Massage is becoming one of the most well known, well understood and popular complementary therapies today, and for good reason. Due to the range of techniques and styles available in massage, you’d be astounded at just how good massage is for you. To find out more about exactly how you can benefit, read on for more information.
Physiological Massage Benefits
Massage has a strong effect on the body physically, or physiologically, and you will be surprised at just how much it can be of help to you. Some of these benefits include:
Improves waste removal processes in the body
Encourages sleep, thus helping with insomnia and other sleep issues
Helps to relieve stiff and aching joints
Encourages lymph drainage which can help to reduce swelling
Improves the blood circulation through the body
Helps to encourage deeper breathing
Improves skin tone and colour
Relaxes and relieves sore and tired muscles
Can either help to stimulate or sedate the nervous system
Helps the body to relax
Can help to limit scars forming after injuries and can also help to break down existing scar tissue
Massage can help to release muscles that are pressing on nerves, therefore relieving pain or tingling in arms and legs
Can improve muscle tone and balance, thus giving better support to the skeletal system
The relaxing properties of massage can help to decrease the heart rate
Regular massage can actually increase white blood cells, strengthening your immune system
By relaxing the respiratory muscles, massage can improve lung capacity
Improving and stimulating digestion
Psychological Massage Benefits
As well as the physical effects on the body, massage can also be very helpful psychologically. Ways that you can psychologically benefit from massage include:
Overall relaxation, which is very important for helping to reduce stress, tension, anxiety, and the effects of these
It helps to ease the mental distress that is caused by being in pain
Massage can help to improve your self confidence and self esteem
It releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals, giving you a natural high
Massage creates an overall feeling of wellbeing.