The Unique Needs of The Male Body
Self-care is just as crucial to your overall physical and mental health as your diet. However, when you ask men what they do to promote self-care, few will admit to getting massages. This is because a day at the spa is often seen as a “feminine” activity and not something most men think of doing. However, massage therapy can provide many benefits to men by helping promote a healthy mind and body, and massages can even soothe muscles after a long day of work. Keep reading as we look at just a few of the ways men can benefit from regular massages.
Advantages of Massage for Workout Recovery
Whether you go to the gym 5 times a week or you have a physically demanding job, your body can be put through a lot on any given day. Fortunately, massage therapy can help your body to recover after a long day by:
Reducing Muscle Tension:
Your muscles can become tight after an intense workout or even from being hunched over a desk all day. Massage therapy can help to promote recovery by decreasing this muscle tension.
Improving Flexibility:
Massage after a workout (or just “work”) can also help to improve flexibility by releasing tension in the muscles, creating space for a wider range of movement. In these cases, passive stretching may also be used.
Reducing Soreness:
As great as a good workout can make you feel in the long run, long bouts of soreness after an intense workout can make it difficult to get back in the gym. Fortunately, sports massage can help to reduce muscle tension and soreness, allowing you to get back to your routine as soon as possible.
Massage and Men’s Health
Not only can regular massages help you recover after a long day at work or an intense workout, but they can also help to prevent numerous health risks. Just a few ways massage therapy can benefit your physical health include:
Preventing Injuries:
If you work out often, participate in sporting activities, or have a physically demanding job, then you may be at an increased risk for muscle injuries. Fortunately, massage therapy can help to promote muscle health by reducing tension and increasing flexibility, greatly reducing the likelihood that you will injure yourself at work or in the gym.
Reducing Blood Pressure:
Men over 40 are at particularly high risk for blood pressure issues, and if left untreated, high blood pressure can cause blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Fortunately, massage therapy is a simple way to help reduce your risk of high blood pressure as it can help improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
Improving Immune health:
If you find that you are constantly sick and you are looking for ways to boost your immune system, you may be surprised to learn that massage therapy can help. Regular massages improve circulation and lymphatic flow, which can help boost immune function.
Beyond Physical Health
While there are many physical benefits to massage therapy, we at Massage & Wellness Spa urge everyone to grasp the ways in which massage therapy can improve mental health as well. The fact is that many people are overwhelmed by the stress and pressure of maintaining a career and taking care of their families, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Fortunately, massage therapy can help to provide a time and space for you to relax and decompress after a long day, which can help elevate your mood. Additionally, massage therapy has actually been shown to increase levels of neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for happiness, helping to provide a mood boost.
Massage therapy can provide many benefits to men by improving their physical and mental health. If you have not previously tried massage therapy, contact Massage & Wellness Spa today to schedule a massage and discover the effect massages can have on your overall well-being.
