Massage -- anything this good must be fattening, right? Wrong! Scientists
now confirm what massage therapists have always known: massage can be a
powerful and effective weight-loss tool. By improving your body's
resilience, aiding muscle nutrition and flexibility, and supporting your
mental and emotional well-being, massage can take your weight-loss plan
to a whole new level.
The relationship between massage and weight loss is the result of many
subtle improvements working together, including better injury prevention
and healing. Jeff Wooten, founder of YourBodyMechanic,
explains: "Massage helps to heal existing injuries by breaking down
scar tissue and other adhesions. This creates a more functional muscle
and improves joint integrity." Massage therapists also work to improve
your flexibility and range of motion. This makes you less likely to hurt
yourself, meaning more productive and pain-free hours in the gym. But
the benefits don't end there.
When you receive a massage, you're directly impacting the circulatory
system. By constantly moving blood to body tissues, your massage
therapist increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients your muscles
receive. This soothing cycle eases you into much-needed rest and
relaxation time.
Deneen Rhode, a massage therapy instructor who teaches fitness classes,
says, "The qualitative style of Swedish massage relaxes the nervous
system and takes the body into what is known as the parasympathetic
nervous system. The parasympathetic state is very restorative to the
body--it is where the body needs to go to heal itself." When you
accomplish this through massage, it means you'll need less recovery time
between workouts and that you can move your fitness routine full speed
ahead.
Jeff Mann, the regional manager for Cortiva Institute Schools of Massage
Therapy, knows this firsthand. With experience as both a massage
therapist and personal trainer, he has seen the way massage can help
clients drop pounds and keep them off. "Massage to weight loss is like
the padding on a steering wheel--you can do without it, but it makes it a
lot easier and more comfortable to hang on to."
Make It Work For You
Losing weight isn't easy. Thankfully, it's simple to incorporate massage
into the healthy lifestyle you're building. It's a good idea to have a
special consultation with your massage therapist about your new goals
and fitness plan so that treatments can be customized to your body's
specific needs.
"Generally, massage on a healthy [client] should be no more that 90
minutes; 60 minutes is the most common," Rhode says. Weekly massages are
ideal, but you can reap plenty of benefits from monthly visits, too.
Your massage therapist will work with you to set a specific schedule of
appointments that fits with your workout routine, as well as your
finances. Don't be concerned if your MT wants to see you more often at
the beginning of your plan--this is normal, and helps him or her to get
to know your body's way of handling stress and exertion.
Don't Be Shy
While it's natural for anyone to feel a little self-conscious at first
about undressing for a massage, overweight clients often have major
anxieties about disrobing. If you've put off massage therapy because
you're embarrassed about your body shape, take heart: massage therapists
are sensitive to your concerns and don't want you to feel ashamed. Thom
Lobe, MD, founder and director of Beneveda Medical Group in Beverly
Hills, says, "Massage therapists are just that--therapists. They are
used to seeing all shapes, sizes, and conditions of the body. A
well-trained massage therapist has an entirely clinical perspective, no
different than any other health-care worker. The fact is, when I give a
massage...what the body looks like isn't even in my conscious thoughts."
Throughout the course of a massage, clients are discretely draped under a
sheet, with the therapist only uncovering the body part being worked
on. Of course, you can always wear swim attire or undergarments during
your massage, although they can hamper the full therapeutic effects your
therapist offers. Remember, rest easy in the knowledge that your
massage therapist has been trained to nurture and help you without
passing judgment. Nathan adds that massage therapists "do not expect to
work on bodies that are already in perfect health; rather, we get
excited about supporting our client's journey toward better health."
The Power of Touch
While it's easy to overlook your emotional health when planning a new
diet and exercise regimen, it's the primary factor determining your
weight-loss success. Along the path to fitness, the role of massage in
supporting your mental and emotional health may be a critical component.
Massage is a calorie-free reward; a way to treat yourself without
guilt. Your massage therapist also acts as a cheerleader who celebrates
your victories with you and helps keep you positive and committed.
"The more professionals you have on the team, the better," Wooten says.
"The worst thing to do, in most cases, is attempt to get into shape on
your own." Adding a massage therapist to your weight-loss plan is a
great way to tell yourself just how serious you are about taking this
step.
Massage is a powerful way to love, respect, and nurture yourself. When
you love yourself, you won't engage in unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Rhode calls this "the power of touch"--the unique ability that touch has
to make us feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.
Regular massage is all about reconnecting with your body and getting
back into yourself. As you continue to take time out to relax and care
for your body through regular appointments, you'll naturally become more
aware of your body's needs and more motivated to meet them. It's all
part of a greater picture of health and fitness, one that Wooten says,
"is a journey, and not a destination."
Your massage therapist wants to help you build a bridge between mind and
body that will last a lifetime. So update your massage from guilty
pleasure status to indispensable health habit, and reap the benefits in
the form of a fitter, happier you. You've earned it.
Originally published in Body Sense magazine, Spring/Summer 2010. Copyright 2010. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
