Massage is not a new practice – It dates back 3,000 years at least! It is thought to have started in China but now exists all over the world.
In fact, there are globally at least 250 different subtypes of massage that experts are aware of.
While each one surely has their benefit, the type of massage we are going to be discussing here is remedial massage therapy.
This type of massage is specifically designed to focus on muscles, tendons, joints, and connective tissue in order to help rehabilitate people after injury and alleviate or prevent pain.
Massage has so many benefits that we could never begin to list them all, but we have compiled a few of the most common advantages:
Reduced Anxiety and Depression
You may not realize that massage brings not just physical benefits, but many mental ones as well.
Many studies have linked massage to an improvement in mental health, both because of the benefit of human touch as well as the mind-body benefits that massage can bring.
You may also like: Top 5 Workout Exercises to Boost Your Mood Naturally
Increased Immunity
Massage reduces stress hormones and helps facilitate healthy circulation, which can, in turn, lead to optimized immune functioning. This means less susceptibility to illness, disease, fatigue, and similar concerns.
Improved Digestion
Massage gets the lymphatic system flowing, which helps the body break down and absorb fats and vitamins. Massaging certain areas, such as the abdomen, can also help your undigested food break down and leave the body more efficiently.
Clear Skin
Because massage can help digestion and circulation, it also helps remove toxins from the body which may clear up your troubled skin.
Facial massage or facial masks can also assist in the regeneration of those cells which will, in turn, reduce acne more quickly.
Reduced Cellulite
Cellulite may seem like a big deal, but it’s actually just a result of the way your fat cells and connective tissue are arranged. That being said, it’s something that most people would rather not have.
Luckily, massage can help. Since it increases blood flow and cell regeneration, it may also help you smooth out any cellulite-ridden areas.
Lower Blood Pressure
Some studies have linked massage with a decrease in blood pressure, which may in turn help reduce the risk of associated concerns like heart attack, stroke, etc.
Relaxation
This is one of the most common reasons why people love massages. They help alleviate pain, tension, and stress while encouraging mindfulness and ease.
Pain Reduction
If you experience chronic muscle pain, regular massages can help alleviate it. Stiffness, soreness, and injury can all be treated or reduced with the help of a professional massage therapist.
Improved Athletic Performance
Tight or sore muscles are not ideal for working out or playing sport, but massage can warm and loosen up these muscles, which is ideal before a big workout.
Massage also helps reduce lactic acid buildup in the muscles, therefore reducing soreness.
Have you thought of buying a massage chair?
Another great way to relax at home and relieve back pain is to get a massage chair.
They can be quite expensive, so you should make sure to get all the information you need to buy a model that fits your needs and lasts a long while.
Read this guide and reviews by LeReviewist.com about the best massage chairs on the market today.
So what do you think – is massage therapy for you? If you think you may benefit from a remedial massage, we recommend you get in touch with a local specialist.