| There's nothing quite like the euphoric sense of | | | | pain and discomfort. This in turn can improve |
| peace and relaxation one experiences after a | | | | sleep, reduce the presence of stress hormones, |
| really good massage. Unfortunately, getting a | | | | and increase one's range of motion. |
| massage is often considered a luxury rather than | | | | 2. Improved digestive and intestinal function. In the |
| a necessary investment in one's health and well | | | | same way that massage increases the flow of |
| being. | | | | blood and lymph it can also stimulate a variety of |
| Extensive studies conducted by the National | | | | bodily secretions and excretions including the |
| Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Center | | | | production of gastric juices, saliva, and urine, which |
| for Complementary & Alternative Medicine | | | | improve digestive function and increase the body's |
| (NCCAM), among others, have documented the | | | | metabolic rate. This can assist in relieving lower |
| numerous health benefits of massage. These | | | | back pain and weight loss. |
| include: reduced swelling and pain, improved | | | | 3. Enhanced skin condition. Better circulation and |
| immune system function, better sleep patterns, | | | | elimination of toxins helps promote healthy, better |
| lower levels of stress hormones, improved | | | | looking and feeling skin. Massage also enhances |
| mobility and range of motion after injury, lower | | | | skin by stimulating and improving the function of |
| levels of depression, faster recovery from | | | | our sebaceous and sweat glands. |
| surgery, and in some cases lower blood pressure | | | | All of these benefits serve to improve our |
| and blood glucose levels. Regular massage can | | | | immune system function, which in turn, speeds |
| help produce these results in surprisingly simple | | | | healing after injury and enhances recovery from |
| ways. | | | | disease. But one of the most important benefits |
| When we consider how massage helps us feel | | | | of message is it releases endorphins --our body's |
| better, the first thing that comes to mind is | | | | natural pain killers --and this brings on the state of |
| reducing overall muscle tension so we can just | | | | euphoria and pain relief one often feels after a |
| relax. Muscle tension, stiffness, and soreness are | | | | massage. |
| often the result of overuse, compounded by | | | | Of course, one of the most overlooked benefits |
| inadequate blood flow (which is required to | | | | of massage is the simple healing power of touch. |
| provide oxygen and nutrients to the tissue), and | | | | Touching eases pain and helps us better cope |
| the build up of cellular and metabolic wastes like | | | | with stress and anxiety. Studies show the simple |
| lactic acid due to the insufficient movement of | | | | act of reaching out and touching another person |
| lymph fluid (the body's primary mechanism for | | | | frequently results in physical benefits such as |
| waste transport and elimination). Chronic muscle | | | | slowing heart rate, dropping blood pressure, and |
| tension can reduce the circulation of blood and | | | | speeding recovery from illness. Massage provides |
| movement of lymph in the areas of the body | | | | this important therapeutic component that is |
| where it is prevalent. | | | | largely absent in many peoples' lives. |
| The physical contraction of muscles accomplished | | | | The benefits of massage are varied and |
| by various massage techniques stretches the | | | | far-reaching. When you compare the cost of |
| muscles and connective tissue surrounding them, | | | | getting a massage with the long-term cost of not |
| stimulates nerve receptors which in turn dilate | | | | addressing stress-related problems and conditions, |
| blood vessels enabling increased blood supply, and | | | | or trying to address them with band aid solutions |
| creates a pumping effect that gets lymph moving. | | | | like costly prescription meds and frequent trips to |
| So the first job of a massage is to release the | | | | the doctor, it becomes clear that something long |
| tension and the build up of toxins in the muscle, | | | | considered a luxury reserved for the well to-do |
| the second is to stimulate the movement of | | | | may be the best preventative health investment |
| lymph to "cleanse" the muscles by carrying the | | | | you can make. |
| toxins away, and the third is to stimulate blood | | | | If you simply can't afford ongoing professional |
| circulation to nourish and regenerate tissue. Some | | | | massage you can enjoy some of the benefits by |
| of the other benefits that naturally follow from | | | | increasing the amount of touch in your life |
| the increased movement of fluid and muscles that | | | | (hugging or holding hands with others), doing yoga |
| were previously stuck include: | | | | to stretch and improve muscle elasticity, and |
| | | | self-care pressure point massage (to release |
| 1. Reduced swelling and inflammation. When the | | | | lymph and lactic build up). Using an aromatherapy |
| body properly metabolizes and eliminates cellular | | | | lotion or oil can greatly enhance the latter while |
| waste there is less inflammation, which reduces | | | | minimizing skin friction. |