Who doesn’t love taking a step back from reality to enter the ultimate stage of serenity? Massages have always been a well-regarded method to take time out from the stressors in our daily lives. However, there is much more to massage therapy than meets the eye. Massage therapy not only brings us peace, but it includes a multitude of health benefits. Here are some ways we can truly benefit by integrating massage therapy into our regimen.

Like much of America, our corporate jobs require us to sit at a desk most hours of the day. Hours of hovering over a desk can cause a perpetual hunch, wrecking our posture. Whether you sit at a desk most hours of the day or not, postural stress is extremely common. Massage therapy can help relieve pain associated with postural stress and improve posture over time.

Muscular pains are common in day-to-day life. Whether from an intense workout, sports game, or just a long week, muscles ache. For sore and hurting muscles, massage therapy is a great remedy. Massage can speed muscular recovery time by increasing  blood circulation and oxygen supply, as well as releasing toxins.

A solid night’s rest is vital amid the chaos of our daily lives. A massage directly influences serotonin which is necessary in the production of melatonin –  the sleep hormone. The National Institution of Health recommends massage therapy, as it can reduce fatigue and increase sleep quality by restoring sleep patterns.

We all know that stretching improves flexibility, but it’s not the only method that works. Whether you’re an exercise enthusiast or not, muscle, fascia, and other tissues are often stubborn and cause tightness. Massage therapy is a great way to ease tightness because it stretches muscle fibers , resulting in a more flexible you!

Cortisol is referred to as the “stress hormone” and is produced during stressful, high intensity situations. After stressful situations, it’s important to bring these cortisol levels back down to normal. High levels of cortisol in the body for too long can have negative effects, such as fatigue, inflammation and weight gain. Maintaining normal and balanced cortisol levels keeps our body happy and healthy. Massage therapy helps reduce cortisol levels by aiding the body in relaxation and reducing overall stress.