The practice of using touch as a healing method derives from customs and techniques rooted in ancient history. Eastern and Western Civilizations found that massages could heal injuries, relieve pain, reduce stress, prevent and cure illnesses. Massages can even promote the release of the built-up toxins in your body causing numerous health problems.

Below are the top 12 medicinal benefits of massages…

Chronic Pain

People with chronic pain often turn to massage therapy to help naturally improve their quality of life. Massage can increase a person’s serotonin level, which causes the body to reduce pain naturally.  Around 35 percent of all people who receive massages experience less pain associated with stiffness, soreness, injuries, and chronic health conditions.

Massages have been found to effectively relax muscles and stiff joints.  Massages also reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by generalized pain, joint rigidity, intense fatigue, sleep alterations, headache and muscle spasms.  One study by the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage therapy helped people with fibromyalgia feel more relaxed and helped with tender point pain and decreased their levels of substance P (a substance that sends pain signals around your body).

Back Pain

When the Canadian Medical Association Journal looked at different solutions for chronic lower back pain, the researchers found that massage was the most effective treatment for reducing back pain.

Diabetes

Massage therapy has been recommended for diabetes for over 100 years, helping to restore proper use of insulin, and lowering inflammation.

Reduces Depression, Anxiety & Fatigue

Massage therapy has been shown to help lower stress, eliminate depression and improve fatigue. Studies have found that the presence of depression is often triggered by active and chronic pain and that depression alone leads to muscle tension and pain which can be very painful to live with on a daily basis.

Arthritis Pain

A massage that involves applying light pressure to your joints and the tiny pressure receptors under your skin could help ease your arthritis pain. Massage can increase blood flow to your joints and boost your circulation throughout your body, which could help increase your mobility and flexibility.

Improves Posture

Sitting in front of a computer all day or standing on your feet enduring hour of manual labor can cause tension in the neck and back.  This can result in poor posture. Massages can help the body to reinforce healthy and natural movements. Your muscles can relax and loosen with a massage and allow your body to position itself in a natural pain-free posture.

Relieves Headaches

Massage on a regular basis helps them relax and de-stress the body. This alternative method reduces the chances of experiencing migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points.  It can also ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension-related headaches. By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by a migraine or tension headaches.

Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure & Improve Blood Circulation

Massages can enhance blood flow, lower blood pressure and improve body function. Better blood circulation is part of the chain reaction that occurs in the body as a result of receiving massage therapy on a regular basis.

Improve Flexibility

Massage can stimulate the production of the body’s natural lubricants to keep flexibility at a maximum. By working on muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and joints, massages can improve your flexibility and range of motion, keeping your joints more fluid and making them less injury prone.

Enhances Athletic Performance

Certain types of massages including sports massages are specifically designed to enhance athletic performance. It’s common today for athletes to receive massages at the arenas or training sites to help establish blood flow and to warm up muscles prior to a game or an event.

Improves ADHD

Massages have been found to be effective for treating ADHD. In a recent study, ADHD adolescents who took ten massage treatment classes for two weeks rated themselves as more content than those in comparison who participated in recreation therapy.  Researchers found that the patients with ADHD were less squirmy, and teachers of noticed more on-task behavior when compared with the recreation therapy group.

Helps with Insomnia

Massage can increase serotonin levels, which can naturally help individuals to experience a good night sleep.

Massages are becoming increasingly more and more popular as people are realizing the power medicinal benefits that massages have to offer. Unlike medications, massages have no long or short-term side-effects. Not only does it feel good, but it can also improve your health and quality of life.

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