Everyone deserves a little “me time”. Relaxation is an essential component of every aspect of our health. The extra stressors of everyday life make self-care all the more vital to our overall wellbeing.
Women, especially, need to focus on relaxation for therapeutic purposes. Women have unique health concerns that require special attention, whether it be unexplained pelvic pain, postpartum depression, unwanted baby weight or hormonal fluctuations from menopause. At every stage of life, women face unique challenges, and so must take extra time for self care and enhanced wellness. And it’s not just physical ailments women need to look out for. With such societal pressure on women, it is crucial that mental wellbeing is also nurtured.
So why is it so many of us deny ourselves small things that make a big – and positive – impact on how we feel? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that we don’t always know just how beneficial these things are.
If there was a way to dial down stress, tension, and even PMS symptoms all at once, who wouldn’t jump right on that opportunity? The good news is you can, and it’s not a pill or a gimmick – the answer is massage therapy.
Combat Unwanted PMS
The “monthly gift” feels like anything but, especially if you suffer from severe PMS or PMDD. A much better gift would be a massage that can help many of the symptoms associated with PMS.
Let’s look at bloating, for example. A deep-tissue massage – particularly one that focuses on the lower part of the body – is excellent for circulation. It can also provide a powerful boost to lymphatic drainage.
A lower back and leg massage that encourages blood flow has the added benefit of relieving PMS and period-related aches, pains, and cramping. It also has the ability to put a temporary roadblock before pain signals in your brain.
Let’s not forget the extra anxiety that often comes with the monthly cycle. Anxiety can manifest in physical ways, so the tension headache you get each month can simply be caused by higher than normal anxiety levels. Get a massage, and your stress hormone levels can drop significantly
Soothe the Mind
Let’s talk a little more about stress and anxiety. Busy, full schedules and demanding jobs make self-care harder to focus on than ever. Whether you work at home or in an office, an imbalance between your responsibilities and relaxation time is enough to spike stress levels.
Overproduction of chemicals in the brain, especially those that impact us negatively, has more side-effects than just stress. Common signs of stress can include:
- A short temper
- Insomnia or excessive tiredness
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Weight gain or loss
- Headaches, especially in the temples
- Restless legs
- Generally feeling unwell
- Nausea
- Stomach troubles and IBS
If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms, it’s very likely you’re stressed, which can alleviated through massage. Just an hour a week or a session a month on the massage table can vastly improve not only your mood but the health of your body.
Promote Reproductive Health
If you are trying to get pregnant, or thinking about it for the near future, massage can help. There is some evidence that high stress levels can lead to a decreased chance of conception. The pressure to become pregnant can trap you in a vicious cycle that ultimately lowers your odds of seeing that plus sign on the test. If you’re trying to start a family, the cortisol-lowering benefits of massage can give your body a head start. Massage can also help to regulate your menstrual cycle, making it easier for you to track your fertility.
Already expecting? Pregnant women can get a massage after 13 weeks. Pregnancy massage is designed to ease common discomforts that come with pregnancy. A massage can offer relief on the back and pelvis, as well as provide some much-needed relaxation. Mothers who missed out on a prenatal massage can enjoy the benefits of postnatal massage. Aside from offering relief from stress and exhaustion, they can aid in post-birth healing. It is important that, if you had any surgical interventions such as a C-Section, you discuss your procedure and suitability for massage with your doctor. You should always disclose to your massage therapist anything that you feel is medically relevant.
Help With Uterine Fibroids
Quite frequently women ask if massage help with uterine fibroids, and the short answer is, yes, it can. Uterine fibroids are benign tumours within the uterus and can cause great discomfort to women of all ages. Untreated, they can cause backache, heavy periods and a general feeling of bloating. In severe cases of untreated fibroids, a full hysterectomy is performed. This involves removing the entire uterus and is a very invasive and permanent procedure. In other cases, women opt for intrauterine medications or oral medications. If you would prefer to try something natural before going down the medication route, you can have a go at massage for fibroids. Using their anatomical knowledge and unique massage techniques, your massage therapist will help to increase your chances of getting rid of fibroids for good.
No Downsides
Perhaps the best thing about massages is that there are very few downside to trying one out. When performed by trained professionals, massages are a safe, relaxing, non-invasive option to increase overall comfort and health.
No unwanted side-effects; no medications. Just a pleasant method to combat pain, discomfort, stress, and burn-out. And what’s more, you don’t even need to go to a massage clinic to get a massage. If you are a busy woman with lots on her plate, you might find you prefer a mobile massage in the comfort of your home, or a workplace massage. At Blys Massage, we offer a variety of mobile massages and are entirely flexible around you and your schedule.
Ready to kickstart your wellness journey?
