Why Heat Helps to De-Stress the Body

One of my favorite things when coming home after a stressful day at work is sinking into a nice Jacuzzi tub to relieve stress and the aches and pains on my body. There is no doubt that the jets in the tub have beneficial effects on the body, but what really makes those aches and pains go away is the healing effects of the hot water. We’ve known about the beneficial effects of hot water for relieving pain and stress for centuries, but it’s only in the last few decades that manufacturers have used that concept in massage chairs.

Obviously, massage chairs that use heat don’t do so with the use of water, but the heat alone can still have a lot of great effects on the body. It turns out it’s the actual heat that relieves stress in the body and in this article we’ll take a closer look at why.

Relaxes Tense Muscles

When you apply heat to your body the heat actually loosens and relaxes tense muscles; when the muscles relax, the tension and knots built up over time are diminished. That’s why you feel so relaxed after a hot bath; there’s nothing better for removing tension and stress from your body. It’s a technique that’s been used for centuries and was even familiar to the citizens of ancient Rome and ancient China.

Takes Away the Cramps and Spasms

Your muscles cramp up because they’re not receiving enough oxygen, and that’s generally due to poor circulation. This can happen for a number of reasons, but one way of tackling it is through heat therapy. As we’ve already indicated, heat will loosen up those muscles. When those muscles loosen up the cramps and spasms that you may be experiencing either diminish or disappear completely.

The Mental Aspect

Heat therapy, when used in a massage technique or a massage chair, is not only beneficial for your physiological well-being, but it can also help with your mental well-being. When you’re in pain you’ll often find it hard to concentrate as much as you would like to; when you can’t concentrate you can’t perform at your best, which in turn will stress you out. When you remove pain through techniques such as heat and massage you’re also removing stress, and this allows you to function at your best, having the added effect of putting you in a better mood.

When Applied to the Lower Back

One of the areas of the body that is subjected to the most stress and strain during an active day is the lower back. This is a result of the constant effects of gravity taking their toll and compressing your spine. When your spine is compressed it reduces the ability for the body to properly circulate oxygen and nutrients. With a massage chair that applies heat to your lower back you’re also helping to decompress your spine and improve the circulation, which in turn increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients. This takes away that nagging lower back pain and helps to relieve stress.

Great for the Joints

When heat is applied to your back, believe it or not, it can actually have beneficial effects for the rest of your body, including your joints. That’s related to the fact that heat and massage can increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients, as we’ve already discussed. With your body operating more efficiently because of the increased oxygen, it will in turn reduce the stress and strain on your joints, leading to increased flexibility and mobility over time. Everything you do to one part of your body has a domino effect on the rest of your body, and that’s what’s on display here.

Best When Combined with a Massage

Heat therapy is certainly an effective healing technique, but it’s much more effective when used in combination with other techniques such as a good massage. The combination of applying heat to your aching muscles while kneading away the pain can really reduce the stress and tension on the body. That’s why many people find massage chairs with heat so much more effective than ones without it. It’s the combination of heat and massage that has the greatest overall effect on your well-being.

Heat Should Be on Your Radar

In my opinion, there is no doubt that it’s best to look for a massage chair or a massage therapist that uses heat during the massage process. Neither massage nor heat alone is completely effective in removing stress from your body and mind, but the combination of the two can have a very positive effect on your total health.