If you have enjoyed a spa treatment before, then you probably know the aftermath leaves you feeling younger and healthier. There’s a reason for it.
Did you know that 49% of the UK population now suffer from back pain on a weekly basis? Additionally, the number of Brits that associated their back pain with sitting for long periods of time has risen from 35% to almost 45% - it is no surprise that the massage market is booming!
Stancliffe Hall is more than just a staycation or wedding venue in Derbyshire. In the luxurious private spa, guests can enjoy invigorating spa treatments during their stay.
This blog will discuss three treatments at Stancliffe Hall spa and the physiological and psychological benefits they offer.
Massage therapies
Physiological Benefits of Massage Therapies
Muscles relax
Not only are muscle knots caused by exercise, but they are also caused by stress, anxiety, sitting at a desk for long periods of time and dehydration, this makes muscle knots very common.
A very effective way of removing these is by massages.
A simple search like “sports massage near me” can help you find quality masseuses in your area. However, if you are looking for holidays in Derbyshire. Stancliffe can provide you with the perfect massages.
When these knots are removed the muscles relax and fibres relax. Because muscle knots can put pressure on nerves, this causes pain in multiple parts of the body. This is because multiple nerves are connected to one motor unit. When a nerve impulse stimulates a motor unit, all of the muscle fibres inside of this motor unit will contract on an all-or-nothing basis. Therefore, muscle knots might be more painful than you initially think. This can explain why people’s knees hurt, despite their hamstrings being tight.
Release endorphins
Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced to help relieve pain and improve mood. Endorphins are normally released in response to pain or stress, but they can also be released by other events such as laughter, indulging in a favourite food such as dark chocolate, and massages (to name a couple).
How Do Massages Help?
One study found an increase of 16% in the blood tested from volunteers post connective tissue massage.
It was found that deep tissue massages released more endorphins compared to lighter massages e.g., full body Swedish massages. In deep tissue massages it is common to experience productive pain, the pressure hurt, but this pain is mixed with relief.
Endorphins may be partially part of this experience. Endorphins are also responsible for reducing pain. Endorphins reduce pain by blocking nerve cells that receive the pain signals.
Increases range of motion
Poor elasticity limits the range of movement and makes you more prone to injuries. Massages increase the range of movement by increasing muscle tissue elasticity.
As mentioned earlier, massages allow the muscles to relax. When this happens it means the muscle fibres can be stretched; when these muscle fibres are stretched it increases tissue elasticity. This can reduce the chances of injury.
Psychological Benefits of Massage Therapies
Massages relax your mind
As well to increasing endorphins, during a massage your body releases dopamine.
Dopamine improves your body’s blood flow, as well as helps you feel pleasure and satisfaction.
Dopamine also makes you feel a sense of achievement. Reward yourself at the weekend with a massage near you, you will also feel rewarded after you have had it too!
Reduce Anxiety
In the UK, over 8 million people experience an anxiety disorder at any one time with less than 50% of people with generalised anxiety disorder accessing treatment.
But massages can be a great alternative therapy to reduce anxiety!
Reports have found that a 60-minute massage can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) by up to 30 per cent.
Additionally, studies in the journal Depression and Anxiety found participants who received regular massage therapy for 12 weeks had a 50 per cent reduction in anxiety symptoms. Moreover, the benefits were not short-lived! Symptom reduction remained at 50 per cent after 26-weeks, despite therapy ending by that point. In addition to this, massage therapy can help reduce symptoms of anxiety such as muscle tension and sleep disturbances.
Boost Your Immune System
Research has shown that receiving regular massage therapy helps boost our immune system and flush toxins, this increases blood flow around the body. Additionally, massages increase white blood cell activity around the body, helping us to fight diseases, this could also help to reduce cortisol (the primary stress hormone). Studies have found that white cell activity can increase by 70 per cent.
