Massage Therapy and a Healthy Heart

Cardiovascular health is an important component of your overall well being. It’s important to understand the risk factors for heart disease, and the steps you can take to mitigate those risks. An excellent article recently published by the American Massage Therapy Association provides some great information on what you can do to keep your heart healthy.

Read the full article here: Healthy Heart

Contributing factors to heart disease include high cholesterol (LDL), high blood pressure, and inactivity. Stress is often mentioned as a risk factor, but according to the American Heart Association there is no direct link between high levels of stress and an increased risk of heart disease. However, the article points out that, “chronic stress, where your heart rate and blood pressure are constantly elevated, may lead to damage of your artery walls and can weaken your immune system.”

How to improve heart health

So, what can be done to avoid these negative risk factors? First, exercise. Increased physical activity has a positive impact on heart health as well as overall wellness, and feels great too! Take a yoga class, meet a friend to go for a walk, take your dog for jog, skip the elevator and take the stairs at the office, work with a personal trainer to learn new and interesting exercises, or try something adventurous such as kayaking or rock climbing. There is no shortage of fun ways to get moving!

Eat right. Making good choices about what you eat can help keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Make an effort to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and seafood. Cut back on sugar and processed food.

Massage as part of your healthy heart plan

Regular massage is beneficial in a few different ways. The article cites a 2012 study providing evidence suggesting that “massage therapy may affect inflammation in a way that is similar to anti-inflammatory medications.” In addition, massage can help relieve stress, as indicated by several recent studies.

Enjoy a relaxing massage at the LHAA Massage Clinic. To schedule call (859) 252-5656 ext 1 or request an appointment online.