|
An increasing number of research studies show massage reduces heart
rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph
flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases
endorphins (enhancing medical treatment). Although therapeutic
massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak,
inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of
exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It also
can hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or
injury.
People find that therapeutic massage can help with a wide
range of medical conditions, including:
- Allergies
- Anxiety and stress
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Asthma and bronchitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic and temporary pain
- Circulatory problems
- Depression
- Digestive disorders, including spastic colon,
constipation and diarrhea
- Headache, especially when due to muscle tension
- Insomnia
- Myofascial pain (a condition of the tissue connecting
the muscles)
- Reduced range of motion
- Sinusitis
- Sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles
and sprained ligaments
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
|
|
Massage Therapy and Well-Being: Mental
Benefits
- Fosters peace of mind
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress signals and
respond appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
- Satisfies needs for caring — nurturing touch
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Increases awareness of mind-body connection
Research has verified that:
-
Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed
better and were less stressed than those who weren't massaged.
-
Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension,
depression, pain, and itching in burn patients.
-
Abdominal surgery patients recovered more quickly after massage.
-
Premature infants who were massaged gained more weight and fared
better than those who weren't.
-
Autistic children showed less erratic behavior after massage
therapy
|
|
