What natural therapy can lower your blood pressure, relieve a headache, strengthen your immune system, reduce stress and help you sleep – and all in a one-hour session? If you guessed massage, you’re right on target.
Massage can do these things and provide many more physical as well as mental benefits.
A typical massage session lasts between half an hour to an hour and has been clinically proven to do much more than relaxing tense muscles.
Massage is the systematic, scientific manipulation of body tissues with the hands to relieve pain and reduce swelling, relax muscles, and speed healing after strains and sprains.
Manipulations include light or hard stroking, compression (kneading, squeezing, and friction), and percussion (striking with the edges of the hands in rapid alternation).
In acupressure, a style of massage derived from China, pressure is exerted on Chinese acupuncture points for healing effects.
Massage has been shown to provide many benefits. Below are some of the physical as well as the psychological benefits brought to us by our friends at ZenSoft Philippines, a spa and salon software POS provider.
Physical Benefits of Massage
Massages have a strong effect on the body physically and physiologically, and you will be surprised at just how much even self-massage therapy can be of help to you. Some of these benefits include:
Relieves Pain, Stiffness, and Discomfort
A massage is a direct form of therapy which goes to exactly where the issues reside. By dealing with the problems directly and naturally, without the use of medication, the muscles are not only relieved but are brought back to the time before the issue arose.
Increases Mobility
Years of repetitive activity can lock the body into a routine which limits your range of motion. By performing a variety of massage techniques and stretches the muscles ‘wake up’ and begin to increase their range of motion.
Improves Circulation
The circulatory system is intertwined with the muscles. Thus, restoring the proper function of the muscles opens the blood vessels and increases blood flow; a very important part of any well-functioning body.
Detoxifies Your Body System
Sometimes the body holds toxins in specific areas due to physical trauma and strain. By working these problem areas, the toxins are released back into the bloodstream where the body eliminates them.
Promotes Relaxation
A well-functioning muscular and circulatory system free of physical tension indicates to the mind that things are going well.
When your body feels relaxed the brain receives signals that positive chemicals should be released, thus increasing the well-being of both body and mind.
There are around 11 major organ systems in human body and massage therapy, physiologically affects and nearly all of them.
Some of the main organ systems on which massage therapy has physiological effects are the muscular system, circulatory system, respiratory system, nervous system, digestive system, endocrine system and the urinary system.
Psychological Benefits of Massage
As well as the physical effects on the body, massage can also be very helpful psychologically. Ways that you can psychologically benefit from massage include:
Decrease Anxiety
Anxiety is a physiological issue but the body often houses anxiety in its muscle structure.
By clearing the pathways and realigning the muscles your mind is told by your body that the physical cues which indicate anxiety has been removed. This cuts the vicious cycle of anxiety creating physical manifestations and those manifestations feeding back into the feeling of anxiety.
Enhance the Quality of Your Sleep
Many therapies promote relaxation which has a lasting effect on the client. Removing the deeply embedded stresses in your body allows for a more pleasant sleep as the tensions associated with daily life appear more manageable.
Provide You With More Energy Overall
Many of our therapies attempt to tune into and manipulate the energy flow of the body. By opening blockages and promoting overall well-being we enhance the body’s natural production of energy.
Reduce Fatigue
Cortisol, another type of hormone, is released during massage.
This hormone is responsible for lowering the stress levels of the body. The body is more capable of healing itself when stress levels are low. It also lowers blood pressure, allows the body to breathe more properly and lessens feelings of anxiety.
A side benefit is that massage fulfills the body’s need for touch.
Regular massage improves emotional well-being by making the person feel nurtured. This lowers stress levels and feelings of anxiety.
The muscles in your body hold fatigue in your body for a multitude of reasons. By massaging the muscles, the body is told to reboot the proper function of those problematic areas.
Also as many of our therapies involve a holistic approach to healing the body and its energies, fatigue is reduced as because the whole body is activated to produce energy.
Improve Concentration
A relaxed body is essential for a relaxed mind.
By removing stress from the fascia and improving circulation the body can focus on the task at hand instead of being preoccupied with its internal and unconscious issues.
Concluding Thoughts on Massage Benefits
There is no denying the power of massage. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (luxury, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a treat, stress relief, pain management) massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.
When utilized on a consistent and frequent basis the numerous benefits of massage therapy are a salve for one’s entire being.
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