Just in case you need more reasons to justify getting a massage, I’ve put together a list of 10 health benefits that massage therapy offers you. While this isn’t a comprehensive list of every reason to get a massage, there is some interesting thought here I bet you didn’t know. Now you have every reason to treat yourself to this worthwhile and relaxing activity. Let’s dive right into the reasons! Stress Relieving Stress is rampant in our society today. We live in a fast-paced environment where everything needs to be done now. Being on all these deadlines and having to deal with all the pressure puts most people into a stressful mindset. It can be difficult to turn off the demands of our lives and families to take some time to focus on ourselves, but it’s imperative for the sake of your wellbeing.Massage therapy is an excellent way of reducing not just the physical effects of stress on our bodies, but also the psychological aspects. In turn, reducing stress also leads to lowered blood pressures, increased oxygen consumption and an overall well-being of the body. Massage is known to induce feelings of caring and connection to others which greatly reduces stress as well. Reduce Low-Back Pain If you’ve been injured on the job or find yourself having lower back pain, you’re like many Americans. This is a common complaint and people will do anything to relieve the pressure and aches that the lower back pain can bring. Thankfully, massage is perfect for decreasing the lower back pain, especially when the therapist spends time on two specific muscles.The Quadratus lumborum muscle connects your last rib to the pelvis. This is the muscle that is primarily responsible for the pelvic stability and can often be a common source of low back pain. This area is often irritated when you lift by leaning over something, sit slumped in a chair, or run on an uneven pavement.The other muscle to focus on is the Gluteus medius. This is the buttock muscle and it can cause pain when the Quadratus lumborum muscle is irritated. It will compensate for the dysfunction of the QL muscle and can quickly become inflamed. Having a massage therapist who can focus on these areas will bring forth speedy relief that you can enjoy. Relieve Tension Headaches You know those headaches that are caused by the clenching of your jaw, missing meals, constant pressure and stress, and not getting enough sleep. They make your day incredibly unpleasant and often feel like someone is tightening something around your head. Due to the stresses of our life, you and I tend to suffer from these much more than we should.Thankfully there is hope! A massage aimed at reducing headaches can also reduce the anxiety or depression that could be causing the headache, lower your anger, reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of a headache, as well as lower your chances of needing medication to treat your ailment.Massage therapy focuses on easing the muscle tension, reducing the muscle spasms and releasing tension in the head. When this happens, there will be less pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in your head. This increases the overall oxygen-rich circulation of blood and eases the pain. When done on a regular basis, you’ll find that the headaches slowly start becoming a thing of the past. Provide Quality Sleep A good night’s sleep is vital to the overall wellness and health of your body. When you don’t get enough sleep or the quality of the sleep you get isn’t optimal, you may find yourself battling diseases and depression. Sleep is also a critical component to fighting back against stress.I’ve already discussed many ways that massage reduces pain and anxiety, but it also increases overall relaxation which can help to create a natural sleep pattern for the client. During a massage, your body will naturally release serotonin. This is the body’s way of regulating mood balances and is critical for increasing deep sleep and relaxation.You could even incorporate some lavender essential oil into your massage. This will encourage and even deeper relaxation to bring forth quality sleep. It’s also effective against minor cuts, burns, stings, and even eczema, so you might just receive added bonuses from the use during your massage. If lavender isn’t an oil you prefer, there are other aromatherapy options available to you.Busy adults aren’t the only people who suffer from sleep issues. Keep in mind that massage can also change the sleep patterns of children, adolescents, and the elderly. Cardiovascular Health Many people struggle against high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart disease, and even kidney failure. This is a serious problem facing Americans today and alternatives to medicine are a great way to fight back. Massage takes a proactive stance against these ailments and lowers your chance of complications.Massage therapy is known for controlling and reducing blood pressure and as we talked about earlier, the stress that can increase heart issues. The relaxation will also decrease the heart rate and is also known to reduce the pain, anxiety and muscular tension in patients after cardiac surgery.You would want to consult with your healthcare provider before engaging in any activity while suffering from heart ailments. There could be times that massage would not be appropriate for your care; it’s always best to be sure. Care For Dementia When dealing with the older population, it’s clear to see that many will suffer from some form of dementia. Nursing homes are filled with loved ones who struggle to maintain a clear mind. While there is very little that can be done to reverse the effects, massage has been shown to be helpful in dealing with the symptoms of this.Elderly people who are struggling with dementia are craving human