Regular Massage May Provide Health Benefits To A Person

Massage is considered one of the oldest traditions in healing and rejuvenating the body. It has therapeutic properties and offers standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Ranging from light stroking to deep pressure, massage involves pressing, rubbing, and manipulating our skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Mary Beth Braun, President of the AMTA, says:

“Americans are looking to massage for much more than just relaxation. Massage therapy can be effective for a variety of conditions, including arthritis, lower back pain, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, circulatory problems, and recovery from a sports injury.”

Below are some of the benefits that we can obtain by having a regular massage.

Relaxation

A stress hormone called cortisol is produced by our body when it is tense and under stress. Cortisol contributes to sleeplessness, digestive problems, weight gain, and headaches. Getting a regular massage enables our body to enter a recovery mode and decrease its cortisol levels. It triggers a lasting feeling of relaxation, reduced stress levels, and improves mood.

Improves Sleep

Aside from helping a person have a restful sleep, massage also helps those who can’t otherwise comfortably rest.

Lisa Marie de Miranda, registered massage therapist and kinesiologist at Paleolife Massage Therapy, says:

“Massage promotes relaxation and sleep in those undergoing chemo or radiation therapy.”


Helps Boost Immunity

According to research, a Swedish massage may possibly help boost a person’s immunity by increasing the type of cells that fight off viruses. It may play a role in boosting our immune system’s ability to prevent sickness before it starts. However, the massage won’t stop a sickness once it has started.

Helps Increase Blood Circulation

A massage promotes improved circulation via the use of hands-on pressure, which moves the blood through the damaged and congested areas of the body. Also, the same pressure causes new blood to flow into tissues. Moreover, the different massage techniques – the twisting, pulling and squeezing action- helps in removing the lactic acid from the muscles thereby improving the lymph fluid circulation, which carries metabolic waste products away from internal organs and muscle.

Helps Relieve Tension Headaches

Tension headaches a type of headache that is believed to be caused when the muscles contract in the head and neck regions. Stress is considered as one of the major causes of tension headaches. Having a massage can reduce the tightness of the muscles and alleviate the pain caused by tension headaches. Research from Granada University in Spain found that a single session of massage therapy immediately effects perceived pain in patients with chronic tension headaches.

It Helps Ease Muscle Pain

Massage can help with sore muscles. It works by increasing and improving circulation.
A 2011 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found benefits of massage therapy as effective as other methods of treatment for chronic back pain.