Massage increases blood flow, which brings oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removes waste products. It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to encourage relaxation and decrease stress levels.

Massage may also help patients feel cared for, and this sense of trust and well-being can lead to better communication with providers. This is especially true for patients with chronic illnesses or disabilities, where touch may be their primary means of communication. Visit their Website to learn more.

Stress is a normal and natural part of life but excessive stress can lead to health problems including high blood pressure, weakened immune system, digestive issues, weight gain and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. Massage decreases stress by stimulating feel good hormones, triggering the parasympathetic nervous system and promoting relaxation. The physiological effects of a massage on decreasing stress include increased endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, decreased cortisol and increasing tissue elasticity.

During a massage, techniques such as kneading and compression are used to relieve the tight muscles which tense up under stress. This increases the local blood flow to those muscles which helps them relax, thus reducing muscle tension and allowing for an increase in movement of the tissues in the area. Massage also stimulates the peripheral nervous system causing it to calm down, therefore relieving stress in the entire body and mind.

A study performed by psychologists from the University of Konstanz found that 10 minutes of massage or relaxation activates the body’s system for overcoming stress, which is known as the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). This system works to decrease the effects of stress such as high blood pressure and heart rate and slows the brain activity.

The body produces a stress hormone called cortisol in response to pain and this increase in stress causes the levels of pain to keep rising, a cycle that is hard to break. Massage lowers cortisol and increases the level of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that reduces depression, boosts self-esteem and improves mood.

A lack of serotonin can also contribute to insomnia and other psychological problems. A body under stress is often unable to produce enough sperm or breast milk in men, and can be a contributing factor for women experiencing difficulty with pregnancy or erectile dysfunction. Massage is a great way to decrease the effects of chronic stress and help the body return to a normal state. It is important to note that although massage is very relaxing, it is not a cure for anxiety or depression. If these symptoms persist, you should seek medical advice from your GP.

Relieves Muscle Pain

Massage stimulates two of the body’s healing systems – the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system. The former pushes blood around the body with each beat of the heart, while the latter doesn’t have a pump so relies on body movement to move lymph fluid and clear waste products from the cells. Massage increases the flow of both, helping your muscles heal between workouts and reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

Vigorous exercise causes tiny tears in your muscle fibers, which prompts the immune system to repair these injured cells. Researchers found that massage decreased the inflammation caused by these damaged cells, allowing muscles to recover faster and become stronger.

Tight muscles also increase stress on the surrounding tissues and inhibit your natural range of motion, which is why regular massage is so beneficial for your overall health. Massage relaxes tight muscles and encourages proper alignment, which can help alleviate back pain, menstrual cramps, gastrointestinal problems, and even respiratory disorders.

Athletes rely on massage to help prevent injuries and improve performance. Research shows that it can help athletes recover from training, speed up recovery from injuries, and reduce the incidence of overuse injuries.

In one study, participants with chronic low back pain experienced significantly less soreness and a decrease in the intensity of their muscle pain after receiving regular massages. The researchers credit these results to massage’s ability to decrease stiffness and improve the flexibility of the hamstring muscles.

Some types of muscle soreness can be pinpointed to a knot or hardened section of tissue within the muscle, called myofascial tissue. A pressure point release during massage relieves these areas and helps break down the buildup of toxins in the muscle.

Massage decreases pain by decreasing inflammation, interrupting the pain cycle, and releasing hormones that block nerve impulses that are perceived as painful. It also enhances muscle function by increasing blood flow and releasing the chemicals that allow your muscles to stretch more easily. While some people feel sore after a massage, others find they are so relaxed and comfortable that they are energized.

Increases Flexibility

A massage increases flexibility by removing tight or tense muscles. Tight muscles restrict movement and decrease elasticity which increases your likelihood of injury. A massage can also stretch out muscle fibres resulting in increased elasticity. Increasing flexibility helps with the performance of physical activities such as sports and exercise. It also makes daily tasks such as walking, climbing stairs and sweeping the floor easier to do without strain.

Tight muscles are often tense due to stress or anxiety, this causes you to become more rigid in your movements. Massage helps you relax physically by reducing this tension and releasing endorphins which is the body’s natural pain killer. Having the ability to move in a flexible manner reduces the risk of injury, improving your quality of life.

Stretching exercises can improve your flexibility but a therapeutic massage is a more effective way of doing so. A massage can help increase the elasticity of your muscles and joints by breaking down adhesions and restoring the proper alignment. In addition, the pressure applied by a massage can increase the circulation of blood around your muscles which improves your range of motion.

A study conducted by the National Institute of Health found that static stretching decreases jumping performance but the application of massage immediately after static stretching increases both jumping and standing flexibility. It is believed that this is because massage manipulates soft tissues which breaks down and loosens adhesions, enabling the normal muscle fibres to lie in their correct form thereby improving flexibility.

One of the ways a massage increases flexibility is by increasing the temperature in the muscle. This results in the muscles relaxing and loosing up. A massage can also increase a muscle’s elasticity which allows the muscles to move with ease and improves the flexibility of the joint.

A massage increases the range of movement of a muscle by breaking down adhesions, reducing pain and promoting blood flow. This is beneficial because it allows blood, oxygen and nutrients to travel to the affected area properly and to remove waste products. In addition, it reduces inflammation, decreases muscle and tissue pain, creates faster recovery after workouts and improves the overall function of the body.

Reduces Anxiety

Massage is used worldwide to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. The effect is thought to be due to changes in the brain and body during relaxation, as well as a decrease in stress hormones like cortisol. Various studies have shown that massage can reduce anxiety, especially in people who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is an anxiety disorder that causes frequent unfocused worrying and a sense of doom and dread. Studies have shown that massage can help to reduce the symptoms of this condition, such as restless sleep and fatigue.

Studies have found that massage may increase the level of serotonin in the brain, a chemical which improves mood and regulates emotions. It may also help to release the tension that causes anxiety and depression, as well as increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to calm the body and mind during stressful times.

Several studies have also found that massage can reduce the anxiety levels of cancer patients. One study compared the effects of standard medical care with massage therapy for patients who were receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment. The results showed that massage significantly reduced both immediate and intermediate anxiety levels, whereas the standard medical care did not. Another study compared hand massage with hand holding for the reduction of psychological and physiological anxiety in patients undergoing local infiltration anesthesia during surgery. The results showed that both hand massage and holding were effective in reducing state anxiety, visual analog scale (VAS) score and systolic blood pressure. The results also showed that holding was more effective than hand massage for reducing hostility, but not depression or anxiety.

Other studies have also found that massage can reduce anxiety in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, by improving their self-esteem and lowering levels of anger or sadness. This is believed to be because massage can help the patient to feel cared for, which in turn leads to improved communication with others. This effect is said to be even stronger for people who do not speak the same language as their massage therapist, such as those who have severe physical or mental disabilities or are terminally ill.