Massage is so much more than an indulgent “pamper” session or a brief breather after a stressful day. If you have a specific health condition, massage therapy, along with the advice and care of your medical practitioner, can be an excellent and effective way to help improve your overall wellbeing. With the added bonus of the feeling of rest and relaxation, massage is a total win for your body and mind!
Health benefits of massage
You may not know how something as simple as a massage can heal you in so many ways. Let’s find out how!
Further research is necessary to confirm the multiple benefits of massage, but studies suggest it:
1. Eases the symptoms of chronic illnesses and disease
Massage may ease the symptoms of chronic illness and disease. Examples include fibromyalgia (a chronic condition causing widespread pain all over your body) and myofascial pain syndrome (a chronic pain disorder—often caused by repetitive motions or stress-related muscle tension—in which pressure on sensitive points in your muscles, known as trigger points, causes muscle pain and occasionally referred pain in other parts of your body).
2. Assists with constipation
Frequent massages can assist with constipation because they help you release gas and waste products. Massages can also help to treat other underlying or accompanying conditions and digestive disorders. If you struggle with IBS, then a regular massage may relieve stress and reduce stomach pain.
3. Helps with stress-related insomnia
If you’re looking for a drug-free option to overcoming insomnia, massage can help to boost serotonin to induce sleep. It’s best to avoid a stimulating deep tissue or sports massage and instead opt for massage techniques that use gentle, long, flowing strokes to relax your body for a more restful night.
4. Improved immune system
Massage increases the activity of your white blood cells that help your body to fight diseases and might reduce cortisol (your main stress hormone). Along with improved immune function, a massage also helps flush out toxins.
5. Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
Massage therapy can reduce your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and increase blood circulation throughout your body. It has a positive impact on your sympathetic nervous system, which raises your blood pressure when you’re under stress.
For centuries, massage therapy has been used to restore injuries, prevent, and treat illnesses,as well as relieve pain. Today it’s also used to assist patients with their post-injury or post-surgery recovery. With the help of online tutorials, you can even learn how to do some massage techniques yourself, such as trigger point release, or practise these with your partner at home to help ease pain and muscle tension.
There are many more marvellous health benefits of massage you can discover by exploring this natural way of helping and healing your body. If you haven’t yet tried it, why not make massage part of your holistic approach to taking better care of yourself, inside and out?
Date Published: 07 July 2022
