You get massages because they feel good — and they make you feel good too. And you already know that a massage can do wonders for your physical and mental health.
But how much do you really know about the world of massage therapy?
Whether you’re satisfying your own curiosity or you’re looking for some interesting conversation points, we’ve got you covered. Here are four fascinating facts about massage you’ve probably never heard before!
1. Massage Can Lengthen Your Life Span
No one can guarantee this, of course. But comedian Bob Hope famously got massages every day for over 60 years. He lived to the ripe old age of 100, and not just because he laughed often.
Research shows that massage improves circulation, lowers stress levels, and boosts immune function. Since up to 90% of diseases are a direct result of stress, it’s no wonder massage could help to improve longevity.
Until we discover the actual Fountain of Youth, regular massage might be the next best thing!
2. Humans Are Hard-Wired for Touch
Did you know that your sense of touch is the first sense you developed as a baby? It’s also the last sense to fade as we age. There’s a reason for this — we have over 5 million touch receptors in our skin. On just one fingertip, you have over 3,000 touch receptors!
Interestingly, our tactile nerves are particularly sensitive to a temperature of 32 degrees Celcius or 89 degrees Fahrenheit. You guessed it: That’s the exact temperature of human skin!
3. Massage Therapy Is (Very) Old
The first “formal” massage curriculum appeared in Sweden in the early 1800s, but the roots of massage therapy go back much farther than that.
Archaeologists have discovered paintings of people giving and receiving massages on ancient Egyptian tombs dating back nearly 5,000 years ago. There’s also evidence of massage being widely used in China and India as early as 2700BC.
4. There Are Hundreds of Different Types of Massage
Swedish and deep tissue are two of the most popular types of massage, at least in the western world. But when you dig deeper and start traveling, you’ll find well over 300 different massage modalities worldwide.
If you travel to Mexico, you can get a “cactus massage” with the warm, gooey interiors of the cactus plant. In the Middle East, it’s popular to receive a massage/bath while lying on a warm marble slab inside a traditional hammam (bathhouse). And in Southeast Asia, you’ll find massage institutions where all of the therapists are blind!
Share These Fun Facts About Massage
So, did any of these facts about massage surprise you? If so, be sure to share what you learned with your family and friends!
Of course, the best way to continue learning about massage is to experience it for yourself. Has it been a while since your last massage? If so, Simply Massage is ready to welcome you at one of our convenient locations in Avon or Glenwood Springs.
Book your session online or give us a call at 970-748-1600 to learn more about our professional massage services.