The Benefits of Massage
Not sure if massage is right for you? Think massage is just self-indulgent pampering? Below is a list of many condition massage can help with:
- Pain in individuals with lower back pain reduced.
- Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments.
- Blood pressure reduced.
- Help with pain management in conditions such as arthritis, sciatica and muscle spasms.
- Diminishment of stress, which contributes to a large number of diseases and early aging (both internally and externally).
- Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
- Improve postural function and ability to breathe more fully by reversing limiting holding patterns such as those created by hunching over computer keyboards.
- Athletic performance enhanced for athletes of any level in preparation for, and recovery from workouts and competitions.
- Stereotypical and off-task behavior for individuals with autism reduced while normalizing social behaviors.
- Improves the condition of the skin–the body’s largest organ.
- Attentiveness and learning increased, thus improving school and job performance.
- Joint flexibility and range of motion increased.
- Anxiety and depression lessened.
- Promotes tissue regeneration, reducing post surgical scar tissue, adhesions, swelling and stretch marks.
- Circulation improved, bringing an increased supply of oxygen to the bodies organs and tissues.
- Spasms and cramping reduced.
- Endorphins released–the body’s feel-good hormone with works as a natural painkiller.
- Headaches, eye strain and migraine pain relieved and helps to reduce frequency.
- Provides a period of time for individuals with hectic lives to let everything go and focus on themselves.
Clearly the impact of massage on your therapeutic well being can be substantial, especially when used as a complementary therapy along side treatment received from your physician, chiropractor, physical therapist or other healthcare provider.
When should you NOT receive massage?
There are certain conditions you may have which should be taken into consideration prior to receiving bodywork. Often the degree of these contraindications are minor or just limit the areas of the body which can be massaged.
Through discussions with your massage therapist and, in some cases, your doctor it will be determined whether these conditions will pose a problem. For your well being it is best to be up front about all known conditions despite their perceived insignificance. Below you will find a list of some of the more common conditions which may or may not pose a problem but should be discussed:
- Fever
- Contagious or unknown skin conditions
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Recent operations
- Diabetes
- High or low blood pressure
- Osteoporosis
- Varicose veins
- Cancer
- Migraines
- Numbness and lack of touch sensations
- Edema
- Drug use (both prescribed and illegal)
- Alcohol use
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