Whether you’re feeling stressed, physically tense, or anxious, therapeutic Massage can improve your overall health. This is because the kneading and pressing movements stimulate the body to release feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which can help you relax and reduce stress.
Studies also show that it lowers cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, and boosts immune system function.
Therapeutic massage relieves pain by a variety of mechanisms. For example, it can increase the level of endorphins in the body, which are natural painkillers. It can also reduce the tension in tight muscles and break down adhesions, which are scar tissue-like bands that can cause pain. It can also improve the blood flow to muscles, which helps them heal faster. Additionally, it can help to relax the nervous system and reduce stress hormones such as cortisol.
Muscles often tighten in response to pain, causing restricted movement and poor biomechanics. This can contribute to a vicious cycle of pain and discomfort, as tense muscles can increase stress levels and deconditioning through reduced functioning. Therapeutic massage can help to break this cycle by releasing tight muscles and reducing pain and anxiety.
In addition to improving muscle and bone health, therapeutic massage can also relieve symptoms of comorbid health conditions such as anxiety and depression. In fact, one study found that massage significantly improved the moods of individuals with major depression. This is thought to be due to the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. The positive effects of these chemicals can last well after the massage session.
Furthermore, studies have shown that therapeutic massage can reduce the heart rate and breathing of people who are stressed. This is believed to be due to the calming effects of the massage, which can lead to a reduction in the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol.
In addition, massage can improve the function of the immune system by increasing the activity level of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections and diseases. This is especially important for patients with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, who may be at higher risk of developing infection.
Promotes Relaxation
Massage is a great way to promote relaxation. It helps the body release a positive hormone called endorphins and also serotonin, which reduce stress and anxiety levels. It increases the blood circulation which improves tissue elasticity and suppleness, reduces pain and relieves stiffness. It also improves the lymph fluid circulation, which removes metabolic waste products from cells and tissues. In addition to these benefits, massage can also help people feel cared for and connected which is especially important for patients suffering from chronic or long-term conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis.
The squeezing, twisting, and pulling action of therapeutic massage stimulates the muscles and soft tissues. This improves the elasticity of muscles and tendons, allowing them to move more freely. The increased flexibility that comes with massage also prevents injuries from occurring and can alleviate symptoms of certain diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Therapy can also help with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. It can help by reducing cortisol, improving the balance of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, increasing energy levels and boosting the immune system. Regular massage can also help with sleeping issues by relaxing the body and mind and allowing for a better quality of sleep.
Many studies have found that therapeutic massage can decrease the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks as well as improve overall mental health by lowering depression levels. It can also increase a person’s ability to focus and concentrate, which can be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from ADHD. This is largely due to the fact that massage can increase blood flow, which makes it easier for the brain to transmit information and make decisions.
Improves Blood Circulation
We all know that therapeutic massage can help relieve sore muscles and improve your range of motion, but it also has the ability to boost circulation throughout the body. This is because the pressure from the massage techniques exerts a squeezing and pulling action on blood vessels, which causes them to dilate and then relax. This helps to promote blood flow and improves circulation by bringing in more oxygen and nutrients and flushing out toxins and waste products.
In addition, massage has been shown to enhance the circulation of lymph, a milky white fluid that takes metabolic wastes away from muscle tissue and carries them to the bloodstream. This process is important because it prevents excess swelling following injury and speeds up the rate at which the immune system can deliver healing proteins to injured tissues.
The improved circulation from therapeutic massage increases the availability of oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissue, which can reduce fatigue and make it easier for damaged cells to repair themselves. Therapeutic massage may also decrease the level of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. This may lead to a better night’s sleep and increased energy throughout the day.
In some cases, massage can even be beneficial to people suffering from Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which the blood vessels in the hands and feet become spasm and restrict blood flow to the extremities. Massage is proven to stimulate the circulation of blood in the hands, which can be extremely helpful for those affected by this condition. The increased circulation may also speed up the rate at which the hand recovers after an injury. This is because it allows the immune system to deliver healing proteins more quickly and reduces inflammation and pain.
Enhances Immune System Function
The stress hormone cortisol suppresses the production of feel-good chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine, as well as increases inflammation in the body. This impairs the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection and disease. Massage therapy combats this by reducing the levels of cortisol and boosting your body’s natural defenses against the flu and other diseases.
The act of massage itself stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems, resulting in better blood flow and waste elimination. But the effects of therapeutic massage go beyond just improving blood circulation. A study conducted by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that subjects who received a 45-minute Swedish massage had measurable changes in the number of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which are responsible for detecting and fighting infection. The researchers also noted decreased levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP), a hormone associated with increased stress, and lowered levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are produced by infection-fighting white blood cells.
In addition, a specialized type of massage called lymphatic drainage is known to improve the movement of lymph fluid through the body’s natural pathways and support the production of immune cells. Moreover, the use of therapeutic oils with antiviral, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties enhances the overall effect of massage by further stimulating the body’s innate immunity.
The best massages are ones that target the areas of your body where you’re most stressed and/or have the most pain, such as sore muscles and tendons. Therapeutic deep tissue massage, which applies firm pressure to the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, can help ease these tensions and break up scar tissue from old injuries. Massages that focus on the head, neck, and shoulders can promote proper alignment and ease headaches, which may also be caused by stress and anxiety.
Reduces Stress
Stress is a part of life, and often, it can feel overwhelming. From work responsibilities to household chores, our busy lives can easily cause us to feel tense and anxious. A therapeutic massage, when done correctly, can help relieve this stress and improve mental health.
During a massage, the body releases positive hormones such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which create a sense of calmness and happiness. These hormones also encourage muscles to relax and elongate. This helps reduce muscle fatigue and can speed up the recovery time of an injury, allowing you to return to work and exercise more quickly.
Therapeutic massage can also lower the production of cortisol, which is the body’s primary stress hormone. When cortisol levels are too high, it can increase glucose in the bloodstream and curb functions that aren’t necessary in a “fight or flight” situation. It has been shown that a one-hour massage decreases cortisol and increases the production of serotonin, which are both mood enhancing neurotransmitters.
A massage also stimulates the body’s lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing waste and toxins from the tissues. Because the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the cardiovascular system, it relies on body movement to move lymph fluid. During a massage, the pressure applied to the muscle tissue can improve blood flow to these lymph nodes, which can help the immune system function more efficiently. This can also help to reduce the occurrence of infections, as well as boost overall mental health and wellbeing.