Massage by a registered massage therapist can help reduce stress, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. However, before getting a massage, check with your doctor to make sure it is right for you. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recognizes the important contribution of its sponsors. However, this is not an endorsement.
In June during our Hands for Heart month, we at Hand & Stone are donating $1 from every massage in the month of June (up to $10,000.00) to Heart & Stroke.
Did you know that massage can help your heart?
Many people get regular massages for the health and wellness benefits. Relaxation and stress reduction in a tranquil atmosphere are popular reasons why people invest in this therapeutic service. But, the health benefits of massage go beyond feeling better. Did you know that massage reduces physical symptoms that are key risk factors for heart disease?
Stress and your heart
When stress is a regular occurrence, this increases the risk of a number of health consequences, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
When we are under stress, our body reacts with both our nervous system and hormonal system. These responses are how we measure the effects of stress. For example, we can measure blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of stress hormones. High blood pressure is a key risk factor for heart disease, one of the leading causes of death in Canada.
So you can see how stress and high blood pressure go hand-in-hand for both overall health and heart health.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that massage has when it comes to reducing these risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Research shows that massage helps your heart
Several studies show heart benefits from massage. For example:
- A review of 25 studies showed that 20-30 minute massages consistently reduced stress hormone and heart rate.
- One study showed that back massage reduced blood pressure and anxiety in men who already had heart failure, high blood pressure, and anxiety.
- A study looked at women with higher than normal blood pressure. When they received Swedish massage three times per week for 10-15 minutes (for a total of 10 sessions) their positive results included relaxation, sleeping better, reduced anxiety and tension, and reduced fatigue.
- Another study of women showed that 15-25 minute scalp massages twice per week for 10 weeks had improved stress hormone, blood pressure, and heart rate.
- Adults with high blood pressure were put into two groups. One group received ten 30-minute massage sessions over five weeks; while, the other group received instructions on progressive muscle relaxation. Can you guess which group had reduced blood pressure and stress hormone? Yes, the massage group!
So, if you want to help reduce the harmful consequences of stress, consider one of the many massage options we have available here at Hand & Stone. Visit us during our Hands for Heart month, to help support Heart & Stroke in their incredible research and fight for heart and stroke disease. http://www.heartandstroke.ca/what-we-do
Your mind, body, and heart will thank you!
™The heart and / Icon on its own and the heart and / Icon followed by another icon or words in English or French are trademarks of Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada used under license.
“The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recognizes the important contribution of its sponsors. However, this is not an endorsement.
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