~Massage~

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy provides relief to people from all walks of life. The weekend athlete, the home gardener, the over stressed executive, secretaries, waitresses, laborers – virtually any active person can feel a need for massage therapy. Numerous research studies conducted in the United States, Europe, and Asia have documented that far beyond simply feeling good, massage therapy has an impressive range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Massage Strengthens the Immune System

The lymphatic system is a major factor in your body’s battle to ward off infection and heal injuries. The lymphatic flow is usually very sluggish in most people and especially so in those that have less active lifestyles. Massage therapy not only improves the circulation of blood and its vital nutrients, but also increases the circulation of lymph in your lymphatic system thus helping your body to fight off infection and speeding your recovery from injuries and illness. “If you have a massage every week, you will have 2/3 less illness.” Hans Gruenn, M.D. Los Angeles, CA

Massage Reduces the Effects of Stress

Up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related complaints such as headaches, backaches, neck pain, eyestrain, poor concentration, anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, high blood pressure, hear disease, ulcers, as will as physical and emotional exhaustion. Massage therapy has an amazing effect on your body’s nervous system. When your body’s parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it counteracts your negative response to stress, relaxing muscle tension and allowing your hear rate, blood pressure and circulation to return to normal. Massage therapy also helps you become more aware of your body and your unconsciously held tension. As you become more aware of your body, you will begin to recognize tension as it builds during the day so that you can consciously release it before it can have a negative effect on your body.

Massage Increases Blood Circulation

Like a sponge that is squeezed, a tight muscle can not hold much fluid nor can it allow much fluid to pass through it. This decreased your circulation of blood and increased the strain placed on your heart. Among the obvious problems that this can cause, this can leave you feeling fatigued and sore, reducing your precious energy reserves. Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood towards the heart, thus easing the strain on this vital organ. This increase in circulation brings energy-producing nutrients and oxygen to your cells as well as carries away metabolic waste products that can make you feel listless and drained. In addition, massage therapy increases your body’s oxygen carrying red blood cell count helping to bring even more oxygen to you body’s cells.

Massage Can Improve Nerve Function

Contracted muscles can press on or pinch your nerves causing tingling, numbness, or pain. Massage therapy relaxes these contracted muscles to relieve the compression on your nerves. Sensory receptors in the skin and muscles “wake up” bringing new awareness to areas that have felt “cut off” by chronic tension patterns.

Massage Helps You to Sleep Better

Tension caused be everyday stress can emotionally drain you, robbing you of the patience and stamina you need to cope with day-to-day life as well as disrupting your sleep leaving you tired and irritable. Massage therapy relaxed your tense muscles and calms your nervous system, causing your body’s rhythm to slow down. As your heart rate settles, and your breath becomes deeper and more rhythmic, priming you for a perfect night’s sleep.

Massage Improves Skin Tone

The sun, smog, poor diet, and the unstoppable aging process all contribute to the drying, wrinkling, and general loss of the youthful characteristics of your skin, Massage therapy dilates the blood capillaries of the skin increasing the uptake of vital skin repairing nutrients and speeding the removal of harmful toxins. This improved circulation helps to moisturize your skin, improving skin texture and relieving dryness and itching. Remember, this is the only body you’re going to get. Take great care of it.