At some point in most people’s lives, they realize that they’ve gained more weight than they wanted to and need to lose some. The problem is that there are so many different ways to lose weight, it can be very confusing to choose the right one and to stick to lifestyle changes that will allow it to happen.
Unfortunately, many techniques are hard to maintain in the long term, which means you’re likely to give up and regain the weight. That’s why a massage is an appealing option. After all, a massage is pleasant and it’s easy to maintain if you’re enjoying it and it’s helping your weight loss goals. But, does it work?
Understanding Massage Therapy
Massage therapy isn’t actually a new thing, reputable physiotherapists, such as physio surry hills, have been using it for years. The main type of massage used is abdominal, but other massages can also be effective.
But, before you get too excited, massage therapy can help you to lose weight, but it can’t give you weight loss by itself. If you’re serious about losing weight you’re going to need to start looking at what you eat. Changing your eating habits and adding in some exercise is the most effective way to lose weight. You just need to make sure the changes you make are not too extreme, this will make it easier to keep doing them.
A massage feels great, but, it can help with weight loss through the following:
Reducing Stress
When you get stressed your body releases cortisol. This is a hormone that shuts down some chemical reactions in your body and prepares you to fight or flight. It’s important. But, too much stress leads to elevated cortisol levels which leads to an array of diseases, including heart problems.
It also prevents your hunger hormones from working properly, encouraging stress eating.
A massage reduces stress, allowing your hormones to balance, your cortisol levels to reduce, and your hunger hormones to work effectively, which means it can actually decrease your appetite.
Decreasing muscle soreness
Muscle soreness after exercise hinders you from doing more exercise, even though you know it will help with your weight loss goals. However, massage is a great way of easing the soreness in your muscles, which will allow you to exercise more regularly and keep reducing the weight.
Pain control
Most people experience pain and it is particularly prevalent in your lower back, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting. This can hinder movement and mobility, which makes it had to exercise or even feel like sticking to your new eating plan.
However, if you have a regular massage you’ll find that the back pain can ease, allowing you to move more and undertake the activities you need to in order to lose weight.
Massage is not a miracle cure that will allow you to lose weight while eating whatever you like. But, it can be extremely beneficial in helping you to maintain your weight loss progress.