In this blog from My Doctors Live MediSpa in Lakeland, FL, we explain the science behind massage therapy.
What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage is becoming more and more common among treatments for a range of medical issues and situations. If you have not had a massage before, read on to learn about the many benefits it offers. There is a belief that massage is only used as part of a spa day and only for self-care. While this may be true for some, it is more often a means of relieving stress and reducing pain.
In massage therapy, a massage therapist manipulates the soft tissues of the body, such as muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin, by rubbing and kneading them with varying amounts of pressure and movement. This type of therapy is part of integrative medicine, and is often offered in medical centers in conjunction with traditional treatments to help with a variety of medical conditions.
Massage can be beneficial in treating various conditions, such as anxiety, depression, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia, nerve pain, postoperative care, scar tissue, soft tissue strains and injuries, sports injuries, and temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders.
What Are The Benefits Of Massage Therapy?
- The physical advantages of massage are numerous. It can help increase blood flow, reduce muscle stiffness, reduce joint inflammation, improve the quality of sleep, speed up recovery after exercise, improve flexibility, reduce pain and soreness, and bolster the immune system.
- Getting a massage can have a lot of mental health benefits. Even those who are mainly focused on the physical benefits report feeling less stressed afterwards. Other positive mental effects include a reduction in stress, greater relaxation, enhanced mood, decreased anxiety, increased energy, and an overall feeling of wellness.
The Science Behind Massage Therapy
During a massage, increased blood flow to restricted muscles and improved circulation of the lymph system, which helps to fight off infection, are two effects of massage. Massages also help to relax the muscles, which can reduce nerve compression. Additionally, after a massage, people often feel more relaxed, which can lower the heart rate and blood pressure.
Trigger point therapy is a technique that is used to ease pain caused by hyper-sensitive muscle knots that can cause soreness elsewhere in the body. By addressing the root cause of the pain, pressure can be applied for eight to 10 seconds which slowly releases and elongates the muscle, helping it to remember to stay long and loose rather than bunched up.
From a preventative perspective, massage therapy can help people maintain good posture by increasing relaxation in their muscles and keeping their joints properly aligned. Good posture can be very beneficial in preventing musculoskeletal aches and pains.
How Does Improved Circulation Benefit The Body?
Massage therapy can have a positive effect on blood and lymph circulation. This is because of the physical manipulation of the soft tissue and the relaxing hormones that are released during the massage. Improved circulation helps to deliver more nutrients and oxygen to the muscle cells, making the tissues more efficient. This leads to a reduction of swelling and inflammation in the soft tissues, as toxins and fluids are removed.
Massage Can Be Beneficial For Muscle Pain
Massage therapy may be beneficial for relieving painful muscle spasms or contractions. Relaxing the muscle tissue can reduce the pressure on the nerves, which often get compressed when muscles are contracted. Applying pressure to the skin helps to loosen the tendons, muscles, and ligaments, and can restore balance to both the superficial and deep tissue. In addition, massage may help improve the functioning of the nerves by enabling them to better transmit messages to the brain and get the nutrients they need. The organs may also benefit from massage, as they are connected to the nerves, muscles, and bones through a neurological pathway.
Massage Encourages A Relaxation Response
One of the greatest benefits of massage therapy is the relaxation response it can bring. Through caring, mindful touch, it can help slow your breathing and heart rate, causing your muscles to relax and your blood pressure to drop, as well as reducing the amount of stress hormones in the body. This can also have psychological effects, as the relaxation can lead to an increase in serotonin levels, which has a positive impact on our emotions. In addition, it can also help decrease stress, as well as the risks that come with it.
