Here are 6 Surprising Benefits Of Massage Therapy
1. It can balance out all of that sitting you do
"Most people work with some type of postural stress," says Aaron Tanason, licensed massage therapist, kinesiologist, and owner of Paleo Life Massage Therapy in Toronto. "This strain tends to show up most often in the shoulders and neck," he says. Beware of office workers. Postural stress can manifest as weakness or pain in the buttocks and lower back, or from prolonged sitting.
Massage can really help balance imbalances caused by sitting, and that's surprising considering the surprising benefits of massage. This means you can keep working at your desk as long as you get a massage each week.
2. Can it help with muscle pain?
Many people have found massage therapy extremely helpful. Massage improves circulation and increases circulation. "It's a bit like rubbing your elbow on a table; it can help with pain," says Tanason. The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2011 and also found that the benefits of massage therapy for persistent back pain were just as effective as the benefits of other treatments.
3. It can also help reduce anxiety and depression.
"Human contact can be extremely therapeutic and soothing in a friendly, safe, and professional environment," says Tanason. According to a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, women diagnosed with breast cancer who received massages three times a week reported less anxiety and less anger.
A report published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that people who were distressed and anxious after a massage were significantly happier and calmer.
4. Massage helps improve sleep. Not only that, but it also helps you sleep better.
but it can also help people who can't sleep. "Massage therapy promotes sleep and relaxation in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy," says Lisa Marie de Miranda, massage therapist and zoologist at Paleo Life Massage Therapy. Plus, massage helps babies sleep more often, cry less, and stress a lot less, according to research from the University of Warwick.
5. It boosts immunity. A study published in 2010
An article in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that massage increased a patient's white blood cell count, which plays an important role in protecting the body against disease. De Miranda said it improved "the immune function of people with HIV".
6. It relieves headaches
Next time you have a headache, consider booking a last-minute massage. De Miranda says massage reduces the frequency and intensity of tension headaches. Research from the University of Granada in Spain found that massage therapy immediately consequences the perceived pain of individuals with persistent tension headaches.
0 Comments