Health therapy massage combines therapeutic techniques with relaxing strokes for an exceptional therapeutic experience and stress relief. This makes it a fantastic treatment to manage anxiety and reduce tension.
Increased exercise can also increase production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that regulate moods naturally – offering an alternative, non-drug approach to managing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Relieves Pain
Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing heart rate and relaxing the body, providing many people with an overall sense of well-being and calm after receiving a massage.
Studies have shown that massage reduces pain receptor activity, lowers stress hormones and boosts serotonin. Massage also helps break down scar tissue and increase circulation – essential elements in healing injuries and improving mobility.
Muscle tension or tightness, particularly in the back and neck regions, is known to exacerbate chronic pain conditions such as lower back and neck pain. Studies have demonstrated that regular massage treatments may provide relief.
Studies have revealed that massage can also provide relief from headaches. It works by decreasing trigger points in the neck and shoulders that lead to migraines and tension headaches; massage may even help alleviate anxiety or depression symptoms as a side benefit!
Relieves Anxiety and Depression
Many people view massage as a relaxing luxury, but it can actually provide effective relief from both physical and emotional discomfort. A trained therapist will manipulate your muscles to improve movement, ease discomfort, reduce irritability and boost levels of serotonin and dopamine in your brain – providing a real therapeutic effect.
Studies demonstrate the benefits of massage for stress reduction on the body, such as an elevated heart rate and elevated cortisol levels. Massage also increases neurotransmitters that help lift mood while decreasing hormones that promote anxiety.
Even a basic 1-hour massage has been shown to lower cortisol and increase serotonin, the body’s natural antidepressant. Massage also strengthens your mind-body connection, giving you peace and calmness that may help combat depression. Finally, regular massage encourages healthy sleeping habits – essential components of mental wellbeing.
Helps You Sleep Better
Stress and anxiety can keep many from sleeping soundly. Massage has been shown to lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety levels and boost serotonin, dopamine and other “feel good” neurotransmitters that promote relaxation and sleep quality – essential ingredients in overall health.
Sleep can often be hard to come by in hospital settings, with nurses checking on you constantly and the discomfort and anxiety caused by cancer treatments. Research has demonstrated that patients who received massage therapy reported better rest than those who hadn’t.
Researchers have also discovered that massage helps fibromyalgia sufferers sleep better, with regular massage sessions leading to reduced tender points and neurotransmitter levels that cause pain allowing for improved restful nights’ rest. Studies also show massage helps postpartum women sleep more soundly; we don’t yet fully understand why, though perhaps it has something to do with how massage stimulates serotonin levels which stimulate areas of the brain associated with sleep while decreasing melatonin levels linked to circadian rhythm or the sleep/wake cycle.
Helps You Bounce Back After a Tough Workout
Integrating therapeutic massage into a workout regimen can help prevent muscle soreness and stiffness while increasing flexibility, potentially decreasing injury risks.
Massage’s combination of pressure and rubbing activates pain receptors and causes the nervous system to relax, helping lower blood pressure, heart rate, hormone levels linked to stress as well as providing an atmosphere conducive to relaxation with soft music and dim lighting that adds an additional sense of relaxation.
Massage helps stimulate white blood cells – the first line of defense against infection and illness in our bodies – so regularly including massage in your exercise regime will increase immunity while improving metabolism and speeding recovery from injuries. Also, increased blood flow to muscles helps reduce inflammation and speed healing – great news for people suffering recurring injuries and seeking preventive measures against future damage; but always consult a licensed massage therapist familiar with managing diverse injuries for best results.