The Benefits of Massage Therapy

We tend to think of massage as a way to pamper ourselves, but it’s much more than a momentary feel-good treatment.

 

After all, who doesn’t love that post-massage feeling. Your mind is clear and your body is relaxed.

 

Little do many know, it has many important health benefits- In fact, massage can help you maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being, especially when it is part of your regular wellness routine.

 

Here are a couple reasons why…

 

Bye, Stress!

 

Taking care of your body should be at the top of your priorities.

 

By adding therapeutic massage to your routine now, you’ll feel, look and simply be healthier far into the future. In fact, stress relief alone can improve your vitality and state of mind.

 

No more Anxiety for you.

 

This can help the body relax, which in turn can help one let go of anxious and fearful thoughts. The fight-or-flight reaction typically leads to uncomfortable physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, accelerated heart rate, excessive sweating, and chest pain.

 

Massage therapy can have an opposing effect on the body by eliciting the relaxation response, reducing tension, lowering heart rate, and generally making a person feel calmer.

 

Stroke; Risk level- NONE

 

Regular massage therapy sessions have been found to reduce blood pressure levels.

 

In fact, some long-term studies have shown that a consistent massage program can reduce both systolic (upper number) and diastolic (lower number) blood pressure.

 

Moreover, it can also reduce cortisol levels within the body. Furthermore, consistent massage sessions can also reduce trigger sources for anxiety, hostility, tension, and depression. In turn, lower blood pressure levels can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and/or kidney failure, as well as many other health issues.

 

Goodnight, Sleep Tight.

 

Massage is an effective, healthy and substance free choice to help the scores of people who have insomnia. Insomnia is often associated with a lack of serotonin.

 

Serotonin plays a role in mood, behavior, body temperature, physical coordination, appetite and sleep. Massage can increase serotonin levels.
Therefore it is a therapeutic drug-free means of reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.

 

It is logical to seek a natural remedy to increase serotonin levels for people that are sleep deprived.

 

Relax Those Muscles….

 

This targets the source of the body’s pain via eliminating tense muscles, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the affected muscles as well as the body as a whole.

 

Massage also promotes circulation to the affected or injured muscles, which increases nutrients and oxygen to the damaged tissues.

 

In turn, this increased activity to the affected sites reduces stiffness and edema (swelling) in the muscles and joints, as well as increases flexibility to help reduce pain.

 

Moreover, this form of therapy also releases endorphins (pain-killing hormones), which boost the dopamine and serotonin levels in the body.
These hormones assist the body in many ways–physically as well as emotionally.

 

Case in point, they promote healing, pain management, and feelings of euphoria, as well as help to calm the nerves.

 

Keep Those Cells Circulating

 

The long-term benefits of massage therapy are not to be underestimated. Improved circulation is part of a snowball effect that occurs in the body as a result of receiving regular massage therapy on a consistent basis.

 

This is because proper circulation brings damaged, stiff, and tense muscles the rich blood supply they need to promote healing.

 

Moreover, massage also promotes improved circulation via the use of hands-on pressure, which moves the blood through the damaged and congested areas of the body. In turn, the release of this same pressure causes new blood to flow into tissues.

 

Furthermore, the squeezing, twisting, and pulling action of the massage technique also removes lactic acid from the muscle tissues.

 

As a result, this action improves the lymph fluid circulation, which carries metabolic waste products away from internal organs and muscles. In turn, this results in lower blood pressure levels and improved overall body function.

 

Posture Prince/Princess

 

Massage therapy can help get the body back into proper alignment. In fact, improving one’s posture can be one of the most beneficial and relaxing aspects of massage therapy.

 

Massage allows the body to relax and loosen the muscles made tense and sore via bad posture. In turn, this allows the body to position itself in its organic and pain-free posture.

 

As part of a consistent massage therapy program, the body’s muscles are loosened and relaxed. Moreover, the joints have greater freedom, flexibility, range of motion, and pressure points are relieved. As a result, the body is able to position itself in an organic and healthy posture.

 

Have Your Immune System Built-up like a Castle

 

When stress is combined with sleep disturbances and poor nutrition, the impact is directed at the body’s immune system.

 

Its ability to naturally protect itself against infections, pathogens, and bacteria is greatly reduced.

 

This boosts the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity (activity level of the body’s natural “killer cells”) and enhances the body’s ability to deliver nourishment.

 

All of these already sound amazing right?

 

But there are actually MORE.

 

Do want to know what more benefits it could bring you?

 

Call our office at 239-223-0484 and schedule your appointment today!

 

We offer Physical Therapy in Fort Myers and Physical Therapy in Cape Coral.

 

About Author: Dr. Scott Gray

 

Dr. Scott Gray is an internationally recognized and expert physical therapist specializing in sport, athletic, and back, and neck injuries. He is the inventor of a revolutionary form of treatment called the GRAY METHOD. This type of treatment unlike others addresses the CAUSE rather than just your SYMPTOMS with a full-body approach.