Whare the benefits of couples massage? Relationships can be challenging, but knowing your partner’s “love language” can help you keep the romance alive. Your love language can either be: words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, quality time, or physical touch.
If the love language of your significant other is physical touch, you can focus on activities and gestures that highlight their need for it. You can consider showing more affection by being more physically intimate.
A massage is the perfect way to fulfil your partner’s need for physical touch. At the same time, giving your partner a massage also has many benefits for their health.
Learn more about the importance of physical intimacy, and the benefits of couples’ massages on your relationship and each other’s health. But first thing’s First: what is a massage?
The Origins of Massage Therapy
The earliest forms of massage therapy existed in early civilizations, like the Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, and Indians.
However, its roots can be traced back to 3,000 BC in India, where the massage was part of traditional and sacred practices in natural medicine.
Today, you can get a massage practically anywhere, in hospitals, spas, the salon, or even in the comfort of your own home.
Massage or massage therapy refers to the pressing or rubbing of the tendons and ligaments. Massages can also involve manipulating the skin to generate therapeutic effects.
Massage Therapy Techniques
There are a variety of techniques available to use in a massage, and these techniques vary from the light, repetitive stroking of the skin, to applying mild pressure on specific muscles to address pain or tenderness.
Sometimes, massage therapy and standard treatments and medications are used in conjunction to treat several illnesses, especially those that affect a person’s mobility.
People who are specifically trained to give massages are called massage therapists.
However, you certainly don’t need to become a trained professional to in order to reap the benefits of a couples massage or any other massage therapy.
Before learning about how regular massages can positively impact your relationship, it’s essential to learn about how massages can affect your health.
Benefits of couples massage and massage therapies
Scientists and scholars continue to conduct research to determine how massages impact our health.
Although the studies that prove a correlation are still limited, there are existing studies that demonstrate how massages affect our mental health.
Massages have been linked to numerous mental health benefits like lowered stress and anxiety levels and decreased depression.
It’s important to note that massages don’t single-handedly treat health conditions. Instead, massages are used to complement standard medication and treatment.
If you’re looking for more reasons to give your partner a massage, here are a few of the health benefits of couples massage and other massage therapies:
Massage aids digestion
If you’ve ever had an upset stomach, then you’re familiar with the comfort brought by rubbing your palm back and forth against your abdomen.
Abdominal massages can help relax the muscles in the stomach that cause digestive discomfort or pain.
In fact, a study done in 2016 was able to determine that abdominal massages can help alleviate constipation.
Massage alleviates headaches
Some headaches are caused by tension or pressure in some parts of the head. Massages like deep-tissue massage or trigger point massage can help reduce the pain of a headache.
Deep-tissue massages make use of firm pressure accompanied by slow strokes, which make them useful for headaches. The firm pressure helps the strained head muscles relax, which may be the culprit of the problem.
Trigger-point massages require applying direct pressure to where the pain or discomfort is. This can be especially helpful for migraines or headaches resulting from eye strain.
This type of massage typically addresses radiating pain from one specific area of the head.
Massage soothes soft tissue strain or injuries
The term “soft-tissue injury” can refer to injuries involving muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
Soft-tissue injuries include swelling around the joints, sprains, or bruises. Through various massage techniques, massages can help relax the tightness in soft tissues.
The Benefits of Couples Massage on Relationships
After a long day of work, no one can deny the satisfaction brought about by getting a massage.
Giving your partner a massage will not only help ease the tight spots and stress that have accumulated in their body, but will also make them feel more loved and pampered.
Aside from this, here are a few benefits of couples massage:
Quality time
Setting aside the time to give your loved one a massage allows you to connect without the distractions. Take this time to communicate with your loved one, whether it is asking them about their day, or simply sitting in comfortable silence with them.
Easy alternative to expensive gifts
Who says gifts need to be costly? Giving your partner a massage may not seem like a gift, but making it memorable by lighting some scented candles and putting on relaxing music can make them feel like they’re getting the five-star spa treatment.
Although most people enjoy receiving gifts, sometimes, little, more thoughtful gestures can go a long way.
Something to look forward to
Making massages a weekly ritual can give you and your partner something to look forward to. After the daily grind, unwinding with your loved one can put the mind and body at ease, lessening the chances of stress-induced bickering.
The Dos and Don’ts
The benefits of couples massage are numerous, that is if it is done properly.
Here are some quick reminders before you treat the other to some pampering.
Do your research
Before giving a massage, it’s best to do in-depth research on the basics of massage therapy and the different techniques available.
Learning about the body’s pressure points and how you effectively manipulate to release tension.
Aside from this, you can ask your partner about particular pain points, so you can research the best approaches to deal with their physical concern.
Keep it simple
Although there are only a few risks associated with giving your partner a massage, opt for doing simple techniques that don’t require much technical knowledge.
Some massage therapists go through specialized training before they can be hired to do massage therapy.
If your partner feels unusual discomfort and pain, it is best to ease up on the pressure or let a professional attend to it.
Use soothing massage oils
Massaging the skin without massage oil can be difficult. And it may even hurt your partner, since most techniques involve a stroking motion.
Using oils like scented coconut oil or sunflower oil will help the massage feel more relaxing. In addition, these ingredients are safe and can help moisturize your partner’s skin.
Giving your partner a massage will help build intimacy in your relationship. The benefits of couples massage include a feeling of greater intimacy and physical relaxation.
A massage can also contribute significantly to your partner’s overall well-being in a positive way.
However, it is important to note that massages are not a replacement for medical treatment or therapy. If your partner is suffering from severe muscle strain or injury, it’s best to seek advice from a medical professional.
Learn more about Healthy Relationships here.
