Why Massage Therapy Is Essential for Relaxation and Recovery

Massage Tulsa therapy helps relax the body and mind, reduces anxiety and pain, increases flexibility and range of motion and boosts performance. It also encourages better sleep, reduces blood pressure and boosts the immune system.

Massage

It can help manage the negative effects of stress like fibromyalgia, headaches and fatigue stemming from cancer treatment and more.

Massage improves circulation, which increases oxygen flow to your brain and heart. It also helps remove waste products from the body. Good circulation provides your cells with vital nutrients, and it delivers the oxygen your muscles need for energy. The improved blood flow from massage can also help heal muscle injuries and chronic pain.

A massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body in times of stress and anxiety. The relaxed state that a massage can create encourages the body to activate this system, which is important for people with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. During massage, the cortisol hormone that is associated with stress is decreased while serotonin is increased. Both of these neurotransmitters are known to decrease feelings of depression, reduce anxiety, and increase the production of white blood cells that fight off infections.

It’s important to note that if you are pregnant, some types of massage, particularly deep tissue massage, can cause your pelvic area to expand which may trigger premature labor. Be sure to communicate with your massage therapist about any concerns you have with pregnancy, and always use a certified massage therapist who has experience working with pregnancies and women’s health issues.

Circulation is improved because a massage increases venous return, which helps improve both blood and lymphatic circulation. This is because a massage stimulates the body’s muscles and skin, which causes them to contract and relax.

During massage, the skin gets flushed and warm because the capillaries in the skin respond to mechanical stimulation by dilating. This is a healthy response, and the extra blood flow to the skin can be beneficial for the muscles underneath it as well.

Many people suffer from poor circulation, but a regular massage can help improve this condition. It can also prevent or treat conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, back pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also aid in the recovery of sprains, strains, and ligament damage. The improved blood flow from a massage can also make exercise easier on the joints and muscles.

Reduced Stress

When your body experiences stress, hormones like cortisol are released to help the body and mind cope. While these hormones are necessary for survival, they can cause a host of problems including tense muscles, anxiety and even depression. Massage helps to reduce these negative hormones by encouraging the release of positive ones such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. This allows the body to feel more relaxed, allowing it to deal with stress more effectively.

Another way that a massage can help with stress is by improving your blood flow to the brain and body. This is due to the fact that it stimulates the heart and the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a fluid-based system that doesn’t have a pump like the cardiovascular (vascular) system. As such, the lymphatic system relies on movement and gravity to move its contents, which are waste materials, throughout the body. As a result, the lymphatic system can get backed up with toxic substances that may cause disease or illness in the body. Massage therapy can increase the circulation of the lymphatic system to improve its functioning and prevent waste buildup.

Massage therapy also helps with reducing anxiety by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages the rest and repair functions of the body. As a result, your systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate decrease, which in turn alleviates symptoms of stress, such as headaches and tense muscles.

Some people experience a slight feeling of disorientation after a massage, but this usually passes within 15 minutes. However, it is important to remember to drink water after your massage as it can leave you a little dehydrated.

Regular massages can be an excellent way to treat many conditions, such as muscle tightness, chronic pain, sprains and strains. A professional massage therapist can provide you with the best treatment for your specific condition. By providing the best care, they can ensure you achieve the maximum benefit from your massage. So, make sure you book your next appointment today! A good massage can change your life for the better, helping you to relax and recover from the everyday stresses of life.

Relieves Anxiety

Anxiety can make even the most seemingly insignificant events feel like a major problem. It’s a feeling of fear or tension, often accompanied by other physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, headache or nausea. Thankfully, massage is an effective way to relieve anxiety.

It can do this by stimulating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming your body down during times of stress. The calming environment that a massage creates (including relaxing music, soothing scents and dimmed lighting) also helps to alleviate the effects of stress. In fact, a study published in Applied Nursing Research found that regular back massage can help to reduce anxiety in cancer patients, and that people with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia may experience lessened stress levels as well.

The benefits of massage go beyond just the mind, as it has been shown to improve the immune system as well. Studies have revealed that massages increase the activity of white blood cells, which help your body fight off deadly bacteria and viruses. Additionally, the release of “feel good” hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins can help to combat depression, which can often lead to feelings of anxiety.

Many studies have shown that massage decreases the body’s cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone, and increases the “feel good” neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These effects are especially strong in the case of a deep tissue massage, which is particularly beneficial to those suffering from depression and anxiety.

Some of the other ways that massage can relieve anxiety include helping the brain to process information more effectively, improving sleep quality and providing a sense of control during stressful situations. It is for these reasons that a massage is often recommended by mental health professionals as part of a treatment plan for individuals with anxiety disorders, or by doctors who are treating patients with other mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder.

Some studies suggest that massage is also useful in reducing anxiety and stress in psychiatric patients, children with disabilities, people with chronic pain and illness such as fibromyalgia, elderly people, and healthy adults. Massage is even used in obstetrics as a tool to help the mother relax and cope with her stress during labor and delivery.

Relieves Pain

Many people seek massage therapy to alleviate pain from backaches, migraines, and even fibromyalgia. Therapeutic massage is known to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural feel-good hormones that can mask the sensation of pain. In addition, a massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and promotes relaxation. The effects of a massage can last as long as 24 hours, which can improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis.

In one study, participants who received a full-body Swedish massage once per week for five weeks reported less pain and stiffness than those who didn’t receive a massage. Moreover, the research found that massage improves symptoms like anxiety and fatigue associated with chronic pain.

According to the gate control theory, a therapist’s touch is able to close the “gates” that send pain messages to the brain. This is because when the therapist applies pressure to certain areas, it causes other sensations to take priority over the pain signals, thus blocking them.

Additionally, a massage helps to boost the immune system by increasing the activity level of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting diseases and infections. The increased flow of blood to the body’s tissues also reduces toxins, which is necessary for optimal immune system function and overall well-being.

Massage may also help to reduce the occurrence of headaches and decrease the intensity of chronic neck or shoulder pain. Additionally, the stretching movements that are used in some massage techniques can help to increase range of motion in joints and improve flexibility, which in turn, can lead to decreased pain and stiffness.

A good massage should always be done by a certified professional, who is familiar with the proper technique for your specific needs. A massage that is not properly performed can cause injury to the muscles and ligaments. Furthermore, it is not recommended to get a massage if you are pregnant because some therapists accidentally hit pressure points that can induce contractions and premature labor. Also, a massage can leave you feeling dehydrated, so make sure to drink plenty of water after your session.