Massages Can Relieve Stress

Stress is a natural reaction to situations which our mind perceives to be dangerous or that require a level of high alert. It is a protection mechanism that is necessary at times but sometimes gets overplayed in the modern world due to excessive stress alerts. This makes it necessary to ensure we get adequate stress relief to mitigate the effects of too much stress- namely cardiac or mental health issues. Amongst these include a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, substance abuse issues, anxiety, sadness or anger, or physical changes to the body including changes in sex drive, sleep, and even body composition with increased fat being linked to high levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone. It is important to manage your life and your stress so that these risks are mitigated as best as possible because no one wants to deal with these comorbidities and conditions. Thankfully, there are many different forms of stress relief out there- everything from meditation to exercising to getting massages and it […] Continue reading

Therapeutic Massage and Blood Circulation

A new study by a group at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) shows that massages can help increase blood flow and reduce muscle soreness after exercising. The study, printed in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also showed improvements in people who had not exercised in terms of blood flow. These two findings continue to support a hypothesis on the value of massages for people of all activity levels and vascular health. Advocates of massages have long touted the circulate and muscle benefits of getting massages. Many professional athletes buy into these claims and get regular massages, especially after big games or events. At the same time, no major randomized controlled trial has been conducted due to the high costs associated with that type of gold-standard study. Instead, we have a growing body of cheaper and smaller studies including this one by UIC. Over time, it is possible the evidence level builds up to really support more interventional massages as part of routine care. This new study […] Continue reading

Health Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is growing in popularity as people around the world discover its utility in improving physiological wellness. The technique consists of deep pressure from the fingers and slow strokes that affect the deeper layers of muscle that traditional massages may not have much impact upon. There is a growing body of scientific literature that shows the clinical impact of deep tissue massages, including in patients suffering from certain disease states. The University of Maryland Medical Center uses the technique in some patients with chronic pain, reporting favorable results without the side effects and abuse risks associated with opioid medications. The thinking is that the massages may be improving blood flow to the muscles, allowing for a reduction in inflammation and pain. They may also help in reducing muscle tension which can be a source of discomfort in those suffering from chronic pain. Beyond pain and inflammation, massages are culturally known to be relaxing and for good reason. They can help reduce stress as one completely relaxes and lets […] Continue reading

Can Massage Relieve Pain?

Massages are growing in popularity amongst people with a number of ailments or those who just want a better way to relax. A key question surrounding the efficacy of massages is, “Can Massage Relieve Pain?” For millions of people who suffer from chronic pain and for whom pain relievers are ineffective or high risk, options like massage may provide a good alternative to controlling their pain. Massage can help relax people, while reducing stress and relieving pain. A recent systematic review in Pain Medicine substantiates these claims. By pooling 60 high-quality and seven low-quality studies, the review found that message therapy was superior to placebo in ailing pain. It also had the added benefit of a favorable safety profile which was very low in side effects (particularly in comparison to pharmacotherapy). There seem to be multiple mechanisms via which massages improve biomechanical, physiological, and psychological wellbeing. It truly is a lost art, having originally been described by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. A question that always persists with massage therapy […] Continue reading

Ashiatsu massage, its techniques and benefits

While the Ashiatsu massage had been confined within the countries of Hawaii, Fiji, Japan, China, Thailand, Tonga, and India for more than three thousand years, it has grown in popularity in the present times. It has become popular on a global scale. Ashiatsu had been a homely practice for long time where family members massaged each other with feet on the mat or floor. It is now being practiced on the massage tables and studios. The original style was not as structured and the family members got creative and tried new and improved methods when they offered the massage. They brought new techniques and procedures into the Ashiatsu massage. When Ashiatsu has just stepped out into the greater world, the massage therapists and practitioners seemed to have more interest in energy or Chi, rather than in comforting and easing muscle pains. According to traditional Ashiatsu,  people follow yin meridians’ flow coming from earth and yang meridians’ flow coming from heaven. The main focus is directed on the energy map of […] Continue reading

Does Massage Really Make A Health Difference?

Just about everyone has had or heard about the benefits of massage.  Just a cursory glance on a search engine will find millions of websites devoted to the practice.  It’s as old as civilization itself and probably older. People who have had massage will make all kinds of claims regarding the benefits of massage.  From the relief of headaches, backache, even immune system improvement.  The list of maladies that people claim have been remedied by massage seem endless but it is more than just a subjective issue as science has researched the benefits of massage within the realm of stress relief. Stress is considered the silent killer along with blood pressure and diabetes II.  Massage as part of a stress relief regimen is almost textbook.  From athletes to business people always on the go to moms and dads who have to deal with everyday pressures and kids, massage can help greatly in letting off that pent up energy in the muscles and mind.  Anything natural that relieves stress is beneficial.  […] Continue reading

The Benefits of Massages For Athletes

Athletes are the ones who are completely dedicated to keeping their bodies at peak performance .  They need to be bigger, stronger, faster, more agile and etc . than the next person if they’re going to compete at the level they’d like to. Although breaking your body down and building it back up is a rather key component to the athletic world, not many people take into account how important massages are. Whenever you see a football player getting stretched before the game or even worked on after the game has finished, the massage therapist (or sports trainer) working on them knows exactly what they’re doing. They don’t get massages just for the fun of getting a massage.   Athletes take massage very serious as some even keep a professional massage therapist on their payroll.  Some people tend to think that massages have no positive effect on athletes, but those people couldn’t be further from the truth. These days anybody who is a sports fanatic will know that athletes need massages […] Continue reading

What are the Benefits of Thai Yoga Massage?

You might be wondering what Thai Yoga Massage is. This type of massage combines a massage with yoga and deep stretching. It has become one of the more popular forms of massage around the world today because of its excellent benefits for those who have it performed. The person receiving the massage will be put into various yoga poses during the massage. This type of massage is particularly good for athletes who run or swim because of the repetitive motion involved. Physical Benefits of a Thai Yoga Massage There are various benefits of Thai Yoga Massage, specifically the one that helps boost the immune system and detoxify the body. Other benefits include relieving back pain and pain associated with arthritis. The massage will also help with blood circulation and lower the blood pressure of the person receiving the massage. Some added physical benefits include the improvement of posture, balance, body alignments and gets rid of blockages to energy. This type of massage will also help  your immune system, strengthen the […] Continue reading

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are small lumps or knots in your muscles that cause pain at that point and refer pain to other areas around the body.  Trigger points are caused when a muscle is overworked or injured through exercise, car accidents, improper posture, moving furniture, and other activities that can push your muscles beyond their capacity. Trigger points can be treated through a variety of invasive procedures. Treatment procedures in a doctor’s office consist of injections from a selection of options: saline, anesthetic, steroids, and botulism toxin. While injections may provide immediate relief they carry high risks of soft tissue and organ damage. A better short and long term solution is trigger point massage and exercises that target strengthening your joints, which may prevent recurring trigger points. Continue reading