We know what you’re thinking—massage therapy to promote weight-loss? It seems too good to be true. Even if it is, any excuse to get a massage might just be worth it, right?
Massage therapy alone won’t cause you to lose weight, and it won’t reduce cellulite or unwanted fat on your stomach. In fact, be wary of any massage therapist who makes unfounded claims like that. That said, massage therapy does offer several mental and physical benefits that may help you out along your weight-loss journey and make the entire process more enjoyable.
How Massage Therapy Can Promote Weight-loss
If you’re post-bariatric surgery and are considering adding massage therapy to your weight-loss routine, talk to your doctor. Depending on the type of surgery you received, you may be advised to wait a few weeks to ensure your body is fully healed. However, some types of bariatric surgery, like the Lap-Band® Program, are minimally invasive and allow your body to heal faster.
Ease Sore Muscles
Especially if you’re new to working out, you might have a few long weeks of sore muscles ahead of you. Massage therapy can provide pain relief and promote healing for aching muscles, allowing you to get back into the gym sooner. Massages can also improve your flexibility and range of motion, which significantly lowers your risk of injury while working out.
In turn, providing your muscles with relief helps promote better sleep, which is another key and often neglected element of weight-loss. Good sleep not only helps your body heal faster after a workout, but it also makes it easier to resist temptations from unhealthy foods and may even help with appetite moderation.
Promote Relaxation
One of the most obvious benefits of massage therapy: it’s a great way to relax and unwind. Adults have plenty of stress in their lives; those who are attempting to lose weight may have additional sources of anxiety to manage. If you struggle with stress eating, massage may be an effective way to reduce tension and worry, making it easier to make healthy choices.
Massages release endorphins—those “feel good” chemicals that promote general feelings of well-being, as well as increased energy. Those two benefits combined may provide you the motivation you need to stick to your diet and exercise regimen.
Reward Your Hard Work
It’s important to recognize and reward yourself for your hard work throughout your weight-loss journey. However, you should avoid rewarding yourself with food. Not only can this compromise the success of your weight-loss, but it can also contribute to an unhealthy relationship with food.
Rewarding yourself with a massage is a fantastic alternative. You can enjoy the above benefits with the knowledge that they’re promoting healthy weight-loss, and you can enjoy some pain-relieving “me time” as a bonus for your hard work.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery to assist you during your weight-loss journey, Lap-Band of Louisville can help. The Lap-Band procedure is minimally invasive and performed laparoscopically, allowing patients to return home the same day as their surgery. As the only adjustable and reversible surgical weight-loss solution, the Lap-Band is the safest method for those looking to lose weight with the help of a bariatric procedure.
Learn more about whether you qualify for the Lap-Band surgery, or contact our office to speak to an expert.
