Pamela Heavner
Feb 143 min
Surprise your Valentine with a unique gift that improves both your relationship and your physical and emotional well-being. Here are seven compelling reasons why we think you should give your Valentine a Therapeutic Massage from Proactive Massage this Valentine's Day.
Massage Therapy promotes relaxation not just physically but also mentally. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body relax and counteract the effects of stress by decreasing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and inducing a state of relaxation and well-being. It also reduces cortisol levels, which can lead to decreased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Studies and expert opinions suggest that Massage Therapy has a calming effect on the nervous system and promotes the release of the “feel good” hormones, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. This special blend of hormones induces positive feelings like happiness. This can offer emotional benefits, including the reduction of depressive symptoms and anxiety levels.
Massage has been shown to reduce pain by several mechanisms, like disrupting pain signals to the brain, increasing blood flow, enhancing lymphatic drainage, improving the ability to sleep , and relieving muscle tension and stiffness. Massage therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in relieving back and neck pain, as well as headaches. It has also proven to be a helpful treatment for chronic illnesses, including fibromyalgia and arthritis.
The National Institutes of Health supports the view that Massage Therapy can improve sleep quality. It can help by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and alleviating muscle tension, all of which can contribute to better sleep. Additional research cited by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) confirms that massage therapy can enhance sleep by influencing the body's production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in sleep regulation.
By enhancing the flow of lymph, a bodily fluid rich in immune cells, Massage Therapy helps the body to better identify and eliminate harmful substances.
High stress levels can weaken the immune system. Massage lowers the levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and cortisol, which contributes to a healthier immune response. Regular massage therapy improves blood circulation throughout the body, which facilitates the distribution of oxygen and nutrients. Clinical studies found that those who received massage experienced observable changes in lymphocytes, which play an important role in a healthy immune system that protects us from disease. They also had decreased levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP), a hormone associated with increased stress hormone (cortisol) levels, and a decrease in inflammatory cytokines, which are produced by infection-fighting white blood cells.
The National Institute of Mental Health highlights the vital role self-care plays in fostering better physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes. This indicates its importance in both preventive and recovery aspects of health care. Self-care is associated with the reduction or elimination of anxiety and depression, stress reduction, increased happiness, and fostering positive health outcomes. It encourages individuals to maintain a healthy relationship with themselves, which is critical to fostering positive feelings for others and effectively managing one's health.
Purchasing from our online store is simple. All you have to do is go to www.proactiverva.com and select your preferred option. You can print your gift certificate at home or send it to your Valentine via email. You can also purchase your gift certificate in person. Just stop by the clinic Monday-Friday between 9-6 to pick one up in person. It really is that easy!
Show your Valentine just how much you love them by giving them the gift of self-care and wellness with a Massage Therapy gift card from Proactive Massage + Bodywork. Nothing says I love you like the gift of good health.