Scientifically, massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. It consists of usually manual or hands-on techniques like applying movable or fixed pressure, holding, and moving muscles and body tissues. In general, it is done to improve the blood and lymph flow, to enhance tissue healing, to reduce muscular tension, and to relax the nervous system through stimulation or sedation. It is one of the oldest healthcare practices known, and it comes with lots of benefits.
Traditional massage therapy has undergone numerous variations and modifications, from acupressure, reflexology, and shiatsu, which have made it what it is in the present time. For a lot of people, going to the spa is a wonderful pampering treat for themselves. But aside from that, it can also be a huge boost to our health and wellness. In addition to spas and health clubs, massage therapy is also being offered in businesses, clinics, and hospitals.
If you haven’t tried massage therapy yet, maybe you should give it a go and experience its benefits. To provide you with some ideas, here are the benefits you can get from massage therapy. A spa management company can help more people to open spa services for good health.
1. Massage Therapy Can Help Alleviate Stress
Massage therapy is very effective when it comes to reducing stress levels, especially for people who have a fast-paced lifestyle. Stress can lead to different issues such as back pains, anxiety, poor focus, and nervousness. Therefore, massage therapy can help because it can affect the nervous system, which is responsible for all the issues mentioned.
Massages can counteract the negative reactions of your body to stress and anxiety. It can also help get your heart rate and blood pressure to normal levels. It can also relax your muscles. And gradually, it will help increase the threshold of your stress management, helping you to deal with it better.
2. Massage Therapy Can Reduce Chronic Pain
Most people suffer from chronic pain caused by injuries and diseases regularly. The pain usually comes from the connective network of nerve fibers, transmitting impulses of pain to the brain from the painful spot. Massage therapy can help reduce chronic pain because when you undergo a massage, your body will release endorphins, which can block the pain receptors and reduce the intensity of pain over some time.
Massage therapy is a great way to get relief from chronic pain, especially if you do not what to take unnatural drugs that can have side effects.
3. Massage Therapy Can Improve the Quality of Sleep
Being stressed can leave us exhausted, which can also affect our sleep. Massage therapy can help in treating the symptoms of insomnia and improve the quality of your sleep. It can help relax your muscles, calm down your nervous system, and slow down your breathing. It is also accompanied by the release of serotonin, which are organic compounds produced by the body, which help you fall asleep. Massage therapy can also increase the duration of REM sleep, which is the time when our bodies heal and recover from day to day stress.
4. Massage Therapy Can Help Improve Posture
People who work in offices are usually stuck in one position throughout the day. That can also cause excessive fatigue in certain parts of the body and may lead to having a bad posture, shoulder pain, hip pain, and other major issues that can become problematic in the long run.
Massage therapy can help provide relief to these different parts. It can also help straighten your spine and reduce strain on affected body parts, making your posture natural again. It can relieve you from pain and discomfort.
5. Massage Therapy Can Alleviate Migraine
Migraine can be a disturbing condition. If you often suffer from migraines, you can try undergoing massage therapy. It is one of the best ways to alleviate the pain. It will help you work appropriately without the distracting throbbing you feel in your head.
6. Massage Therapy Can Help Boost Digestion
Aside from relieving body pains, massage therapy can also improve your digestion. It’s because of the improved circulation that it brings your body to help in speeding up the absorption of nutrients from the foods you eat. It also encourages better digestion. Massages can improve the peristaltic movements of the large intestine, helping the food go through it better. It means that massage therapy can help relieve constipation, colic, and gas.
7. Massage Therapy Can Relax Your Muscular System
If you want to relax your muscles, then massage therapy is the perfect solution. Muscles are made of fibers that are clumped together. When they get stressed, they get knotted up with each other, that’s why they sometimes become stiff and in pain. What massage therapy does is it loosens the tense muscles, opening up passages to improve blood circulation. This, in turn, improves the healing speed and at the same time, reduces fatigue, soreness, and weakness.
8. Massage Therapy Can Help You Get Beautiful Skin
Yes, you’ve read that right. Aside from beauty products, massage therapy can also help you achieve beautiful skin. It’s because it can improve the circulation of blood to your skin. This is why people who step out of the spa after a relaxing massage feel flushed. When you have improved nutrition, your body can replace damaged or dead skin tissues faster, giving you a bright, fresh, and glowing look.
Aside from those, the heat generated during the massage session can also help in opening your skin’s pores, making you sweat, hence, cleaning up dirt and dust that are clogged in your pores. Toxic impurities from your body will flow out, resulting in a cleaner system that can be seen in the texture of your skin.
9. Massage Therapy Can Help Pregnant Women
Pregnant women feel a lot of stress mentally and physically. It’s because they carry a lot more weight than one is used to, and they feel tired due to lack of sleep and mental stress. If you’re pregnant and you feel the same way, massage therapy can be the answer to your problem.
Having a regular massage therapy can alleviate the stress felt by pregnant women. It can relieve the stress on their muscles, and as well as improve discomfort and posture. Aside from that, massage therapy can also reduce myofascial pain, muscle spasms, cramps, and increased circulation of blood, giving pregnant women physical nurturing and emotional support.
10. Massage Therapy Can Strengthen the Body’s Immune System
Based on several studies, massages can help in improving immunity. It can help people in fighting off infections and diseases. In fact, based on one study, massage therapy was able to boost up the immunity of even HIV patients. It’s because it can improve your blood flow and increase the number of blood cells that are directly involved in fighting off infections.
These are some of the benefits you can get from massage therapy. By knowing its benefits, you can say that massage therapy is not just for relaxing and pampering yourself. It is also a way to keep yourself healthy and free from stress and muscle pains.