Benefits of massage therapy
Massage used to only be available at high-end spas or health clubs. Some people viewed it as a luxury for the wealthy or a code word for illegal activities. Now massage is widely available and viewed as an important tool in promoting mental and physical health.
Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. It’s generally considered part of integrative medicine.
Massage is increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.
Some specific conditions that massage can help include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Nerve pain
- Postoperative care
- Scar tissue
- Soft tissue strains and injuries
- Sports injuries
- Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
Physical benefits
- Improved circulation
- Decreased muscle stiffness
- Decreased joint inflammation
- Better quality of sleep
- Quicker recovery between workouts
- Improved flexibility
- Less pain and soreness
- Strengthened immune response
Physical benefits
- Lower stress levels
- Improved relaxation
- Improved mood
- Decreased anxiety
- More energy
- Increase feeling of wellness
After a massage
It’s common to feel relaxed, or even sore after a massage. This is because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist.
Some people think that massage must hurt to help. But a massage doesn’t need to be painful to be effective. If your massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot.
Massage therapy is safe and effective for people of all ages. It’s not only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. It’s a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are looking for a stress reliever.