It’s not just for recreation, believe it or not. While a masseuse essentially provides a relaxing diversion from the everyday stress of life, go ahead and ask any of them about what they’re really doing with their job. It’s about the quality of your health; seriously, it is!
In order for your body to maintain regular optimal health, all of its parts–most notably, the cells of your body–have to be healthy. You have healthy cells, because they have a consistent supply of blood flow and lymph (an essential milky white fluid) to help circulate all kinds of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Its the circulation of this lymph that helps remove all sorts of impurities and waste out of the body–hence why strength training is so beneficial. Muscle contraction helps stimulate lymph flow.
Here’s the point, though: even for those who work out on a regular basis, the actual activity of working out can actually produce even more waste in the body, more waste than lymph can help carry out. It’s for this reason that massage benefits the body; it helps stimulate that lymph circulation more to handle the carrying out of waste. Moreover, the simple motion of massage in the muscles and skin stimulate blood flow to better balance the whole body. Naturally, every part of your body needs consistent blood flow. Thanks to the enhanced ability of the lymphatic system, all the filtering acts like a flush on your system, purifying your body while circulating more oxygen through your blood flow. You can’t beat that when it comes to health and fitness!
Remember that when you visit your favorite day spa. You might be coming in for a fun day and, if you’re lucky, an attractive masseuse putting hands on you–but the ultimate meaning behind massage is better health.