Massage Therapy Can Reduce Stress and Improve Performance
3 min read
Massage therapy offers one of the most effective and natural ways to treat the body and the mind. By working with the body’s soft tissue, a massage therapist helps people maintain, augment, rehabilitate and develop physical function. The therapeutic effects of massage therapy and its importance in improving health are well known. As it acts directly on the nervous, muscular, circulatory, and immune (lymphatic) systems, several health problems can be addressed and treated with this form of therapy.
Today, massage has become a part of the training regime for most professional athletes. It helps them improve their performance and also helps them cope with stress and pressure. In fact, even working professionals who have a hectic lifestyle with a number of physically and mentally taxing tasks on their agenda along with long hours at work will benefit immensely from massage therapy. Stress also increases the risk of heart disease and massage therapy is one of the most effective as well as enjoyable ways to combat and reduce stress.
Sometimes, even an injury that may seem minor may affect a person’s ability to remain independent and physically active. One of the best ways to ensure that the condition does not become chronic is through massage, which prevents a disastrous outcome. It also promotes an overall sense of well being by relaxing the body and helps in pain management and control.
Massage therapy alleviates or prevents pain and there are different massage therapy techniques that are recommended specifically for tight and tense or sore muscles and tissues. Experienced and qualified massage therapists are adept at finding tense spots and they help restore the body’s balance. The movements used in this therapy reduce the recovery time from an injury, boost the functions of the immune system, and improve circulation. This improves the flow of blood to and from the joints and muscles, which enhances circulation.
Skilled and licensed therapists have become an integral and important part of all health care teams. Though there are several different types of massages therapy techniques, some of the most common ones are the Swedish massage that is ideal for people who get regular massage, the Sports massage for athletes and weekend warriors to treat specific injuries, the Trigger Point massage for sensitive areas and muscles that are injured or have been overused, and the Deep Tissue massage that focuses on the deep layers of muscles and tissues.
Benefits of massage
One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins – the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of well-being.
Levels of stress hormones, such as Adrenalin, cortisol and nor-epinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system.
Some of the physical benefits of massage and myotherapy include:
- reduced muscle tension
- improved circulation
- stimulation of the lymphatic system
- reduction of stress hormones
- relaxation
- increased joint mobility and flexibility
- improved skin tone
- improved recovery of soft tissue injuries
- heightened mental alertness
- reduced anxiety and depression.
Mindful Billing & Management LLC provides is a USA-based professional firm that provides acupuncture and insurance billing services to holistic practitioners with a personal touch.
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