Studies have shown that many people who receive massage regularly find that it offers many great health benefits that continue even between massage sessions. Considered a luxury in the past, massage therapy has become an important part of personal health care. Health professionals of all kinds now recommend regular massage as an addition and enhancement to a health care regimen.

Hypertension

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is when blood moves through the arteries at a higher pressure than normal, which can lead to a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney failure. Regular massage helps combat the effects of stress, one of the main contributors to high blood pressure, helping to lower blood pressure and maintain the body’s natural sense of well-being. Studies have shown that regular massage can help you regulate health problems such as high blood pressure, along with following a dietary and/or medical regimen prescribed by your health care provider. Massage reduces hypertension, because it stimulates the pressure receptors that cause the action of the vagus nerve, one of the nerves that emerge from the brain. The vagus nerve regulates blood pressure as well as other functions. In a 2005 study at the University of South Florida, patients with hypertension who received 10 massages of 10 minutes each for three weeks showed significant improvements in blood pressure compared to a control group that simply rested in the same environment without any massage.

Relaxation

Do you just want to relax? Massage therapy is a great place to start. Massage’s ability to promote relaxation in its recipient comes from its effect on a part of the nervous system called the parasympathetic nervous system. The long, relaxing strokes of the massage send a message to the sensory nerves on the skin’s surface, conveying the message that all is well. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system which allows the body to relax. Heart rate decreases, blood pressure decreases, and stress hormones decrease. In today’s modern and stressful lifestyle, the body is always scared or running away. This constant reactive state affects our bodies in the long run. Our bodies weren’t meant to stay in this stress-related, ready-to-act mode, but living in modern times sends a constant message to the nervous system to keep the body in fight or flight mode. The relaxation that massage brings to the body is a much-needed break from constantly being in this stressful state.

hormone balance

Regular massage can help lessen the effects that stress has on the body by lowering the stress-related hormones that are released in the stressed state. Too many stress-related hormones in the bloodstream for long periods of time can lead to many health problems, including insomnia, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and an increased rate of aging. One of these hormones, cortisol, can decrease the efficiency of the immune system, digestive system, reproductive system, and growth processes. Cortisol also controls mood, motivation, fear, and increases the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream. Increased blood sugar can contribute to weight gain, food cravings, as well as diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

Depression, Anxiety and Pain Control

Many who receive regular massage find that it has many psychological benefits that continue even between massage sessions. Increased mood, decreased anxiety and pain levels occur due to increased levels of serotonin and other levels of feel-good endorphins. Studies have shown that these levels increase and remain elevated between weekly and monthly massage sessions. This effect may work to enhance any other treatment, including therapies and medications, that your doctor may currently prescribe to help you achieve your overall goals.

Immunity

Research has also shown that regular massage boosts immunity by stimulating the lymphatic system and helping to mobilize infection-fighting cells so they are more likely to get to the source and prevent or help fight off the invader. That’s a huge benefit for those of us who can’t afford to miss work or have families who need us 24/7. Babies, children, and adults of all ages can benefit from regular massage because the immune system is stimulated by increasing the circulation of lymph and disease-fighting cells in the lymph nodes.

Improve physical appearance and function

For those of us who feel “bloated” during certain times of the month, massage can help decrease swelling due to increased circulation and venous return, which in turn allows the kidneys to remove excess fluid from the Body. An expert massage therapist can perform an evaluation of your posture and form a plan of care to work on the muscles that are causing postural problems to improve your overall posture. When your posture is ideal, you will look, feel and function your best. Massage also benefits and hydrates the skin and gives it a healthy glow due to increased circulation to the skin’s layers, allowing you to look and feel better.

Decreased rate of falls in the elderly

Studies conducted on the benefits of massage for seniors have shown a significant decrease in falls when massage therapy is received on a regular basis. Posture, muscle strength, daily function, and balance improve overall. This is highly beneficial to the aging population, who can more easily sustain fractures as well as other life-threatening injuries from a simple fall. Any fall can set an older person back in all aspects of functioning due to recovery time and the need for bed rest to heal, which over time will decrease overall strength and function. Prevention is the key here folks! Prevent falls with regular massage sessions that will keep you well, safe and performing at your best. Live life in your golden years instead of watching it go by!

There are many advantages to getting regular massages, and you don’t necessarily need a full hour massage each time, so it’s very affordable. Studies show that it is the regularity of receiving a massage that is most beneficial, not the length of the sessions. An expert therapist can help you choose what is BEST FOR YOU, based on your needs, budget and schedule.

Call us at (318) 613-5190 to schedule your free consultation visit today and start reaping the healthy benefits that massage therapy has to offer.