Those of you who've experienced massage before will know just how great a really good massage can feel but do you know why? Here are just some of the benefits, and for those of you who've yet to have their first treatment, some great reasons to give it a try as massage can:

• Encourage the release of endorphines, the body's 'feel good' hormone and lowers blood pressure helping to both relieve symptoms of stress and impart a sense of well-being
• Relieve muscular fatigue and stiffness by removing waste produces such as lactic acid thus helping the muscles to work more effectively.  Muscle tone is also improved as massage stimulates the muscle's stretch receptors
• Enhance the circulation increasing blood supply to the areas being massaged feeding them with essential nutrients such as oxygen and glucose and taking away toxins such as carbon dioxide and urea
• Improve the functions of the immune system by encouraging the production of antibodies that help protect the body against infection
• Improve the look, elasticity and overall quality of the skin by helping the body to shed dead skin cells and encourage new skin cells to replicate 
• Reduce cellulite by flushing out excess tissue fluid (one of the main causes of cellulite)
• Help to mobilise fat deposits which the body can then remove with greater ease
• Increase energy levels as relaxed muscles use less energy than tense or contracted muscles
• Relieve insomnia and improve your quality of sleep by encouraging both physical and mental relaxation