Q: How do you keep your heart happy and healthy?
A: By receiving therapeutic massage on a regular basis at LaVida Massage + Skincare.
Therapeutic massage will help in your efforts, not only with heart health but also by improving circulation! The natural build up of Lactic acid in your muscles can cause cold hands and feet, fatigue and muscle aches. By actively moving blood through the body via manipulation, massage will increase circulation helping your body naturally reduce and remove the buildup of lactic acid. This improved circulation allows healthy, oxygen-rich “new blood” to flow through the entire body, repairing damaged or fatigued muscles. As the healthy “new blood” flows toward your vital organs, the “old blood” flows away from these organs improving the bodies overall function and decreasing blood pressure.
Stress relief is also one of the most significant benefits of therapeutic massage. A one-hour LaVida massage can greatly reduce stress by lowering your heart rate and stress hormone levels (cortisol) as well as decrease both systolic and diastolic numbers (your blood pressure numbers). The lowered blood pressure can in turn reduce one’s risk of developing anxiety or depression by promoting complete relaxation of both the mind and body.
Swedish massage, also known as Relaxation massage, is one of the techniques proven to decrease the amount of stress hormones in the body, leaving clients feeling completely relaxed and rested, even after the session is over. A 2013 study in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine found that individuals who received Swedish massage therapy, compared to those who did not, had a considerable lower blood pressure. Decreased depression, anxiety, stress, and reduced risk of heart attack are just a few of the benefits of lowered blood pressure.
In addition to massage, here are some other steps you can take to help keep your heart happy and healthy AND improve circulation:
- Start a regular exercise regimen
- Track your sodium intake
- Reduce stress levels
- Lower your caffeine intake
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption
- Increase your water intake
Talk to your doctor to find out what your ideal heart rate is and other ways to help you keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.