Summer is now behind us and fall has arrived. Fall is a beautiful time of year. Nature’s colours are changing around us as the air becomes cool and fresh. For many people however, the change in weather can lessen their physical activity, create more muscle and joint pain, and seasonal colds and flus can set in. What can you do to help stave off the negative changes that fall can bring and help yourself transition into this new season, ready for everything wonderful that fall has to offer? Many people may not realize this, but massage therapy can help many of the physical downfalls that come with fall…
Here are some of the ways Massage Therapy can help you enjoy this time of year:
Boost your immunity
Receiving regular massages can help boost your immune system and help fight those nasty seasonal illnesses like colds and flus that start to rear their ugly heads around this time of year. White blood cells help to fight off these ailments, and research has shown that massage therapy treatments can help to increase white blood cell activity and thus improve your immunity! (1,2)
Good quality sleep
Getting adequate sleep aids in staying healthy. Not only does it help with warding off colds and flus but it also helps you be productive throughout your day. Getting the proper amount of sleep can help your memory, creativity, focus and decision making abilities. (3) Massage therapy can help your body produce more of the right hormones, serotonin and melatonin, that induce and regulate your sleep cycle. (3) Anecdotally, I often hear my clients say that they had such a good sleep after receiving a massage treatment!
Seasonal arthritis pain
Many people suffer from pain and inflammation related to arthritis, which can often be magnified due to the cooler temperatures that come with fall and winter. Massage therapy can help with decreasing pain and discomfort related to arthritis and get you through the cooler weather with fewer problems. Massage helps to alleviate arthritis pain by increasing blood flow in the area that is being treated, loosening/relaxation of the muscles near the inflamed joint, and having a total body relaxing after-effect post-massage (again, due to hormone changes like increased serotonin and reduced stress hormone!). (4)
1. Skuban, R. (2017, February 2). Massage for Wellness: Strengthen Your Immune System. Retrieved from https://www.amcollege.edu/blog/strengthen-your-immune-system-with-massage-therapy
2. Live Science. (2010, September 8). Massages Boost The Immune System. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/34910-massage-benefits-immune-system-100908.html
3. LaVida Massage. How Massage Can Help Improve Sleep. Retrieved from http://www.lavidamassagegainesvilleva.com/connect-with-us/How-Massage-Can-Help-Improve-Sleep_AE21.html
4. Bernstein, S. Benefits of Massage. Retrieved from https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/massage/massage-benefits.php
Heather Heaney, Registered Massage Therapist
Heather graduated from Sutherland -Chan School of Massage Therapy in 2005 and has established a strong practice in the Junction over several years. As an experience registered massage therapist, she specializes in Deep Tissue, traditional Swedish massage, Therapeutic massage, Pregnancy massage and Breast massage techniques in her practice. Most recently Heather has taken specialized courses in therapeutic cupping, taping and abdominal massage.
Heather is passionate about women’s health issues and works with her clients to create effective and specialized treatment plans.
If you have enjoyed this blog and would like to learn more about health and wellness from our team of expert practitioners, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.