6 Surprising Benefits of Massage Therapy
- It eases muscle pain.
- It soothes anxiety and depression.
- It improves sleep.
- It boosts immunity.
- It relieves headaches.
- Reducing stress and increasing relaxation.
- Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension.
- Improving circulation, energy and alertness.
- Lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
- Improving immune function.
Does massage have real health benefits?
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for: Anxiety; Digestive disorders; Fibromyalgia; Headaches; Insomnia related to stress; Low back pain; Myofascial pain syndrome; Nerve pain; Soft tissue strains or injuries; Sports injuries; Temporomandibular joint pain; Upper back and neck pain
What type of massage therapy is the most beneficial?
The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.
What form of massage is the best?
Shiatsu massage is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension. It’s a Japanese type of massage that: Shiatsu massage works the whole body, but your therapist may focus on areas of your body that need extra attention.
How to maximize massage benefits?
Take Advantage of Feng Shui Breast Massage
- Make fists with each hand and place one on each breast. ...
- Grab each breast and then slap it lightly. ...
- Claw each breast with both hands from the outside and toward the nipple. ...
- Squeeze each breast about 10 times.
- Support one breast with your left hand and do circular massage of the top part with your right hand. ...
What are the 5 benefits of massage?
Top 5 Health Benefits of Regular Massage TherapyLower stress. The long-term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls. ... Increase immune function. ... Boost mental health and wellness. ... Manage pain. ... Improve physical fitness.
What are the 10 benefits of a massage?
These are the 10 most common benefits reported from massage therapy:Reduce Stress. A relaxing day at the spa is a great way to unwind and de-stress. ... Improve Circulation. ... Reduce Pain. ... Eliminate Toxins. ... Improve Flexibility. ... Improve Sleep. ... Enhance Immunity. ... Reduce Fatigue.More items...•
How often should you get a massage?
A general recommendation is every 1-3 weeks, especially "if they have specific strain or tension or any area," says Amey. Pregnant women can greatly benefit from regular massages as well, particularly near the end of the pregnancy.
What should you not do after a massage?
What Not to Do After a Massage Therapy?Not Drinking Enough Water. After massage therapy, decreasing your water intake after the massage therapy is not ideal. ... Take A Shower Immediately. ... Taking Hot Shower. ... Eating A Large Meal. ... Drinking Coffee. ... Drinking Alcohol. ... Doing Strenuous Exercise or Activities. ... Stressing Yourself Out.More items...
What happens to body after massage?
The physical manipulation in massage has two major physical effects: Increase in blood and lymph circulation. Relaxation and normalization of the soft tissue (muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments), which releases nerves and deeper connective tissues.
What should you do after a massage?
So, if you missed your massage therapist's little chat, here's a quick recap of what you should be doing post-massage.DRINK WATER. Massage increases your blood circulation and hydrates your muscle tissues. ... STRETCH. ... EAT. ... REST. ... HAVE A BATH. ... WELCOME ANY EMOTIONS. ... PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY'S REACTION. ... URINATE.
Is it good to shower after a massage?
Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so. When in the shower or a bath, the surface of the skin has increased blood circulation, which after a massage can lead to surface congestion.
Is massage good for weight loss?
Weight Loss. Deep tissue massage encourages lymphatic flow and circulation, which aid in detoxification and weight loss as well. Combined with a good exercise regimen and a natural whole foods diet, massage can help reduce excess fat and weight in your body.
When should you not get a massage?
When you have any of these conditions, please do not book a massage:Fever.Contagious diseases, including any cold or flu, no matter how mild it may seem.Under the influence of drugs or alcohol-including prescription pain medication.Recent operations or acute injuries.Neuritis.Skin diseases.
Should I talk during a massage?
Talking keeps the brain waves from moving into “theta”, which is the beginning state of when the parasympathetic response begins to do what it does. This is why we as therapists should always encourage as much silence during the massage as possible.
How long do massage benefits last?
Generally speaking, you may feel sore for a couple of days after the massage, which is normal. Beyond that, the benefits may last a couple of days to an entire week. There are some things you can do to help the relaxing, stress-relieving benefits last for as long as possible.
Why are you so tired after a massage?
Fatigue or Sleepiness As a result of releasing tension, feeling tired or groggy can be a factor after your deep tissue massage. Releasing tension in the body can reduce stress, whether physically, mentally, or both, yet these symptoms shouldn't last longer than a good night's rest after your session.
What You Can Expect During A Massage
You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any sympto...
Finding A Massage Therapist
Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certific...
The Take-Home Message About Massage
Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to hel...
How does massage therapy help with mental health?
Research suggests that symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression (all associated with mental health) may be directly affected with massage therapy. Manage pain. Pain can negatively affect a person’s quality of life and impede recovery from illness or injury.
Does massage help with stress?
The long-term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls. Massage therapy may relieve stress and conditions associated with it , such as tension headaches. Increase immune function.
Is massage therapy good for health?
The health experts at National University of Health Sciences want you to know the top five health benefits of adding regular massage therapy to your health and wellness strategy. Massage therapy from a licensed practitioner can: Lower stress. The long-term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls.
Why is massage therapy important?
For some, massage therapy is a short-term intervention to help with injury and rehabilitation. For others, massage is their salve to reduce the stresses of a hurried and chaotic life. Wherever you are on the spectrum of health care, massage offers many valuable benefits to those who receive it.
What is the difference between Swedish massage and Thai massage?
A comparison of traditional Swedish massage and Thai massage found that Swedish massage produced stronger relaxation responses and improved sleep, while Thai massage led to a sense of energy and revitalization (MacSween).
How to help arthritis patients?
