Massage therapy is common. In fact, many people enjoy getting massages on a regular basis – either alone or as part of a couple. That’s because they know that massage therapy has many benefits, some that last days or even weeks after their appointment. Learn more about the benefits of massage therapy to determine if it’s right for you.
Eases Muscle Pain
Massage therapy sessions are ideal for soothing muscle pain, which may seem obvious. But did you know that massage can actually help ease muscle pain for days or weeks after your appointment? When you have a massage, it increases and improves your circulation which, in turn, helps to ease any muscle pain you’ve been feeling.
The ability to relieve muscle pain makes massage therapy ideal for people who experience chronic back pain. However, massage can also help you combat pain from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and chronic neck pain.
Improves Sleep
Massage promotes relaxation and sleep, but because it helps to relieve stress, it can help you sleep regularly long after your massage session takes place. If you have trouble sleeping naturally or you have a medical condition that interrupts your sleep, you should consider getting regular massages. Start by getting a massage once per month. Then, if you find that’s not frequent enough to help you sleep well for an extended period of time, increase your massage sessions to every two weeks or once per week.
Your improved sleep quality also helps you in other areas of your life. For example, because you won’t be fighting fatigue constantly, you’ll be more alert and productive throughout your day. Also, while naps are important, you might find yourself needing them less and less when you regularly have a massage.
It Relieves Postural Stress
Massage therapy is about more than luxurious massage lotions and calming music. If you sit for long periods of the day, massages are great for relieving postural stress. Stress tends to manifest in your neck and shoulders. When it worsens, it can show up as pain or weakness in your lower back or gluteal muscles too. However, getting a massage on a regular basis can help reverse these effects. In fact, it even counteracts any imbalances you feel from sitting too long.
Soothes Anxiety and Depression
Human touch in a safe therapeutic way is comforting, which is why massages can help soothe any anxiety or depression you might be experiencing. If you battle depression or anxiety regularly, and you’re looking for a way to treat it without relying on prescription medications, you should consider adding massage therapy to your schedule on a regular basis.
Increase Range of Motion
If you’re recovering from surgery or you notice your range of motion is deteriorating as you age, massage therapy may be able to help you. Massages increase blood circulation and loosen up your muscles. This makes it easier for you to move.
Improved Blood Pressure
Regular massage therapy sessions have been known to lower blood pressure in individuals. Studies have shown that consistent massages help lower both your systolic and diastolic blood pressure and reduce your cortisol levels. Of course, because they also help relieve stress and anxiety, regular massages can help to keep your blood pressure down for as long as you continue to receive them.
It’s important to note that not all massages should be treated equally. Different massage styles help improve different symptoms and work to heal different areas of the body. For example, a deep tissue massage is designed to focus pressure on layers of muscles and tendons. It works best to relieve pain in stiff, troubled spots of your body. However, a Shiatsu massage uses varied, rhythmic pressure on specific pressure points to improve your body’s energy flow, which is more commonly known as chi.
