January is often considered a month of renewal. Many of us start the year off with resolutions to make healthier choices during the coming months. Walk into any local gym right now and you will be greeted by a multitude of people keen to become more healthy and “turn over a new leaf”. While I fully support an active lifestyle and know the importance of it, too often I have found that sometimes people feel guilty about booking a massage therapy treatment for themselves. For some reason, it seems more acceptable to “better” oneself by sweating and working hard in the gym, than by taking one hour a month to have a preventative massage therapy treatment. This can be an effective way to de-stress and address any muscular issues before they have a chance to become bigger problems.
Winter is hard on your body!
In fact, daily life itself can be more taxing to our bodies during the winter months. As we shovel the driveway, clear off our vehicle, or wait for our car to warm up, we tend to tighten our muscles and scrunch up our shoulders in an attempt to stay warm. Cold weather causes muscles to lose more heat and contract, causing tightness throughout the body. Muscles can lose their range of motion and nerves can more easily be pinched. When left untreated shoulder and/or neck tension can become constant pain or headaches. Low back pain can often be ignored for quite some time-until suddenly, it can’t! Massage therapy decreases muscle tension, improves circulation, improves joint mobility and decreases pain. Having monthly maintenance treatments are an excellent way to avoid acute pain and also are a great way to manage stress levels and improve sleep during these cold, dark winter days.
Massage therapy is an investment in your health
What better way to start the year off right than investing in your own health? Massage therapy will help you get through the season with less stress, fewer injuries and also maximize your performance while working on “the new you” at the gym.