Relaxation massage is a gentle style of massage that uses long strokes and light pressure to help calm your nervous system and release tension. While this type of massage can help you relax, it also alleviates stress and tension headaches and improves your sleep quality, enhancing your overall well-being.
Relaxation massage benefits include improved blood circulation, boosted immune system, and overall body relaxation. While there are different types of massages, relaxation massage is one of the most popular and beneficial styles.
What is a Relaxation Massage?
Relaxation massage is often used as a therapeutic treatment for stress relief and to promote overall relaxation. The goal of relaxation massage is to help the recipient achieve complete physical and mental calm.
The therapist uses various techniques throughout the massage to relieve muscle tension and promote circulation. A relaxation massage is usually performed on an unclothed client, although loose, comfortable clothing can be worn if desired.
The therapist may also use oil or lotion to reduce friction on the skin. Sessions typically last 30-60 minutes, although longer or shorter sessions can be customised according to your needs.
Relaxation Massage Benefits
If you want to relax and rejuvenate your body, then relaxation massage benefits may be just what you need. This gentle style of massage helps you de-stress and release tension in your body.
Whether you are experiencing chronic muscle pain or want to improve your overall well-being, relaxation massage can help. Some of the key relaxation massage benefits include:
Improved Circulation
Good circulation is essential for overall health, as it helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells and remove waste products from the body. Massage can help to improve circulation by relaxing the muscles and improving lymphatic drainage.
Relaxation massages have been shown to provide several stress-reducing benefits. One study found that relaxation massage significantly reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol in participants.
Another study showed that relaxation massage can help increase the feel-good hormone oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is known to have relaxation and anti-anxiety effects, making it an ideal hormone to increase for reducing stress levels.
Relaxation massage benefits have also been shown to include lowering heart rate and blood pressure, which are markers of stress.
Increased Range of Motion
Studies have found that relaxation massage effectively reduces pain and improves range of motion in people with shoulder pain and chronic lower back pain. Relaxation massages are thought to reduce muscle tension and promote joint relaxation. This type of massage is often used as part of a physical therapy program for mobility conditions.
Boost Mental Health
Proponents of massage therapy argue that massage benefits include reducing stress and anxiety levels, improving mood, and increasing feelings of well-being. Massage therapy has also been shown to help reduce tension headaches and fatigue.
Studies have also shown that massage benefits may also include helping improve cognitive function and memory by activating the orbitofrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for learning and decision-making.
Alleviate Muscular Aches
Relaxation massages have also been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic pain and muscular aches. This type of massage can be beneficial for people suffering from muscle tension or with conditions such as fibromyalgia.
It reduces muscle tension by releasing tight muscles and increasing flexibility. This can help improve joint mobility, reduce chronic pain, and promote a sense of well-being.
Improve Sleep
Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. Massage can help improve sleep quality, with studies showing that relaxation massage can help increase the amount of deep sleep and reduce stress levels in participants.
Some research suggests that regular massage benefits can improve insomnia symptoms by improving mood and reducing depression and anxiety.
Massage has also been found to help improve the function of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections. Regular relaxation massage can help increase immunity and protect against infectious diseases.
Promotion of Overall Well-Being
Relaxation massage provides a sense of peace and well-being.
This massage can help you feel refreshed, recharged, and rejuvenated by easing stress and tension.
This is because a relaxation massage also increases your body’s natural feel-good hormones: dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.
Possible Side Effects of a Massage Treatment Session
While there are numerous relaxation massage benefits, there are still some possible side effects that you should be aware of. The most common side effect is soreness or stiffness in the muscles worked on. This is usually mild, goes away within a day or two, and occurs more frequently in people with nagging injuries, in a first-time massage experience and those who have not had a massage in a long time.
Arrange your free 3-minute trial massage with Wayne and learn how you can benefit from relaxation massage.
You may also feel a little disoriented immediately following the massage due to postural hypotension. This means you have moved from lying to sitting too quickly, and it typically subsides within a few minutes.
Experience the Benefits for Yourself with a Relaxation Massage at Wayne Massage
Wayne Massage offers relaxation massage services in two convenient Sydney locations to promote our client’s well-being and quality of life.
Some of the relaxation massage benefits our clients experience include relief from tension headaches, reduced stress, improved circulation, lower blood pressure, boosted immunity and improved sleep quality.
Don’t let the daily grind affect your quality of life, book an appointment at Wayne Massage or call us on (02) 8073 9376 today and experience the many benefits of relaxation massage.
Cortisol decreases and serotonin increases following massage therapy https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7601376_Cortisol_decreases_and_serotonin_increases_following_massage_therapy
Massage increases oxytocin and reduces adrenocorticotropin hormone in humans https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23251939/
Effectiveness of massage therapy on the range of motion of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5333006/
Foot massage evokes oxytocin release and activation of the orbitofrontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30469087/
Randomized control trial evidence for the benefits of massage and relaxation therapy on sleep in cancer survivors—a systematic review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8448699/
