Benefits of Massage Reduces stress and increases relaxation. Reduce muscle pain and pain and tension Lower heart rate and blood pressure. One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This happens because massage causes the release of endorphins, the brain's chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of well-being.
The number one benefit of massage is stress relief, Deery explains. We need more research to determine exactly how much massage therapy reduces stress hormones such as cortisol, but anecdotal evidence suggests that massages can help reduce stress and encourage relaxation. AMTA offers a variety of rigorously vetted continuing education classes and massage therapy training, available online and in person. Massages are increasingly being offered alongside standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.
Many ancient peoples, including the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Indians, were convinced of the therapeutic properties of massage and used it to treat a variety of ailments. The benefits of massage not only promote restful sleep, but also help those who might not otherwise be able to rest comfortably. Massage professionals typically use oil or talc to allow their hands to glide over a person's skin. The best way to experience the benefits of massage is to try a half-hour or one-hour massage session on your own.
Massage also promotes circulation to affected or injured muscles, increasing nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissues. Massage is now widely available and is considered an important tool for promoting mental and physical health. After you've figured out exactly what you expect to get out of your massage therapy sessions (whether it's pain management or just a spa-like experience), Barker and Deery suggest using the American Massage Therapy Association's therapist locator to find someone qualified in your area. However, keep in mind that, in some cases, massage therapy can worsen pain, explains the Mayo Clinic.
It's best to talk to your primary care doctor about the potential benefits of massage for fibromyalgia and make sure to discuss your condition with your massage therapist beforehand. In addition, massages help babies sleep more, cry less and be less stressed, according to research from the University of Warwick. As with choosing other healthcare professionals, it's important to be a conscious consumer when selecting a massage therapist. If you like massages in spa-like environments, that's more than enough reason to continue doing them when it's safe to do so in the future.
While there is no cure for this, some patients benefit from having a physical therapist or massage therapist work in areas where they feel pain to relieve muscle tension, explains the Mayo Clinic.
