The Benefits and Effects of Massage for Artists and Musicians Relief for the Creative Individual
Repetitive motions, long hours, lack of sleep, stressful deadlines, strain from heavy materials, depression...these are the common symptoms that artists deal with from day to day. -and we wouldn't have it any other way! But what often gets lost in the process of being creative is the attention and care toward one’s own body and mind.
Self-neglect is a common denominator among creative professionals. Phrases like “I’ll take care of myself after this deadline” or “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” underscore an unhealthy attitude toward suffering and sacrifice that in the long run may be a detriment to further creativity.
Massage can help!
The mind can only go so far. Artists often push themselves relentlessly, working steady without rest, searching for that breakthrough moment. More often than not, a break is what creates a breakthrough.
Massage allows the mind to disengage, relax and leave the circular thought patterns that accompany specific task-oriented thinking. It is also known to enhance brain-wave activity, help with cognition and improve memory. Sometimes our bodies become so saturated with repetition that our minds soon follow suit. Repetitive thought patterns are a sure symptom of fatigue which creates blocks in our critical awareness.
Massage therapy can break the body’s hold on the mind by alleviating the physical limitations brought on by repetitive motions and poor body mechanics. Problems such as tendonitis or plantar fasciitis can be effectively treated with massage.
Without these distractions of physical impairment the artist may delve further into creative exploration.
Sleep and rest in general are often sacrificed by artists in order to create more work unless time. Sleep deprivation is a common effect of art-making and puts an artist in greater risk of injury or illness and can lead to depression. Swedish massage can alleviate the physical drawbacks of fatigue by increasing serotonin levels and decreasing stress levels in general. This in turn may ease the symptoms of depression by promoting a healthy mind-body connection.
Materials
Through the use of heavy or hazardous materials, artists put themselves at risk for a number of problems related to their craft such as burns, bruises, scarring and skin ailments. Massage can decrease scarring, increase circulation for the healing of bruises and lessen stress levels that may exacerbate an existing skin condition such as eczema.
With hazardous materials also comes the risk of an imparired immune system. Poor air quality, personal cleanliness and the absorption of dangerous materials through the skin may all lead to a compromise in health.
Massage is known to promote increased lymphocyte levels and heighten the immune system's functioning from a physical, mental and physiological standpoint.
Artists need other artists. In order to grow and evolve, one must encounter something other than one’s own mind. Massage is the art that can bridge the gap between an artist’s internal struggles and their projections of ‘everything else out there’. By direct contact, the massage therapist gives a much-needed psychological and emotional connection from the outer world to heal the artist’s inner world.
Massage also just feels really good.
Therapeutic Massage is known to…
Increased range of motion
Assist in the treatment of tendonitis
Promote immune system health
Increase blood flow to the skin and muscular tissue
Enhance brain wave activity
Contribute to the overall health of skin tissue
Promote mind-body connection
Improve sleep
Increase relaxation
Decrease heart rate, blood pressure and variations in heart rate
