Massage offers a lot of benefits beyond simple relaxation. In this week’s blog we wanted to discuss some health conditions that can improve with the help of regular massages.
Chronic Back Pain
There are an abundance of scientific studies demonstrating the effectiveness of massage for back pain. Often, discomfort and pain in that area can initially be attributed to the bones, but upon further exploration is actually due to back tightness and knots. The most common back pain occurs in the shoulders and lower back due to bad posture for extended periods of time.
Cancer Symptoms
Used in conjunction with traditional western medicine, massage can promote relaxation and reduce cancer symptoms and/or treatment side effects. It can help reduce pain, swelling, fatigue, nausea, and depression, as well as improving the function of your immune system. However, there are specific areas that a massage therapist should avoid on a cancer patient, as well as times when massage should be avoided altogether. You should always consult your doctor before receiving a massage if you have cancer. If treatment is recommended, seek out a massage therapist who has been specially trained in Oncology Massage. Learn more here.
Stress-Related Headaches
This is another common type of pain that responds well to massage therapy. Massages can reduce the number of migraines a person has. Why? Because when the neck is massaged, the muscles that are attached to the base of the skull loosen up, which relieves tension in the head, reducing headaches and sometimes getting rid of them altogether.
Depression & Stress
Massages not only benefit our physical state but also our state of mind. Studies have found that massage-based treatments can help reduce depression and stress. This is due to the relaxation hormones (cortisol) and happy hormones (serotonin and dopamine) that get released during the session.
There are many more health conditions that are alleviated by massage which we will mention in future blogs, so stay tuned! In the meantime, schedule your bit of pain and stress relief by booking your massage today.