Massage therapy is a huge part of our commitment to whole-body, functional wellness in Santa Rosa Beach and beyond. Along with chiropractic care, nutrition, mental health counseling, and exercise, massage therapy can be a critical part of the foundation to a strong, healthy life.

While most people think of relaxation and easing muscle tension when getting a massage, did you know the list of benefits of massage is much longer?

Surprising Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage Fights Depression and Anxiety

Ready for a natural mood boost? Massage therapy has been shown to increase serotonin and dopamine levels, resulting in decreased symptoms of depression. The stress-alleviating effects of a massage also significantly decrease cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which reduces anxiety (International Journal of Neuroscience).

Massage Can Help You Sleep Better

That calm feeling following a massage is due to increased serotonin and dopamine levels, which also go on to encourage a more natural and restful sleep. If you struggle with falling or staying asleep, a massage can alleviate a number of conditions that could be keeping you from having a good night’s sleep.

Massage Can Give Your Immune System a Boost

Massage therapy can also benefit your body’s immune system. Research has shown that individuals who undergo massage therapy experience changes in their body’s immune and endocrine response. A study on the effects of Swedish massage on individuals’ endocrine response found that after just one 45-minute massage, participants experienced increased numbers of lymphocytes and white blood cells which play a large role in defending the body from disease. Imagine the effect of regularly-scheduled massages!

Massage Fights Against Headaches

Do you suffer from chronic migraines or frequent headaches? Massage therapy might be an effective way to reduce pain and frequency. A study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain revealed that massage therapy had a significant effect on pain intensity, reducing it by 71%. Another study in the American Journal of Public Health found massage to be effective in treating chronic tension headaches.

Massage Helps Regain Memory

Studies have supported the use of the massage therapy techniques of reflexology and aromatherapy in patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory-loss after a stroke. With the right training, reflexology can be specifically applied for the management of memory-loss conditions to work pressure points related to the brain, spine, neck, adrenals and heart points.

Massage Counteracts Common Poor Posture

With most adults sitting for the majority of their day, we tend to carry stress heavily in the shoulders and neck. Massage therapy can relieve the postural stress that results from prolonged periods of sitting and improve your overall posture. In coordination with stretching and improving posture throughout the day, massage can counteract the negative health effects that result from sitting for long periods.

To support your journey to whole-body functional wellness, Rob + Katie Truax just expanded to TWO rooms and TWO therapists for massages for all! 🎉

Our skilled massage therapists can perform most styles of massages in both 60-minute or 90-minute sessions. Joleen and Claire are ready to work with you on your wellness goals through massage therapy.

Meet our Massage Therapists: Joleen Jones, LMT, and Claire Barber, LMT