There are many ways to recover from mental and physical fatigue that you may not have considered. In this article, we explore how remedial massage, saunas and steam rooms can perform as a complementary therapy to your general health practices.

Remedial massage helps treat muscles that are damaged, knotted, tense or immobile. It is useful for a number of problems that affect the muscles, tendons and bones and is covered under some government and private rebate and support programs. Your GP or pharmacist may be able to suggest a network of remedial massage therapists in your local area.

Saunas and Steam Rooms are a common part of many European and Asian Cultures. In Australia, they are generally found in professional sports clubs and gyms, although the use is not as common.

You should check with your healthcare practitioner to make sure these complementary therapies are acceptable for any pre-existing health conditions you may have.

Let’s look at some of the potential benefits.

Muscle Repair

When you have a remedial massage from a qualified therapist, you’re allowing your muscles to relax and repair. Their training and techniques are designed to encourage blood flow that supports cell growth and healing, increase flexibility and enable core movement. Healthy blood flow means proteins that are essential for muscle repair are being delivered.

Stress Reduction

We live in a stressful world. It’s normal to expect instant gratification but this can often lead to additional stress, especially if you’re the one trying to provide the service or product.

Unfortunately, long-term elevated stress levels are linked with a wide variety of diseases, including cardiovascular issues, stroke, and even diabetes[1].

Reducing stress is important to live a healthier life. Massages and saunas encourage your body to relax, reducing stress levels. They can also trigger the release of endorphins that make you feel good, reducing stress further.

Removal Of Toxins

When you take a sauna you’re going to sweat, this allows waste in your glands to be pushed out. Research suggests that 20 minutes in a sauna every day can get rid of all the toxins in your body. That’s worth trying[2].

Weight Loss

Obesity is linked to an increased likelihood of early death[3]. The principle is that over-eating increases the cholesterol in your body, potentially blocking arteries, leading to cardiovascular issues, strokes, diabetes, and possibly even Alzheimer’s[4].

Fortunately, your sauna and massage can help you to sweat out water weight, helping to lower your weight and improving your health. That said, you should never risk dehydration and consider adopting a balanced diet and exercise regime for healthy weight management.

Improves Blood Flow

The heat of a sauna or being massaged will cause your blood vessels to expand, allow more blood to flow around your body. That’s going to help your organs get the oxygen and nutrients they need, which should be better for your overall health.

It’s Fun

You don’t need to have a massage or go to the sauna by yourself. These can be social activities, and Going with someone makes it fun, which is already increasing your quality of life.

There are many complementary therapies worth considering as part of your overall health management plan. The variety and experience can encourage a healthier overall lifestyle and are worth exploring under the right advice and conditions.