Massage by itself or in combination with aromatherapy, can be an effective strategy to help manage symptoms and improve function in people who have arthritis. Some studies looked at whole-body relaxation treatments, while others examined bodywork, including self-massage, targeted to the affected area. (Perlman, Nasiri, Tosun, Atkins, Peungsuwan, Zwolińska).
Is massage therapy a short term treatment?
While it was once considered an indulgence for healthy people, or a short-term intervention to help with a musculoskeletal injury, massage therapy is now often integrated into conventional health care for people who live with chronic conditions, including arthritis, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and kidney failure.
Is massage therapy effective for opioids?
Because massage therapy is demonstrably effective for many kinds of pain, and because it is a comparatively low-risk treatment option, it is generating a lot of interest in the context of reducing the need for opioid drugs. Several policy-making organizations, including The Joint Commission, The US Department of Health and Human Services, and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians have published strategies that could include massage therapy as a part of pain management to reduce reliance on opioid drugs (Massage & Bodywork).
Can massage help with fibromyalgia?
Research supports massage therapy for fibromyalgia, specifically for pain, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep (Castro-Sánchez, Oliveira). The best results were seen with long-term treatments, so this suggests that people with fibromyalgia commit to several weeks of regular massage to derive the most benefit (Kalichman, Li, Yuan).
Is massage good for back pain?
For back and neck pain. The American College of Physicians recommends massage as an early option for acute and subacute low-back pain (Qaseem). This is supported by evidence in favor of massage alone or massage plus exercise for back pain (Joseph, Skelly).
Why do you massage your muscles?
When your muscles are sore and inflamed, a massage can help bring blood flow to the area (and encourage recovery), according to a 2015 meta-analysis study published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine.
What is deep massage?
Deep massage involves a little more pressure with slower strokes meant to get to deeper muscle layers and tissue, the Mayo Clinic says. This might be the type of massage you ask for when you have an injury. Sports massage is very similar to Swedish massage, the Mayo Clinic explains.
What are the different types of massage?
There are a bunch of different types, but here are a few of the more common massage therapy styles: 1 Swedish massage is a more gentle massage that helps you relax, the Mayo Clinic explains. During this massage, your therapist might try using long strokes, kneading, and deeper circular movements. 2 Deep massage involves a little more pressure with slower strokes meant to get to deeper muscle layers and tissue, the Mayo Clinic says. This might be the type of massage you ask for when you have an injury. 3 Sports massage is very similar to Swedish massage, the Mayo Clinic explains. Athletes who are recovering from injury, and those who might want to prevent injuries, can find benefits in this type of massage, the Mayo Clinic says. 4 Trigger point massage, according to the Mayo Clinic, focuses on areas where there is tightness and tension and works to alleviate that pressure. 5 Self-massages can help you relieve tension and manage post-workout soreness whether you reach for a massager like the Theragun ($399, Theragun ), a foam roller, or you simply use your hands.
Does massage help with fibromyalgia?
People with fibromyalgia experience chronic pain as well as sleep, memory, and mood symptoms. While massage therapy isn’t a cure for the condition, the Mayo Clinic says that it is a complementary treatment (along with medication, counseling, and physical therapy). Keep in mind, however, that, in some cases, massage therapy can make your pain worse, the Mayo Clinic explains. It’s best to chat with your primary care doctor about the potential benefits of massage for fibromyalgia, and make sure you discuss your condition with your massage therapist beforehand.
Is massage good for stress?
We need more research to figure out exactly how much massage therapy reduces stress-hormones like cortisol, but anecdotal evidence suggests that massages can help lower stress and encourage relaxation.
Can you get a massage while pregnant?
Getting a massage during pregnancy can improve circulation, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Just make sure you check with your doctor before booking an appointment and be sure to tell your massage therapist that you’re pregnant (even if you’re not showing).
Is sports massage the same as Swedish massage?
Sports massage is very similar to Swedish massage, the Mayo Clinic explains. Athletes who are recovering from injury, and those who might want to prevent injuries, can find benefits in this type of massage, the Mayo Clinic says. Trigger point massage, according to the Mayo Clinic, focuses on areas where there is tightness and tension ...
Why do people get massages?
People with chronic pain often turn to massage therapy to help naturally improve their quality of life. Massage can increase a person’s serotonin level , which causes the body to reduce pain naturally. Around 35 percent of all people who receive massages experience less pain associated with stiffness, soreness, injuries and chronic health conditions.
How does massage help with flexibility?
Massage can stimulate the production of the body’s natural lubricants to keep flexibility at a maximum. By working on muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and joints, massages can improve your flexibility and range of motion, keeping your joints more fluid and making them less injury prone.
How to relieve tension headaches?
Massage on a regular basis helps the relax and de-stress the body. This alternative method reduces the chances of experiencing migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. It can also ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension-related headaches.
How to help arthritis pain?
A massage that involves applying light pressure to your joints and the tiny pressure receptors under your skin could help ease your arthritis pain. Massage can increase blood flow to your joints and boost your circulation throughout your body, which could help increase your mobility and flexibility.
Why do athletes get massages?
It’s common today for athletes to receive massages at the arenas or training sites to help establish blood flow and to warm up muscles prior to a game or an event.
Why is touch used as a healing method?
It carries many medicinal benefits too. The practice of using touch as a healing method derives from customs and techniques rooted in ancient history. Eastern and Western Civilizations found that massages could heal injuries, relieve pain, reduce stress, prevent and cure illnesses.
Does massage help with fibromyalgia?
One study by the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage therapy helped people with fibromyalgia feel more relaxed and helped with tender point pain and decreased their levels of substance P (a substance that sends pain signals around your body).