Jacuzzi
Physiological Benefits of Jacuzzis
Increased blood flow
When you are hot, blood flow increases as blood vessels vasodilate. Vasodilation is a mechanism that enhances blood flow to areas that are lacking oxygen and nutrients. This process occurs due to blood vessels dilating. This means that blood can circulate around the body more efficiently. This allows for blood pressure to reduce in as little as 20 minutes.
Reduces strain
A jacuzzi is essentially a form of hydrotherapy, the water supports 90% of your weight this reduces strain on joints, giving them relief from the daily grind. Moreover, the jets of warm water and air massage the neck, shoulders, lumbar, legs and feet. The combination of immersion, heat and hydromassage improves blood circulation, lowers muscle tension and promotes relaxation.
Promotes heart health
Regular use of spas gives some of the same health benefits as exercise but with less heart stress. Jacuzzis can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes as the high temperatures in a jacuzzi can cause your blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure. But as a side effect of this your heart rate increases, so it is not advised to use a jacuzzi if you have heart problems.
Psychological Benefits Jacuzzis
Improves sleep
Soaking in hot water 90 minutes before bed triggers your internal thermostat to lower your body temperature, thus inducing sleep to set in more easily. This is known as immersion therapy. When you sit in a hot tub your body temperature slowly, and naturally rises. Once you exit the jacuzzi, the cooling process begins. This helps you feel relaxed and ready for bed. This happen naturally once you fall asleep. Your body temperature will drop slowly after two hours of sleep.
Facilitates Social Benefits
Spending quality time with loved ones can challenging in today’s busy world. Using a jacuzzi can bring close relations together by providing a space where you can come together without the usual distractions. The relaxed environment can enable authentic conversations to take place, building stronger relationships.
Reduces Stress
Jacuzzi’s reduce stress by producing up to 50% less cortisol than when not submerged in the hot, bubbly water.
Just like with massage therapy, endorphins and dopamine are also produced, making you feel satisfied and relaxed!
Steam Room
Physiological Benefits of Steam Rooms
Skin Benefits
As is commonly known, steam rooms use steam generators which open the skin’s pores and clears out any congestion due to the moist heat around the room. Additionally, the warm, damp air will work to drench the skin in moisture, hydrating rather than stripping it. Oily acne-prone skin can also benefit as the heat and humidity may work to simultaneously unclog and cleanse.
Sweating Out Unwanted Chemicals
Sweating is one of the body’s key detoxification processes. A steam room can help speed that whole process up!
Clear Congestion
Steam rooms also warm up the mucous membrane and encourages deep breathing. This means that using one can break up congestion in the lungs and sinuses. Studies have shown that children with respiratory infections recovered quicker after using a steam room.
Loosens stiff joints:
Everyone knows that warming up before a workout is important, to avoid the risk of injuries. Well using a steam room as part of this, could help your mobility increase. One study found that when heat was applied to the knee joint prior to activity, the joint was more flexible and relaxed when participating in sport, suggesting that applying heat before a workout can reduce injury prior to working out.
Psychological Benefits of Steam Rooms
Reduces Anxiety:
Just like the other methods, steam rooms can also release euphoric hormones such as endorphins, whilst simultaneously lowering cortisol levels. This means that using a sauna can lower state and trait anxiety. Additionally, studies have found that sweating increases relaxation, and reduces feelings of frustration and anxiety.
Reduces Depression:
Because steam rooms lower cortisol levels, one study found that when participants with major depression sat in an infrared sauna, it reduced their depression by around 50%. The follow-up study also found that one session had a rapid and powerful antidepressant effect, these benefits continued for six weeks.
Steam Rooms Increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Help Keep a Healthy Mind):
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor is a naturally occurring protein in the brain it improves your mood and lowers your risk of mental disease. It repairs brain cells and increases the growth of new brain cells. Research shows that you are likely to have reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factors if you have a mental illness but using steam rooms can boost it.
Want to try these really great treatments and massage services from qualified massage therapists at a spa in Derbyshire? Book with us now!