Those who are concerned about their belly fat have no doubt asked themselves this question, whether it be themselves, a doctor, or a massage therapist: Can belly fat be broken down with a massage?
The simple answer is a resounding (and happy) yes. But before you run out and schedule that relaxing massage appointment, let’s look at some of the reasons why massage can help. Before beginning this treatment, it is a good idea to learn as much as possible about it so that you can choose the most helpful type of massage for your situation.
Massage works by helping to increase blood flow; this is good for many reasons, but it has special applications for those who want to lose weight. It helps your muscles burn calories that would otherwise go unused by delivering extra nutrients and oxygen to them through increased blood flow.
Massage can also cause fat cells to break down; the fat escapes and can be eliminated more easily by exercising and eating well. This occurs only when the massage therapy is vigorous. It is more effective in getting rid of subcutaneous fat; this is the type of fat that can be seen outside the body or pinched with the fingers.
This is possible because the fat is stored inside quite delicate capsules or pockets. Once they break down, the fatty tissue (this is adipose tissue) can be removed with less trouble.
The layer that connects the fat, muscle, and skin will also loosen with the massage. This helps get all that good oxygen through. This is related to the lymphatic system, which transports toxins out of the body. The oxygen released by massage therapy is another reason this may work. Oxygen is a vital ingredient for burning fat; the more oxygen circulating through your body, the easier it will be for you to lose those stubborn pounds.
If you’re still wondering if you can break down belly fat with a massage, think about how the massage feels on your body. It warms up the muscles; that’s the main reason athletes get massages before major sporting events. This type of heat causes the fat itself to “melt”, or at least soften so that it can be eradicated through exercise. The massage itself will not remove the fat; you’ll still have to do some work. However, your job becomes much easier when the fat is already prepared for removal.
Massage therapy can not only break down fat itself, but it can also prevent more fat from forming if used in conjunction with an exercise program and diet. It does this by reducing the levels of cortisol released by the body; This hormone is directly related to weight gain, causing the body to convert unused calories into energy. Obviously, the less you have of this hormone, the less fat your body will produce.
For many people, it is very encouraging to learn that yes, you really can break down belly fat through massage. If this sounds like a course of action you’d like to take, there are plenty of qualified professionals who can help.
