In order to understand the benefits of massage therapy, it is a good idea to have an understanding of what massage therapy is. Massage therapy is when a trained and licensed masseuse or therapist administers a massage to a problem area. This has been done to treat many medical conditions and it also relieves the pain and suffering that accompanies many illnesses and disorders.
Types of Massage
Massage therapy can be administered in different ways. There are many different techniques and styles of massage, ranging from the common working of the muscles with long steady kneading strokes, to a percussive style that is also very popular with therapists. Some massage therapists will include things like incense and scented oils to help relax the person, others will leave that kind of thing out. Some therapists may also ask a person to at least partially disrobe, others will not find that necessary.
The practice of therapeutic massage is older than some nations. There are many reasons why a person might seek out the services of a massage therapist, the simplest of these being they know they need to relax. If nothing else, a good massage will loosen the muscles, which will alleviate tension and pain. A good massage can also help to improve the circulation by increasing blood flow to the relaxed muscles. Most people find that they leave a massage feeling energized and refreshed, which is just more of the benefits that come with a good session of massage therapy.
Benefits of Massage
The benefits of massage therapy have also been noticed by doctors, and can sometimes be included in an effective treatment plan. Studies have shown that healthy adults who have regular massages are more likely to have lower blood pressure than their “untouched” counterparts.
Mental Health Benefits
Massage therapy has also been shown to dramatically decrease stress levels for several reasons. Those who get regular massages report increased serotonin levels. A low rate of serotonin has been blamed for many things including depression and anxiety. Increasing the levels without the use of drugs is beneficial to those with mood disorders. Massage can decrease cortisol, the stress hormone. Stress can cause heart disease, ulcers and a myriad of other health problems. By decreasing the levels of cortisol in your body, you are decreasing your chances of having stress related diseases.
Physical Health Benefits
Massage therapy can help a person who is recovering from surgery to heal more quickly. It can help a person who has been through strenuous physical exercise, like athletes for example, avoid serious injury. Massage therapy has also been known to help in other areas as well.
Massage therapy can be beneficial for people suffering from a wide variety of medical problems. People suffering from extreme illness can benefit from massage. Increased blood flow, increased white blood cells and increased serotonin levels all contribute to the overall health of everyone, but particularly those battling serious illness. Massage therapy can also increase your white blood cell count. This suggests that massage would benefit those with autoimmune disease.
Massage therapy helps to stimulate the production of endorphins in the body. This can help to alleviate symptoms of pain. It can also help to alleviate the symptoms of depression and stress. Massage therapy also helps increase the production of the body’s natural defenses by stimulating the lymphatic system. This means better overall health, and faster recovery from illness.
Massage is linked to better sleep and decreased pain. Seventy percent of American’s will experience back pain in their life. Massage is designed to alleviate pain through muscle manipulation. When you schedule regular massages, you are teaching your body how to relax. Once your body and mind learn how to slip into relaxation, peaceful, adequate sleep and prevention of tight back muscles is easier to achieve.
Get Your Own Massage Chair
Almost 70% of all people experience back pain at some point in their life. Lower back pain is even more prevalent, but there is no reason why you have to continue to suffer. There are therapies and pills that you can take, but over time even this can get old. If you are looking for something that you can use occasionally when your back pain flares up you might want to think about investing in a Healthy Back massage chair. Just a few minutes in a massage chair can make a world of difference in improving the overall health of you back.
One of the nice perks of a massage chair is that you can use it at home at your own convenience. Unlike most therapies, you will not be annoyed while trying to fit a massage into your busy schedule. It can be hard to find time to work out or find some time to run through a full list of therapies. At the same time, it can be uncomfortable to sit still on an ice pack or similar product for hours. However, a massage chair requires no effort on your part and you will get the same therapeutic effect that a full massage would offer you.
Most people do not have the time to visit a massage parlor on a daily basis. Of course, most people do not have the time to visit a massage parlor on a daily basis. They also do not have the money to pay for regular massage sessions, but this is what makes the Healthy Back massage chair such a great investment.
You can always find time in the evening to sit down and read the newspaper or watch the evening news, and you can simply slide into your massage chair at the same time. This way you get therapy to relieve your back pain at the same time that you are enjoying your nightly activities. For people that workout on a regular basis or those that have a manual labour job the massage chair can be the perfect match. Having a place to relax at the end of the day can make going home after a hard day of work much better. Plus, anyone in your home that is having back trouble can enjoy the gentle massage of the chair.