Whenever we feel particularly tense – or if we are just in the mood for a spot of indulgence or romance – our thoughts may often turn to massage.
Massage therapy has a long history, dating back approximately 5,000 years. Beginning in India, it soon spread across Asia and onward to Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Rome, where athletes used it as part of their preparations before a big event.
These days, massage has become a staple of any self-respecting spa’s treatment menu, although it is also something people do for those they love, to ease tension or create a romantic ambience. But what are the health benefits of massage, besides providing blissful relaxation? Read on to find out.
Massage Can Soothe Muscle Strain
Sports massage is often used to help athletes with inflamed and painful muscles. The action of massaging directs the flow of blood to the affected areas, aiding recovery. Sports massage also has other advantages, including helping to improve flexibility and lymph flow.
Muscle Strain Massage / Photo by Conscious Design on Unsplash
You should look to get a massage table, especially if you are looking to become a professional massage therapist. These portable massage tables can be found at Massage Tables UK. You may find that once you understand more about the benefits of massage for the mind and body, you want to share this knowledge with others in exchange for money.
Stretching and Flexibility Exercises
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Massage Can Help With Pain Management
Massage can become an effective component in their pain management arsenal for people suffering from chronic pain. In part, this is because massage causes our bodies to produce substantially higher levels of two mood-boosting chemicals: serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals create pleasure and happiness, which, in turn, can help reduce our pain levels.
If our pain is caused by muscle tension or joint stress, the action of massaging can also help to relieve discomfort by flushing out inflammation and easing tension in the affected areas.
Massage Can Lower Stress Levels
As well as increasing our ‘happy hormones’, massage has also been found to significantly lower the hormones we don’t want –cortisol, also known as the stress hormone.
One study found that massage can decrease levels of cortisol by up to 31%, which demonstrates how effective the therapy can be when it comes to relieving stress and the unpleasant symptoms that go along with it.
Massage Can Improve Circulation
If you have circulatory issues, you may want to consider regular massages as a supplementary therapy. While massage may not have the power to improve circulation over long periods significantly, it can have short-term benefits, by boosting the flow of blood to the areas being massaged. It can also help your circulatory system indirectly by lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
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Massage Can Benefit Your Bowels
Constipation is a common health complaint that has prompted many doctor visits. Although it’s not typically serious, it can cause a great deal of discomfort, which is why it’s a good idea to try different tips and techniques to help your bowels open regularly.
One of these techniques is massage, which can be used in addition to diet, hydration and exercise to help move things along, particularly in chronic cases. Abdominal massage has been found to decrease the time it takes for waste to travel through your intestines. It can also ease discomfort and improve the muscle contractions needed to empty the bowels.
However, you should bear in mind that this kind of massage is only suitable in certain situations and may not be advised for some people, so be sure to check before proceeding.
