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The Effects and Benefits of
Massage Therapy

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The Complete Beauty of Massage Therapy...

The benefits of massage therapy are like a concoction to the soul when massage is utilized as a frequent therapy. The more you get, the more it does.

There is no denying the power of massage. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management) massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.

 

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The Health Benefits...

Experts estimate that 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Perhaps nothing ages us faster (internally and externally) than high stress.

Being an idealist myself… it would be hard to eliminate anxiety altogether in this fast paced world.

It’s a fact that massage -- can, without a doubt, help manage stress.

Generally we can view reasons, facts, and benefits on 3 levels.

There are so many benefits of massage therapy and if you’ve never had a massage before, now is definitely the time to get one.

Just remember…

Massage can play an important role in treating illness or chronic ailments, and contribute to a higher sense of general well-being.

To sum it all up: Massage makes you feel good! :-)



 

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The Emotional Benefits

 

• Reduces anxiety
  
  • Generates confidence and feeling of well being
    
    • Enhances self-image and self-worth
      
      • Satisfies the need for caring and nourishing touch
        
        • Relaxation induces a feeling of physical, mental and emotional well being (reduction of excess stress)
          
          • Provides a soothing and comforting alternative to verbal therapeutic techniques, such as counseling
            
            • Reduces sense of isolation
              
              • Increases awareness of the mind-body connection

Stimulate: to act as a stimulant, to invigorate, to excite (an organ, part, etc.) to activity

Increase: to become greater in size, amount, degree, etc. (to increase one's confidence)

Improve: to rise to a better quality or condition; make better

Develop: to make stronger or more effective; strengthen (muscles)

Regenerate: to grow anew(a part to replace one hurt or lost), to produce again

Relax: to make looser, or less firm or tense (muscles)

The Benefits of Massage

The Muscular System

• Relieves soreness, tension, and stiffness
  • Improves muscle tone
    • Increases flexibility and range of motion of joints
      • Improves the flow of nutrients to muscles and joints, accelerating recovery from fatigue and injury
        • Reduces scar tissue
          • Breaks down or prevents adhesions (knots)
            • Speeds recovery from exercise
              • Enhances freedom of movement
                • Prevents or delays muscular atrophy, resulting from inactivity caused by injury, age, surgery, or illness
                  • Increases physical confidence
                    • Relieves cramps and muscle spasms
                      • Reduces pain and swelling

                      
                       

                       

                      The Skeletal System

                      • Improves posture/body alignment
                        • Relieve stiff joints
                          • Decreases inflammation
                            • Restores range of motion (increasing joint movement)
                              • Releases joint strain (releasing tight muscles and tendons)
                                • Releases restrictions in the fascia (connected tissues)
                                  • Improves the circulation and nutrients of your joints

                                  
                                   

                                   

                                  The Integumentary System

                                  • Improves skin tone by removing dead cells and improving circulation
                                    • Regenerates tissue, including burns, wounds, and wrinkles
                                      • Helps to normalize glandular functions
                                        • Improve elasticity of skin
                                          • Stimulates blood flow to nourish the skin

                                          
                                           

                                           

                                          The Circulatory System

                                          • Increases blood flow (to tissues and organs), which can relieve much muscular and joint pain (especially associated with swelling)
                                            • Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients (to cells and tissues), improving and relieving congestion throughout the body
                                              • Increases the number of red blood cells, especially in cases of anemia
                                                • Lower blood pressure
                                                  • Reduces heart rate (helps develop a stronger heart)
                                                    • Elimination of metabolic waste

                                                    
                                                     

                                                     

                                                    The Lymphatic System

                                                    • Cleanse the body of wastes and toxic debris in the body
                                                      • Increases the circulation of lymph
                                                        • Stimulates the immune system (strengthens resistance to disease)
                                                          • Reduces edema of the extremities (arms and legs)
                                                            • Removal of lactic acid from fatigued and sore muscles (allows for a quick recovery)
                                                              • Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism
                                                                • Increases retention of nitrogen phosphorus, and sulfur to aid in bone repair
                                                                  • Speeds recovery from illness

                                                                  
                                                                  The Respiratory System

                                                                  • Develops respiratory muscles
                                                                    • Regulates respiration
                                                                      • Promotes deeper and easier breathing

                                                                      
                                                                       

                                                                       

                                                                      The Nervous System

                                                                      • Stimulates Nervous System = boosting energy
                                                                        • Calms the Nervous System = relaxing
                                                                          -- Massage may have a sedative, stimulating or an exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of massage treatment given
                                                                          • Relieves restlessness and insomnia
                                                                            • Relieves pain due to pinched nerves
                                                                              • Decreases chronic pain
                                                                                • Stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller)

                                                                                
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                The Endocrine System

                                                                                • Helps the body to restore and heal itself
                                                                                  • Develops of a restful sleep pattern
                                                                                    • Promotes appropriate levels of hormones (bringing the immune system back in balance)

                                                                                    
                                                                                     

                                                                                     

                                                                                    The Digestive System

                                                                                    • Relieves constipation (specifically if a abdominal massage is given)
                                                                                      • Relaxes the abdominal and intestinal muscles (therefore releasing tension in this area)
                                                                                        • Eliminates waste materials
                                                                                          • Stimulates activity of liver and kidneys

                                                                                          
                                                                                           

                                                                                           

                                                                                          The Urinary System

                                                                                          • Elimination of metabolic waste
                                                                                            • Cleanses the body of wastes and toxic debris in the body
                                                                                              • Increases kidney action to remove wastes of protein metabolism

                                                                                              
                                                                                               

                                                                                               

                                                                                              The Reproductive System

                                                                                              • Reduces depression and anxiety associated with PMS
                                                                                                • Reduces excess fluid retention
                                                                                                  • Helps prepare for the birthing process

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                  This list is just the beginning to how the benefits of massage can help you. The ever expanding research continues to grow.