Stress Management Through Massage

What is stress, how does it affect our bodies and what can we do to keep it
under control? Of all the modern day ailments that seem to affect us, none is
more pervasive than stress. It seems that everywhere we turn there are many
factors that redirect us from a state of happiness to the feelings of stress.

What exactly is stress? The dictionary defines stress as "great pressure or force,
strain". In today's world we refer to stress as the result of too much pressure laid
upon us by life. The environments ability to affect any individual stressfully is more
often than not determined by the individuals attitude of mind.

Stress can manifest itself in our bodies in many ways, such as, tight neck and shoulders, headaches, and nervous stomach. Too much stress in our lives causes constant muscular tension. This tension or tightness reduces the flow of blood and oxygen, nerve and lymph supply, or the more subtle energy, life force or chi. Reducing this flow leads to feelings of fatigue, and reduces flexibility and range of motion increasing the likelihood of injury and the build up of toxins in the body. Generally blocked energy is felt as aches and pains but can
eventually lead to a wide range of more serious problems. When we get stressed our immune systems begin to break down and become weakened making us more susceptible to illness.

Regular massage is the ideal remedy to help relieve the stress of our everyday lives.
Massage can help the mind and body to deal with stress on a day to day basis and
promote a feeling of well-being. When we hurt ourselves it is instinctive to rub
ourselves where we are hurt. We have always used touch to reassure and calm ourselves
and others. Massage makes us aware of how and where stress manifests itself in
the form of tension in our bodies. First you might experience relief from massage
by loosening tense muscles, but there are so many more benefits.

Massage will increase your blood and lymph circulation, which helps your body to
receive essential nutrients, dispose of waste products, and defend against disease
by improving the immune system. Massage can restore suppleness and strength
to your muscles improving flexibility and range of motion. It helps to release toxins,
such as lactic acid, as well as relieving tight or sore muscles. Massage also improves
sleep allowing your body that important time it needs to heal.

As you can see, massage offers more benefits than you may have imagined. It is good
to know that something that feels so great can contribute to your long-term health as well.