Feeling Stiff?

— By Cricel

The human body is an amazing thing. It is constantly adjusting itself to adapt in its environment to maintain a homeostasis where it can perform at its optimal capacity. The body has built-in defence mechanisms that ensure this. Many of these mechanisms are designed to help with temperature control.

When the body is cold, the blood in our system is shunted away from muscles.

Our teeth chatter and our body shivers as we desperately try to keep ourselves warm in the cold winter air. These reactions are an attempt by our body to preserve heat and maintain vital bodily functions. As a result, the skeletal muscles are more stiff due to the reduced blood flow.

In the winter we noticeably suffer more pain and stiffness in our bodies. Not only due to the physiological effects that the cold has on the body, but also because we are less active in the cold weather. Increasing circulation and moving joints are vital to avoiding pain and stiffness. Massage therapy is a great way to shake up the body and get things moving again!

Massage therapy is very similar to working out in the gym. In both cases, the objective is to help the body increase its oxygen intake, eliminate wastes, increase energy levels, improve circulation within the body and its range of motion. With massage, instead of using mechanical equipment, it uses physical techniques such as stroking, pressing and kneading, that are performed on different areas of the body and focuses on manipulating its soft tissues; soft tissues include muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, lymphatic vessels and organs of the gastro intestinal system.

Not only does massage relax the muscles, it also provides relief over pain and stiffness in the body. It will also help in strengthening the immune system (a natural way to boost your system during cold & flu season), improve skin tone, health and nourishment, reducing stress and fatigue, and helps mood and attitude because it stimulates the brain to release endorphins -"happy" chemicals, which in turn decrease things like depression and chronic pain.

Massage therapy is a great way to reconnect with oneself and help battle the winter blues!

Hope to see you soon!