Health Benefits with Massage Therapy
Body Massage is one of the most ancient forms of healing and one of the most effective ways to relax and rejuvenate.
The power of touch has miraculous effects for everyone. Massage has the power to relax, heal, and help release emotions and tension without the aid of drugs.
When deciding whether you want to get a massage, consider your health and your needs. As long as you do not have any serious health conditions, this alternative, drug-free therapy may be the right treatment for you.
Massage is a curative procedure that is highly beneficial for the entire system of the body. Normally dry palms are used for Massage. But if the skin is too dry or if the body is excessively weak, soothing oil may be used. Among oils, sesame oil is considered best for massaging the body.
Massage therapy has been scientifically studied for many years and has shown many positive effects on a variety of health conditions.
Massage therapists use a variety of techniques to promote healing and relaxation, as well as to promote greater flexibility and range of motion. If a specific muscle group is injured or contracted, other muscles surrounding the affected area also brace in response to the injury or contraction.
Massage helps to improve blood circulation, decrease pain and inflammation, relax the muscles, and makes you feel better. Massage activate the nervous system, joints, bones, spine, muscles and the skin.
Massage therapy not only provides relaxation and relief to muscle strain and fatigue, a therapeutic massage may improve your health. There are many benefits to massage therapy, including physical, emotional, and physiological improvements in the body.
Many people don’t know about the health benefits of massage therapy. They think of massage as an indulgence. The medical benefits of massage therapy are:
Increases circulation– The increased blood circulation caused by massage helps increase the nourishment muscles receive and carries the wastes from the muscles into the lymphatic system. If your legs ache after a long day try massaging them and notice how much quicker the aching goes away. While it doesn’t exercise muscles, regular massages can help prevent the atrophy of unused muscles.
The accelerated circulation reduces swelling. There is an increase in the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen and to utilize it effectively.
Strengthens the immune/ digestive system–Encouraging the flow of lymph helps pump toxins out of your body enhancing your immune system.
Massaging the abdomen stimulates the digestive system, and promotes better elimination of wastes. The resistive powers of the body are strengthened due to the increase in the efficiency of the liver.
Reduces stress and anxiety — Massages calm the nervous system. This facilitates relaxation. Stress contributes in many ways to the development of diseases. Massage helps to relieve these day to day tensions and allows one to have more peace of mind.
Speeds healing – Massage helps speed healing time after surgery and reduces the appearance of scar tissue.
For Infants – There are many studies on the health benefits of massage therapy the most famous study is massaging premature infants. It is found that premature infants who are massaged gained weight much faster than those that are not. They are generally less stressed. Infants who are massaged have more organized sleep and wake patterns.
Muscles – Massage reduces the tension in the muscles and relieves muscular pain. Strenuous exertion results in the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. Massage helps to rid the muscles of this acid and thus imparts a feeling of freshness and vigor. The kneading and pulling motion of massage can help increase flexibility in muscles. The therapist can also use methods such as Muscle Energy Technique to increase flexibility.
Heart – Systematic massage will reduce the burden on the heart, and thus increase its efficiency.
Nerves – Slow and gentle massage with light pressure relieve tension of the nerves and soothe them. Vigorous massage stimulates lax nerves and increases their efficiency.
Skin – Massage has beneficial effects on the skin. The pores of the skin are opened up, thus helping of the elimination of toxins from the body through perspiration. It helps the skin become more supple and regulates oil production.
The urinary system – Massaging activates the urinary system. As a result the process of elimination of toxic substances from the body through the urine is accelerated by the formation of greater quantities of urine.
There are a number of benefits to be gained from massage therapy. Once thought of as a luxury that most people could not afford to indulge in, it has become a very beneficial component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Massage is still thought of by many as an alternative type of medical treatment.
Massage therapy can be an extremely powerful tool that can help you to lead a healthier life when it is done correctly.
As certain muscles are massaged, emotions may be released. The kneading motions combined with heat and or aromatherapy cause a person to relax, releasing tension. Stress and tension is often rubbed away with any aches or pains in the body.
Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch— which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles.
Children with autism who are massaged display less stereotypical autistic behaviors. They have more regular sleep patterns and are able to stay on task more easily.
Seniors or old aged people who are massaged regularly also got benefit with massage therapy. They are more alert and aware of their surroundings. They are also less likely to be depressed. The benefits of massage therapy can be seen in both the young and old.
When you should not get Massage ?
With certain health conditions, it could be dangerous get a body massage. People with the following symptoms or illnesses should get their doctor’s advice first.
* If you have a blood clot, the massage could cause the clot to move, and if it moves into your lungs, it can kill you.
* People suffering from Cardiovascular diseases may have swollen blood vessels, blood clots, or heart disease.
* Certain forms of cancer.
* If you have skin conditions such as burns, cuts, cold sores, bruises, sores, herpes, open cuts, and swollen areas, you should not have a massage in one of these areas.
* Severe back pain could mean you have a problem that could be exacerbated with massage, so ask your doctor first.
* People with high fevers or chills should not get a massage, it may be the sign of a serious illness.
* Pregnant Women should avoid massaging the feet, lower legs, and abdomen during the first three months of pregnancy, it could cause miscarriage. There are massage therapists who specialize in pregnancy massage, but always ask your doctor first.
* People with a mild stage of osteoporosis could benefit from massage if permitted by their doctors, but not in case of severe osteoporosis.
Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain.
Massage is one of the most effective ways to relax and rejuvenate.