interaction and touch. It’s deeply rooted in the need for relationships and massage provides alternatives to medication to provide some relationship-centered remedies to them.An easy way to incorporate massage therapy into someone’s life that has dementia is just to start with a hand massage. This can be done by a therapist or just a loving family member and is an accepted touch that gives the person the chance to see a connection. Oftentimes, this time will allow an opportunity for a conversation, thereby deepening the bond.Another way to bring an elderly person the gift of massage is through a foot massage. Whichever method is used, you’ll find that there will be less agitation for the older individual after massage therapy as well as a decrease in pain, anxiety, and restlessness. The reduction in anxiety can help them to achieve better sleep and receive some reduction of overall symptoms without the use of medication. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Many Americans suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from trauma or overuse or the hands or wrist and may not be aware that massage therapy is an outstanding option to reduce pain and discomfort. Massage can break down the scar tissue and adhesions that are found in the muscles of the wrist and forearm. This dramatically reduces symptoms as well as allows the wrist muscles to regain some elasticity and move more freely.Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often characterized by an inflammation, but massage therapy has been found to greatly reduce this inflammation and relieve pressure. Massaging and stretching out those tendons and ligaments will reduce the overall pressure that is caused by the Median nerve. As a result you should notice a reduction of the pain and tingling sensations.When dealing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it’s important to note that massage treatments aren’t going to change the situation overnight. With continued treatment on a regular basis, you’ll notice an improvement and you could even learn some of the stretches to do at home to alleviate symptoms. Relief From Joint Replacement Pain Prior to the surgery of joint replacement, a massage therapist can help to eliminate the pain that comes from the regular muscle spasms or tightness. There are many stretches a therapist can help perform to loosen the area and aid in pain relief.Massage therapy isn’t just good before surgery, but can also be used postoperatively to decrease the swelling and eliminate pain caused by muscular edema. Massage is capable of softening the tissue and relieving the excess fluid that is so common after surgery.As I discussed while talking about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, massage is known to break down scar tissue which will dramatically improve the recovery time. There are no known side effects to massage making it a great alternative to medicinal approaches for pain. Sports Injuries Many active people will find themselves with some sort of sports injury in life. Whether it’s a sprained ankle or broken bones, massage therapy is known to aid in a fast recovery. Massage improves the blood flow to the muscles and makes them warmer. It’s also good for gently stretching the tight tissues and breaking down adhesions.If there’s swelling in the joints, massage will aid in the reduction and it’s also commonly used to loosen the scar tissue to promote healing. A Swedish massage is ideal for light to medium joint movements and can be energizing or relaxing. A deep tissue massage will flush the lactic acid and other waste from the muscles. This allows the oxygen-rich blood to rush to the area for healing.Massage for the deep tissues can be done with elbows and forearms to apply more pressure. You could also consider using trigger point therapy which is when you gently apply pressure by holding the injured muscle. Once it begins to twitch, you apply more pressure until the pain exceeds to a level seven to eight. This helps to release the constricted area of a muscle and alleviate pain. You may notice a big difference after just one treatment but receiving ongoing help will provide the best results. Keep in mind that not all injuries should be treated with trigger point massage therapy. Improving Flexibility & Range Of Motion Stretching is known to improve the blood circulation in the body and massage incorporates a lot of muscle elongation to aid in recovery and prevention of diseases. Stretching these muscles is also good for improving posture and adding a range of motion of your joints. Many people who are physically active find massage as a great way to loosen those muscles to prevent strains and sprains.Massage naturally stimulates the production of your body’s lubricants which keep you flexible and limber. It’s commonly used to enhance the performance of an athlete and keeps those who love being active free from injury by helping to maintain flexibility.Massage for a range of motion issues is beneficial for those suffering from frozen shoulder, thoracic outlet syndrome, degenerative joint disorders, and osteoarthritis. If you’ve suffered from a car accident, you might find that massage therapy is ideal for loosening up those tight muscles and allowing you to move more freely. There are many tips and tricks a massage therapist can teach you so you can find some relief in between appointments as well. Conclusion Massage therapy is full of benefits for your overall health. The results of massage are amazing and it’s all done without the use of medications or drugs making it a natural approach to your well-being.Whether you suffer from generalized aches or pains or you find yourself battling something more severe, giving massage therapy a try could save you a lot of time and money.
