Wednesday 18th of October marks World Menopause Day. This is an annual calendar date, which exists to raise awareness of Menopause symptoms and to encourage important conversations. Continue reading as we explore menopause and answer a common question, ‘are massages good for Menopause?’
What is Menopause?
Menopause takes place when periods stop due to the reduction in female hormone levels. Typically, Menopause affects females aged between 45 – 55 but can take place earlier. People experience different symptoms when going through Menopause, examples of these include:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flushes and chills
- Poor sleep quality
- Mood changes
- Slower metabolism
These are just a handful of examples, and more symptoms and information can be found on the NHS website.
How Can Massage Therapy Be Used During Menopause?
It’s important to note for you to understand that massage therapy cannot solve Menopause, nor can it eliminate every single symptom. However, there are some ways in which it can help relieve symptoms and certainly help you relax during this time. Let’s take a closer look at some examples…
Relieves Stress & Improves Sleep Quality
Massages not only relax the body but also help to calm the mind. When it comes to the causes of poor sleep quality, stress is usually one of the main contributing factors. This is where massage therapy comes in. Massages promote total relaxation which can then have a positive knock-on effect on sleep. It’s also common during some treatments for clients to fall asleep, due to them being feeling so relaxed. This is extremely positive and can be a great way to unwind during Menopause.
Reduce Muscle & Joint Pain
Not only does stress affect sleep, but it can also cause muscle and joint pain. These can both be alleviated through massage therapy, by releasing unwanted tension and breaking down painful scar tissue.
Muscle and joint pain can also be caused by fluctuations in hormones that occur during Menopause. These fluctuations can cause additional swelling around your joints, which can be released during a massage. Lymphatic drainage treatments can help increase both lymph flow and circulation, which drains toxic by-products and reduces swelling.
Increasing Happiness
During Menopause it’s not uncommon to experience mood changes, which can often be difficult to manage. You may feel tired, run down and generally sad. However, massage therapy can actually help to manage your mood and reduce these feelings. This is because when massages are carried out your cortisol (stress-hormone) levels decrease, and serotonin levels increase. This has a direct impact on your happiness and can offer a fantastic mood boost! In addition to this, your immune system can also benefit and enjoy a boost which is even better.
Next Steps…
We hope this has helped you determine if massages are good for Menopause. If you would like more information, contact us and our friendly team can answer any questions you may have. For more information and advice, please check out our blog section. Finally, to book a massage please call 07711 633 512 or alternatively you can use our online booking system.