Benefits of massage therapy
Massage used to only be available at high-end spas or health clubs. Some people viewed it as a luxury for the wealthy or a code word for illegal activities.
Now massage is widely available and viewed as an important tool in promoting mental and physical health.
Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. It’s generally considered part of integrative medicine.
Massage is increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. If you have never tried massage, read on to learn about its many benefits.
A common misconception about massage is that it’s only part of a spa day and intended for pampering yourself. While this may be true for some people, it is most frequently a tool for stress reduction and pain relief.
Some specific conditions that massage can help include:
Anxiety
Depression
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headache
Insomnia
Nerve pain
Postoperative care
Scar tissue
Soft tissue strains and injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
Physical benefits
For most patients, massage therapy is an important part of specific medical treatment plans to help them return to daily activities. For example, massage therapy is helpful after joint replacement surgery or injury.
Physical benefits of massage include:
Improved circulation
Decreased muscle stiffness
Decreased joint inflammation
Better quality of sleep
Quicker recovery between workouts
Improved flexibility
Less pain and soreness
Strengthened immune response
Mental benefits
Massage also has many mental health benefits. Even people who are focused on the physical benefits say they feel less stressed after getting a massage.
Other mental benefits include:
Lower stress levels
Improved relaxation
Improved mood
Decreased anxiety
More energy
Increase feeling of wellness
After a massage
It’s common to feel relaxed, tired or even sore after a massage. This is because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist. After a massage, it may feel like you completed a workout. It is possible to experience a headache or nausea after a massage.
Some people think that massage must hurt to help. But a massage doesn’t need to be painful to be effective.
