If you have ever had a massage, you know that they feel great. They can help to relax the entire body, eliminating stress. For some people, they help relieve a headache, and for others, a massage is part of their weekly or monthly plan for having what is called “me” or alone time.
There are various different kinds of massages that can be given. Some like using relaxation massages while others swear by deep tissue massages. Cupping massages are an alternative that many will use while others prefer to use barefoot massages. Massages can feel great to many individuals that want their muscles to relax while others like Thai Yoga massages.
All of the massages listed above are said to relieve tension in the body, as well as melt away stress. Others state that pain and discomfort are dissolved. No matter what, body massages do lower the toxicity levels of the body, increase blood circulation, improves Lymphatic drainage, and improves muscle tone and flexibility. Massages have been known to reduce fatigue, improve sleep quality, reduce fibromyalgia pain, enhance exercise performance, decrease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, decrease pain in those that suffer from arthritis, improve balance in older adults, help chronic neck pain, and manage lower back pain.
But how well does massage work? Well, this is a question that can be tricky to answer. According to a massage therapist at the University of Alberta, the answer is not always right in front of us.
Massages are difficult to measure how well they work. While there are benefits for the body and mind in massage, one thing that should always be done at a massage is fulfilling the needs of the client and addressing their main concerns.
A massage therapist should be connecting with the four major physiological systems while trying to manipulate the soft tissue which can obtain favorable results for the client.
The neuromuscular system will be addressed while a massage is taking place. This not only includes the muscles but the nerves as well. Muscles that are tight or weak can be worked on.
The second part of the body that a massage therapist will work on will be the connective tissues. Tendons, ligaments, scar tissues, and cartilage fall into this category. Range of motion can be increased when a massage works on these places.
The circulatory system can benefit by increasing the blood flow to the tissue. More oxygen will be delivered this way and metabolic waste can be gotten rid of.
And finally, the autonomic system can benefit from a massage as it helps to regulate the heart rate. Using massage on this system can help individuals calm down when anxious or stressed out.
One of the best things about massages is that after a person has had one, they will feel the effects for a long while afterward.
Research has found that massages do help with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. The reasoning for this is because a soft massage can decrease anxiety and aggressiveness.
“We can gain some insight by working with other disciplines in medicine and science such as physiotherapy, sports medicine, and chemistry. They have the ability to measure the different molecular structures within blood and tissues, and then we can see if we’re making a difference as massage therapists,” Deborah McIntyre stated.
If you are looking for a massage therapist that can help out various conditions you may have, consider trying Maria’s Professional Massage. Here you will find a high-quality massage that uses various techniques and modalities to help any condition you want to treat.
Picture Credit: Nicole De Khors