Health benefits of regular massage therapy

Believe it or not, massage therapy has actually been used for centuries to alleviate stress and promote feelings of relaxation. In today’s modern, fast-paced world, stress is a nearly ubiquitous problem and, if you find yourself afflicted by stress like many people, it may be a good time to find a good massage therapist in a spa where you live. Here we will dive into the benefits of receiving regular massages as a tool in stress management and overall well being.

POSTURE BENEFITS

One thing which massages are excellent at doing is relieving muscle tension. We unconsciously tense and stiffen our muscles when we are stressed. This can not only lead to discomfort and pain, but it can also affect our posture. When we regularly receive massage therapy, these tight muscles are loosened so that we can move more freely and walk with improved posture. Poor posture can lead to its own set of back, leg and muscle issues apart from ordinary muscle stiffness so, in this sense, massages can really save you a lot of pain and aggravation. It’s also a lot more cost effective for your wallet than regular doctor visits so, if there is any chance at all that massage therapy might help you out, go ahead and give it a try.

HORMONAL AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM BENEFITS

The act of receiving a massage ignites a whole plethora of hormonal and circulatory benefits which we aren’t even aware of as they are happening. For one thing, massages cause the body to naturally release endorphins. Endorphins, which are also released during intense or prolonged exercise, improve mood and well being, reduce stress and relieve pain. For this reason, many of the physiological benefits which exercise can provide are also present when receiving massages. Additionally, receiving regular massages can reduce cortisol which is nicknamed “the stress hormone.” An excess of cortisol, which is the result of excess stress, has a plethora of negative health consequences which include headache, high blood pressure, sleep problems, weight gain, depression and even slower recovery from exercise. In other words, anything you can do to keep your cortisol levels under control is worth trying and massages are a healthy, natural way to do this. Finally, the manipulation of skin and muscle tissue which occurs when receiving a massage improves circulation and improved circulation has a wide variety of benefits including faster healing, a sharper mind and a healthier heart.

IMMUNE SYSTEM BENEFITS 

The immune system similarly benefits from regular massages. Massages stimulate the production of white blood cells (immune cells) which improves the ability of the body to fight bacteria, viruses and eliminate toxins and metabolic waste. In this era of the Covd-19 pandemic, an immune system boost should be a welcomed benefit for everyone. Finally, massages mobilize lymphatic tissue in order to help these tissues clean the blood more efficiently which also helps the body fight off infections more effectively as the lymphatic system is an important part of the overall immune system.

CONCLUSION

For a relatively inexpensive service, massage therapy provides a wide variety of benefits for various systems in the body. When you consider what you might spend on doctors if you don’t implement good preventative health measures like massages into your lifestyle, the return on investment is fantastic. Additionally, going to the spa for a massage can be a great social activity to do with friends or family which, similarly, improves overall health and well being.