Those who have had the luxury of enjoying a massage know that it can really help with tense and sore muscles. While that’s definitely a key reason why we include Swedish massages as part of our all-inclusive retreat package, there are many other benefits to massage therapy that you may not know about.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Massage

Helps your body release toxins

Your body is designed to flush harmful chemicals, viruses, and other toxins via the kidneys, liver, lungs, intestines, skin, and lymphatic system. We can help with this task by drinking lots of water, eating healthy foods, doing exercise, and, yes, getting a massage! A massage helps drain toxins through the lymphatic system, which clears your body of cellular waste.

Lowers cortisol levels

Human touch is a powerful tool. By physically interacting with another person, you are socially validated and that has physiological impacts: it lowers your levels of cortisol (stress hormone) and releases dopamine. If you don’t have the opportunity for daily physical interaction with a loved one in the form of a hug, for example, the skin-on-skin contact offered by a massage therapist is the next best thing.

Boosts immunity

In 2010 a study was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine that determined the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on neuroendocrine and immune function. It was recorded that Swedish Massage Therapy increased oxytocin levels within participants, which helped decrease hypothalamic, pituitary & adrenal activity and enhanced immune function. The authors also concluded that massage boosts patients’ white blood cell count, which help defend the body against disease.

Soothes anxiety and depression

As mentioned above, human touch in a safe, friendly environment has positive physiological impacts. Not only does it lower cortisol levels but it can ease negative moods. According to a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, women diagnosed with breast cancer who received massage therapy three times a week reported being less angry and less depressed.

Improves sleep

Not only does massage encourage relaxation but it can also help lead to a restful sleep. That’s why we prefer to offer our Swedish massages in the evenings at Mountain Trek – by easing muscle pain and encouraging your body to relax, you’re then set up for deep, restorative sleep.

What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below: