There’s no shortage of quick weight loss advice on the internet. Diet pills and special corsets promise to take inches off your waist in a matter of days.
But massage therapy actually does have a proven ability to impact weight loss results. Check out this guide on how you can combine massage and weight loss to achieve your wellness goals.
Massage and Weight Loss
Pampering yourself can actually help you achieve weight loss goals. This information seems too good to be true, but research has shown that the benefits of massage and weight loss go hand in hand.
No massage therapist will promise you weight loss results if your fitness plans only include getting rubbed with hot stones. Talk with your massage therapist to determine which massage technique works best for you.
For example, if you’re into CrossFit, you might want a massage routine that helps the body recover from a workout as soon as possible. But if you struggle with lymphedema, you’ll need more specialized massage techniques to get rid of excess water in the body.
Massage and Digestion
One of the top ways massage therapy helps the body lose weight is by improving digestion in the body. New research shows that gut health is one of the most important determinants in the body’s ability to fight off diseases.
But to reach your target weight, you also need to make sure you pass waste regularly to shed the body of unwanted toxins. The digestive tract is critical to getting the body the fuel it needs to prevent feelings of sluggishness.
When your body feels full and properly nourished, you’re also less likely to eat unhealthy snacks to satisfy cravings. Getting regular massages means helping the body properly use the energy it gets from the foods you eat.
Of course, garbage in, garbage out. If all you’re eating is empty calories, there’s no way for the body to be energized throughout the day.
Make sure to support your weight loss goals with a well-balanced diet. With regular massages, you’ll experience less bloating, constipation and flatulence.
Massage and Exercise
Massage and physical fitness go hand in hand. Professional athletes rely on trips to physical therapists where they receive massage treatment for tense muscles.
Massages work to increase blood flow lubricating muscle fibers that might be stuck together. You’ll experience less soreness after fitness routines giving you the motivation you need to keep going.
You might not need expert care after each workout, but occasional massages can support your flexibility and reduce the risk of injury while you get in shape. Talk to your massage therapist about the best ways to loosen tight muscles.
With a shortened recovery period between each workout, you may be able to have longer training periods, which improves your overall fitness results.
Another perk of getting massages is an increased metabolic rate. Your muscles burn more calories when your metabolic rate increases.
One theory links this increase in your metabolic rate to the endorphins released during a massage. This means that while you’re relieving stress you’re also helping to multiply the results from recent workouts.
Massage and Overeating
Another way massage directly affects weight loss is by helping the body manage cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone released when you get stressed.
This hormone has been known to lead to an increase in appetite especially when you’re stressed over a long period of time. According to WebMD, many people become overeaters when they’re stressed because of a fight or flight response.
The body incorrectly thinks you’ve burned calories and that the solution to the stress is to eat more. An increase of cortisol in the body also causes higher insulin levels.
When your insulin levels get high, blood sugar levels drop causing you to crave more sugary foods. Getting a massage helps relieve the body of stress and reduce cortisol.
Massage and Swelling
Does your face often look puffy and swollen? Massage can help with that.
The lymphatic system affects how much water your body retains.
Getting regular weekly massages can improve your physical appearance through advanced techniques that encourage lymphatic drainage. This drainage affects how swollen your ankles, legs, and waist are by flushing out the extra fluid.
Expect to lose a few inches after a massage that focuses on draining your lymphatic system. But lymphatic massage isn’t for everyone.
If you have any of the following conditions, you might not be eligible for this type of massage treatment:
- Congestive heart failure
- History of blood clots
- History of strokes
- Infection
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
While getting treated, remember to stay well hydrated to encourage waste removal in the body. Well-hydrated tissue removes from the body waste much easier.
Massage and Posture
Good posture makes it easier for the body to shed extra pounds. When your torso is constantly slouched, it’s harder for your upper body to get in shape.
Bad posture can also lead to fitness-related injuries which could take you from your regular gym routine leading to weight gain. Massage therapists open up your pecs releasing tension from the base of the skull.
This leads to a realignment of the spine and how your pelvis tilts. The results are a longer waist and flatter looking abs. By lengthening the body, it looks thinner.
But the benefits of good posture aren’t just related to your outward appearance.
Research shows that good posture also helps to banish diet-related fatigue. With good posture, you’ll have higher energy levels while you’re trying to lose weight.
Does Massage Help with Weight Loss?
Creating a massage and weight loss plan is a great option for anyone looking to live a healthier lifestyle. The key to making the plan work for you is consistency.
Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet to weight loss, which means you won’t likely see the results you want after just one or two massage treatments. The benefits come after getting massage treatments on a consistent basis.
For more information and massage tips, keep reading our blog.
