More reasons to get a regular massage

You already know how great a massage feels. It relieves pain and soreness. It reduces stress and anxiety. Plus, it boosts energy and still helps you sleep great.

But did you know it can also boost your hormone levels? It’s true!

Research has shown that different massages can balance your hormones quickly and safely. Here’s what the right massage can do for you:

Balance Thyroid Hormones

Did you know your neck is the superhighway of the body? Think about it: With nerves, arteries, oxygen, food, and more running through it, your neck carries the busiest traffic in your body. Plus, it houses your thyroid gland.

And any disturbance in your neck can create a bottleneck that impacts the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Even negative emotions, which cause neck tension, can slow down the release of thyroid hormones.

Keeping the neck soft is one of the most important things you can do for your health. And hardly anyone pays attention to it. A good neck massage allows everything to pass through freely, unbinds your thyroid, and boosts your metabolism.

One study found that acupressure, a specific form of massage, can significantly reduce thyroid symptoms.

Massage also helps regulate calcium and phosphorous levels in the thyroid gland. That means you can reduce bone loss with a good neck massage!

Restore Estrogen Levels

Low estrogen levels cause those miserable menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, low sexual urge, mood swings, and dry skin. And one study found that giving women a specific type of foot massage (Reflexology) twice weekly for six weeks had significantly fewer symptoms.

Another study from Britain found Reflexology reduced menopausal symptoms by 30-50%.

There are also acupressure points that you can massage to boost estrogen. A professional massage therapist can help with this.

These massages can be so effective, many women no longer need hormone replacement therapy.

But it’s not just for women. Certain massages can help increase a man’s testosterone levels, increasing his libido, stamina, and fitness.

Shuts Down Stress Hormones

It’s probably no surprise massage is one of the most effective ways to get your body to slow the production of stress hormones. These include cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine, and vasopressin.

Massage works by calming the autonomic nervous system, regulating your cortisol levels, and telling your adrenal glands to relax. This can leave you feeling more relaxed and less anxious.

Boost Feel-Good Neurotransmitters

On the flip side of stress hormones, massages trigger the release of certain feel-good neurotransmitters, including:

• Endorphins – Responsible for the “runner’s high” as they’re released after exercising, making you feel great. Also act as a type of painkiller.

•Dopamine – Produces a happy and excited feeling.

•Serotonin – Relieves anxiety and helps you get better sleep

So you can go from stressed out to feeling great. And you don’t need a day at the spa – you just need a simple, light massage. Even a massage chair can do the trick (though having a human being do it is best).

As you can see, getting a massage isn’t just a frivolous luxury; it can be an important part of your health care regimen. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 20s or 90s, enjoy a massage as often as you can. Even those who are frail can benefit from a regular massage. The best part about massage is that you can get one as often as you like.