A relaxing massage is all you need after a long tiring week. But do you know that certain massages can help you in losing weight and reduce cellulite? Several studies have found that combining exercise and a balanced diet along with massage therapy is effective in reducing weight. It can help faster, long-term weight loss. Here, we have listed some of the major benefits of massage in weight loss.
If you are looking for a way to lose weight that does not include exercise or diet, you will find a lot of information online about massage. Several websites recommend abdominal massage and various other forms of massage as effective weight loss methods.
Before you call your local massage therapist to fix an appointment, you must find out what massage can and cannot do if you want to reduce weight.
Benefits of Massage in Weight Loss
Massage therapy can work wonders for people who are trying to reduce weight, but massage treatment alone cannot make this happen. However, a massage can make it easier for you to stick to a strict diet and an exercise program. These are some of the major benefits you might experience with massage therapy.
- Decreased muscle soreness
- Better sleep
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved mental state
- Improved range of motion
- Reduced back pain
Massage is a wonderfully healthy method to reward yourself for all the hard work you are doing the whole day! If you want to reduce weight effectively then you must follow a comprehensive program of diet along with exercise.
Massage helps to release endorphins in the body that gives us that euphoric happy and satisfied feeling. And by doing healthy things for our body we build a better relationship with ourselves and treat ourselves with the respect we deserve.
Which Massage is Best for Weight Loss?
If you want to enjoy the benefits of massage in weight loss, first, you must understand which type of massage is best for weight loss. Among all the massages, Swedish massage is popular for its stress relief benefits. Another massage, deep tissue massage is helpful for those who exercise and are prone to sore muscles. Shiatsu is a massage method where the therapist uses localized pressure to offer relief.
Experts recommend a Swedish massage with at least moderate pressure, mainly if you are a first-timer. It is great for loosening muscles, blood circulation touches a variety of problem areas, and enhances your entire sense of well-being. Another suggestion by experts is to practice self-massage on problematic areas, at home with cream because it helps in toning muscles and keeps blood circulation going between workouts and massages.
Is it right to get a massage to reduce weight?
Massage can be an important part of a comprehensive weight loss program, but it is important to always keep your expectations in check.
To reduce weight, you must focus on eating a healthy and balanced diet and getting enough physical activity every day. If you want to include massage in your daily routine, first find a licensed massage therapist in your area who can help you to keep your body feel flexible, strong, and relaxed.
Various Benefits of Massage
The immediate effect of a massage is a feeling of relaxation and a decrease in pain. This happens as massage activates the release of endorphins- the brain chemicals that enhance pleasure and produces the feeling of well-being.
Levels of stress hormones, like adrenalin, norepinephrine, and cortisol, are also considerably lessened after a massage session. In general, the benefits of massage include:
- Decreased soreness and muscle tension
- Decreased stress
- Improved blood circulation
- Relaxation
- Improved skin tone
- Reduction of back pain
- Reduced depression and anxiety
- Improved skin tone
- Improved mental alertness
- Recovery of soft tissue injuries
As you can see, in this list there are no benefits of massage in weight loss. Does this mean that the benefits of body massage for weight loss are insignificant and you should not consider massage a tool for reducing weight? Not really.
Several studies do connect massages to reduce weight.
Among the various benefits of massage in losing weight, first, a massage can make your weight reduction journey a positive endeavor. Massage reduces the level of stress and improves endorphins, putting you in a good and fresh mood which is very much needed to follow a strict diet and training. And this is not just an effect on your mood: stress is an important factor in weight gain. Just thinking about a stressful event in the future triggers the release of ghrelin- a hunger hormone-forcing you to eat more.
Secondly, massage reduces muscle soreness. No pain is a prerequisite for any exercise session. If you experience pain, you cannot perform the workout. Massage keeps the muscled tuned up, eliminates the tension before it progresses into an injury, and lessens the muscle soreness.
One of the most significant factors contributing to the effectiveness of your weight loss is your metabolism. Can massage enhance metabolism? As per a study, full-body massage improves blood circulation and flow. This could help in clearing toxic wastes out and enhance metabolism.
Generally, a massage can help in the weight loss process. However, it will not cause any significant changes without making any changes in your diet and exercise. Here are some common types of massage helpful for weight loss.
Swedish massage
Swedish massage is one of the most widespread methods today. It has become so entrenched into the history and practice of massage that it is at a time called classical. It was discovered by a Swedish fencing instructor, Per Henrik Ling in 1830. When he was injured in the elbow, he cured himself by using tapping strokes around the affected part. Later he developed a whole new technique, which is today known as Swedish massage.
The objective of this massage is to loosen you up physically and mentally through the relief of muscle soreness. It can relax the tightness in muscles caused by regular activities like sitting in your office or energetically training. The Swedish massage can be beneficial for people who have problems in their lower back, shoulders, and neck. It might prove helpful for weight loss too.
This form of massage uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, and joint movements to help you relax and restore your high energy levels. Swedish massage increases the flow of blood as well as lymph drainage.
A traditional Swedish massage is a massage for the full body. It will start on either your stomach or back, and then flip over in the middle of a session. If you have an area, you are concerned the most about, tell your massage therapist to focus more on this part of your body. You can also choose among the light, medium, and strong pressure.
Aromatherapy massage
This is a Swedish massage therapy using lotion or massage oil that consists of essential oils. These essential oils are made of the extracts of fruits flowers, seeds, barks, and leaves. While you are being massaged, you inhale these essential oil molecules or absorb them through the skin. These essential oils promote positive changes in your body and mental condition by affecting the limbic system, an area in your brain involved in emotion.
To sum up, a massage cannot be regarded as the main contributor to your weight loss plan. Nevertheless, you can consider it as a non-essential but helpful element. The benefits of massage for weight loss are not so great, but regular sessions can go along with a healthy diet and vigorous training.