Have you been looking high and low for the perfect holiday gift?

If so, you are in luck, because the gift of massage from Family Chiropractic Center of Santa Fe is the gift that keeps on giving. That is because, not only is massage a relaxing luxury, it also comes with several health benefits. The following is a list from our chiropractor in Santa Fe of a few of the lesser known health benefits that come from massage therapy:

#1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

With all of the shopping, running errands and preparing family meals, the holidays can be stressful. Luckily, massage is a great way to ease stress and anxiety. With regular massage, cortisol is decreased, which is a hormone that contributes to stress.

#2. Better Sleep

For many, sleep can be hard to come by, especially with everything going on over the holidays. Massage has many effects on the body that can improve sleep quality, including lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, improved circulation, reduced stress and released tension.

#3. Stronger Immune System

With the flu and the common cold going around, it’s important to take all possible steps to stay healthy, and you’ll be glad to know that massage therapy can help. Massage has been shown to boost the white blood cell count in patients, which helps to protect the body from disease.

#4. Headache Relief

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, approximately 14 million people in the United States suffer from chronic headaches every single day. Studies have proven that massage reduces both the frequency and intensity of headaches.