Health Benefits Of Massage

Health Benefits Of Massage

The History

Massage is one of the oldest healing arts: Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.

Modern Day Applications

Today, the benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching. As an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, massage therapy has also proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, including low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, sports injuries, poor posture and more. And, as many millions will attest, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.

The sentry lifestyle lead my many these days can lead to all sorts of ailments involving posture, muscle, ligament & tendon restrictions. Whilst exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, regular massage treatment can help redress many ailments caused by working behind computers for example, allowing your body to respond better to regular exercise.

Massage Treatment can improve the following common conditions:-

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

Massage For Sports

Exercise can at times lead to sports injuries. Massage treatment can help speed up the recovery from strains incurred through sporting or physical activity. Regular massage will help build the bodys natural resistance and therefore make such injuries less frequent. It will help you improve your performance and allow you to undertake your chosen activity with less strain on the body both during and after the activity. Anybody undertaking regular physical activity such as running, football, rugby, weight-training, tennis, in fact any sport or training regime can benefit from regular massage treatment.

Stress Relief

Stress relief is more than just feeling more relaxed for a brief period. It is a major part of a continued improved healthy lifestyle.

Most of us accept that many negatives in modern life are stress related. More and more we are becoming aware that stress has invisible affects on our physical & mental well-being, potentially effecting our longevity and definately affecting our quality of life. Perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:

• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.

In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes occur throughout the body, with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:

• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
• Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
• General improvement in well-being, energy levels and natural balance.

Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing massage which is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units.

Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits

Getting a massage can do you a world of good. Receiving a massage frequently can do even more. Regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in your general health, quality of life and longevity. Massage treatment shouldn’t be considered just pampering or a treat once in a while. It should be considered a valuable part of your plan to lead a healthier life, budget for regular massage treatment as you would the gym or other form health improvement. It is an investment in your health and well-being.

There are many forms of massage, each designed to treat specific conditions and have a desired effect. However, most common massage treatments all share the benefit of stress relief & relaxation which in itself is invaluable in a healthy lifestyle.