Did you know that massage therapy has been performed throughout human history in most cultures, both Eastern and Western? It was actually one of the first methods used to try to cure pain. It involves manipulating the body’s delicate tissues. Massage therapy is used to manage health conditions or improve one’s overall well-being. It can improve your range of motion and decrease discomfort. It is also considered to evoke a relaxation response, which lowers the heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure; strengthens the immune system; and reduces the physical impacts of stress in general.
Top 10 Benefits of Massage Therapy
Who doesn’t like a good massage? They feel amazing and will leave you calm and clear-headed. It is also extremely beneficial–some of the following top ten advantages may even surprise you.
1. Relieve Pain
Massage therapy is a wonderful technique that is used to reduce back stiffness and discomfort. It can also increase your body’s range of motion. As well, it produces benefits that are comparable to those of other treatments, such as medicines, acupuncture, exercise, and yoga.
2. Increase your Immunity
Several studies have connected massages to improved immune system functioning. A massage can reduce cortisol, a stress hormone that can wreak havoc on your body if it is not regulated.
3. Increase your Attentiveness
Even a 15-minute chair massage has been shown to promote alertness. As demonstrated by “Touch Research Institute”, a brief massage can enhance a participant’s ability to correctly solve math equations.
4. Maintain your Young Radiance
Massages stimulate blood flow, which allows toxins to leave the body and nutrients to center. A frequent rub down may make a significant impact on the appearance of your skin and hair.
5. Reduce Pregnancy Pains
Prenatal massages can help by easing pregnancy aches and pains and improving blood flow.
6. Manage your Anxiety and Depression
Massage treatments lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone. At the same time, they increase the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine, which will lead you to feel happier and calmer. Health-wise, massages can also reduce blood pressure.
7. Improve your Sleep
There’s a reason why so many people fall asleep on the massage table. A massage boosts delta waves, which are tied to deep sleep.
8. Reduce PMS
Massage has been shown in studies to reduce Premenstrual Symptoms ( PMS), such as bloating, mood swings, and cravings.
9. Stop the Headaches
Massages not only relieve pain but also alleviate tension headaches. Getting a massage regularly can decrease the number of headaches one has over time, as well as the severity of each headache.
10. Reduce the Severity of Uncomfortable Medical Procedures
Massage therapy can be especially beneficial for individuals who are suffering through the side effects of treatments for severe diseases, such as cancer. Massages have been scientifically proven to alleviate fatigue, discomfort, anxiety, despair, and nausea in patients diagnosed with cancer.
Medical reasons for massage therapy
- Relieves postoperative discomfort
- Helps with fibromyalgia pain management
- Increases your cardiovascular health
- Reduces osteoarthritis discomfort
- Reduces stress in patients diagnosed with cancer
- Reduces the discomfort associated with rheumatoid arthritis
- Mitigates the onset of dementia
- Lowers blood pressure
- Alleviates the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Assists with persistent neck pain
- Reduces joint replacement discomfort
- Reduces the frequency of migraines
- Enhances the quality of life in hospice care
- Reduces nausea caused by chemotherapy
Benefits of relaxation massage
The benefits of a relaxation massage, like those of other types of massage, frequently linger for many days following the session. Although it is not a cure-all, frequent massages, especially relaxation massages, might provide the following benefits:
- Relieves back and neck discomfort
- Lowers blood pressure – at least temporarily
- Improves peripheral circulation
- Improves skin tone and appearance
- Improves gastrointestinal motility, resulting in improved bowel movement and overall digestion
- Reduces muscular tension, which can help with headaches caused by muscular tension
- Aids in the healing of minor skin abrasions
- Facilitates the healing of soft tissue injuries
- Enhances range of motion
Advantages and Disadvantages of Massages
Advantages
The delicate pressure of your massage therapist’s hands, along with the massage lotion and oil, results in delicate exfoliation, which allows skin cells to emerge.
- Relaxation of the Nervous System
Your nervous system enters a “rest and digest” phase when you relax. If you have regions of discomfort and tension in your body, they are probably caused by tight muscles – something that a massage can loosen up.
- Increased Blood Supply to the Bones
Did you know that blood flows through your bones? Blood flow transports calcium and other minerals to your bones, such that they could sustain their strength and function. Hence, a massage can benefit not only your muscles but your skeletal system as well.
- Healthy Heart
A full-body massage is also beneficial for your heart. The motions associated with a massage cause vasodilation, which enhances venous return. That is, a massage can increase the efficiency of blood flow and oxygen delivery to all of your organs.
- Improvements in Breathing
During the initial few minutes of a massage session, the therapist may urge you to take a few deep breaths. Practicing unrestricted breathing is one of the quickest ways to reduce tension. As a matter of fact, your first breath on the massage table may turn into a sigh of relief.
Disadvantages
- Time Consuming
A massage session is usually about one hour long. Plus, most RMTs work during the day – when you are at work yourself. Thus, it might be difficult to find time to fit in a treatment.
- Cost
Massage therapists who are accredited can charge over $100 per hour. This might be too pricey for some.
- Physical Injuries
Although they are uncommon, the injury could result from massage treatments.
- Being Overly-Relaxed
Massage treatment might leave you feeling sleepy and even euphoric at times. A highly thorough massage may entice you to linger long after your massage is finished, increasing the 60-minute session to a 90-minute session.
Are massages good for your health?
Yes, they are. There are many benefits of massages, including stress reduction, increased relaxation, alleviation of muscular discomfort, elimination of tension, and improved circulation.
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
Massage treatments have numerous advantages. Two all-encompassing benefits are
1) relaxation of muscles, and 2) improvements in blood circulation.
What should you not do after a massage?
Do not shower, eat a heavy meal, or participate in strenuous activities right after a massage.
How is massage therapy used in the treatment of current health issues?
Massages can aid in the treatment of illnesses such as stress-related tension, cancer-related weariness, sleep difficulties, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, and depression, to mention a few.
