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Massage has been used as a treatment for maintaining good health for thousands of years.

The benefits of regular massage therapy are numerous.

Massage can successfully improve the function of your glands, circulation, organs and nerves. It relaxes the muscles and sends peace- inducing chemicals to the brain. Research suggests that your body’s ability to combat pain kicks into place when the skin is rubbed because touch receptors in the skin send nerve impulses to the brain.

 

There are lots of physiological effects that people may not be aware of.

Massage can loosen stiff muscles as it works on the soft tissues of the body. A chemical called lactic acid, which is produced by over-exerting muscles, causes the stiffness. It can build up and this is often why muscles feel sore and tender to touch. Other waste products such as uric acid may also be present and massage has been shown to help the body eliminate these toxins more effectively.

Your body disperses chemicals through the lymphatic system. Lymph is a clear substance that moves toxins around the body to the nearest lymph nodes, where they can be filtered and removed.

Lymph normally travels around the body by muscle contraction; however, massage can speed up the process significantly. Poor lymph flow can lead to lower immunity, infections and a feeling of poor health.

 

The effects of massage on your circulatory system are very positive.

It speeds up the movement of blood from the heart to the outer parts of your body. Massage can lower blood pressure because blood is moving around the body without the help of its pump – the heart. Circulation increases because your blood vessels dilate. This means that more oxygen and nutrients can enter the cells all over your body. Oxygen levels can increase by up to 15%. It is sometimes used in hospitals for people that are bedridden as it stimulates the flow of blood.

Having massage over your abdomen can improve digestion because it stimulates the nerves and the blood flow to the internal organs, helping them to function more effectively.

 

Posture can gradually be improved with massage treatments.

We adopt bad postural habits and our muscles compensate for the imbalance by either shortening or lengthening. This can lead to a sore neck or back.

Working on the soft tissues of your neck can help to stretch out muscles that have over-contracted and coax the spine back into its original position.

 

Massage treatments induce a sense of relaxation and calm, and is especially good for treating victims of stress.

Massage can help induce sleep if you have been lacking it.

 

Your nervous system is soothed with massage therapy treatments as it is often over-worked due to the pressures of modern life.

Your nervous system can produce certain bodily responses to help protect you from life-threatening danger. Unfortunately the body still produces the same responses if you are running late for work or stuck in a queue of traffic.The negative effect this has on your body is called stress, and this can result in lots of symptoms such as; fatigue, insomnia, headaches, nausea, aches, lowered immunity, indigestion, breathlessness, palpitations, depression, rage, tearfulness, confusion, loss of appetite and so on.

 

The Health Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy

By Natalie L Fox