PositiveMed

The Positive Side of Medicine

Health Benefits of Massage

Share This Post

Health Benefits of Massage

Do you know the health benefits of massage? Getting a massage is extremely relaxing, and something that makes us feel ultra pampered and special. Massage is also beneficial to health, and is a proven treatment for many ailments and diseases. Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing, and manipulation of the skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. There is deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, trigger point massage, and sports massage. Most massage therapists use their hands, arms, elbows, even feet, to perform the necessary parts of a good massage.

There are certain people who should not get massages, as they can do more harm than good. These people include those with bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners, people with open wounds, burns, those with deep vein thrombosis, fractures, severe osteoporosis, or severe thrombocytopenia.

massage

Massage is highly beneficial to those suffering from anxiety, fibromyalgia, digestive disorders, headaches, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint pain, insomnia, sports injuries, paresthesias and nerve pain, and soft tissue strains or injuries.

Massage can help to manage anxiety and depression by lowering amounts of cortisol in the blood and boosting serotonin and dopamine.

Massage is highly beneficial to people who suffer from chronic pain, especially back pain. “We found the benefits of massage are about as strong as those reported for other effective treatments: medications, acupuncture, exercise and yoga,” Dan Cherkin, Ph.D., lead author of the study, said in a press release.

massage2

Massage has a positive effect on delta waves, which improves the body’s ability to achieve quality sleep. Massage also boosts the body’s immune system, helping to fight any disease process. PMS symptoms like bloating and cramping are lessened by massage. Your brain and alertness levels are also positively affected by massage.

A facial massage can increase your collagen production, helping you to look better and younger. Scalp massage improves hair growth and distribution of healthy hair oils from your scalp. Both of these will increase clearing of your lymphatic system and increase vitality.

People who are undergoing cancer treatment and are able to obtain massage therapy have less pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, and anxiety than those for whom massage is unavailable.

These are a few reasons to set up an appointment for a massage, or purchase a chair massager. If you cannot afford a massage and have one of the conditions listed please ask your doctor for a referral, and your insurance may help pay for it. Another option is to go to a massage school and have your work done by a student, much cheaper. If you have services available for trade quite often you can find a practitioner willing to barter.

Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/massage-benefits-health_n_1261178.html#s672379&title=Related_Video
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/massage/SA00082

More To Explore

all positive experiences

Rosacea, A Few Things

About 14 million Americans suffer from this condition that makes you permanently look flushed or sunburned, caused by tiny blood that are inflamed and dilated

health

Yoga for Poor Posture

For the following stretches you need motivation and a bath towel, that’s it, and if performed daily, they will help you improve and correct any

all positive experiences

Three Ways to Find Quiet Every Single Day

By: Mary Beth LaRue In our bustling day-to-day lives, it’s far too easy to shift into autopilot, hardly even noticing the beauty and little (or

health

Common Symptoms for Each Stage of HIV

Common Symptoms for Each Stage of HIV If You See These 9 Symptoms, Do An HIV Test Immediately There are several stages of HIV. Each

Health and Food

Crispy Parmesan Kale Chips

I was in a conference last week and they handed out a pack of crispy parmesan kale chips (Interestingly, it wasn’t even a health-related conference

Scroll to Top