In the winter months, you often hear people say that the weather makes them feel achy. The feeling of weather causing you pain isn’t in your imagination – your joints can hurt more when it’s cold outside. One of the main causes is the lack of blood flow to your extremities when your body tries to conserve heat. This blood restriction can make you feel stiffer and cause considerable pain and discomfort.
People with chronic conditions, muscle pain, and diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia are especially susceptible to winter weather. When your joints are aching, and you need relief, licensed massage therapists can help you treat and manage your symptoms. Here are the top 3 benefits why you should consider massage therapy to alleviate your pain this winter.
1. Provides Relaxation: The blending, kneading, and long strokes of a Swedish massage can relax your entire body and help calm your tense muscles that cause painful spasms and contractions during cold weather. It can also reduce nerve pain due to inflammation due to the brain’s response with the secretion of endorphins, the body’s natural tranquilizer and pain reliever. During a Swedish massage, your massage therapist can work on your entire body or target specific muscles and joints that are causing you problems to give you relief.
2. Increases Circulation: Cold weather can wreak havoc on your joints, bones, skin, and muscles. Your skin gets dry and cracked. Your arms, legs, neck, and other organs don’t get the blood flow they need. The body needs to maintain a temperature of 98.6 in order to function at full capacity. If the body temperature decreases by only 2 degrees, your heart rate can decrease as well causing confusion and lower blood circulation. That means slower production of joint fluids also A Deep Tissue massage uses deep, slow strokes to remove toxins and break up debris within your cells. It also helps you feel better by moving blood throughout your body (which hydrates your skin) and stimulates improved blood flow and joint fluid secretions.
3. Improves Your Mood: There is a link between your mental health and your overall well-being. Many people experience seasonal anxiety, depression, and get sick more often during the winter months. A Craniosacral Treatment works wonders on the covering of the brain, the dura mater, and releases adhesions and restrictions in the skull and spine to allow the brain to function at its optimum capacity. Your massage therapist uses a very light touch to elicit a neurological response that works with your body and not against it. It is very calming and relaxing and does not require getting undressed or using oil. Massage therapy not only has positive psychological effects, but it also increases your lymph flow (which contains white blood cells that fight off bacteria and infections).
A professional massage can enhance the overall performance of bodily functions and aid in healing when the body is not on high alert with pain and stress. Craniosacral can help with TMJ, headaches, sinuses and overall tension. As you can see, stress and tight muscles can play a significant role in your winter joint pain. The trained and knowledgeable massage therapists at Therapeutic Kneads are here to help you combat all the adverse effects that the cold weather can have on your body. We know the best techniques and have a variety of massage services to provide you with maximum pain relief and improve your quality of life. If you have any questions or would like to request an appointment, please contact us today.