WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Video
This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Emily Skye Says She Gets Botox For Teeth Grinding – But Is That Really A Thing?

Emily Skye Says She Gets Botox For Teeth Grinding – But Is That Really A Thing?

The 5 Different Types Of Stress You Need To Know About

The 5 Different Types Of Stress You Need To Know About

Study Confirms Stress Is Making You Go Grey

Study Confirms Stress Is Making You Go Grey

New Study Finds Burnout Majorly Messes With Your Heart Health

New Study Finds Burnout Majorly Messes With Your Heart Health

{headline}

{headline}

World-First Research Finds Chronic Pain Physically Changes Your Brain

World-First Research Finds Chronic Pain Physically Changes Your Brain

Study Finds Stress Causes Women To Eat More Junk Food

Study Finds Stress Causes Women To Eat More Junk Food

4 Surprising Things That Are Affecting Your Heart Health

4 Surprising Things That Are Affecting Your Heart Health

{headline}

{headline}

Lena Dunham Shares The Honest Reality Of Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Lena Dunham Shares The Honest Reality Of Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Stressing Out During Pregnancy Could Influence Your Baby's Gender

Stressing Out During Pregnancy Could Influence Your Baby's Gender

Study Finds 50% Of Women With Endometriosis Have Contemplated Suicide

Study Finds 50% Of Women With Endometriosis Have Contemplated Suicide

Sia Gets Real About Her Chronic Pain And Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis

Sia Gets Real About Her Chronic Pain And Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis

Steph Claire Smith’s Side-By-Side Pic Sums Up The Woes Of Bloating Before Your Period

Steph Claire Smith’s Side-By-Side Pic Sums Up The Woes Of Bloating Before Your Period

Relaxation Techniques Make Some Anxiety Sufferers More Anxious, Study Says

Relaxation Techniques Make Some Anxiety Sufferers More Anxious, Study Says

Ruby Rose Just Shared A Graphic Video Of Her Emergency Neck Surgery

Ruby Rose Just Shared A Graphic Video Of Her Emergency Neck Surgery

  1. Home
  2. Health

The 4 Biggest Benefits Of Regular Massages

Tried and tested. - by Lauren Williamson
  • 11 Jul 2018
The 4 Biggest Benefits Of Regular Massages
Getty Images

There's no doubt that massages feel amazing, but did you know that the benefits of the treatment last far longer than that post-rub down buzz? I put the perks of a good pummelling to the test, getting massages once a month at Massage Envy (I know, my job is SO hard) to find out if it made a difference to my health. Here’s what I discovered massages can do.

Combat stress and anxiety

It’s not just the ocean sounds and delicious smelling oils that immediately take you to a stress-free space, massages have been found to increase blood flow to areas of the brain associated with mood and stress regulation. A study showed that after a treatment, people’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped by 31 percent while happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine were boosted by 30 percent.

RELATED: 8 Signs You're Struggling With High-Functioning Anxiety

Improve posture and realign body imbalances

Massage can help loosen muscles locked into painful positions and encourage the body find better posture. My masseuse at Massage Envy could immediately pinpoint which muscles were underperforming and which ones were overcompensating, showing me that my shoulder and wrist pain were really a sign of tight pecs, while my “dead” glutes were to blame for my aching knee. After a few treatments my posture was way better and my form in the gym improved too.

Reduce muscle pain

Now look, I might not be reaching for the heaviest weights in the F45 studio but my DOMs are pretty painful after an intense period of working out. Even a monthly massage was enough to soothe my aches and relax those spots that regularly tighten up. An Australian study backs me up, finding that just a 10 minute massage after exercise can reduce ongoing soreness by 30 percent.

Boost the immune system

Research has found that regular rub downs can give your immune system a helping hand by increasing the productive of disease-fighting white blood cells. And touchwood, I haven’t got a cold yet this Winter.

RELATED: The Beginner's Guide To Foam Rolling

  • Health
  • Stress
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is the Digital Content Manager for Women's Health and Men's Health. She's an experienced journalist, editor and social media fiend who's well versed in reporting on everything from food trends to fitness, health news to haircare. She has a double degree in Journalism and Political Science.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

Emily Skye Says She Gets Botox For Teeth Grinding – But Is That Really A Thing?

Emily Skye Says She Gets Botox For Teeth Grinding – But Is That Really A Thing?

The 5 Different Types Of Stress You Need To Know About

The 5 Different Types Of Stress You Need To Know About

Study Confirms Stress Is Making You Go Grey

Study Confirms Stress Is Making You Go Grey

New Study Finds Burnout Majorly Messes With Your Heart Health

New Study Finds Burnout Majorly Messes With Your Heart Health

{headline}

{headline}

World-First Research Finds Chronic Pain Physically Changes Your Brain

World-First Research Finds Chronic Pain Physically Changes Your Brain

Study Finds Stress Causes Women To Eat More Junk Food

Study Finds Stress Causes Women To Eat More Junk Food

4 Surprising Things That Are Affecting Your Heart Health

4 Surprising Things That Are Affecting Your Heart Health

{headline}

{headline}

Lena Dunham Shares The Honest Reality Of Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Lena Dunham Shares The Honest Reality Of Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Stressing Out During Pregnancy Could Influence Your Baby's Gender

Stressing Out During Pregnancy Could Influence Your Baby's Gender

Study Finds 50% Of Women With Endometriosis Have Contemplated Suicide

Study Finds 50% Of Women With Endometriosis Have Contemplated Suicide

Sia Gets Real About Her Chronic Pain And Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis

Sia Gets Real About Her Chronic Pain And Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Diagnosis

Steph Claire Smith’s Side-By-Side Pic Sums Up The Woes Of Bloating Before Your Period

Steph Claire Smith’s Side-By-Side Pic Sums Up The Woes Of Bloating Before Your Period

Relaxation Techniques Make Some Anxiety Sufferers More Anxious, Study Says

Relaxation Techniques Make Some Anxiety Sufferers More Anxious, Study Says

Ruby Rose Just Shared A Graphic Video Of Her Emergency Neck Surgery

Ruby Rose Just Shared A Graphic Video Of Her Emergency Neck Surgery

WomensHealth
  • About Paragon Media
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Paragon Media
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
  • Men’s Health
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now