When do you get a massage? When you’re feeling stressed or tense? When you have physical complaints, such as back pain, stiff shoulders, or a stiff neck? Or perhaps you mainly get a massage when you’re on vacation, and it adds to that extra holiday feeling of relaxation and fun?
I honestly recognize myself in the above. It’s strange, actually, because as a massage therapist, I know very well that massage is not only a remedy but also an excellent preventative measure.
Because if you regularly have a massage treatment, you can prevent various physical and mental complaints or ensure that certain problems do not worsen.
It’s a shame that health insurers don’t cover massages as a preventative measure. I’m convinced it would ultimately save them a lot of money. But unfortunately, that’s not the case. And I also understand that regular massages are an investment for someone, and that’s why many people don’t do it and only go to physiotherapy, for example, when there’s a problem, and often only if those sessions are covered. That’s all perfectly understandable.
But why should you get a massage regularly and make that investment in your own health? What does a massage actually do for you preventatively?
A healthy lifestyle and massage as part of preventive care
A healthy lifestyle has many preventative effects. Consider the well-known factors of a healthier lifestyle: healthy eating, regular exercise, a good night’s sleep, moderate or no drinking, not smoking, and minimal tension and stress, etc. And if a stressful period has occurred, ensure you have sufficient recovery time. Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and walking, for example, also contribute to good health for both your body and mind.
So does massage, or other similar treatments like shiatsu, Reiki, cupping, or acupuncture.
Preventive care, therefore, focuses on preventing health problems, so prevention rather than cure..
How does massage work preventatively?
In my experience, most people who come to me for a treatment do so because they have a problem. They need relaxation due to excessive stress or because they’re suffering from back, shoulder, and neck pain. That’s perfectly fine, of course, and it’s wonderful that they come. But did you know that if you truly relax regularly, it’s not only wonderful but also very healthy and even essential for being and staying healthy?
Hence my first point about why massage is preventative:
- Reducing stress as the ultimate protector
Chronic stress affects your entire immune system; the entire network of cells, tissues, and organs that protect your body against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, as well as cancer cells. Stress affects your organs, your digestion, your sleep, how you feel, think, and act. Basically, everything. High levels of tension are simply incredibly unhealthy, both for your body and your mind.
Regular massages help your body transition back to a state of rest. A massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system: this system slows your heart rate and breathing, stimulates your digestion, dilates blood vessels, and promotes muscle relaxation.
Less stress, therefore, means a stronger immune system and a lower risk of mental and physical complaints and problems.
- Improving your blood circulation
A massage stimulates blood circulation, which ensures a better supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and faster removal of waste products.
This also helps your body recover more quickly after physical exertion, for example.
- Improving your posture
If you have poor posture, (chronic) complaints can arise in muscles or joints. For example: due to a lot of computer work, your shoulders have become rounded and your neck has become more forward, and this can cause certain muscles in your shoulders to become sort of stretched out and the other opposing muscles, in the chest, to become shortened and tense. A massage loosens these muscles, allowing you to improve your posture and prevent things from getting worse.
- You become more aware of your body and mind
When you receive a massage, you’ll feel where tension resides, perhaps even pain, how parts of your body relax, how your breathing changes during the session, how your thoughts flow and calm down, and so on. A massage helps you become more aware of both your body and your mental state. This increased awareness helps you connect more with your body, which benefits you in your daily life. It allows you to better and sooner recognize and act on your own signals.
- Recognize and release tension in time
Both physical and mental tension often takes time to build. And you often only notice this tension when you experience pain. By then, it’s essentially too late. During treatment, a therapist can sense areas of emerging muscle tension, treat them, and offer advice to prevent it from worsening.
You’ll also learn to relax completely, and as described in the previous point, you’ll become more self-aware. If you notice tension in your body, you can take action to prevent it from worsening.
- Locating problem areas
A massage therapist may encounter problem areas during a treatment that he/she cannot resolve and may advise you to consult other medical specialists to address this in order to prevent or resolve the issue.
- Increasing your flexibility
Massages can also help increase the range of motion in your joints and muscles. When certain areas become more flexible, they are less likely to become overloaded. This helps prevent injuries and other discomfort.
How often is it advisable to have a massage as a preventative measure?
It’s difficult to give advice on this. It depends on various factors, such as your current lifestyle, whether you currently have any physical and/or mental health issues, your job and the posture you adopt (sitting or standing a lot), whether you’re going through a stressful period in your life, and your financial situation.
I especially advise people to listen to their own bodies and come in once a month or every six weeks, for example. Or, alternatively, once every two months.
And if someone is struggling with something or experiencing a lot of tension due to a particular situation, I would advise them to come more frequently for a while.
I’d love to have a massage every week. But unfortunately, that’s not really feasible in practice. That’s probably true for many people. But if you can afford it, I would definitely do it!
During my training and education periods, when I gave and received massages daily, I experienced time and again what a tremendous difference those massages made, both for my body and my mind.
Is massage a preventative measure or primarily a luxury product?
Massage is often seen as a luxury product; a gift to yourself to relax and loosen specific muscles. Somehow, it’s less recognized as a remedy and a wonderfully effective preventative measure.
I hope the above points have given you insight into how massage helps keep your body and mind healthy, supple, and stress-free.
Investing in regular massage prevents larger problems. Moreover, a treatment also gives you more energy, insights into yourself, and increases your awareness.
All reasons enough to spend more time on a treatment table!
Do you want a massage to prevent complaints and problems?
Then you are very welcome on my massage table!
My treatment is always tailored to your wishes, needs, and/or complaints, and I use various techniques, combined with my clairvoyance and intuition.
From April to October I can be found in Drenthe, Holland and I give treatments in a converted cabin in Uffelte.
From November through March, I’ll be at various locations.
For more information, see the prices and locations page.
Massage at your home or another location is also possible.
And if you’re looking for a therapist for your business or center, please send me an email, text, or call me, and I’ll love to discuss ideas and options.
Hi, my name is Jolinda, and I work as a holistic health practitioner. I provide yoga and meditation classes and massage and Reiki treatments, mindfulness training and happiness coaching,.
With my blogs I hope to inspire you to make positive changes into your life. For more ideas and tips check out my page Jolindas inspiration. Free trainings and videos you can find at free downloads and videos
Would you like to be kept informed and inspired? Then sign up for my newsletter.