Post 50Health Post50spa-treatmentsWomen

Massage Therapy For Menopause

Why Menopause Merits A Trip To The Spa
|

Menopause. The mere sound of the word quickly floods the mind with thoughts of hot flashes, irrational mood swings, bothersome pain and an aging woman who is no longer in her prime. It's connotation with such negative effects makes it easy to forget that we can view menopause as something else: a milestone and an opportunity to stop and pamper ourselves.

While visits to the gynecologist are necessary, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your massage therapist as well. Massage therapy may be a helpful outlet for reducing stress, one of the main agitators of the menopausal symptoms experienced by women. In a guest blog for Menopause ChitChat, Laurie Schnebly of Massage Envy Spa brings to attention that while massages are often viewed as “an indulgence rather than a medically beneficial treatment”, your next visit to the spa should merit a spot on your to-do list.

Various spas offer rejuvenating and relaxing treatments for women experiencing the less-than-comfortable side effects of menopause. From Reiki treatments to increase energy flow and decrease anxiety, to Swedish massages to increase circulation, to facials targeted specifically for the sensitive and dry skin caused by menopause, relief may be one personal day away. Consider the following benefits of massage therapy Schnebly describes in her post and treat yourself for making it this far.

6 Benefits Of Massage Therapy For Menopause Sufferers
Boosted Flexibility(01 of06)
Open Image Modal
The back, joint and muscle pain associated with menopause further reduce your range of motion. During massages, the body's natural lubricants between connective tissues are stimulated, allowing for more flexibility and ease in exercising to help alleviate discomforts. (credit:alamy)
Rejuvenated Skin (02 of06)
Open Image Modal
Due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, many women suffer from dry, sensitive and sagging skin. Massage therapists and bodyworkers use seaweed body wraps nourish dry skin and customize facials to focus on structural fragility. (credit:alamy)
Lower Blood Pressure (03 of06)
Open Image Modal
By keeping stress hormones in check through relaxation, your next message may help counter the rise in blood pressure that often accompanies postmenopause. (credit:Flickr:rosmary)
Improved Posture(04 of06)
Open Image Modal
Women often slouch to alleviate the muscle aches and pains that often accompany menopause, only worsening discomfort in the long run. Massage therapy allows for the loosening and relaxing of muscles, which can help improve posture to avoid slouching. (credit:alamy)
Hormonal Balance(05 of06)
Open Image Modal
Many message therapists turn to acupressure and reflexology for menopausal clients. Both practices focus on the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid glands in an attempt to seek balanced hormone production within the body. (credit:alamy)
Less Stress(06 of06)
Open Image Modal
Poor quality of sleep and even insomnia often accompany menopause. Massage therapy allows for a period of consistent relaxation in a comfortable, serene setting to help combat constant fatigue.

Click here to check out Huff/Post50 on Facebook.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip