Massage Offers Specific Benefits for Women

Written by Brittany Fathergill

Are you a woman who gets massages? If so, what is your reason for calling and making that appointment? We all have different reasons as women for seeking massage therapy. Perhaps it is to relax. Maybe it is because you are a mom and you need some mommy time. Maybe you are an active woman and you get massage to aide in your recovery from the gym. Perhaps you are having a difficult monthly cycle and massage helps ease your discomfort. Or maybe you have other reasons! While massage is beneficial for both men and women, Women’s Health magazine shines some light on specific benefits of massage for a woman’s body.

Benefits of Massage for Women

1. During massage, your sympathetic nervous system (aka: rest and digest) is stimulated, which aides in digestion.
2. Massage can lower blood pressure by lowering your overall heart rate.
3. Massage can boost your immune system, stimulating your killer cells (white blood cells) to attack and fight off foreign pathogens.
4. Massage, even self-massage, can activate the adrenal glands to suppress the release of stress hormones such as cortisol.
5. Again, with the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, the brain secretes more happy hormones such as serotonin.
6. With the applied pressure of massage, there is a temporary blocking of pain signals to your brain, allowing for relief from aches and pain.

Calling All Beautiful Women Over 60!

Although the above-mentioned benefits of massage are vast as well as amazing for us women, massage offers additional benefits for women over the age of 60 years. Our bodies change as we progress through age. Hormonally and physically, it can be challenging as we move through these changes. Massage can help along the way. Consulting your physician is always recommended.

Sixtyandme.com informs us massage is not one-size-fits-all. There are many different modalities to choose from that serve different purposes. There are 11 organ systems in the body, so if you tell your therapist what you’re trying to accomplish through massage, she/he can guide you to the type of massage that is best for you. For example, lymphatic massage helps alleviate lymph edema, a common occurrence after a mastectomy or other surgeries or treatments.

There are also different modalities that can help increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. Thai massage is a modality that incorporates different stretches with each part of the body, as well as incorporating relaxing tissue manipulation. This can help improve musculoskeletal mobility and joint lubrication if arthritis is an issue you are working with.

What about the outer layer of my body?

As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity. With the addition of massage into your self-care routine, you receive the additional benefit of increased circulation of blood, oxygen and nutrients through your body. This can improve the appearance of your overall skin tone as well as assist in restoring some of your body’s elasticity.

Can I make my skin beautiful at home?

The answer is yes! According to HelloGlow, adding aromatherapy to your oils or lotions can be the framework for happy synergy. HelloGlow provides a recipe for making massage oils at home to aide in the aforementioned benefits of massage for your most protective layer, your skin.

Supplies needed:

• 1 ounce of a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, apricot kernel, sesame or grapeseed oil
• 10-12 drops of essential oils. Select oils that will complement the goals of your massage. Research different oils and their benefits. Read all safety information before choosing and using your essential oils.
• Dark glass container

The website suggests measuring out the carrier oil in a separate container, such as a measuring cup. Then slowly add in the appropriate essential oils. Pour the massage oil into a dark bottle and shake well to combine. They also recommend labeling your special creation so you can easily grab the right one. Don’t forget to shake well before each use. Pour about 1 teaspoon into your hands and gently massage it into your skin where it is needed the most. This recipe can be doubled or tripled for a larger batch.

A Healthy Woman is a Happy Woman! Whether you will be seeking massage from a licensed massage therapist or massaging yourself with your homemade massage oil, your body will be grateful in many ways!