When you think about massage, it might induce feelings of calm and relaxation, a release of tension that leaves you feeling refreshed and healthy. Aside from those standard benefits, however, massage therapy has a number of science-backed advantages.
Relief from Fibromyalgia Pain
This chronic condition, associated with intense muscle pain and fatigue, gets further complicated by sleep deprivation and stress. When patients receive regular Fibromyalgia massages, however, their spasms and discomfort have been alleviated both short and long-term. In fact, the National Fibromyalgia Association claims that at least 40 percent of individuals use massage therapy as an integral part of their treatment.
Improved Moods
With more people suffering from anxiety and depression than ever before, these mood disorders need all the relief medical professionals can throw at them. Along with its calming abilities, massage therapy has recently been shown to lower the body’s cortisol levels by more than half, diminishing this stress hormone’s negative effects on everyday life. As such, massage promotes mood-enhancing hormones like dopamine and serotonin.
Enhanced Postsurgical Rehabilitation
After surgery, the body’s healing functions are in overdrive. To help the process along, massage therapy can increase circulation, improve joint flexibility and relax muscles, adding an extra layer of defense. In some cases, massage therapy has even reduced postsurgical swelling and promoted tissue regeneration.
Headache Relief
To the mass of headache and migraine suffers out there, clinical trials have highlighted that massages helped participants sleep better and experience fewer episodes than the control group. More importantly, the positive effects lasted almost three weeks after massage sessions stopped.
Increased Flexibility
Whether you’re an athlete or simply want more flexibility, massage therapy can help alleviate joint stress, giving you improved range of motion and overall ease of movement. Its targeted approach works on connective tissue, tired muscles, tendons and ligaments, helping you retain the natural lubricants that sit between tissue fibers.
Lowered Blood Pressure
High blood pressure has been linked to increased risk of stroke and heart attack, but regular massages, which calm the body and accelerate natural healing mechanisms, can help lower blood pressure. Whether on its own or used in conjunction with diet, exercise or other treatments, massage therapy has real-life physiological advantages.
Improved Back Pain
Since chronic back pain is the number one reason people opt for massage therapy, it’s no wonder this treatment has proven more effective at symptom relief than others like spinal modification and acupuncture. With that idea, continued care can reduce the need for over-the-counter and prescription painkillers.
For all your health and chiropractic needs, contact Revive Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA, today!