Massage therapy is now an $18 billion industry. Reports also show that as many as 63.6 million American adults have at least one massage per year.
It’s clear to see that more and more of you are listening when your body tells you it needs a massage. Whether it’s to relieve pain, boost your mood, or improve your general health, there are many great reasons to get a massage.
Despite this, there are still a lot of people out there who think massages are an indulgence. Of course, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Massage therapists recommend that everyone have at least one massage per month to reap the many health benefits.
But if you’ve never had a massage before, how do you know when you need one? Keep reading for the surefire signs that you need a massage now.
1. You’re Training
Whether you’re training for a marathon, a gym regular, or a sports enthusiast, you need to make time for a massage in your busy schedule.
Working out builds new muscles but can also lead to muscle strains and tears. Take care of your body and alleviate the stress you put it through with a deep tissue sports massage.
Sports massages, which you can find out more about here, can prevent sporting injuries, promote faster recovery if you do get injured, and even help to improve performance.
2. You’re In Pain
Pain – whether it’s in your back, neck, hip, or shoulders – is your body’s way of telling you to stop and pay attention. It’s also one of the best reasons to get a massage.
These kinds of pains could signal muscle strain or a soft tissue injury. But the problem is that many of us ignore these signs until the pain gets worse.
A licensed therapist can help you find the cause of the pain and relieve your suffering. During a massage, the therapist will be able to target and work on the bundles of muscles that are causing pain by restricting blood flow. This then helps the muscles relax and promotes soft tissue healing.
3. You Often Get Headaches
If you’re experiencing more headaches than usual, they could be a result of tension. Tension can build up in the neck and shoulders as a result of bad posture or uncomfortable positioning. This tension then triggers muscle strain and leads to headaches.
But forget the aspirin, you need a massage. By working the right areas of your body to release tension, a massage can improve blood flow to your head, helping you relax and easing your headaches.
4. You Feel Stressed
While we might not be able to eliminate stress from our busy modern lives, we can take steps to relieve it. And one of the best ways to combat stress is to get a massage.
Massage therapy targets the physical signs of stress by decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, and the stress hormone cortisol. It also increases endorphins to lift our mood and help us feel better prepared to deal with future stressful situations.
5. You’re Not Sleeping Well
You might not feel stressed, but if you’re not sleeping well, this is often your body’s way of telling you that you’re far from relaxed either.
And, what better way to help your body relax than with a massage? When your muscles feel relaxed, this helps your mind and body unwind and relax too. And with total relaxation comes better rest and deeper sleep.
What’s more, both regular massages and good quality sleep help to decrease stress hormones, increase endorphins, and improve your general well being.
6. You Have a Limited Range of Motion
Is it hard for you to turn your head, reach for things, or touch your toes? While we wouldn’t expect you to have the flexibility of a yoga teacher, you should be able to perform these simple actions, and without pain.
If not, your limited range of motion could be a sign that you’re in need of a massage. Massage therapy helps to resolve these muscle restrictions by promoting relaxation, improved blood flow, and greater flexibility.
7. You Have Poor Circulation
Inactive or elderly adults, pregnant women, and people with poor circulation can experience swollen feet and ankles, numbness, or cold extremities.
Massage therapy is a great way to relieve these circulation problems as it promotes the healthy flow of blood and fluid around the body.
8. You’re Sedentary for Long Periods
Inactivity can also wreak havoc on your body in other ways, especially if you work in a job where you’re hunched over a desk or sitting for long periods.
A sedentary lifestyle like this can lead to bad posture, headaches, and general pain. And if you often use a keyboard at work, this can also worsen arm and shoulder pain, causing muscle tightness and tension throughout your upper body.
Massage therapy helps to relax and loosen your muscles, working to relieve the built-up tightness that comes from hours of sitting in the same position. It can also help to promote better posture to reduce the chance of future pain from long periods of inactivity.
Signs Your Body Needs a Massage
And for those of you who’ve never had a professional massage before, all the more reason to try one. Trust us, your body will thank you for it!
Do any of these massage signs and situations sound familiar? If so, it’s almost certain that your body is telling you it needs a massage.
For more health and fitness inspiration, be sure to check out our other blog posts.
