Massage in Winter

Love a good massage but not really enthusiastic to strip down in the middle of winter? Here are a few reasons why winter massages are really awesome.

Circulation
Hands and feet feeling cold and clammy? Body feeling stiff and slow? We simple don't function optimally when we are cold. Massage therapy increases circulation to muscles, joints, and organs, warming up the body. Cold weather can bring on many discomforts, aches, pains and arthritis. Massage enhances blood flow, oxygenates yours muscles, naturally lowers blood pressure and improves body function.

Feeling a little dry?
Toasty winter fires and heaters (if you can find gas!) are great for snuggling and marshmallows but not so good for your skin. Oils and lotions used in massage contain healthy amounts of vitamin E along with the much needed moisture. A Massage will leave you feeling soothed and supple on the outside too.

Winter Blues?
Winter can be gloomy. We tend to get out less and have less social interaction. This decrease in activity and emotional connection coupled with our usual daily stresses can lead to some very real hormonal changes. Cortisol (Cortisol can drive up blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppress the immune system.) rises and our serotonin and dopamine (neurotransmitters that help reduce depression) levels drop. Bring on the winter blues.

Booking yourself a nice relaxing massage can really help if you're struggling, here's why:
Massage therapy has a very real and measurable effect on the body's biochemistry. In a series of studies researchers found that massage therapy lowered cortisol levels by up to 53%.  (That's huge!) Massage also significantly increased serotonin and dopamine levels.

Immune Boosting
Your lymphatic system works with your cardiovascular circulatory system to flush out toxins and carry white blood cells throughout the body to help defend against infections. If your lymph fluid circulation gets sluggish, toxins can accumulate and immune cells may not get carried to the areas of the body where they’re needed. Since the lymph system doesn’t have a big central pump like the heart to keep things moving, it has to rely on gravity, exercise, breathing … and massage.

Research sponsored by the National Center for Contemporary and Alternative Medicine showed that massage actually increases the production of white blood cells. So massage not only assists in getting the bad stuff out, it helps create more good stuff and gets it to where it needs to be. Win win win!

That warm wonderful relaxed feeling you get after a good massage – so much more to it than you thought! Warm muscles, soft skin, lowered blood pressure, hormonal balance and a  boosted immune system. And Massage Mama is a mobile service so you don't even have to leave your home!