THE BENEFITS OF INFANT MASSAGE

The first year of a child's life is often the most stressful for both the baby and the parents. This is when most children will do a majority of their growing, both physically and mentally, and it's when they require the most care and attention. Parenting is difficult, no doubt about that, but being a parent to a newborn can feel even more so since, essentially, you're just not familiar with each other. 

Every baby is different and it can take some time for you to understand your baby's cues, only for them to change once more as they learn a more efficient way to communicate with you. My favorite example would be how my daughter, who is almost two, will say "Bippi" to indicate she either wants "movie" (specifically Frozen at the moment) or "blueberries." We have no way of understanding which one she wants until she gestures to either the TV or the fridge. 

Newborns are even more difficult, since they can really only communicate one way: by crying. As you get to know your baby, you'll notice the difference between their "hungry cry" and their "time-to-be-changed cry," but those first few weeks when you're just starting to get familiar with each other can be very challenging. One way to help you bond with your baby? Infant massage.

Why it's beneficial 

Infant massage is a proven way to help parents bond with their newborn and learn their cues. It can also help with colic and is a great way to help soothe the baby. As someone who used infant massage on both kids when they were born, I can speak from experience and tell you how much they both loved it. The best part of our nighttime routine was taking a bath, get swaddled in a warm towel, and do a little infant massage on the belly, back and feet to help with gas and get ready for bed. It's a great way to signal to your baby that it's time for bed while still making it a fun part of your routine! 

Infant massage is also a great way to spend time with your baby, especially if you work or have other kids. Spending time with each child is important, so having a little routine together can help you bond with them and ensures you set aside time for them every day. 

It's not just for babies

The baby is not the only one who will benefit from infant massage either. As a parent (especially to your first child) caring for a newborn can be terrifying and it's incredibly easy to lose confidence in yourself while worrying about if what you're doing is the best thing for them. Since infant massage can help you bond with your baby, learn their cues and gets you into a steady routine, it can help build your confidence as a parent since you will learn to understand so much about your child. 

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Children grow up so fast, it's important to be there for them every step of the way so they know they have you to guide them and comfort them. Infant massage is just the first of many stepping stones in caring for your child that can help to build trust, communication, and confidence in your abilities as a parent. 

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Comment below or email
 us at: massagelamesa@gmail.com!

Contact us at: 

(619) 917-4675
or
massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

MASSAGE FOR CHRONIC STRESS OR ANXIETY DISORDER

We know we've covered stress and anxiety briefly in past blog posts, but we wanted to dive deeper into the benefits massage can have for those who suffer from chronic stress and/or anxiety since they have a huge effect on your mental- and physical- health.

Let's start with definitions and symptoms for both:

Chronic Stress, Definition: a biological and hormonal response to emotional pressure prolonging over an extended period of time.

Chronic Stress, Symptoms: Changes in appetite, libido, interrupted sleep pattern or insomnia, digestive issues and decreased immune system.

Anxiety Disorder, Definition: excessive feelings of worry, apprehension or unease that is typically accompanied with compulsive disorders or panic attacks.

Anxiety, Symptoms: expressing fear or worry, increased irritability, racing or unwanted thoughts, faster heart rate, panic attacks, fatigue and restlessness.

While both of these have similar effects on those who suffer, stress is often caused by outlying factors that may or may not be in the control of the person being affected while anxiety typically gives a person the feeling of unease, paranoia, and fear, not always with reason and can be uncontrollable for some with anxiety disorder.


On average, people who suffer from chronic stress has increased over time. The same can be said with people diagnosed with anxiety disorder, approximately 18.1% of the population, but that number could actually be much higher due to misdiagnoses or not being diagnosed at all. It can also be seen in the younger generations, with higher percentages across the board compared to older generations. This could, in part, be caused by a heightened awareness surrounding mental health, but is more likely the cause of other factors to do with this day and age. 

To read more anxiety disorder statistics, take a look at this article here. 

Anxiety disorder and chronic stress are hardly new topics, however there is still a stigma surrounding these two as they have been shed with a bad light in the past. With the arrival of "Mental Health Awareness Month" in 1949, some of the stigmas have been dropped but we haven't seen quite as much change regarding these disorders until the last decade or so. Employers have become more aware of how to help their employees deal with job stress and anxiety, medicine has evolved and there are now alternative treatments to help deal with stress and anxiety disorder, like massage.



You knew where this was going. Massage has proven time and again that it's an effective option for people suffering from anxiety disorder, depression, or experiencing chronic stress. A large part of this is due to the "power of touch," which does more than you could imagine. During a massage, hormones like endorphins are released which counteract negative feelings, thoughts, and generally flood your body with a "feel-good" sensation. This helps fight higher cortisol levels (the "stress hormone") and allows your body to reach a state of ease and calm.


Muscle manipulation during massage also helps fight inflammation and pain since it can help the lymphatic system drain more efficiently, helping you feel better quickly and leaving you with a better ability to heal. This in turn can lead to better sleep, a more positive outlook on life, and even get you in the mood to be more active (which can also increase your endorphins). Your physical and mental state can easily influence the other; mental illnesses can manifest themselves physically and vice versa. By improving one, you will improve the other, which is why massage is such a great option for those suffering from chronic stress, anxiety disorder, depression or chronic pain.

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If you or someone you know may have chronic stress or anxiety disorder, it's important to get the help you need for them or yourself. Speak to a doctor, see a therapist and treat yourself to massage! 

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Questions? Comments? Concerns? Comment below or email
 us at: massagelamesa@gmail.com!

Contact us at: 

(619) 917-4675

or

massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.