Stress is a prevalent component in today’s fast-paced world which can negatively impact on an individual’s health and well-being.

However, Spa Manager, Liza Williams from the Granny Mouse Spa team says that “Massage therapy is beneficial in many ways, with the top factor being reduction in tension and stress and with so many of us having high stress levels due to work load, family responsibility, financial status and more; massage helps your mind relax and your body circulate blood and put tired muscles to rest.

“There are many types of massage that assist in stress relief,” Williams adds. “These include Swedish massage, using long strokes, vibration, tapping and deep circular movements, Deep Tissue which uses slower, forceful strokes to target deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, Sports massage that is similar to Swedish but is aimed at people involved in sports to help or prevent injuries, Trigger point massage, which focuses on areas of tight muscle fibres that can form after injury or overuse and Hot Stone, which uses smooth and flat heated stones placed on key areas of the body, to mention a few,” she adds.

If you are looking at relieving your stress by starting with massage, Williams lists a few things you can expect when going for a massage. Firstly, you will be asked to fill out a form or asked questions about your health status and the symptoms you are experiencing.

Secondly, if you are in a private environment (such as the Granny Mouse Spa) you will be asked to undress in either a separate room or the therapist will leave the room and return once given the go ahead. Undress only to the point you feel most comfortable with and lie down or sit on the massage table where you will be covered with a sheet or towel, depending on your massage technique, to begin the therapy.

Once the therapy has ended, you should feel relaxed and calm and free of anxiety. Depending on the type of massage, you should feel less tension and pain relief.

According to the American Psychological Association, “Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress [and] stress is linked to the six leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.”

If you are feeling stressed, don’t stress any further, why not book a massage at Granny Mouse Spa and allow our trained therapists to treat you.

Find our Spa menu on our website at http://www.grannymouse.co.za/our-spa/ or call 031 234 4071.