Receiving a massage may be one of the most relaxing things you've ever done, but in addition to offering rest and relaxation, massage also offers a variety of health and wellness benefits. There are many different types and styles of massage, but each offers its own unique relaxation and wellness benefits.
Stress Relief
One of the main benefits of massage therapy of any kind is mental, emotional and physical stress relief. Physical manipulation of muscles can help relieve tension and tightness caused by anxiety or stress. Just having someone pamper you for a while offers emotional benefits that help you de-stress and relax. One of the most effective techniques for stress relief is Swedish massage, which offers gentle, circular motions that help energize and relax you.
Pain Relief
Tight, stiff, injured or otherwise sore muscles may benefit from gentle massage techniques that encourage blood flow to painful areas of the body. Tight muscles may benefit from deep-tissue massage techniques that release tension in deep muscle tissues and connective tissues that are often affected by muscle damage and injuries.
Cancer Therapy
Patients undergoing cancer treatments and therapies may experience less anxiety and pain through therapeutic massage techniques, suggests Holistic Online, as gentle massage helps increase circulation of lymph and blood through the body; releases endorphins, the body's natural 'feel good' chemicals; and helps promote relaxation. Increased efficacy of circulation following massage may help tissues damaged by chemotherapy or radiation treatments heal faster.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Regular massage may help reduce blood pressure and hypertension, according to "Newsweek" magazine. Massage is believed to help stimulate and encourage areas or receptors found within the brain, most especially the vagus nerve, which regulates blood pressure. The calming benefits of massage also help relieve tension and promote a sense of well-being, which may also have something to do with lowered blood pressure.
Better Sleep
Massage may help promote a good night's sleep, according to "Health" magazine. Deep sleep benefits also offer increased delta waves, as researched by the Touch Research Institute, allowing truly restful and relaxing sleep that restores not only the body, but also mental alertness, focus and concentration.
Immune-Boosting Benefits
Massage helps increase and maintain the flow of lymph through the body and reduces the amount of cortisol in the body, which benefits immune system function, according to "Health" magazine. This process may help the body fight off allergies, colds and flu faster and more efficiently.
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