The Benefits of Therapeutic Massage for Weight Loss

Have you adapted to not feeling well? Are you not in the body/mind you want? Stress is the foundation for many problems that go unidentified and untreated. Tension can cause: injury, pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, restricted body movement, reduced circulation, inhibited emotional expression, energy blocks/decreased sensation, weight gain or loss and countless other states of dis-ease in the body and mind.

Therapeutic massage is a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic method of healing and preventative care that is based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It has been proven that receiving regular therapeutic massage is beneficial during weight loss regimens. Weight gain or loss is dependent on a number of factors including resting metabolic rate, food intake, amount and kind of exercise, the types of food consumed and even the time of day food is eaten and how much sleep you get. Genetic factors also influence our metabolism.

Hands-on work will enhance circulation thereby helping to regulate the exchange of nutrients between tissue cells and the bloodstream which in turn will aid muscles in recovery and development. When you exercise, lactic acid and carbonic acid accumulate as waste products in your muscles. With massage, these toxins are excreted more effectively and muscles will receive the necessary supply of nutrients and oxygen to recover from physical challenge. When muscles are able to recover, they can grow. Well developed muscles help you lose weight by burning calories more effectively.

Therapeutic massage helps increase flexibility and range of motion which allows for improved performance during exercise and burns more calories.  Improved flexibility reduces the chance of muscle soreness which might deter or prevent you from wanting to work out more routinely. Massage assists with body efficiency by relaxing and softening injured, over-used muscle and reducing spasms and cramping. Serious injuries are often prevented and instead of having to stop workouts and recover, you can proceed toward your weight loss or health goal.

Stress relief is a major benefit of therapeutic massage.  Bodywork decreases cortisol levels. Cortisol has been nicknamed, “the stress hormone,” it triggers the parasympathetic (flight or flight) response of our nervous system.  When Cortisol levels are high our body is constantly reacting to perceived threats, possible danger and stress-- energy goes to our limbs in order to run, our dilating pupils in order to see better and  is not focused on metabolic issues like digestion. Thus constant high stress levels can influence weight gain and are associated with disease. Massage also helps prevent “emotional eating” which can be defined as binging/using food to relieve stress and block out sensation from other negative emotions.

As you can see, the correlation between massage and health has a domino effect. Every aspect of the body is integrated and related and everything has an effect on the system as a whole. In my next writing, I will focus on the therapeutic benefits of bodywork on our emotional health and how that in turn allows for healthier lifestyle choices. I will include tips on how to maintain a healthy body and an attitude that enhances well-being.