Benefits of Massage Therapy
While massage therapy is great for those who are stressed or injured, it is also very important as a method of prevention.
A number of general massage benefits include but are not limited to:
A number of general massage benefits include but are not limited to:
- Increasing circulation
- Reducing or eliminating pain
- Reducing muscle tension
- Improving joint health & mobility
- Improving immune system functioning
- Increasing lymphatic drainage
- Reducing depression & anxiety (RMTAO, 2013)
Massage & Pain
The purpose of massage for many is to reduce pain, which occurs by breaking the pain cycle and finding the original source of the pain. By using massage, the pain can be eradicated, or at a minimum be reduced, by increasing blood flow to the tissue that is lacking oxygen (Rattray & Ludwig, 2000).
Massage & Circulation
The mechanical pressure of massage on bodily tissues increases venous return and squeezes out the toxins from within them, to help your body with its’ natural cleansing (Elements Massage, 2013).
Massage & the Lymphatic System
The rate of lymphatic flow can be increased up to nine times by specific massage techniques. The lymphatic system is also where built up edema lies, which appears to us as swelling. By increasing lymphatic flow, metabolic wastes are brought to organs that will eliminate it from the body (Rattray & Ludwig, 2000).
Massage & the Immune System
Massage therapy keeps the lymph circulation going, rather than accumulating, and allows immune cells to be delivered to areas of need (Elements Massage, 2013). A major immune suppressor is stress, which massage has been shown to decrease. In doing so, regular massage will also indirectly decrease susceptibility to illness (Rattray & Ludwig, 2000).