For more information, contact:
Counseling & Behavioral Health Services
726 Broadway
4th Floor, Suite 471
212-998-4780
wellness.exchange@nyu.edu
Wellness Exchange 24/7 Hotline: 212-443-9999
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Regardless of what we call it - pampering, therapy, rejuvenation - there is no denying the physical and psychological power of massage. Even the medical community agrees massage can reduce pain, improve flexibility and accelerate healing. Here are five more reasons to consider massage as a part of your health and wellness practice.
- Reduces Heart Rate - While under stress, students may experience increased heart rate and blood pressure, both of which can be lowered immediately following a massage. Massages induce a sense of calm and create the feeling that your stress is melting away.
- Decreases Anxiety and Depression - Massage causes the body to release therapeutic mood- and health-enhancing chemicals. A good massage lowers the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, while levels of feel-good neuro-transmitters like dopamine and serotonin rise.
- Improve Attention - Massage can actually improve concentration! Studies have found that office workers who received regular massages performed better at job tasks than their less fortunate, massage-deprived colleagues. Those workers were also more alert and less stressed overall.
- Stimulation of the Immune System - Massage increases the activity of white blood cells that target and destroy infectious agents. It also helps to aid in the fight against infection and bacteria by stimulating lymph flow, the body's natural defense system.
- Enhance sleep quality - Studies have shown that people receiving massage have improved sleep patterns both in the quality and quantity of sleep compared to those who did not receive massage.
It may be idealistic to think we can eliminate anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast paced city, but massage can certainly help. The benefits of massage can last for days, weeks or even months after a massage, depending on the individual and circumstances.
Word to the Wise: Always use a licensed massage therapist. Using an unlicensed individual could result in soreness or injury. If you are experiencing pain or stress, consult with a physician to determine if massage would benefit you.
If the physician determines that a massage would be beneficial, ask for a prescription so that the costs can be covered by health insurance. Or some insurance companies, such as NYU Student Health Insurance Plans, have a provider list of licensed massage therapists who give discounts. If you're enrolled in one of the NYU Student Health Insurance Plans and are interested in massage, call Consolidated Health Plans at (877) 373-1170 to access participating providers in your area.