Most of us think of massages as a way to relax after a long day at work or an intense gym session, or as part of a luxury spa experience. While massages are definitely relaxing, they’re also incredibly good for your health.
Adding regular massages to your routine can bring immediate benefits. Research has consistently shown that massage therapy helps with:
– Lowering anxiety
– Improving sleep
– Easing digestive issues
– Treating specific sports injuries
– Relieving joint pain
Beyond these general health perks, there are certain situations where massage therapy can have a significant and noticeable impact.
**Keeping Your Body in Top Shape**
Exercise is great for our health, but injuries can often sideline us. Massage therapy helps by not only preventing injuries but also by speeding up recovery. It’s no wonder professional athletes make massages a staple part of their routines.
**Improving Circulation**
A study from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that massage therapy boosts circulation and eases soreness after exercise. Those who received massages only felt soreness for about 90 minutes post-exercise, compared to 24 hours for those who didn’t.
**Better Posture**
While massage therapy isn’t a cure for posture issues, it helps muscles respond better to overall treatment. It’s an important part of a comprehensive posture correction plan.
**Massages for the Elderly**
Elderly patients benefit from massages tailored with gentle techniques and oils to reduce friction. These massages not only relieve stress but also aid in managing specific medical conditions.
**Treating Age-Related Issues**
Massage therapy is particularly effective in treating age-related diseases. Studies indicate noticeable short-term and long-term benefits. For instance, massages can significantly reduce agitation and distress in Alzheimer’s patients, promoting relaxation and easing caregivers’ roles.
**Slowing Down Aging**
Aging accelerates in those who lack physical activity or mental stimulation. Geriatric massage therapy often involves conversation and stretching, benefitting both mentally and physically by maintaining a good range of motion and reducing tension.
Patients who incorporate massages into their treatment routines report better sleep, more energy, and an overall sense of wellbeing. Massage therapy is a fantastic option for slowing down the aging process.
**Complementary to Other Treatments**
For the elderly, combining massage therapy with NSAIDs and exercise is highly effective. Targeted massages for seniors are cost-effective and carry no risk, unlike some medications.
**Massage and Pregnancy**
Pregnancy comes with stress due to physical and emotional changes. Massage therapy can make those nine months more bearable by relieving discomfort and stress.
**Managing Muscle Stress**
Pregnancy alters a mother’s center of gravity, stressing the back, shoulders, neck, and abdominal muscles. Prenatal massage therapists target these areas while avoiding stress on the body and baby. While pregnant women may not lie flat on a massage table, massage chairs can still offer significant pain relief.
**Feel-Good Hormones**
Pregnancy often brings stress, and massage therapy can help by boosting dopamine and serotonin levels, the ‘feel-good’ hormones. It also lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, improving overall mood and wellbeing.
**Massage and Cancer**
Massage therapy isn’t a substitute for cancer treatments but is an effective way to manage symptoms and reduce stress, ultimately improving quality of life. Though it can’t treat cancer, it aids in handling stress, anxiety, pain, headaches, and improving sleep quality.
Several studies have shown the benefits of massage therapy in managing symptoms, especially for breast cancer patients. Though some findings are not definitive, the positive impacts on wellbeing are undeniable.
Massage therapy is more than just a relaxing rubdown. It offers significant medical benefits and, when combined with other treatments, can provide remarkable results.