Massage Therapy can enhance mental wellness by lowering levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone. It also promotes emotional well-being through the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that act as natural pain relievers and mood boosters.
In addition, massage stimulates the activation of your lymphatic system, which flushes toxins and waste products from the body. It also breaks down/realigns collagen fibres, increasing movement and flexibility in the soft tissue. Visit https://www.flowstate918.com/ to learn more.
Blood flow is key to the proper functioning of the body. A massage can improve circulation to the point of reducing or eliminating pain, increasing mobility and promoting overall health and wellbeing.
Blood circulation is mainly about pushing blood through tiny capillary beds (tiny tubes that can fit only a single red blood cell). It is continuous and repetitive. Massage is a great way to increase circulation, which in turn enhances waste elimination and nourishes cells.
A good massage can also help break down adhesions and scar tissue, which can form when muscles are damaged. A build-up of these substances can cause inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to injury or trauma. Massage breaks down these adhesions and scar tissues, which increases flexibility and reduces the risk of injury.
Massages also stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing metabolic wastes from the body. This process is important because when waste products accumulate, it can negatively impact the health and function of muscles. The squeezing and pulling action of a massage can eliminate these waste products, which improves the condition of muscles and the entire body.
Regular massage can help prevent a variety of medical conditions, including chronic back and neck problems and arthritis. It can also improve vascular health, which is critical to preventing heart disease and stroke. Massage therapy can also aid in the prevention of blood clots and help with the reduction of swelling.
Studies have shown that regular massage can increase immunity, which is crucial for preventing illness and maintaining wellness. Researchers have found that massage can induce the release of cytokines, which are molecules that promote the production of immune system cells. This is important because these compounds are responsible for activating the immune system and preventing infection. In addition, regular massage can increase the white blood count and bolster the immune system’s resistance to bacteria and viruses.
Increased Lymphatic Flow
Lymphatic drainage massage (MLD) is a gentle form of bodywork that encourages lymph flow, and focuses on the lymph vessels and nodes throughout the entire body. It can reduce swelling, decrease pain and discomfort, improve range of motion, and increase overall well-being. MLD is a popular beauty treatment, too, as it can help reduce puffiness and boost skin tone and brightness.
Advocates of lymphatic drainage massage claim that it can aid in detoxification by improving the removal of metabolic waste products and toxins. However, scientific evidence supporting this is limited.
Some studies have shown that MLD can benefit individuals with fibromyalgia, breast cancer and other types of cancer, and conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, chronic venous insufficiency, and gynecological issues like urinary tract infections, endometriosis, and menstrual cramps. It has also been reported to be useful in treating a number of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, myofascial pain syndrome, and rotator cuff tears.
For those suffering from lymphoedema (swelling resulting from a blockage in the lymphatic system), MLD can be extremely beneficial. This type of manual massage helps to encourage lymph flow, decrease swelling, and improve the mobility of the affected limb.
Another benefit of MLD is that it is a low-impact modality. This makes it easier for therapists to perform, and less likely to lead to fatigue, which is a common problem associated with other more strenuous types of massage. This, in turn, can help therapists maintain high quality work and prevent burnout.
MLD is contraindicated for people with blood clots or deep vein thrombosis, as it can dislodge them and potentially cause life-threatening complications like pulmonary embolism. It is also not recommended for those with congestive heart failure, as it can put an additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Nonetheless, patients who are at risk of these conditions can still benefit from regular therapeutic massages that help to improve blood circulation and reduce stress levels. These benefits, along with a sense of caring that may come from this type of touch therapy, can make the process of recovery from illness or injury more manageable for many patients.
Increased Relaxation
The gentle stroking and kneading movements of massage therapy cause your body to release endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These are neurotransmitters that give you a sense of happiness and help to ease anxiety. In addition, a massage can help reduce pain from chronic health problems such as headaches and migraines.
The relaxation effects of massage are not just a feel-good treat, but they can be used to address a number of psychological conditions including stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, studies show that regular massage can alleviate some of the symptoms of these disorders. During a massage, the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, decrease while the brain’s use of glucose increases and the body curbs unnecessary functions that would be involved in a fight-or-flight situation. In addition, a massage can help with depression by increasing the levels of serotonin, which is known as the “happy hormone” and reduces feelings of sadness and anxiety by carrying signals between nerves in your body.
Massage also improves the body’s circulation which in turn enhances waste elimination and nourishes cells. This can help with a number of physical issues such as muscle fatigue which is often caused by a build-up of lactic acid. Regular massage can help relieve this build-up and speed up the recovery of muscles from exercise.
A massage can also increase the elasticity of the skin and improve your overall flexibility, which is important for good posture and overall wellness. In fact, some types of massage can even help with stretching and strengthening certain muscles and joints that are particularly tight.
Many people use massage for pain relief in their day-to-day lives, whether it’s from a sore neck or back, stiff muscles or a painful headache. It can also help relieve mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as improve general wellbeing. Ultimately, massage is an effective treatment for a variety of ailments that can benefit everyone from the average person to athletes and patients with chronic diseases like fibromyalgia and cancer. It can even be useful in helping with the healing process of those suffering from burns, skin infections and other medical complications.
Improved Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is an essential part of your overall health and wellness routine. Insufficient sleep can lead to a variety of problems, including weakened immune function, a poor attention span and mood swings. Luckily, massage therapy can help you get a better night’s sleep by alleviating pain and relaxing your body and mind.
During a massage, the boost in circulation helps to move oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and organs, and it also facilitates the removal of metabolic waste, improving your body’s natural detoxification processes. As a result, massage reduces the levels of cortisol in your body, helping to relieve the physical manifestations of stress such as headaches and muscle tension.
In addition, massage therapy encourages the release of serotonin, which is known as a feel-good hormone and is a precursor to the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Enhanced serotonin production helps regulate your sleep/wake cycles, leading to more restful and consistent sleep patterns. In fact, researchers found that massage increased the cyclical rhythm of circadian genes, which influences your sleep/wake cycle, promoting more restful sleep.
Additionally, if you suffer from chronic pain conditions like back pain or arthritis, massage can alleviate the discomfort that prevents you from finding a comfortable sleeping position. Regular massage therapy can also improve the quality of your sleep by reducing snoring and improving breathing, especially in those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
In addition to relieving pain and promoting relaxation, massage therapy can stimulate the vagus nerve, the body’s major parasympathetic nervous system component responsible for regulating your heart rate and blood pressure. The stimulation of the vagus nerve can promote a deeper and more restful sleep, resulting in fewer waking episodes, less snoring and improved blood pressure readings. In turn, this can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious health conditions. In the long term, massage can increase emotional resilience and strengthen your ability to deal with life’s stresses by lowering anxiety levels and fostering feelings of well-being and a sense of belonging. It may even help you get along with your loved ones better, as a massage can increase the levels of oxytocin, which is a chemical released during social bonding.