Maintaining a healthy weight is a key step towards achieving better overall health. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, being overweight or obese is one of the top preventable risk factors for many medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Weight loss can be challenging, and it requires patience and positivity to see long-lasting results. Those results offer wide-ranging benefits — the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada states that a modest weight reduction of as little as 5% of an overweight or obese individual’s body weight can lower high blood pressure and total blood cholesterol.
For those seeking to lose weight to reduce the risk of health issues linked to obesity, it’s essential to approach eating, exercise, and other lifestyle matters related to weight loss in a safe, healthy manner.
How does a massage chair help in weight loss?
Massage chairs can deliver many benefits, including improved sleep, reduced stress, and quicker muscle recovery: all of which can enhance your overall well being and positively impact your weight loss experience. Massage therapy is not a replacement for healthy eating and exercise, but its ability to help the body recover and relax may be especially beneficial to those moving towards a more active lifestyle.
Relieving stress
Massage has been used as a means of relaxation for thousands of years. Depictions of people partaking in massage therapy are etched on the walls of Ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 2500 BCE and by 1000 BCE, the practice had been brought to Japan. While techniques and technology surrounding massage therapy have evolved over the years, the treatment’s stress-relieving effects have remained universally appealing.
When we are stressed, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol. Research published in 2018 found that over the long term, increased cortisol levels are strongly related to abdominal obesity. Stress is also associated with high blood pressure, skin changes, fatigue, and a number of other health issues.
Relaxing in a massage chair can be a peaceful way to unwind at the end of a stressful day, and the health benefits that can be achieved by reducing stress (such as improved sleep, better weight control, and enhanced mood) are plentiful. If long-term stress is affecting your daily life, consult your doctor for guidance.
Improves metabolism
When we eat, complex metabolic processes occur as our bodies convert food and drinks into energy. Our bodies use the resulting energy to fuel essential functions like digestion, breathing, circulation, temperature regulation, hormone management, and cell growth and repair.
A slower metabolism burns fewer calories, meaning more calories are stored as fat in the body. Individuals with a fast metabolism, on the other hand, will burn calories at a quicker rate. A 2011 study found that after using a mechanical massage device, participants experienced noticeable changes in the expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways. Massage therapy is also understood to boost circulation, which plays a key role in metabolic health.
Helps you sleep well
When we don’t get enough sleep, the way our bodies produce hormones changes. Leptin is a hormone which suppresses the appetite, and another hormone — ghrelin — increases feelings of hunger. In response to acute sleep deprivation and chronic sleeplessness, ghrelin levels rise and leptin levels drop. This may encourage overeating, which can result in weight gain.
A treatment in a massage chair can help you prepare for a good night’s sleep. Massage therapy can put your body at ease by loosening and relaxing tense muscles, and its calming effects extend to the mind. Researchers have analyzed the impact of massage therapy on sleep duration and quality in various studies, finding massage to help improve sleep patterns in those with insomnia.
Faster muscle recovery
Researchers at McMaster University found that biochemical sensors in our bodies can be triggered by massage, sending inflammation-reducing signals to cells — the same research suggests that only ten minutes of treatment can produce this effect. If increased physical activity is part of your weight loss approach, a massage chair can be useful in helping your muscles to recover at a quicker rate.Weight loss can be challenging and It takes time to achieve results in a safe manner, but the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight are long-lasting and wide-ranging. Massage treatments can be a wonderful way to support your body and mind as you work towards your goals.
Massage chairs deliver strong pressure through their high power rollers and because of this, they are not suitable for everyone. Individuals with certain health conditions (such as osteoporosis) should not use massage chairs. People with heart conditions may also be advised against using a massage chair. If you have an underlying health condition, consult with your doctor before purchasing a massage chair to ensure it is safe for you to use one.
If you are concerned about your weight, consult your physician or health care provider for a more complete assessment of your individual circumstances. You may also contact your local public health department or community health centre for more information and resources.