation.

   
   

3. Massage lowers cortisol + boosts immunity.

   Chronic stress raises inflammation through cortisol overproduction. By reducing cortisol, massage indirectly lowers systemic inflammation and helps balance the immune response.

If you haven't booked your massage in a while or made it part of your monthly regimen, start today.Book online by clicking "Book Now" here on A Knead for Wellness. Your brain and body will thank you.