Benefits of Massage Therapy:

 

Massage therapy helps you to relax and rejuvenate. In addition to increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, therapeutic massage relieves stress, reduces headaches, increases flexibility, regulates your blood pressure, and increases circulation. Therapeutic massage by a trained professional also helps to accelerate recovery from injury, increase concentration, and reduce fatigue to give you more energy to handle stressful situations. Continued doses of massage therapy can even increase the cells that fight cancer.


Stress Relief

 
Experts estimate that 80 to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Stress management is a key component for anyone seeking the benefits of a healthy, happy lifestyle. Massage therapy boosts the body’s immune system, proving to be one of the most effective methods of stress relief. Here are some stress relief benefits associated with massage therapy:
  •   Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into the tissues and vital organs.  
  •  Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, to fight off toxic invaders. 
  •  Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles.
  •  Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays. 

Headache/Migraine Reduction

 

Massage therapy relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for headache related medication. Regular treatments help the body maintain an optimal level of relaxation aiding in stress-relief. Massage eases the pressure brought on by migraines and tension-related headaches by releasing endorphins (the body’s natural painkiller). Treatments centered around the head, neck, and shoulders can decrease headache/ migraine pain and discomfort.


According to the American Massage Therapy Association, “A recent study showed that massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleeps quality during the weeks they received massage, and the three weeks following, than did participants that did not receive massage therapy.” Massage therapy also increases serotonin levels, which participate in the regulation of sleep, mood, and appetite.

Increased Flexibility

 

As we grow older, our bodies gradually lose the fluid and hydration one present in our younger years. Regular massage therapy treatments work on the muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and joints to stimulate the production and retention of the body's natural lubricants. Massage therapy treatments improve range-of-motion and increase joint flexibility. Therapeutic massage also helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains by keeping the body flexible.

Blood Pressure Regulation

 

Regular massage therapy treatments are among the most effective methods of achieving blood pressure regulation. An effective massage therapy regimen can decrease diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, salivary and urinary cortical stress-hormone levels, depression, anxiety and hostility. Regulated blood pressure also decreases the probability of encountering a heart attack, kidney failure, or stroke.