Massage Therapy Benefits in the Winter Weather
Massage can be especially helpful for your body during cold weather.
Here’s how it supports you when temps drop:
Improves circulation
Cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, which can make muscles feel stiff and achy. Massage increases blood flow, helping warm tissues, deliver oxygen and nutrients, and reduce that heavy, tight feeling.
Reduces muscle stiffness & joint pain
People tend to move less in winter and hunch more against the cold. Massage helps loosen shortened muscles, improve joint mobility, and ease discomfort from arthritis or chronic pain that often flares in colder months.
Supports immune function
Regular massage can stimulate the lymphatic system, helping your body clear waste and support immune response—important during cold and flu season.
Relieves stress & seasonal tension
Shorter days and less sunlight can raise stress levels and contribute to seasonal blues. Massage lowers cortisol and boosts feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine, helping your mood and nervous system stay balanced.
Improves sleep quality
Cold weather can disrupt sleep due to tension or aches. Massage relaxes the nervous system, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Hydrates & nourishes skin
Winter air dries out skin. Massage oils and lotions help improve skin elasticity, hydration, and circulation, supporting overall skin health.
Encourages body awareness & self-care
Massage reminds your body to relax and reset—something we often forget when we’re bundled up and rushing through winter days.
Massage therapy can be a big support for chronic pain, especially during cold weather when symptoms often flare.
Here’s how it helps:
Reduces pain signals
Massage stimulates the nervous system in a way that can interrupt pain signals being sent to the brain. This can lower overall pain perception, not just relax muscles.
Eases muscle guarding & tension
With chronic pain, muscles often stay in a protective “on” state. Cold weather makes this worse. Massage helps release that guarding, allowing muscles to soften and move more freely.
Improves circulation to painful areas
Cold tightens tissues and reduces blood flow. Massage brings warmth and oxygen to areas affected by conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, low back pain, or neck and shoulder tension.
Supports joint health & mobility
Gentle, consistent massage can reduce stiffness around joints, improve range of motion, and make everyday movement less painful—especially first thing in the morning or after sitting.
Calms the nervous system
Chronic pain keeps the body in a stress response. Massage activates the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system, helping reduce flare-ups and pain sensitivity over time.
Helps manage inflammation
While massage isn’t a cure, it can support lymphatic flow and reduce fluid buildup, which may help with swelling and discomfort in colder months.
Improves sleep & recovery
Better sleep is huge for pain management. Massage promotes deeper rest, which allows tissues and the nervous system to recover more effectively.
Enhances mind–body awareness
People with chronic pain often disconnect from painful areas. Massage gently restores awareness, helping clients move with less fear and tension.
Best winter tips for chronic pain clients:
• Schedule regular, consistent sessions
• Use heat before or during massage when appropriate
• Stay hydrated (even when you’re less thirsty)
• Pair massage with gentle movement like Pilates or stretching
At JMP, our team of licensed massage therapists are equipped with the experience and knowledge to get your body right, from those suffering from chronic pain, athletes, post op and pre op, we are here for every body. We are open 7 days a week with booking available online on our website and over the phone! Book today!
Comments
Post a Comment