Top 6 Benefits of Massage!

"Massage has had a positive effect on every medical condition we've looked at"

– Tiffany Field, M.D.

The purpose of massage is to target the source of your pain and eliminate tension, increase flexibility and provide relaxation to the affected muscles. Muscle tension causes stiffness, pain and fatigue which massage can help relieve the symptoms of, speeding up recovery and getting you back on your feet faster.

Here are some of the top benefits of massage therapy;

1. Reduces muscle tension.

Muscle tension is not necessarily a bad thing. It helps maintain posture and assists in everyday movements. It’s when there is an increase in muscle tension that you can find yourself feeling stiff, in pain and restricted in movement. Massage is an effective treatment for relieving the symptoms of muscle tension. It promotes the flow of blood to the affected areas increasing oxygen and nutrients. That increase in blood raises the temperature of the muscles which allows them to relax, relieving the tension.

2. Improves range of motion.

Relieving tension in the muscle allows them to stretch and increases tissue elasticity. Tension in the muscles shortens muscle fibres which can restrict movement. By increasing the temperature in the muscles of the soft tissue the muscle fibres can be loosened allowing more flexibility and range of movement around the joints, which will reduce the risk of injury. This is why it’s also important to warm those muscles up before you start any strenuous activity.

3. Aids in recovery of injury.

Sometimes, even when we do all the right things, injuries can still happen. Massage is a great tool in preventing injury but also in recovery should an injury occur. Soft tissue can become stiff due to lack of movement during the recovery stage and tension builds in the muscles surrounding the affected areas. Massage not only helps to reduce pain but can increase muscle relaxation and bloody supply and promote drainage of any swelling that may exist around the injury. This can all help to speed up your recovery time by increasing the healing process of damaged tissue.

4. Reduces stress and anxiety.

In today’s fast paced world, the number of people who suffer from stress and anxiety is extremely high and it can have an incredibly negative impact on a person’s mental and physical health. Hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, the “feel good” hormones, are released during massage through skin to skin contact which can lower the heart rate, release muscle tension and promote feelings of calmness and deeper relaxation.

5. Improves sleep.

Who doesn’t love sleep!? The quality of the sleep we get is vital to our health and well being. Insufficient sleep is linked with many chronic diseases and conditions and can make getting through the day tough! There are many reasons for poor sleep; the everyday stresses of life, anxiety, depression or physical pain. Regular massage can not only provide relief from pain but also stimulate serotonin production which the body uses to synthesise melatonin – a hormone that’s main role is to regulate the body clock and induce sleep.

6. Boosts immune system.

Many people don’t know that massage can also help boost your immune system! Massage allows the body to relax which decreases stress hormones and gives your immune system a chance to do its thing more efficiently. People who experience high levels of stress are more prone to illness and injury. When you add poor sleep to that, the impact on the immune system can be brutal. Along with all the other great benefits, massage can also increase the immune systems cytotoxic capacity which is its ability to fight off bacteria and infection.

Massage therapy can increase circulation, relieve muscle tension, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, boost the immune system and promote relaxation throughout your entire body. While massage was once considered an alternative approach to health with not much of a following, it is now becoming more mainstream and increasing in popularity as people discover just how long the list of benefits are.