Sure, getting a massage is relaxing, but did you know that there are many other advantages of massage therapy besides its soothing effects? Today, growing numbers of people are recognizing the merits of massage, leading to its acceptance as a conventional form of treatment for multiple ailments and conditions. Massage therapy can be used to relieve headaches, reduce pain, boost immunity, and more.
If you’re considering a career in this field, read on to discover some surprising benefits of massage therapy.
1. Those with Massage Therapist Training Can Help Clients Improve Circulation
Patients with poor circulation may suffer from conditions such as cold hands and feet, muscle pain, or fatigue, due to a lactic acid buildup in the muscles. In massage therapy, techniques involve applying hand pressure to different areas of the body. Through regular massage sessions, this pressure can promote healthy circulation, stimulating increased blood flow to tense muscles and extremities of the body. Massage techniques such as pulling or squeezing also allow for lymphatic fluid to drain from the muscles, removing metabolic waste and promoting healing. For those suffering from poor circulation, seeking help from a professional with massage therapist training may be the solution they’re looking for.
2. Massage Can Enhance Immunity
Our immune system could always use a boost, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. In a study of participants before and after a massage, researchers found that getting a massage led to increased levels of lymphocytes—white blood cells that are important in providing defense against infection. Additionally, it was found that participants had lower levels of cytokines after a massage. Cytokines are molecules that contribute to increased inflammation in the body, contributing to a higher susceptibility for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and asthma. Massage therapy can play a significant role in enhancing the immunity of patients and reducing their susceptibility to the development of viruses and disease.
3. Massage Relieves Headaches
When received on a regular basis, massage can help patients suffering from migraines and tension headaches to ease the pain they feel with this type of ailment. Massage treatments target the buildup of pressure in areas like the head, shoulders and neck, alleviating the intensity and acuteness of the headache a patient gets. Additionally, massage therapy has been shown to reduce the frequency of headaches. If you’re getting your massage therapy diploma, recommend that patients suffering from headaches see you once or twice a week to relieve severe symptoms.
4. Posture Can Improve with Massage
Not only can massage relieve muscle tension and aches, but it can also have a beneficial effect on a patient’s overall posture. For many patients, suffering from chronic pain of the neck and back is a common side effect of poor posture, largely due to prolonged time spent at a desk. Massage works to counteract the bodily imbalance that sitting for long periods of time can cause, alleviating tension and stress in the back, neck, and other affected areas.
5. Massage Therapy Has Been Shown to Reduce Depression, Stress, and Anxiety
In addition to its many physical benefits, massage therapy has also been shown to be potentially beneficial to mental health. Massage therapy can reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol—a stress hormone that’s often responsible for anxious emotions. Massage also boosts levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, both of which work to stabilize mood and are effective in working to reduce depression. When treating a patient using massage therapy, it’s likely that you’re not only promoting relaxation, but also helping to improve the general state of their mental health.
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