5 Incredible Benefits of Routine Massage Therapy
Massage therapy was at one time only available to the wealthy of society via high-end spas and health clubs. Nowadays, it is available in hospitals, clinics, airports, and even businesses. From its origin in old Chinese medicine, massage therapy has come a long way. Now, many health practitioners are aware of the many benefits that massage therapy offers. Having routine visits is the best way to take advantage of all these benefits.
So, what are the five incredible benefits of having routine massage therapy? Read on to learn more.
What Is Massage Therapy?
First, it is good to understand what massage therapy is. Massage is manipulating, pressing, and rubbing your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The practitioner uses light or deep stroking pressures to achieve certain sensations, feelings, and outcomes. The type of strokes, the pressure, and other aspects differentiate the different types of massages available.
Types of Massage
Swedish Massage
The Swedish massage may be the most popular massage that most practitioners offer. It involves long strokes, deep, circular movements, tapping, and vibration to make you feel energized and relaxed.
Deep Massage
Deep massage therapy is more strength and force than Swedish massage. It involves slower strokes that target deeper tissues and muscles. It is commonly used when you have an injury.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is very similar to Swedish massage but different in some specific ways. It is altered to fit the needs of athletes and to help them with recovery.
Trigger Point Massage
It is a specific massage that relieves muscle fibers that form after a muscle injury.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Reduces Soreness and Tension
Massage therapy's first and most obvious benefit is reduced muscle and tissue soreness and tension. Manipulating, applying pressure, and rubbing your muscles and tissues help reduce soreness and pain. After a workout or a tough physically exerting week, it is easy to be sore. Massage therapy can help resolve the pain and improve blood circulation for healing.
For people who have conditions that cause body pain, massage therapy can help reduce the pain they feel. By improving blood flow and increasing relaxation, your body can recover, and you can experience significant relief following a session.
Stress Relief
Another known effect of massage therapy is reducing stress levels. The therapy is usually done in a relaxing place, which is the first step toward reducing stress. The environment is calming, and the practitioner usually works to make you relax as well. Next is the tension release that comes from the actual massage. It affects not only your muscles but also your mind inducing calmness and reducing anxiety.
Better Sleep
Another great benefit of massage therapy is improving your sleep. Because of the relaxation that comes with the therapy, your mind can get to sleep better. Your body is also more relaxed, meaning when you lie down, you will still be relaxed, and you can fall asleep much faster. According to scientists, you not only sleep faster, but you also sleep longer and better after a massage.
Better Flexibility and Range of Motion
Another outcome of manipulating and using pressure on muscle is improved flexibility. The less tense you are, the more flexible you become. You can move over a much bigger range because your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are well-nourished and relaxed.
Better Immune System
According to some studies, massage therapy has been shown to boost the number of lymphocytes in your blood. Also, it reduces disease markers like cortisol and inflammation.
For more about the benefits of routine massage therapy, visit Copeland Chiropractic Clinic at our office in Toppenish, Yakima, or Richland, Washington. Call (509) 865-5636 to book an appointment today.
