Everyone loves a good massage every now and then, whether it’s a quick self-prescribed foot massage or a professional full-body massage. Even a massage from a vibrating massage chair is relaxing. But have you ever really considered the bigger benefits of massage? Check them out below.
It Reduces Stress
You’ve probably experienced first-hand how relaxed and stress-free you feel after getting a massage, but you may not know what other benefits come along with that relaxing feeling. For one, massage can help promote a healthier mind since lower stress levels also correlate to better memory and improved concentration.
But did you know relaxation can also have a positive impact on the body?
Research shows that lower stress levels as an effect of massage help lower blood pressure and heart rate. In fact, controlled studies show that just 10 to 15 minutes in a massage chair lowers blood pressure and stress hormones in the body. So even if you don’t have the time or the budget for a frequent professional massage, placing a
good massage chair in your home or office is a good alternative.
It Decreases Anxiety and Depression
In addition to reduced mental and physical stress, massage has also been shown to reduce patients’ reported levels of anxiety and depression. This may be a secondary effect of lower stress levels. In one study reported by
Prevention.com, researchers found that immediately after massage therapy, cortisol levels (which is a hormone associated with stress) were 53 percent lower than before the therapy session.
Another study followed breast cancer patients, some of whom received massage therapy for five weeks. Those in the massage group reported feeling less angry and depressed, and they felt they had more energy.
It Reduces Pain
While you may know that massage has positive benefits on the mind, did you know it can do a lot for the body as well? In a clinical setting, massage therapy can help reduce arthritis pain, headaches, lower back pain, and pain caused by numerous other conditions. As
Medical News Today reports, the way massage aids in pain reduction may be closely related to clinical anti-inflammatory medication.
It Improves Range of Motion and Flexibility
Of all the benefits of massage, you may not have realized that massage can boost your range of motion and flexibility. This is especially important for sports athletes since better flexibility can reduce the chance of injury. One reason for this massage benefit is because frequently exercised muscles can become tight over time, but massage helps stimulate blood flow and push nutrients to that muscle site, restoring the muscle’s ability to relax.
Along with this comes the benefit of reduced recovery time between workouts. Because more blood and nutrients are flowing to the muscle, repair time is quicker, which can also improve an athlete’s performance.
It Aids in Injury Rehabilitation
In the same way massage can help benefit athletes after a workout, it can also
aid in post-injury rehabilitation for both athletes and non-athletes. It’s the same concept: massage stimulates blood flow, which helps bring repairing nutrients to the site of the injury and soothe swelling joints. Medical News Today reports that massage also stimulates the production of mitochondria in the body’s cells, which are energy-producing units that can help reduce inflammation.
Massage can also help reduce stiffness in muscles near broken bones, and it can even aid burn patients in recovery. Those burn patients who undergo massage therapy report improved skin healing and less irritation.
While you’ve long known that massage comes with some benefits, you now have a better understanding of just how beneficial massages can be. Consider investing in a massage chair to experience the benefits of massage daily.
