BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Evidence is showing that the more massage you can allow yourself,
the better you'll feel. Here's why.

Massage as a healing tool has been around for thousands of years in many cultures. Touching is a natural human reaction to pain and stress, and for conveying compassion and support.
Think of the last time you bumped your head or had a sore calf. What did you do? Rubbed it,
right? The same was true of our earliest ancestors. Healers throughout time and
throughout the world have instinctually and independently developed a wide range of
therapeutic techniques using touch. Many are still in use today, and with good reason.
We now have scientific proof of the benefits of massage - benefits ranging from
treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our
modern lifestyles. Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind - there are specific physiological and psychological changes which occur, even more so when massage
is utilized as a preventative, frequent therapy and not simply mere luxury.
Massage not only feels good, but it can alleviate many musculoskeletal pains
and stiffness.
 

Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Massage
and bodywork is there to combat that frightening number by helping us remember
what it means to relax. The physical changes massage brings to your body can have a
positive effect in many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and
decreasing anxiety, massage lowers your blood pressure, increases circulation, improves
recovery from injury, helps you to sleep better and can increase your concentration. It reduces fatigue and gives you more energy
to handle stressful situations.


 

In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach
based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage and/or
bodywork treatments?

  • Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs
  • Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer
  • Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the sk
  • Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles
  • Reduces spasms and cramping
  • Increases joint flexibility
  • Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level
  • Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain
  • Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred
  • Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain
  • Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.
  • Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion
  • Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays