The Benefits of a Winter Massage

Jul 9, 2021

Have you ever felt increased discomfort during the winter months? Maybe it’s achy joints or tight feeling muscles, or perhaps your arthritis seems to flare up more when it’s cold.

Winter can bring with it many aches and pains. This is often because cold temperature changes our blood flow, constricts blood vessels, and dries out the skin. Not to mention, we are more prone to illnesses in winter, which can leave the body feeling run-down.

If you have been feeling under the weather and need a mid-winter boost, then booking a massage will give you the health and vitality you need to make it through.

The benefits of winter massage

Having regular massages during winter keeps your body and mind healthier and happier. The longer, darker days can easily leave us feeling fatigued and gloomy. But as soon as you walk into your massage session, you are entering a warm, inviting space that will leave you relaxed and refreshed.

Boosts the immune system

Winter makes us more prone to developing the cold and flu, since our immune systems are weaker during this time. The good news is – massage can boost your immune system and help your body fight off infections.

Massage stimulates the lymph nodes, which allows white blood cells to defend against infections and disease. Because of this, getting regular massages during winter makes you less likely to develop a cold or have to rely on medications to fend off one.

Reduces dry skin irritation

Do you experience drier skin during winter? It’s common for skin to become dehydrated due to colder temperatures, lower humidity, and indoor heating.

Softer skin is just one of the many winter massage benefits that can help you feel your best! There are two reasons why massage may reduce skin irritation. For one, your massage therapist will apply hydrating oils rich in Vitamin E to penetrate deep into your skin and form a protective barrier to keep moisture locked in. Secondly, massage improves circulation – nourishing the skin cells and keeping them vital.

Improves circulation

During winter, you are more susceptible to suffer from lower blood circulation and higher blood pressure since cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict.

This constriction can often lead to joint and muscle pain, resulting in that achy feeling that is common during winter.

Massage therapy can help improve blood circulation and encourage blood flow to joints and muscles – relieving pain and warming up your body.

Improves mental health

It’s easy to feel down in the dumps during winter, and for some, seasonal depression is most common during these months.

Massage can improve mental health by helping you to relax and reduce stress levels. When you’re in this relaxed state, the body’s feel-good hormones serotonin and endorphins are released, increasing your feelings of happiness.

Having regular massage sessions during winter will help keep those winter blues away while also improving your relaxation skills so that you can better cope during times of stress.

Eases the winter aches

The cold winter weather can exacerbate any existing pains or injuries you may have, causing chronic discomfort.

One of the most common complaints during winter is the presence of back pain. Back pain can interfere with our daily life, making even basic movements intolerable. If you suffer from back pain or are recovering from an injury, getting a massage can help increase blood flow and circulation, loosening muscles and lubricating joints.

Massage therapy relaxes muscle tissue, reducing painful muscle spasms and contractions. Massage also helps reduce nerve compression, allowing nutrients to travel to the body’s tissues and improve the function of your muscles and joints.

Enjoy these winter massage benefits – book a massage today!

There are so many benefits that massages in winter offer you. While many of us don’t want to brave the cold, booking in for regular massages during the winter months will keep you in optimum health. Not only will it help to protect you from common winter germs, but it will also improve your mental health – giving you an overall state of wellbeing. Stay warm this winter, and look after your health with a regular massage as part of your healthcare and self-love routine.

Cameron Aubrey

Cameron Aubrey has over 20 years experience in the massage industry, and leads the team as Course Director at Discover Massage Australia. Cameron holds a Diploma in Remedial Massage, and his expertise runs across a large range of massage techniques, particularly sports, Swedish and whole body massage.