The Benefits of Massage Therapy
Well, first of all, it just feels good. Besides the obvious clinical/physiological benefits, we all need caring human touch. There are many studies showing how hospitalized infants, such as preemies and drug addicted babies benefit from touch. It can stimulate them to eat and gain weight they need to survive. Children diagnosed with ADHD who receive massage are less fidgety and hyperactive, and spent more time completing an assigned task There are studies on the benefits of massage to the elderly. Massage helps to satisfy their need for intimacy, caring and nurturing touch. Massage increases mental alertness by relaxing the body and removing unwanted stress. Stress and anxiety are reduced by decreased activation of the sympathetic nervous system. (Field et al, 1998) Scheduling a massage treatment and having sixty minutes where someone is focused completely on you is one of the most nurturing things you can do for yourself. Technique isn’t necessarily as important as intent. Most people are sensitive enough to know if the therapist is “present” during the massage. People need to set aside time from their hectic schedules to rejuvenate and maintain their health. Once a month is a good preventative maintenance tactic. If more employers offered Massage Therapy as a benefit to their workers, there would be less time and money lost to use of ill time and medical visits. Practicing preventative health, rather than treating symptoms would lower health care costs. Massage affects the physiology of all the systems of the body. It affects the Cardiovascular system by improving circulation. It mechanically assists venous blood flow back to the heart. Blood pressure is reduced by dilation of the capillaries. When circulation is enhanced, the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the blood (and muscles) and the removal of waste products is improved. Massage decreases heart rate through stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Massage can help anemic patients by increasing the number of red blood cells and their oxygen carrying capacity. White blood cells are increased following massage, enabling the body to protect itself against disease. Massage also reduces ischemia, which is a decrease in blood supply to an organ or tissue and is believed to be the major cause of muscle pain. Ischemia is also related to trigger points and their associated pain referral patterns. There is documentation that digital compression (Trigger Point Therapy) reduces ischemia and can reduce local and referred muscular pain (Travell and Simons, 1983). Massage affects the Lymphatic system and strengthens the Immune system. It mechanically stimulates lymph fluid movement and increases activity of natural killer cells. Massage decreases pain by the release of endorphins and other pain-reducing neurochemicals. It increases dopamine and serotonin levels which decrease stress levels and depression. The stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system promotes relaxation, improved sleeping patterns and decreased insomnia. (Field et al, 1998)
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