When did society decide that it is ok to spend copious amounts of money harming our bodies with food, drink and cigarettes, yet massages are a sacred practice, reserved only for special occasions? You are blessed with only one body in your life time, it’s time to show it some respect. The things is though, how do you know if you need a massage? Here’s how I discovered the bountiful benefits of massage and ended up training to become a masseuse!
For no particular reason I started getting massages a few times a year around the age of 22. No one else in my family or social circle ever got massages, save for the rare Valentine's or anniversary gift, so I'm not sure why it became a thing for me. Whenever I told someone I had gone to (or that I was going to) the spa they'd always say something about me "splurging" and/or "treating myself."
At the age of 29 I bought a membership plan with Mellow Massage & Yoga because, for me, being a responsible adult was starting to become synonymous with being constantly stressed and anxious (mainly because of my job), overly tired, and mentally and emotionally drained. I had evolved from casually frequenting the spa to anticipating my next visit before I could make it out the parking lot. It took me almost a year to realize it had become a form of therapy for me. My Massage Therapists (Insert any name here. I've never had a bad experience at Mellow) and I barely spoke a word in our sessions, yet somehow after each one I felt like I had "left it all on the table" and I was ready to face the world. Even though it helped me cope and survive, most people couldn't believe that I considered massage a priority. It is, after all, a "luxury", or something for a special occasion, right? Wrong!
Massage has been practiced as a healing therapy for centuries in nearly every culture around the world. It has been proven to be beneficial in helping to improve a person's lifestyle and overall well being by directly affecting the Circulatory & Muscular Systems, reducing/controlling pain, and a multitude of psychological effects. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Sports and Reflexology are some of the most commonly known massage modalities, however, there are countless others such as Myofascial Release, Ashiatsu, Cold Stone Treatments, etc. that address specific ailments and needs. If you still need convincing that massage is a necessity, remember, even in its simplest form it promotes positive touch which, according to tons of research, is fundamental to the growth and development of human beings.
Now at the age of 35 I am a newly licensed Massage Therapist at Mellow Massage & Yoga with a unique, dual perspective. Because of my personal experiences with massage and bodywork coupled with the professional education I received from The Cortiva Institute, I feel qualified to answer the question posed in the title of this blog. The answer is simple…I know I NEED a massage when I FEEL like I NEED one or when I simply WANT one. No justification or permission necessary!
Whether I'm suffering from a migraine, dealing with anxiety, preparing for a long flight, feeling like the world has tipped upside down, limping with back pain, walking on air, hunched over from sleeping funny, recovering from a car accident, or simply contemplating what to do with my Tuesday afternoon; it’s always a good time to call Mellow and make an appointment.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the same probably goes for you. The only way to know for sure is to test out my theory out on a massage table, with a little essential oil, some calming music, deep breathes, skilled hands, and an hour or so of peace…
Namaste,
Staci
