FEATURE
Much-kneaded relief The benefits of massage BY JENNIFER MERRICK
“D
octors give pills. I give relief,” says Daisy Paule, registered massage therapist at Christienne Fallsview Spa, Niagara Falls, ON, as she expertly kneads out knots I didn’t know I had. Not only did I experience a palpable release of tension by the end of the treatment, but I also slept more deeply for the next three nights.
Were the restful nights because of the massage? It’s a likely possibility, according to scientists. From pain relief and stress alleviation to depression and anxiety reduction, dozens of studies have proven that massage carries significant physical and psychological benefits. A study in the International Journal of Neuroscience reported an average thirty-one percent decrease in cortisol (a stress hormone) and corresponding increases in serotonin and dopamine (happiness hormones) post-massage. These hormone changes have positive implications on various medical conditions, including chronic pain, immune response, and mental health. This is not surprising when we recognize the skin as the body’s largest organ with millions of touch receptors. Touch is the only sense we can’t live without; it plays a critical role in regulating the brain and body. Given these healing properties, it’s no wonder massage has been so widely utilized across time and cultures.
Nordic spas This hydrotherapy circuit doesn’t necessarily involve massage (though it’s a popular add-on) but is reported to have similar health benefits. “Hydrotherapy brings about deep relaxation,” says Amélie Gagnon of Siberia Station Spa, a Nordic spa located just outside Quebec City. “It reduces stress, eliminates toxins, relaxes muscles, improves sleep quality, and strengthens the immune system.” Though Nordic spas originated in Scandinavian countries, Quebeckers have made them their own by utilizing unspoiled wilderness and abundant lakes and rivers as the setting for a stress-busting experience. Unfortunately, the ritual also involves a plunge into cold water— and by cold, we mean the kind of cold that takes your breath away and requires all your self-control not to scream—for a couple of minutes. The polar bear dip component is only part of a circuit that takes spa-goers through much warmer and relaxing stations, including steam rooms, hot tubs, saunas, and rest areas. If you’re like me, you may be tempted to skip the cold plunge. Not recommended, says Le Hugues Lavoie of Le Nordique Spa, located in Stoneham, thirty minutes north of Quebec City. “The thermic shock created by alternating hot and cold frees endorphins in your body,” he explains. This means the cold not only facilitates the elimination of toxins but improves your mood. Oh well, I suppose a short, jarring dip is worth it when you consider the reward of soaking in a hot tub or lounging in a hammock amidst the idyllic northern wilderness. – Jennifer Merrick 10
www.foreveryoungwny.com | January 2022
