Of course, you have your regimented fitness and nutrition plan intact to help keep those holiday temptations away - so what else do you need to do?
Got Massage?
Yes we do! Here at the Darien Y, our massage therapy delivers more than just a treat to your body, rather, we offer healing and a new sense of why massage should be a part of your wellness program today. For this season, try adding massage into your routine and witness some of the amazing benefits of massage below.
- Pain reduction. A 2011 study found that massage helped people with low back pain to feel and function better, compared to people who didn't get a massage. That's good news for the eight in 10 Americans who will experience debilitating back pain at least once in their lives, Time.com reported.
- Improved athletic or fitness performance. Massage can speed recovery, improve conditioning and maintain peak performance.
- Increased alertness. At least one study has linked massage to better brainpower. In a 1996 study, a group of adults completed a series of math problems faster and with more accuracy after a 15-minute chair massage than a group of adults who were told to just sit in a chair and relax during those 15 minutes.
- Reduction in headaches. A 2002 study found that massage therapy reduced the frequency of chronic tension headaches. And in a very small 2012 study, 10 male patients with migraine headaches noted significant pain reduction after neck and upper back massage and manipulation, WebMD reported.
- Clinically proven stress reduction. Research suggests a very literal reduction of cortisol, a major stress hormone. Chronically high levels of cortisol can contribute to serious health issues, like high blood pressure and blood sugar, suppressed immune system function and obesity.
So, book a massage at the Darien YMCA! Because massage shouldn’t be looked at as a luxury, it should be an important component to one’s Wellness Program. For more information about massage, visit www.darien-ymca.org/fitness/therapeutic-massage or call the Darien Y’s Wellness Center at 203-655-8228 x1322.