Why Do I Value Massage Therapy?

When I first started getting massages, I definitely did not have a lot of disposable income. I had just purchased a house and done some money depleting projects before I even moved in. My economic constraints didn't stop me from trying to get a massage on a monthly basis. What is it that made me value massage therapy?

After my first couple of monthly massages, I realized just how much pain and tension I had accrued in my body over my lifetime. I could also feel that these things were affecting me on not only a physical level, but also an emotional one. Many people say they are experiencing back pain, but most other areas get overlooked. For me, that area happened to be my hamstrings. The muscles were so tender that I could hardly handle being touched without discomfort. My massage therapist was very knowledgeable about how to help me by applying slow, deeper pressure. I remember telling her I didn't need my legs touched at all when in fact that is Exactly what I needed. It was in those moments during the massage that I realized I was also experiencing emotions and memories about something seemingly unrelated to legs. This was a very powerful experience for me.

Our entire bodies have the potential for carrying emotion with the pain we encounter in our lives. Some chronic pain is simply from overuse, injury, or surgery. However, just like physical actions directly impact our bodies, so do our emotional experiences through the chemical responses that occur as a result of stress, anxiety, and grief. For me, massage therapy is so much more than just a way to relax. Receiving massage therapy on a regular basis provides a way to work on overall wellness of the mind and body at the same time. With each visit, pain cycles are broken, making way for the body's natural healing abilities to take over. This is what I value most about massage therapy.