As COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted and the nation is re-opening, the timing could not be better to celebrate National “Everybody Deserves a Massage Week,” which takes place every year during the second week of July. Founded by the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals in 1995, “Everybody Deserves a Massage Week” is meant to promote the benefits of massage and to allow others to experience these benefits while also improving awareness of the profession.
Benefits of a Massage
Getting a massage not only allows time to pamper yourself, but it also has several health benefits:
- Relieves stress Through massage, your pulse slows, blood pressure lowers, and your muscles relax. There’s also increased production of endorphins, a release of serotonin and dopamine. The first chemical makes us feel good. Serotonin helps us relax and dopamine eases pain. All of these combine to help reduce stress.
- Promotes relaxation. Not only does massage release a cocktail of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, but it reduces the stress hormone cortisol. Massage also increases blood flow and oxygen to sore muscles, tight muscles, releasing tension and encouraging healing.
- Improves sleep. Massages release serotonin, helping us calm and pain-relieving dopamine, and it also releases melatonin. Melatonin is released by the pituitary gland and is thought to help regulate our sleep cycles. Massage may also help to reset our circadian rhythms. As a result, we may be able to find a more natural sleep cycle when we seek massage therapy.
- Reduces migraine or headache frequency. When we eliminate tension, reduce other areas of pain, and find regular sleep cycles, we may lessen the frequency of migraines and other headache pain. Studies have shown that massage does reduce migraine pain. Many of the guidelines for the treatment of migraines encourage a routine sleep and wake cycle, controlling other causes of pain, and reducing stress. Sometimes starting on that path is difficult, especially if pharmaceuticals have been prescribed. They often interfere with sleep, cause anxiety and interrupt the natural balance of our chemistry.
Observing “Everybody Deserves A Massage Week” 2021
Since it was founded in 1916, Swedish Institute has been an early pioneer in offering massage therapy training and has played a key role in shaping the massage therapy industry as we know it today. In 1983, Swedish Institute opened the first student massage clinic in the US. This advancement provided students a supervised clinical experience treating patients, while offering affordable access to massage therapy to the public.
In keeping with the spirit of the week, Swedish Institute is making massage therapy even more accessible by offering a special promotion of extremely affordable massages through our Massage Therapy Clinic.
One hour Swedish massages can be scheduled for Sunday, July 18th from 11am-3pm or Saturday, July 24th, from 1:30-5:30pm. Those that are interested can email [email protected]. Session are available for $40 each on a first-come, first-serve basis. Proof of full vaccination is required upon scheduling.
Ericka Clinton, Swedish Institute’s Dean of Massage Therapy, says, “We strongly believe that massage therapy should be accessible to all. That’s why we have been training our students for the past 105 years to provide massage therapy to all the people out there who sorely need and can benefit from it.”
Growing Demand for Licensed Massage Therapists
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 21% from 2019 to 2029. With Massage Therapy remaining a strong program at Swedish Institute, the college remains a significant resource for licensed massage therapists.
“Our mission at Swedish Institute is to provide education that encourages ethically responsible engagement and intentionally prepares our students to be upstanding members of the communities that they will serve as health and wellness professionals,” says Michael Bottrill, President and CEO of Swedish Institute. “Providing relief to our surrounding communities through massage, especially coming out of a pandemic, certainly aligns with our mission.”
If you are looking for a career helping others, click here to learn more about our Massage Therapy program at Swedish Institute. Classes start in September, so you can get started on a new career doing something you love!