Dads Need Massage Too!

Father’s Day is quickly approaching. Ties, Amazon gift cards and the latest and greatest gadgets are no doubt flying off of shelves, as children everywhere try to find that perfect Father’s Day gift. And Dads do deserve it after all. They carry incredibly heavy loads both physically and emotionally, as they care for their families, friends and jobs.

And while they are sure to love the thought behind whatever gift is given, there is one gift that not only communicates our appreciation, but can offer the following health benefits, as well!

• Whether Dad is still an avid athlete or just likes to occasionally relive the glory days, massage is a great way to improve his flexibility and overall physical performance. The increased range of motion is sure to boost his golf game too.
• On average 70-79% of men are classified as having hypertension, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and death. Men also typically have a higher diastolic and systolic blood pressure than women. However, long-term studies have shown that massage can lower blood pressure by calming the sympathetic nervous system.
• There are many threats to Dad’s immune system that can weaken his ability to fight off illness and disease. While these are not exclusive to men, many men will struggle with stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, aging, alcohol consumption and lack of sleep, at some point. Massage can improve how his* immune system* functions, by increasing the activity level of the body’s white blood cells.
• Massage can also improve Dad’s overall circulation, reduce his fatigue and improve his sleep, so that he has energy for all his summer home improvement projects and outdoor family fun.
• Depression and suicide are two of the top 10 men’s health issues of today. In fact, in 2017, men died at a rate of more than 3.5 times more often than women. However, even just 60 minutes of massage has been shown to reduce Dad’s cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) by a rate of 30%. Following massage, many patients report lower stress and anxiety and a great sense of their self worth.