Benefits of massage therapy

Benefits of massage therapy

 It reduces stress, tension, anxiety and depression

The body can work in many different ways, and the accumulation of stress in our daily lives is often one of those results. Reducing this emotional and physical suffering is important to help improve our personal well-being and health. As stress levels increase in your body, so does the hormone your body produces, cortisol. When you get a sixty-minute massage, these cortisol levels are known to decrease, while at the same time, the body's levels of the pain-relieving hormone serotonin begin to rise. This change in the hormones your body releases helps and helps you fight pain, anxiety and feelings of sadness.

It is known that the emotional benefit of massage is as important as the physical. Massage helps offer a relaxing and peaceful environment so you can refocus and find clarity. It often helps the individual connect through mind and body. Nurturing touch helps with the need for human contact and brings a sense of calm and inner peace. These are all factors that can help relieve tension and stress in the body.

Lower blood pressure

It has been found that regular massage and consistent sessions can help lower blood pressure over time. With a reduction in cortisol comes the ability to help regulate the body's mood and reduce triggers for anxiety, tension and depression. Massage therapy is often used for pre-hypertension. Long-term studies have shown that a massage program can help lower specific types of blood pressure by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, thereby reducing depression and anxiety, as well as other benefits.

Release muscle tension

One of the main reasons people choose to get massages is to help reduce painful muscle tension by removing that tension and knots in the muscles. Massage of muscle and joint tension by reducing swelling helps the body to relax. A technique used to reduce this swelling and joint pain can help increase the amount of nutrition and oxygen delivered to the affected area. This increase in tissue activity helps with muscle and joint stiffness and swelling, while flexibility in the area minimizes pain. Using massage therapy releases endorphins, which in turn increase dopamine and serotonin levels. The release of these hormones helps the body in many ways, including physically and mentally.

Improve circulation

Improving blood circulation in the body often contributes to a snowball effect if regular massages are performed. Movement of rich healthy blood to damaged tissue. Using the hands to apply pressure to the body can improve its circulation by moving blood through damaged and overworked tissue and muscles. Being aware of the pressure on the muscles helps new blood flow to those areas of tissue. Another benefit of massage therapy is that the movements and manipulation of the muscles increases lactic acid in the muscles. This has the effect of equalizing the lymph circulation. This system helps transport metabolic waste from internal organs and muscles; improving overall body function.

Stand tall, improve your posture

During a massage, whether it is a full body massage or just the head, neck and shoulders, the body has the opportunity to relax, release tension and increase movement. Often when you have had poor posture, this release of tension and the muscles have a chance to relax. When the muscles relax, your body is able to move into its natural corrected position. Massage also helps relieve pressure on the joints. Depending on the type of massage you receive, the masseuse may be experienced in muscle manipulation to help release knots and manipulate pressure in the skeleton to help stretch and realign your body, which helps improve your posture. Specialized massages such as these should be performed under professional guidance and you should seek advice from a chiropractor who has extensive knowledge in the field before engaging in such activities.

Strengthen the immune system

During our busy lifestyles, the effects of stress on the body coupled with poor nutrition and poor sleep patterns can take a huge toll on our bodies and natural immune system defenses along with all the various benefits we have explored so far in this article. Another benefit of massage therapy is the effects it can have on an individual's immune system. We are all familiar with the positive properties it has for mental well-being and mood, but it is also known to help the immune system. Massage can help fight the symptoms of the common cold and flu, as well as improve the way the immune system works. Massages such as Swedish massage techniques are known to reduce arginine-vasopressin, a hormone associated with aggressive behavior, as well as the cortisol (stress hormone) we discussed earlier. Such benefits and the ways in which they regulate the nervous system, stimulate the circulatory system and the lymphatic system. It also helps relieve arthritis and sciatic nerve pain.

It helps with sleep

In order for your body to function at optimal levels and to be as healthy and well as possible, it is essential that you get enough sleep. It is recommended that adults get a total of 7 hours per night to achieve this, while children are dependent on age but more than adults. When your body is not getting these levels of sleep, although you may think you are fine, your body will not actually be performing at its best in all areas. Such symptoms of lack of sleep that your body may show include low work performance, slower reaction times, and fatigue problems, in addition to resulting in lower mood and overall well-being.