Massage Therapy: What You Need to Know

Massage is an age-old therapy in different cultures around the world. It is one of the oldest techniques various people use to treat pain. It can seriously soothe your body and mind and has impressive perks for your health. Few therapies can give you the benefits of massage therapy. Hence, many people prefer to use it over other treatments.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a technique where therapists use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and massage devices. They also use different pressures and movements. These techniques manipulate the soft tissues in your body to relieve tension, pain, and help heal muscle injuries. There are many different types of massage therapies, and each is unique in its approach and benefits

Benefits

Massage therapy is notably beneficial for many health conditions. Moreover, it also provides benefits to people without health problems. Here are some of its benefits.

Improves Sleep

Massages help reduce cortisol, the stress hormone in your body. It also increases serotonin, which helps regulate appetite, digestion, and sleep. These hormones are neurotransmitters that stabilize your mood. Together, they create the best combination to help you get a good night’s sleep.

Reduces Anxiety and Stress

There is a calm feeling after a massage from the release of hormones and tension relief. Massages work on your nerves and nervous system, leading to rest. They relax the sympathetic nervous system and increase the parasympathetic nervous system. Consequently, they reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Improving Immune Function

Massages work on your soft tissue, relieving tension and realigning your nerves. They allow the unrestricted flow of blood and lymph. With this, you will boost your body’s immunity and the number of white blood cells, allowing them to reach various body parts. These cells combat viruses and help the body heal itself. There is fast healing from soft tissue injuries.

Relieves Muscle Tension and Pain

Massage therapy can work on neck and back pain. It relieves headaches and other pain due to tension. The relief may be short-term but receiving the massages multiple times a week provides better results. You will be able to get back to your daily activities, and as your muscles and soft tissue align, your will not need to go for multiple sessions.

One of the health conditions that benefit from this is cancer. The physical and emotional stress causes pain that may not get much relief from medication. Since massages work on relieving both tension and pain, it works effectively in helping patients.

Prenatal Massages

These are great for helping mothers-to-be relax before giving birth. It helps them deal with the pains of a baby growing inside the womb. The massages take pressure off the hips. They also help with the swelling in the legs and feet.

There are so many benefits of massage therapy. To maximize these benefits, take a warm shower before your massage. Remember to breathe during the massage, and drink lots of water after the massage therapy. It will rehydrate you and help flush out metabolic waste.

For more information on massage therapy, visit Frame Chiropractic & Acupuncture at our Toledo, Ohio office. Call (419) 573-0077 to schedule an appointment today.