The Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage is often seen as a luxury or indulgence but many people need regular massage therapy to maintain a pain free, stress reduced life.
Massage is the perfect blend of ancient traditions mixed with latest scientific discoveries. Massage has been around for as long as we have existed and evolved from many cultures. Touch is a basic human instinct that we use to communicate and for comfort, including relieving pain. How many times have you squeezed your shoulders after being sat at a desk all day? Or rubbed your neck after sleeping in a strange position?
Massage practise has been an important part of many early civilisations and tradition, including Japan and India, with the earliest record from China 3000BC. The Ancient Greeks and Romans both used massage as part of their every day lives. Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839) developed Swedish massage techniques in the nineteenth century, which helped the benefits of massage reach Europe and America. Mechanical methods started to replace manual therapy for nerve injury and rehab in the twentieth century.
However the awareness of the benefits of manual therapies have continued to increase and are now widely recognised by both society and the medical profession. Experts in the industry have continued to research the effects of massage with recent techniques including Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Soft Tissue Release and Mobilisation. Massage benefits the whole body in a natural, non-invasive way, with these advanced techniques increasing movement and reducing pain.
Changes in our modern world, especially with the developments in technology, have changed the way we live our lives. We spend increasing amounts of time sat down at desks or behind screens, rather than being active. When we do feel the urge to do more exercise we usually push ourselves too hard, which in turn can cause injury. Stress and anxiety levels are also ever increasing due to this change in our lifestyles. Massage can be a fantastic way to help with these issues and improve your health and wellbeing.
There are so many benefits that massage can provide. Some of these are listed below…!
relieves muscle tension
alleviates chronic pain
increases range of movement and joint mobility
reduces stress and anxiety
relaxes the mind and body
boosts immunity
improves posture
improves circulation for more efficient delivery of nutrients and removal of waste
soothes or stimulates nervous system
helps bring homeostasis (balance) to the systems of the body
increases energy levels and reduces fatigue
helps injuries and strains
improves skin and muscle tone
increases flexibility
helps insomnia and improves sleep
balances the digestive system
lowers high blood pressure
increases positive wellness
more efficient breathing
reduces inflammation and oedema due to increased lymphatic drainage
If you would like to find out more how massage can help you, please get in touch with me here. I am pretty much massage obsessed and love to talk all things massage! :)