Beauty Byline with Sanah: Why Massage is a Necessity and Not a Luxury

SANAH SAYANI

As the new year begins, chances are you are committing to a healthier you. Whether you’ll start eating right, working out, or making more time for self-care, I highly recommend adding massage therapy to the list. Long gone are the days when people looked at massage as a pampering treat; now they are used to better the body and mind. Massage should be looked at as a healing mechanism for various ailments.

The most common benefits of massage are relaxation and calm but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. During a massage, a licensed therapist will apply gentle or strong pressure to the muscles and joints of the body to ease pain and tension. This will make your body feel better which will make your mood better. There are more than a dozen types of massage that provide various benefits. It is important to communicate your concerns with the therapist so the right type of massage is administered.

A Swedish full body massage is one of the most popular types of massage, and a good choice for beginners who have some muscle tension and want to relax. Take it up a notch with a Deep Tissue massage if you have chronic muscle problems. A Hot Stone massage is for people with muscle pain and tension, and also promotes blood flow and relieves stress. This is similar to the Swedish massage but the therapist will use hot stones instead of their hands. Lymphatic Drainage massage is a whole-body treatment which relaxes the nervous system and helps the body’s immune system. Women may experience their menstrual cycle start early as this massage makes everything flow in the body. Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils and scents to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and boost your mood.

Some of the other massage techniques address specific concerns like injury or rehabilitation. Sports massage relieves pain, anxiety, and muscle tension from repeat injuries to a muscle. It is also good as a preventative measure for those who are prone to injuries. This can be a full body massage or an area-specific one. Trigger Point massage is best for chronic pain or a specific issue. This helps people who have tightness in muscles which causes pain in other parts of the body. Reflexology massage focuses on feet, hands and ears. It is mainly for relaxation and energy. Prenatal massage can help pregnant women with body aches, stress, and muscle tension. These massages are recommended after the first trimester; pregnant women should avoid massages in the first trimester as certain points in the body may induce a miscarriage.

Growing up I thought massages were just for people who wanted to relax and had a lot of money; it was a luxury treat on birthdays or anniversaries. But as my body has gotten older, massage has turned into more of a necessity. I store stress in my shoulders and lower back. I started getting massages to relieve the pain and realized it was improving my overall mood and health. I try to get massages every six to eight weeks to keep my body flowing properly and prevent any issues as I age. If you’ve never had a massage and experience chronic pain, get one, you’ll thank me later!

SANAH SAYANI is a master cosmetologist and owner of Thread Beauty Spa (4426 Hugh Howell Road in The Centre on Hugh Howell). Her monthly column seeks to answer readers’ beauty concerns; write to her at threadbeautyspa@gmail.com or drop by the shop to ask her in person!

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