Can Massage Help With Weight Loss?

By Carolyn J. Dean

So many of us are under so much stress today.  More and more women have to hold down full time jobs as they balance work and family.  Life has changed dramatically.  More and more are suffering from migraine headaches, neck and upper back tension, digestive problems and weight gain.  Stress increases the hormone called cortisol which contributes to weight gain.  Stress suppresses the immune system and therefore contributes to many health issues today.  

More and more children are also suffering from stress and weight gain.  I saw a 2 year old recently biting its little fingernails!  We need to consider how we can bring our stress levels down.  Many of us have a hard time finding a quiet place just to think and quiet our thoughts.  If you find this to be the case, there are other means to help you relax.  Making time to have a weekly massage would be a wonderful way to accomplish this. 

Massage accomplishes many things.  This therapeutic treatment actually releases toxins, improves muscle tone, releases tension headaches as well as stiff, tight muscles in the neck, face and shoulders.  After your massage you will feel much more relaxed and stress free.  Many will enjoy a 30-minute massage during a lunch break and others a 60-minute massage at the end of the week before the weekend.

In our day spa, our clients are encouraged to relax for 30 minutes before they have their massage treatment, this will help them to truly benefit by their spa treatment.  Massage is wonderful for weight loss and inch loss when it is combined with a body contour wrap.  Our clients have seen dramatic inch loss when they combine this double treatment together. 

Studies have shown that weight loss is much easier when a person is more relaxed and stress free because it does decrease the release of cortisol.  However, to view massage as a luxurious treatment once in a while is not going to address stress levels.  If you want massage to truly help you with stress management, you will need to view them as a regular treatment each week or two.  Many who do use massage as a means to help keep their stress levels under control say they feel their massages are a necessity and not a luxury.  So if stress is keeping you from relaxing and losing weight, consider a wonderful therapeutic massage. What a wonderful way to lose weight!