October is a month that is synonymous with fall, pumpkin spice everything, and the holidays quickly gaining ground. With the stress of summer coming to a close, it’s helpful to remember that National Massage Therapy Awareness Week takes place October 23-29. This week is the 26th annual celebration of the Massage Therapy Association and Glen Ivy Hot Springs is proud to support a time dedicated to its members and promote the insurmountable benefits of massage therapy.
With a rich history dating back thousands of years, the origins of massage therapy can be seen throughout cultures and countries around the world. Early beliefs were that physical ailments were often due to being out of sync with the environment and that massage could be used to restore the body’s physical and natural balance. Massage therapy is not only an act of self-care but also has other major, proven health benefits. A recent study done by the American Massage Therapy Association shows that “88 percent of individuals view massage therapy as beneficial to overall health and wellness.” Massage therapy has been renowned for improving quality of sleep, increasing range of motion, reducing anxiety and stress, and has even been adapted to help manage cancer symptoms.
Massages clearly have overall positive effects, but as its popularity spread around the globe, different techniques and styles of massage therapy have been developed to target specific areas. To name just a few, there are Swedish, Thai and Shiatsu massages, and the list doesn’t stop there. Glen Ivy proudly contributes to the ongoing practice of massage therapy and provides an extensive menu of massage services, as well as offering an online survey for guests to discover which treatment will best cater to their needs. From pro-sleep to warm Himalayan salt stone massages, Glen Ivy offers both traditional and one-of-a-kind treatments. The Shirodhara treatment offered at Glen Ivy is a perfect example of the impact massage therapy can have. It is a full body experience with a continuous stream of warm oil trickling over the forehead to sooth the third eye and allow the body to enter a meditative and blissful state. This kind of treatment has been known to help combat insomnia, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety and leaves guests with a sense of relaxation, rejuvenation and clarity that is unmatched. Massage therapy has been and continues to be a key component to health and wellness practiced in different ways and parts of the world, and Glen Ivy is honored to take part in that celebration this October.
