Beyond Relaxation: The Real Benefits of Massage Therapy

Beyond Relaxation: The Real Benefits of Massage Therapy
By Emily Ashburton, Ashburton Therapy Clinic, Banbury

So often, people arrive at my clinic holding their breath—metaphorically and sometimes quite literally. Shoulders drawn up, minds racing, bodies aching. They’ve been carrying too much for too long.

Massage offers them a moment to let go.

It’s not just about easing tight muscles (though that happens too). It’s about creating a space where your nervous system can soften, your thoughts can settle, and your body can remember what it feels like to rest. To be cared for. To come home to itself.

That’s the real work of massage. And it’s a privilege to hold that space for people every day.