Now that the energy has shifted thanks to the lunar new year, here’s a healthy goal with the added bonus of feeling luxurious: get a monthly massage.
Receiving a professional massage is relaxing and has numerous health benefits:
Many types of massages are available at a wide range of prices. Check your local health food store for short-duration neck and shoulder massages (perfect on your lunch break), try out student massages at local massage schools, or book packages of massages at The Eudaimonia Center with Lindsay to save money.
Massage is a touch therapy that we highly recommend. It can be relaxing and therapeutic for many health conditions including back issues, muscle strains or osteoarthritis. The healing touch of massage can also boost levels of endorphins and serotonin – the body’s natural painkillers and mood regulators – and increase blood circulation.
Those with anxiety, depression or eating disorders can take advantage of the effects massage has on the mind – massage has proven effective for reducing pain, anxiety, stress, and depression in patients with a wide range of medical problems.
Many forms of massage therapy are available, and it always pays to ask a massage therapist what types of therapy he or she has studied. One that we like is Thai yoga massage.
Thai yoga massage is a form of therapeutic touch that differs in many ways from traditional massage. Instead of a massage table, you lie on a mat on the floor while the provider manipulates your body in certain ways to stimulate organs and improve flexibility. You will usually begin lying on your back and the therapist will start at your feet. The treatment involves the therapist pressing up and down the body along the Sen lines using her palms, thumbs, forearms and knees. Some of these pressure points will be very deep, but should not be painful. Hands, thumbs, feet, and sometimes elbows are used to work energy lines of the body, and Yoga type stretching movements are provided in a rhythmic rocking manner to help the recipient release deep and superficial tension and increase flexibility. You will remain fully clothed for a Thai yoga massage, so you should wear clothing that is comfortable and can stretch easily.