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Massaging your partner can boost your well-being, reduce stress

Posted at 5:53 PM, May 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-08 17:53:27-04

A research team at Northumbria University in the U.K. conducted a massage study with 19 couples. Most had little experience or training before starting the 3-week course where they learned massage skills.

Researchers found the couples reported a significant reduction in stress which continued for 3 weeks after the course ended.

Ninety-one percent of the couples said they were recommend partner massage to others.

The researchers said the couples gave and received massages and doing both were found to be beneficial.

Seventy-four percent of the participants continued the massage practice at home. 

Other studies have shown that massage is an effective treatment for reducing pain and muscle tension.  It may also help with anxiety, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia and headaches.

Massage is a relaxing experience and an easy way to improve well-being.  

  • You don’t need expensive equipment at home to do a massage. All you need is massage oil or lotion as this helps your hands move more easily.
  • You can massage areas on your own body that are sore and tense. Or you can massage a partner. Use slow, relaxing strokes and push gently working in sections.
  • If you get a professional massage, be sure to ask if they’re licensed, certified or registered and find out their experience.
  • If you’re getting a massage and it’s uncomfortable, be sure to speak up. Unless a knot is being worked out with your permission, you want the experience to be enjoyable.

Massage typically is a good thing, increasing blood flow to muscles and speeding healing time.  But it may not be good for those with bleeding disorders, deep vein thrombosis, severe osteoporosis or  wounds that are healing.

Talk to your doctor first if you’re on blood-thinning medication, have cancer or are pregnant.