Benefits of Massage Therapy: 5 Ways to Get Rid of Pain

Ongoing research into the benefits of massage therapy are adding to the body of evidence showing how it can help with numerous diseases and disorders. As a result, a once reluctant medical community is now embracing therapeutic massage. Many hospitals now feature on-site massage therapists and spas for the treatment of pain patients and post-surgery patients because of the undeniable effects of massage in speeding the recovery process.

 

Relieves Stress

Stress is felt occasionally by everyone and is not always a bad thing. Whenever an energetic action is needed, your body generates energy that can be used productively by you. Adrenaline raises your heart rate, and cortisol boosts your blood sugar, which is what our ancestors needed for a fight or flight response. However, when stress lingers, it can be a problem. Massage therapy is great for lowering your heart rate, blood pressure, and secreting certain neurotransmitters like endorphins that encourage feelings of calm and relaxation.

 

Improves Circulation

Another benefit of massage therapy is improved blood circulation. Poor blood circulation can lead to pain because of fluid pooling in the extremities. It can also cause a buildup of lactic acid in muscles. Massage therapy can improve blood circulation, leading to much improved blood circulation.

 

Improves Posture

Poor posture is a common cause of neck and back pain. For example, when you are hunched forward, some muscles are forced to work harder than others. This leads to muscle tension and pain. Massage therapy can relax and loosen muscles made sore by poor posture, encouraging your body to resume a normal posture.

 

Relieves Headaches

Studies show that most people who have chronic headaches have migraines. These incredibly painful and debilitating headaches are disruptive to the lives of millions. Massage works in two ways to relieve headaches. It prevents stress and tension headaches. It also eases pressure caused by migraines. Pain in the head, neck, and shoulders is relieved through massage.

 

Speeds Injury Recovery

One of the greatest benefits of massage therapy is its positive effect on injury rehabilitation. According to health professionals of physiotherapy and rehabilitation centres of Ontario who help injured patients with physiotherapy in Courtice, massage helps push more nutrients and oxygen into bodily tissues, promoting faster healing. It allows injured areas to be more flexible and improves blood flow.

 

If you have been skeptical about the power of massage therapy, put your doubts aside and try the treatment for yourself. If you are suffering from pain, consult a massage therapist in your area to discover the many benefits of massage therapy and how you can utilize this treatment to have a better quality of life. The only thing you have to lose is your pain.

Categories: Benefits, blood circulation, Heart Rate, improved blood, massage, massage therapy, nbsp improves, nbsp relieves, Pain, poor posture, therapy

Ancient Wisdom: Hands-On Manipulation Stands Test of Time

If you want the ancient wisdom of complementary wellness, you probably won’t find a more ancient healing tradition than hands-on manipulation. According to records, this healing technique was used three thousand years ago in China, but hands-on manipulation has been enhancing mankind’s wellbeing for much longer than that. Indeed, touch and laying hands on people seems to be part of our genes; an intrinsic part of wellness. William Collinge MPH, PhD, author of American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, points out, ‘While there are a wide variety of forms of massage therapy and bodywork, all with their own theoretical or philosophical perspectives, there are certain basic principles they all tend to; hold in common.’ So, what are the key principles of hands-on manipulation?

 

1. Blood circulation: This is perhaps the most basic principle in this field. ‘Improved blood circulation is beneficial for virtually all health conditions,’ says Collinge. ‘Tension in the muscles and other soft tissues can impair circulation, resulting in a deficient supply of nutrients and inadequate removal of wastes or toxins from the tissues of the body. This in turn can lead to illness, structural and functional problems, or slower healing.’

 

2. Movement of lymphatic fluid: Collinge explains, ‘The lymph system is almost as extensive as that of the blood. The circulation of lymphatic fluid plays a key role in ridding the body of wastes, toxins, and pathogens. The lymph system also benefits from massage, particularly in conditions where lymphatic flow is impaired by injury or surgery (e.g., in postmastectomy women).’

 

3. Toxin release: A build-up of toxins can occur in your body due to chronic tension or trauma to your soft tissues. However, through hands-on manipulation, a practitioner can help to move the toxins through your body’s normal pathways of release and elimination.

 

4. Tension release: ‘Chronic muscular tension as a result of high stress lifestyles, trauma, or injury can accumulate and impair the body’s structure and function,’ Collinge notes, adding that this also affects your psychological wellbeing. Therefore, by releasing this tension and enabling greater relaxation, hands-on manipulation can have important physiological and psychological benefits.

 

5. Interdependence of structure and function: According to Collinge, ‘The musculoskeletal structure of the body affects function and function affects structure. Both can be adversely altered by stress or trauma. Massage therapy and bodywork can help restore healthy structure and function, thereby allowing better circulation, greater ease of movement, wider range of movement, more flexibility, and the release of chronic patterns of tension.’

 

6. Enhancement of every bodily system: This principle goes hand-in-hand with some of the previous principles; better circulation and more harmonious functioning of your soft tissue and musculature. When these things are in place, Collinge asserts that ‘internal organ systems as well as the nervous system, the immune system, and other systems can benefit. There can be an overall improvement in the quality of life and physical health.’

 

7. Mind/Body Integration: Just as structure and function are intrinsically connected, there is also a reciprocal relationship between your mind and your body. ‘Soma (body) affects psyche (mind) and vice versa,’ Collinge notes. ‘Hence there can be somatopsychic effects, in which the conditions of the body affect the mind and emotions, and there can be psychosomatic effects, in which psychological or emotional conditions affect the body. Change in one domain may cause change in the other.’ Joanna Chieppa, RMT., a faculty member at Heartwood Institute and an energy healing practitioner, adds, ‘It is important for people to develop an awareness that the flow of energy in and around the body is just as important to wellbeing as the flow of blood, the flow of breath, the flow of cerebral spinal fluid— that it is essential for the health of body, mind, and spirit.’

Categories: ancient wisdom, blood circulation, body, body affects, circulation, collinge, collinge notes, Hands-On Manipulation, lymphatic fluid, massage therapy, Mind-Body Connection