3 Ways Massage Therapy Supports Summer Wellness

Active summer vacations that include hiking, biking, swimming or a yoga retreat are wonderful ways to leave the stress of day-to-day life behind, reconnect with nature and strengthen the mind-body connection. Unfortunately, no vacation is ever entirely stress-free. Whether it’s a last minute travel snafu, an accident injury, or simply unexpected soreness after a week hiking in Yosemite, massage therapy can help. Therapeutic massage offers a number of important wellness benefits, including natural stress management, drug-free pain relief, and enhanced whole body health.

Summer Massage Treatments: Less Stress & Less Pain

At Reimer Wellness Center, our three talented licensed massage therapists – Angel, Marsha and Morgan – work wonders with our patients! Many incorporate a variety of techniques for truly custom treatment. Below, our Los Altos chiropractor shares three reasons to incorporate massage therapy into your summer wellness plans:

1. Relieve sore, stiff muscles. Massage stimulates the flow of oxygen rich blood through the soft tissues, flushing out lactic acid that can build up within the muscles and lead to painful cramps. Sports massage, for example, can improve flexibility, increase range of motion and decrease muscle soreness. Sports massage is especially beneficial for patients who feel stiff or sore after an active vacation.
    
2. Support the healing process after an injury. During a deep tissue massage, our massage therapist will use slower, stronger strokes to reach the deeper soft tissue layers. Deep tissue massage is especially beneficial for chronic muscle tension and pain from old injuries. If you injured yourself while on vacation or are worried about an old injury flaring up during an upcoming trip, talk to our massage therapist about how deep tissue massage can help.
    
3. Naturally manage stress. Massage therapy can help you keep that stress-free vacation mentality even after you’re back in the office! Swedish massage is a massage technique that uses long, deep strokes with circular movements, tapping, vibration and kneading to induce a state of deep relaxation within patients. Massage naturally increases endorphins, the body’s “feel good” chemical, while lowering cortisol levels, the brain chemical associated with stress.

Questions about massage therapy? Contact Dr. Reimer today to learn more.