Benefits of Massage
Everyone can benefit from massage. Massage increases circulation, elevates red and white corpuscle count, pumps fresh oxygen into the muscles, and eliminates toxins in the blood. Massage also increases endurance. Studies have shown that massage can help people suffering from muscle fatigue recover 300% faster than without massage. For people with high stress, such as people in business, massage can help lower blood pressure and allow the heart to rest. Anxiety and nervous tension are diminished, and wrinkle and worry lines disappear.
According to the American Message Therapists Association (AMTA), massage helps physically, mentally and emotionally. Listed below are just a few examples of the benefits of massage therapy.
Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
- Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
- Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy
- Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
- Reduces muscle spasms
- Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
- Enhances athletic performance; treats injuries caused during sport or work
- Promotes deeper and easier breathing
- Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
- Reduces blood pressure
- Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
- Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
- Improves posture
- Strengthens the immune system
- Treats musculoskeletal problems
- Increases effectiveness of rehabilitation after an operation
- Increases effectiveness of rehabilitation after injury
Mental Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Fosters peace of mind
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
Emotional Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Creates body awareness
- Increases awareness of mind-body connection