Massage therapy has been used to treat all kinds of health problems for more than 5,000 years, according to Emory University's Center for Women at Emory. Massage therapists use their hands, forearms, elbows and sometimes other body parts to manipulate the muscles and soft tissues in your body, improving circulation and soothing muscle tension. For most people, massage therapy is perfectly safe, but if you're pregnant or have health issues, check with your health care provider before you book an appointment.
Soothing Stress
According to Emory University's Center for Women at Emory, massage can seriously improve your stress level by relieving muscle tension and soothing your nervous system. According to a 2008 article published in "Newsweek" magazine, massage lowers your body's cortisol content--a hormone your body produces when you're stressed. Massage improves your ability to respond to stressful situations, promotes your sense of inner calm and boosts your mental clarity, according to the College of William and Mary.
Reducing Pain
Massage can ease several different kinds of muscle pain, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. NCCAM reports that massage therapy improves chronic lower back pain and chronic neck pain and may improve some of the pain experienced by cancer patients. The University of Maryland Medical Center says massage therapy can be used to treat the pain caused by medical conditions, including osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Massage therapy can also be used to treat injuries, including the pain and inflammation caused by sprained ligaments and strained muscles, and may help reduce the formation of scar tissue, according to the College of William and Mary.
Easing Depression
Massage therapy can help relieve depression for some people, NCCAM says. According to the College of William and Mary, people who use massage therapy feel better about themselves, are more in touch with their bodies and feel less anxious than people who don't get massages. NCAAM says multiple massage therapy sessions are most effective for treating depression.
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