What is the Purpose of Massage Therapy?
The purpose of massage therapy is to relieve built-up stressors in the body. It helps improve circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues.
It also reduces the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, in the bloodstream. And it increases the flexibility of joints and muscles.
Relaxation
Massage is a manual technique in which a practitioner uses his or her fingers, hands, forearms and elbows to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. Different styles of massage involve varying amounts of pressure and focus on specific areas that may have knots or other restrictions. A variety of techniques — including kneading, friction, vibration and tapping — can be used during massage to help relax the tissues. Massage therapy also can include calming aromatherapy and soothing music to create an overall relaxing experience.
One of the most common reasons to get a massage is for stress relief. This is because a good massage can help to stimulate the endorphins in your brain, which are natural chemicals that boost feelings of well-being and reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body.
In addition, a massage can help to improve your sleep by increasing serotonin levels in your body, which is known to promote relaxation. It can also help to reduce headaches and neck pain by releasing tension in the musculoskeletal system.
The pain-relieving properties of massage aren't limited to certain health conditions, and research has shown that it can help to alleviate delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after a workout and promote flexibility in the joints.
Depending on your situation, you and massage therapist St Petersburg FL will decide what type of massage is right for you. It's important to communicate with your therapist throughout the process, and most therapists will check-in on how much pressure you are comfortable with.
Before you start your massage, your therapist will talk to you about any health concerns and medications you take. They will then leave the room while you undress to your underwear and lie down on a massage table. The therapist will then cover you with a sheet and apply a light oil to protect your skin. They will then massage you, using their fingertips, palms, forearms and elbows, in a soothing manner to relax the muscles and other soft tissues of your body. Massage has been shown to be very effective for reducing the symptoms of stress, anxiety and fibromyalgia.
Pain Relief
One of the most common reasons people seek massage therapy is for pain relief. Studies show that when you receive a massage, your body’s production of stress hormones decreases and levels of pain-killing chemicals increase. In addition, the touch and gentle movement of massage causes muscles to relax which in turn reduces tension and tightness that contributes to pain.
In fact, 75% of individuals surveyed stated their primary reason for receiving a massage in the past year was for medical (including soreness or stiffness/spasm, back or neck pain, migraines, and injury recovery). In many cases, a physician is even the first person to recommend massage to help with pain issues. Individuals are also seeking out massage in more medical settings than ever before (physical therapy offices, chiropractors, orthopedic and other medical centers).
During a massage the skin’s surface is touched or moved which stimulates nerves within the body that creates a calming effect. The calming effect helps slow your heart rate, lowers blood pressure and changes the electrical activity of your brain. These changes encourage the body to produce feel good hormones like serotonin and dopamine which are known to decrease your perception of pain.
In addition, massage increases circulation. The squeezing and twisting action of massage techniques improves the flow of your blood, which carries nutrient-rich blood to congested areas. This in turn, helps eliminate toxins from your body. The same process of improved circulation benefits the lymphatic fluid system which carries metabolic waste away from internal organs and muscles.
One of the key factors that contribute to a chronic pain condition is increased levels of stress and anxiety. A massage may be used to alleviate the effects of chronic pain due to increased stress levels by helping to reduce the amount of cortisol produced by the body. Regular massage can also increase the overall level of serotonin in the body which can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Those who are under high levels of stress often have difficulty maintaining a healthy immune system. The calming effects of massage can also help boost the immune system by improving the activity of natural killer cells that fight disease.
Improved Circulation
The hands-on pressure applied by massage therapy stimulates blood flow. The resulting “snowball effect” brings new blood to damaged muscles and tissues, delivering nutrients and oxygen that accelerate healing and repair.
Massage also helps to break up muscle adhesions, or scar tissue. This allows the injured area to move more freely, which can reduce pain and stiffness. Some people with chronic pain or injuries find regular massage helps them avoid surgery and to stay active and mobile.
Many different kinds of massage are available, with different techniques and types of pressure. Some examples are Swedish, which uses long, flowing strokes of the hand and arms to loosen muscles and increase circulation; deep tissue, which applies deeper pressure and targets problem areas such as knots; sports, which focuses on improving range of motion in joints used by particular sports; and trigger point, which involves deactivating tight, sensitive muscle fibers that create referred pain in specific patterns.
During massage, the body releases chemicals called endorphins, which produce feelings of well-being and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Other physiological effects include reduced heart rate and blood pressure and changes in EEG (electrical activity) patterns in the brain.
A massage therapist will use a lubricant such as oil or talcum powder to allow their hands to slide over the skin. A tool such as a body rock, which is serpentine in shape and usually made of wood or stone, may be used to amplify the therapist’s strength or help target certain areas. Reflexology is a form of massage that involves applying pressure to the feet using thumb, finger and hand techniques. Hot stones, which are warmed and placed on parts of the body, may be used in massage as well.
Massage is sometimes used as part of treatment for specific medical conditions, such as anxiety and stress in cancer patients; it can also be helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms and in boosting weight and motor function in premature infants. Research suggests that it can improve pulmonary function and reduce psychological distress in asthmatics; and it may help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms such as fatigue, depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer.
Stress Management
The calming and relaxing effect of massage reduces stress and anxiety. This is because the body is stimulated to produce positive hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine.
During a massage, friction is created between the skin and the fingers or hands that causes blood flow to increase. This in turn raises tissue temperatures, which allows muscles to relax and elongate. When the muscles are relaxed, they can move and stretch more easily and when this occurs it can help alleviate pain.
It is important to let your therapist know what areas are painful so they can adjust the pressure and techniques used during your massage. You can ask your therapist to focus on the painful areas or to go over the whole body and work through the muscles to relieve tension.
A common misconception is that the benefits of massage are limited to physical pain relief but there are many other health related issues that can be addressed through massage such as;
The immune system can also be helped by regular massage. Studies have shown that massage can improve pulmonary function in asthma patients, decrease psycho-emotional distress in children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease and increase weight and motor development of premature infants.
In addition to the physical health benefits, massage has been linked to improved sleep, reduced depression and an overall sense of well-being. A recent study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that massage can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is your “rest and digest” system. This will cause the blood and cellular muscle activation messengers to stop working so hard and go on more subtle missions such as digestion.
Massage is a natural way to relax and can be beneficial for anyone from children, pregnant women, seniors or athletes. It can be added to your regular wellness routine or you can use it as a means of self-care and relaxation during stressful times in your life. Your massage therapist can teach you techniques to manage stress on your own and provide tips on how to best maintain your body between appointments.
The purpose of massage therapy is to relieve built-up stressors in the body. It helps improve circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues. It also reduces the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, in the bloodstream. And it increases the flexibility of joints and muscles. Relaxation Massage is a…