What can massage therapy do for you?

We've all heard it said or thought it before, "I need a massage." Therapeutic Massage, once considered to be just hedonistic pampering for the rich and famous, is now finding enormous popularity among millions of Americans.

Massage therapy reduces the effect of stress.

Up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints such as headaches, backache, neck pain, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Massage therapy has an amazing effect on you body's nervous system. When massage activates your body's parasympathetic nervous system, it counteracts your body's negative response to stress, relaxing muscle tension and allowing your heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation to return to normal. Massage therapy also helps you become more aware of your body and your unconsciously held tension. As you become more aware of your body, you will begin to recognize tension as it builds during the day so that you can consciously release it before it can have a negative effect on your body.

Massage therapy relaxes tense muscles.

Muscles can become tight and ineffective for many reasons. Stress, poor circulation, overuse, and misuse can all cause you pain and restrict your normal range of motion. A good massage begins with stretching and loosening tight muscles and connective tissue. Techniques used for centuries to promote healing are applied that will break down and prevent further formation of adhesions or "knots." This frees your range of motion and reduces the danger of fibrosis.

Massage therapy increases blood circulation and improves nerve function.

Like squeezing a sponge, techniques used in massage therapy release contracted muscles and push venous blood towards the heart, thus easing the strain on this vital organ. This increase in circulation brings nutrients and oxygen to your cells and carries away metabolic waste products. As massage relaxes tight muscles and improves circulation, nerves are relieved from compression and greater blood flow brings vital nutrients to the nerves improving your overall nerve function. Sensory recept0rs in the skin and muscles "wake up" and are re-energized, bringing awareness to areas that have felt cut off by chronic tension patterns.

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Massage therapy decreases chronic pain.

Massage reduces chronic pain in two ways: The techniques used activate nerve receptor signals to temporarily block chronic pain signals from reaching the brain. In addition to this, massage stimulates the release of endorphins (the body's natural painkiller) into the brain and nervous system to reduce your feeling of pain and discomfort without the use of drugs.

Massage therapy improves your sleep.

Massage therapy relaxes tense muscles and calms the nervous system, causing you body's rhythm to slow down. When this happens, your heart rate slows down and your breath becomes deeper, priming you for a perfect night's sleep.