6 Health Benefits of Massage Therapy
This form of treatment involves hands-on techniques to improve circulation, relieve tension, reduce anxiety, alleviate anxiety, enhance sleep, and encourage relaxation throughout the entire body, which all lead to further benefits. Whether chronic or severe, if someone is tense and needing a release, or they have been injured and have muscle and/or nerve damage that disturbs their entire body, massage therapy may be well worth looking into. Additionally, it may be a preventative measure for potential issues. Here are a few advantages of massage therapy.
Benefit 1: Comfort
When the body is tense and under stress, it produces unhealthy levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) that can contribute to weight gain, insomnia, digestive problems, and headaches, which can develop into more serious problems. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol levels which allow the body to enter a recovery mode. Massage therapy also activates lasting feelings of relaxation, improved mood, and decreased anxiety levels which can improve one’s quality of life.
Benefit 2: Reduced Stress
Not only can massage therapy help with relieving stress, but regular massages over a long period of time can boost energy levels, reduce anxiety, and stimulate individuals on physical in addition to psychological levels. According to one of our clients who is a realtor in the area, she finds that regular massage therapy is the main method to help keep her stress level down especially since her job is extremely demanding and has no fixed schedules.
It is a fact that people who experience high levels of stress are more vulnerable to injury and illness. Unfortunately, according to Vancouver’s top-rated financial planner, Bily Xiao, being prone to injury and illness affects your financial future and your retirement plans because you need to budget for bigger medical bills.
Benefit 3: Muscle Relaxation & Flexibility
The objective of massage therapy would be to target the source of the body’s pain by removing tense muscles, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the muscles that are affected as well as the body as a whole. Massage also promotes flow to the injured or affected muscles, which increases nutrients and oxygen to the cells that are damaged.
Subsequently, this increased activity to the affected areas reduces stiffness and edema (swelling) in the joints and muscles, as well as raises flexibility to help lessen pain. This form of treatment also releases endorphins (pain-killing hormones) that increase the dopamine and serotonin (the pleasure chemicals) levels within the body. These hormones help the body in many ways, physically in addition to emotionally.
Benefit 4: Improved Circulation
The long-term benefits of massage therapy should not be underestimated. Increased circulation is part of a snowball effect that occurs in the body because of receiving massage therapy on a constant basis. This is because appropriate circulation gets damaged, rigid, and stressed muscles that the rich blood supply they want to encourage recovery.
Increased circulation is the byproduct of hands-on pressure, which moves the blood through the congested regions of the body. The release of the exact same pressure causes new blood to flow to tissues.The squeezing, twisting, and pulling action of the massage additionally removes lactic acid in the muscle cells. The outcome is increased lymph fluid flow that carries metabolic waste products away from internal organs and muscles. This results in lower blood pressure levels and improved overall bodily functions.
Benefit 5: Reduced Blood Pressure
Regular massage therapy sessions are found to reduce blood pressure levels. A study in the journal Biological Research for Nursing found that people who had at least three 10-minute back massages a week lowered their blood pressure more than people who spent the exact amount of time just relaxing.
A single massage can also decrease cortisol levels and regular massage sessions can reduce sources for anxiety, hostility, tension, and depression and, in turn, reduce the potential for a heart attack, stroke, and/or kidney failure, as well as many other health problems.
Benefit 6: Better Posture
A lot of people experience neck, back, and muscular pain from many different causes. On the other hand, the primary cause of the pain results from poor posture. In reality, chronic back pain, which is the main reason for missed workdays and the second most frequent cause of disability, is often the result of erroneous or inadequate posture while sitting or standing. Because of this, the added strain often causes spasms, pain, and nervous muscles at the hips, glutes, back, neck, and thighs.
Conclusion
Massage therapy offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the immediate sensation of relaxation and comfort. From significantly reducing stress and cortisol levels to improving circulation and posture, the advantages of regular massage therapy are profound and multifaceted. It not only aids in muscle relaxation and flexibility but also plays a crucial role in managing chronic pain, reducing blood pressure, and preventing a range of health issues linked to stress and poor posture. Whether you’re dealing with the physical demands of a high-stress job, recovering from injury, or simply looking to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, incorporating massage therapy into your wellness routine can lead to substantial improvements in your physical and emotional well-being. By addressing the root causes of pain and tension, massage therapy can help you lead a healthier, more vibrant life, free from the constraints of stress and physical discomfort.