Discover The Benefits Of Massage Therapy

By Adriana Noton

Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years to treat and prevent illnesses. There are many different forms of massage that are favored in different parts of the world, but the common power of touch is a strong healing tool. Massage therapy has become a popular and valid form of preventative health treatment in the west as well as more people cotton on to the benefits.

There are many different types of massage therapy that one can experience. Swedish massage, Thai massage, deep tissue massage and Japanese shiatsu are but a few of the different types of massage therapy that are available.

People who have massage therapy done regularly report they have better general health both physically and emotionally. Many scientifics studies have also been able to prove various health benefits with massage.

One of the most powerful ways that massage therapy can improve health is by reducing stress and anxiety levels. Stress is a major cause of other illnesses and some experts blame stress for causing around 80 - 90 per cent of illnesses. What massage therapy does is to melt away stress that has been stored in the body and cause muscle tension. Massage also helps to lower high blood pressure, which is also often caused by stress. Massage lets loose endorphins throughout the body, which invoke a feeling of well being in the body. As well as the physical release of stress, the simple act of touch is a soothing and calming action, which also acts to relieve stress. In addition during massage the body produces serotonin and dopamine, which can combat stress, anxiety and depression.

Massage therapy can also increase the rate of circulation and blood flow around the body. This enables us to remove toxins more effectively that are trapped in our cells and it also lets the body deliver nutrients in the blood more effectively. Increased circulation can also increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and help to heal injuries more quickly.

Massage therapy can help to heal injuries in half the time that it would normally take by reducing swelling and inflammation, reducing the formation of scar tissue, minimizing muscle spasms and encouraging better muscle flexibility and joint mobility. The endorphins released in massage also act as a natural pain killer.

Migraine and headache sufferers can find relief by having regular massage therapy. It works because it can reduce stress, loosen tense muscles, reduce muscle spasms and improve the circulation of blood around the body and into the brain.

There are literally hundreds of health conditions that can be treated with massage therapy as a complimentary medicine. Among them are: carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, back pain, heart conditions and disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and even cancer. Massage might be one of the oldest forms of healing in the world, but it is just as effective these days as it was thousands of years ago.

If you have a demanding job or find that you are under stress regularly, then you should make massage therapy a regular part of your health routine. This will help to relax you and lead to better emotional and physical health. Many private health insurance agencies now offer rebates on alternative and complementary medicine such as massage therapy. - 32188

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