Massage has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression by increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity, reducing the stress hormone cortisol, and increasing the feel-good hormones serotonin and oxytocin. It can also improve posture and flexibility and reduce the pain caused by fibromyalgia, backaches, arthritis, etc.
Regular Massage Therapy can help improve your immune system function as it will increase the cytotoxic capacity which helps your body to fight off diseases.
Stress Reduction
Stress can be one of the most debilitating conditions to have. It can affect both your physical health and your mental state, but it is important to know how to handle it. Therapeutic massage is a great way to reduce the amount of stress that you experience.
In addition to easing the pain in injured and overworked muscles, massage can also help you sleep better. It has been shown that massage can increase serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins in the brain, which are all hormones that help you to relax and feel happy. This, in turn, can lead to improved rest and more energy throughout the day.
Another way that therapeutic massage can alleviate stress is by lowering the body’s production of cortisol. This is a hormone that can cause pain in various parts of the body when it is too high. Massage can lower cortisol levels and trigger several other brain chemistry responses that can result in extended periods of deep relaxation.
Whether you are dealing with chronic backaches, tension headaches, or fibromyalgia, massage therapy can be a valuable tool to reduce the pain and stress associated with these conditions. Massage can also aid in the recovery process after a muscle injury by encouraging the movement of blood and lymph fluids through the tissues and helping to relieve swelling and soreness.
When you combine the stress-reducing benefits of massage with the mood-enhancing effects of the release of positive hormones, it is easy to see why so many people are turning to this type of healing technique. In today’s fast-paced world, it is imperative to take care of yourself and make time for things like therapeutic massage to keep yourself healthy and energized. By incorporating it into your routine now, you can save yourself from more serious health issues in the future.
Relieves Pain
Whether you suffer from chronic back pain or frequent headaches, therapeutic massage can help ease your discomfort. Massage is when a trained healthcare professional manipulates soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments using their hands, fingers, forearms, and elbows. It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before receiving a massage to ensure it is safe and beneficial for your specific condition.
One theory about how massage alleviates pain is that it decreases the inflammation that can occur in your body. Inflammation can lead to chronic aches and pains as well as other symptoms, including fatigue. In addition, increased blood flow during a massage can help ease pain by delivering nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissue.
Another way that massage can help with pain is by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol and increasing levels of serotonin, which are known to improve your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety. A study found that people who regularly received massage therapy experienced lower levels of depression and anxiety than those who did not receive it.
Regular therapeutic massages can also increase the function of your immune system, which is essential for fighting infections and diseases. This is because massage increases the number of white blood cells in your body, which play a key role in keeping your body healthy.
Massage can be a great compliment to your healthcare routine. It can help you manage the effects of certain conditions, such as pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders, and can even be used during cancer treatment to help ease nausea and other side effects. It can also improve your quality of life, as well as decrease the risk of anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems.
Improves Blood Circulation
Getting a massage is often associated with relaxation and stress relief, but it can have many health benefits. Research has shown that massage can help improve your blood circulation, as well as reduce pain and stiffness. This is because the physical manipulation of soft tissue and the chemicals released during massage stimulate blood flow throughout the body.
The squeezing and pulling action of massage increases the elasticity of your blood vessels, which allows more efficient flow through them. This enhanced circulation helps remove toxins, reduces fatigue, and improves muscle function. In addition, it can improve lymph flow, which carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs. This can help prevent chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as improve your overall quality of life.
A good massage can also help alleviate fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the body. Studies have found that massage can help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms by decreasing stress, improving sleep, and reducing pain. This is because massage can ease the tension and tightness in your body, as well as relax the trigger points that cause fibromyalgia pain.
Another health benefit of massage is its ability to increase the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body. It can do this by lowering stress hormones and increasing the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. This can help reduce anxiety and depression, which in turn can help with better sleep. It can also reduce the activation of pain receptors in your spine and muscles, and lower the level of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and TNF-alpha. As a result, your body’s immune system will be strengthened, and can fight off diseases more effectively.
Enhances Flexibility
Whether you suffer from backaches, headaches, or fibromyalgia, therapeutic massage can help alleviate pain and improve flexibility. It is also an effective treatment for athletes and individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. The manipulation of muscles and tissues stimulates blood flow, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients reach the different parts of your body.
It is the increased oxygen in your muscles that improves flexibility, by elongating the soft tissue and relaxing them. In addition, massage therapy can help reduce inflammation by bringing in fresh blood to damaged tissues. This helps the body to heal quickly.
Massage increases the production of endorphins and serotonin, which are natural brain chemicals that promote feelings of euphoria and help you sleep better at night. It also decreases cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure – all of which are linked to stress and anxiety.
Regular massages can help you bounce back from intense workouts, which in turn will improve your overall performance. The improved circulation from massage will enhance your ability to recover faster and improve muscle flexibility. It can also improve your range of motion and prevent injuries from occurring.
In addition, if you suffer from chronic or acute injuries, massage can help with your recovery. A professional massage therapist can help you identify problem areas in your muscles and then use techniques to release the tension. For example, deep tissue massage is a good choice for releasing tight spots or knots in your muscles. These tight spots are known as trigger points and they are often the source of pain in many musculoskeletal problems. Your therapist can pinpoint these tight spots by applying pressure with hands, elbows, or knuckles.
Increases Immune System Function
Studies have shown that massage therapy can increase the number of white blood cells in your body, which can help combat viruses and bacteria. Additionally, massage can reduce levels of cortisol, a hormone that suppresses immune function, by lowering stress levels and encouraging a healthy balance of emotions.
During a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist manipulates your muscles and tendons using direct pressure. This helps loosen any knots or tight spots, which are often called trigger points. Trigger points are small areas of tension in a muscle that can cause pain throughout the body. A massage therapist may use hot or cold packs to help ease the trigger point, or they can work with you to create a routine of self-massage at home to keep the area relaxed.
A massage can be considered an hour-long hug, as it helps fulfill a basic human need for comfort and connection. In addition to reducing stress hormones, massage can lower your heart rate and blood pressure and boost feel-good chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine.
Massage has been shown to improve sleep quality, which is critical for immune system health. A good night’s rest increases the body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases, as well as decrease chronic inflammation.
If you’re interested in adding massage to your wellness routine, speak with a physician to learn more about which type is best for you. Getting regular massages is an excellent way to stay healthy and fight off illnesses, but it’s not a replacement for important treatments such as seeing a psychologist or taking medications.