The Benefits of Massage
Massage isn't just for pampering; it's an important part of overall health care. Whether it's for back pain or an autoimmune condition, research shows that the physical touch of massage decreases stress hormones and increases feel-good hormones like oxytocin.
A good massage can also help alleviate the pain associated with fibromyalgia and menstrual cramps. But what are the actual benefits of massage?
Reduces Stress
Massages go hand-in-hand with spa days and vacations, but they can be a vital part of a treatment plan for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia. Many people who have a medical condition or who are recovering from injury or surgery find that massage reduces stress and encourages relaxation. The physiological effects of a good rubdown include increased endorphins and serotonin, decreased cortisol and improved tissue elasticity.
The calming effect of a massage is partly due to the way that it triggers the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This system calms the body by encouraging your muscles to relax, as well as reducing your heart rate and blood pressure. This can help alleviate the negative side effects of certain medications and also give you a natural energy boost.
Getting a massage from Radiant Wellness Center can also reduce muscle pain by improving circulation, which helps reduce inflammation and encourages cell repair. This is especially beneficial for sore muscles caused by exercise or sports injuries. Massages can also be helpful in preventing post-exercise soreness by ensuring that your body is receiving the proper nutrients and oxygen during recovery.
Many types of headaches are related to stress, including tension and migraines. Research shows that massages can relieve headache symptoms by easing tension in the neck and shoulders.
Massage can also ease insomnia, which is often a symptom of stress. It may improve sleep by triggering the parasympathetic nervous system and promoting restful sleep. It may even increase the production of sleep-inducing neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Regular massages may also help alleviate depression and anxiety by decreasing the levels of hormones in your body that lead to these mental health challenges. This is largely because of the way that massages stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, which can help balance out the effects of the high amounts of stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine that your body experiences on a daily basis.
In addition to helping reduce the effects of stress, a massage may also encourage healthy habits, such as a good night’s sleep and exercise. These habits will help to improve your overall quality of life and contribute to a healthier, so don't wait to schedule an appointment at https://radiantwellnesscenter.com/ we can help relieve your stress and relax.
Increases Flexibility
Massages can be relaxing, but they also help increase the flexibility of muscles and joints. That’s because when a muscle is tight, it loses its elasticity and can cause pain and restrict movement. When you get a massage, your tissue’s temperature increases, which causes the elasticity of your muscle to increase and reduce tightness. That’s why regular massages are a great tool for athletes who need to stretch their bodies before and after strenuous activities.
It’s important to note that the type of massage you receive matters when it comes to your flexibility. For instance, a deep tissue massage may not improve your flexibility as much as a lighter rubdown because the amount of pressure applied to your muscles and tissues is different. The key is to find a massage therapist who has experience working with your body and knows how to adjust the amount of pressure to each individual client’s needs.
Another reason massage can increase flexibility is that it can help remove lactic acid build-up in your muscles. Lactic acid is a waste product that creates tightness in your muscles and limits your range of motion. Getting a massage regularly can decrease lactic acid build up and keep your muscles flexible, which will reduce the likelihood of injuries and speed up recovery time after workouts.
Aside from increasing elasticity and decreasing lactic acid, massage can also help you stay flexible by improving your circulation and releasing feel-good hormones like serotonin. These hormones can help lower stress levels, which in turn can reduce your overall anxiety level. If you have a stressful day at work or an important academic test coming up, a massage can help calm your nerves and prepare you for the occasion.
Although research on the benefits of massage is still ongoing, it’s clear that this ancient practice has many healing properties for both mind and body. While some people may think of massage as a luxury spa treatment, it’s becoming increasingly popular for its therapeutic and health benefits. So next time you’re in the mood for some relaxation, go ahead and book an appointment.
Increases Feel-Good Hormones
Massage increases levels of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) Dopamine and Serotonin. The release of these hormones has a calming effect on the nervous system and can decrease anxiety, depression and irritability. They also help to improve sleep, reduce pain and boost the immune system. They are very good for you and worth including in your wellness routine.
The human body has two types of nervous systems; one drives our “flight or fight” response in times of stress, and the other focuses on routine and day-to-day operations that lead to relaxation and rest. Research has shown that massage decreases the body’s cortisol and adrenaline levels, and increases the parasympathetic nervous system. This means you’ll feel relaxed and able to focus on things that matter.
During massage, large amounts of endorphins are released. These are the body’s natural pain relievers and can be more effective than morphine. They can also help to ease depression, fibromyalgia and headaches.
Research has shown that massage significantly decreases the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and boosts the production of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that act as the body’s immune system. It also decreases the inflammatory response caused by exercise and enhances muscle recovery time.
Regular massage is also known to increase dopamine, which can help people with poor concentration, attention disorders and ADHD. The effects of massage on the nervous system can also make it easier to fall asleep and sleep deeper, which is great for those who have insomnia or irregular sleep patterns.
A deep tissue massage can cause some swelling, but this is a sign that the muscles and tendons are healing. This is a normal part of the process and should only last a few days.
It is important to note that certain massage techniques, such as trigger point therapy, should only be performed by a licensed, trained massage therapist. If performed incorrectly, this can actually increase the amount of pain and discomfort that is experienced. It is best to have a professional do this type of work as they will know which areas to avoid and which to target for maximum benefit.
Reduces Pain
From an early age, most of us learn that the touch of a hand can ease pain. If a toddler bangs his knee in an accident, he might instinctively rub it, and office workers who ache from sitting at their desk all day may try to alleviate the pain by kneading their necks and shoulders. This is because the brain's "gate theory" of pain works this way: if something hurts, we touch it to calm it down. The pressure applied during a massage activates this same mechanism, triggering the release of natural painkillers called endorphins. This helps reduce pain and anxiety, as well as encourages relaxation.
Another way massage decreases pain is by increasing the blood flow to the aching area, warming it and decreasing stiffness. This can also help relieve aches caused by exercise, because the added blood flow helps the muscles recover more quickly.
During massage, the body also releases feel-good hormones that boost mood and fight depression. This is because massage can lower cortisol levels, which in turn decreases feelings of sadness and anxiety. In addition, massages increase the body's production of serotonin, which is a chemical responsible for regulating emotions.
Massages have been shown to decrease blood pressure, as well as heart rate in some patients. This is primarily because of the calming effects that come from the interaction with the skin, says Field. In other studies, deep tissue massage decreased blood pressure by decreasing the activation of a pathway that regulates blood pressure (the renin-angiotensin system).
Finally, massage can help improve sleep. Researchers found that it can significantly reduce insomnia, especially in people who have fibromyalgia. In one study, a 90-minute session reduced symptoms of insomnia and helped patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Massages have also been shown to improve autoimmune conditions like asthma and dermatitis by slowing the activity of stress hormones, which can often trigger these types of disorders. And they can reduce the pain of chronic illnesses such as cancer and scoliosis by reducing the inflammation that can occur in these conditions.
Massage isn't just for pampering; it's an important part of overall health care. Whether it's for back pain or an autoimmune condition, research shows that the physical touch of massage decreases stress hormones and increases feel-good hormones like oxytocin. A good massage can also help alleviate the pain associated with fibromyalgia and menstrual cramps. But…