Massage therapy, utilized for thousands of years in both Eastern and Western cultures, was one of the earliest tools that humans used to relieve pain. Centuries later, massage therapy still holds a myriad of benefits.
Improves Mental Health
Though often thought of for its physical benefits, there are many mental health advantages of massage therapy as well.
- Reduces stress hormones
- Heightens mental alertness
- Promotes deep relaxation and calmness
- Releases endorphins
- Alleviates anxiety and depression
Enhances Physical Health
Additionally, there are several physical health benefits to massage therapy, including:
- Improved circulation
- Reduced muscle tension
- Increased joint mobility and flexibility
- Accelerated recovery of soft tissue injuries
- Stimulates lymphatic system
- Lessens nerve pain
- Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
- Bolsters immune function
Treats Pain Conditions
Massage therapy has been found to help with numerous pain conditions, with both physical and mental benefits for a variety of ailments.
- Soothes acute low back pain
- Alleviates neck and shoulder pain in the short-term
- Relieves knee pain and improves knee function in osteoarthritis patients
- Decreases number of migraines
- Lessens pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in cancer patients
- Mitigates fibromyalgia symptoms
- Improves the quality of life for patients with HIV/Aids
- Increases weight gain in premature infants
Low Risk Treatment
When completed by a licensed practitioner, massage therapy carries very few risks. Massage therapists should be precautious with certain health conditions, so make sure to disclose whether you have any current ailments, such as burns or healing wounds, deep vein thrombosis, or any broken or fractured bones.
Types of Massage Therapy
There are several different types of massage therapy. The most common form of massage therapy in Western countries is called the Swedish massage, which uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, and tapping. There are also sports massages, which are aimed towards athletes to help prevent or treat injuries. Another type of massage is a deep massage, where the strokes are more forceful in order to target the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues.
In Eastern cultures, there are other forms of massage therapy, such as Shiatsu and Tuina. In Shiatsu, practitioners apply pressure to points on the body to promote the flow of energy and facilitate healing. Tuina, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, also focuses on the flow of energy by targeting pressure points in an effort to create harmony in the yin and yang of the body.
Contact Us
At Comprehensive Medical Care, we are committed to providing personalized care for our patients so that they can live an active and pain-free life. If you would like to start prioritizing your mental and physical health by learning more about massage therapy, contact us here, or call (732) 507-9538 today!
