massage therapy
Massage Therapy
Getting a massage is a great way to wind down, pamper yourself, and relax. But did you know massage therapy does much more than just provide an hour or two of relaxation? Throughout history, in both Eastern and Western cultures, massage therapy has been used as a tool to help manage various health conditions, enhance wellness, and relieve chronic pain.
What are some of the top uses of massage therapy?
Counteracts Sitting at A Desk All Day
When we are sitting at a desk all day, we tend to carry our stress heavily in the shoulders and neck. Massage therapy can relieve the postural stress that results from prolonged periods of sitting and improve your overall posture. If you work a desk job, be sure to pay attention to any pain or weakness in the lower back, shoulders and neck. Scheduling a regular massage will not only help you relax after a busy month at work, but also greatly counteract the negative health effects that result from sitting down all day.
Eases Muscle Pain
If your muscles are sore from exercise or sports injury, massage therapy can reduce muscle pain by increasing and improving your circulation. Increased circulation aids in regeneration of muscle function and can not only help with muscle soreness, but also prevent future injury.
Reduces Anxiety and Depression
Massage therapy has been shown to increase serotonin and dopamine levels, resulting in decreased symptoms of depression. The stress-alleviating effects of a massage also significantly decrease cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which reduces anxiety.
In the treatment of women diagnosed with breast cancer, clinical practice guidelines include massage therapy as one of several approaches that may be helpful for stress reduction, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and quality of life. In 2009 a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, women diagnosed with breast cancer who received massage therapy three times a week reported a reduction in depression, anger, and anxiety.
Improves Sleep
The calming effects that follow a massage due to increased serotonin and dopamine levels also encourage a more peaceful and restful sleep. Whether it’s pain, stress or anxiety that keep you up at night, a massage can alleviate a number of conditions that could be keeping you from having a good night’s sleep.
Boosts Immunity
Massage therapy can also benefit your body’s immune system. Researchers have reported individuals who undergo massage therapy experience changes in their body’s immune and endocrine response. A study on the effects of Swedish massage on individuals’ endocrine response found that after just one 45-minute massage, participants experienced increased numbers of lymphocytes and white blood cells which play a large role in defending the body from disease.
Relieves and Reduces Headaches
If you suffer from chronic migraines or frequent headaches, massage therapy is an effective way to reduce pain and frequency.
Reduces Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons and soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy can have great benefits for Fibromyalgia pain management, as well as alleviate co-current symptoms like headaches, anxiety, and depression. The massage technique of myofascial release has been proven to reduce patients’ sensitivity to pain, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. Myofascial release has also shown an improvement in sleep quality, quality of life and physical function in patients with fibromyalgia.