For me the medium side of massage is the place where no force is used – here you won’t feel elbows and deep tissue techniques but the medium touch approach where there is enough delightful pressure to relax tissue and muscle.
Many years ago, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune illness which opened the doors for me to investigate the effects of stress on the body. Subsequently I went on a journey to discover what I could do to balance the incoming stress of my life. While looking deeper into meditation practices and with yoga already being a big part of my life, I learnt about the benefits of various massage therapies that were available. Alongside massage therapy I encountered many other sources of inspiration that initiated a new cycle of self-care practices.
During stressful times I benefit from an increase of visits to my massage therapist to initiate the relaxation response.
The Relaxation Response - Beth Burgan
The relaxation response is a state in which your heart and breathing rates slow, your blood pressure goes down, the production of stress hormones decreases, and your muscles relax. The relaxation response is also said to increase the available level of serotonin, which is a chemical in the body that positively affects emotions and thoughts. While this information is promising, more studies are needed to directly confirm the relationship between receiving massage therapy treatments and levels of serotonin in the brain.
The relaxation response may decrease the physical effects of stress and reduce the risks associated with stress, such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, anxiety, insomnia, persistent fatigue, sexual dysfunction, digestive disorders, and psychological issues – to name a few.
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