How Massage Therapy Can Help You by EIH

Getting a massage was once considered a luxury, something to indulge in on occasion. Now, many healthcare providers recognize it as a legitimate therapy for several physical and psychological conditions.

Indeed, 41 percent of individuals surveyed by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) explain that their primary reason for receiving a massage is medically related. Whether you’re hoping to treat pain from a past injury, boost your exercise routine, or improve your mental health, massage therapy is sure to help. Here are some of the many benefits of getting a massage.

: 26 percent of Americans age 20 and up report that they have struggled with pain lasting over 24 hours. It’s no surprise that people are looking for a solution! A massage in the affected area can reduce chronic and acute pain stemming from injuries, operations, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and more.
Improve athletic performance: Whether you’re an elite athlete or a novice beginning a walking program, sports massage is recommended to boost performance, improve conditioning, and help speed up recovery after an injury. This is because massage therapy increases your range of motion, improves soft tissue function, and decreases stiffness and fatigue after exercise.
Improve sleep: 50 to 70 million Americans experience sleep issues that affect their health. Instead of resorting to artificial sleep aids, consider massage therapy to help relax your muscles and reduce the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine. Massage therapy is so effective at promoting relaxation that patients often fall asleep during a session.
Reduce anxiety and depression: Massage is known to create a sense of calm and reduce feelings of hopelessness. It does this by decreasing hormone levels associated with anxiety—including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol—and increasing neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and a sense of well-being—including dopamine and serotonin. Everyone can benefit, from healthy individuals to psychiatric patients to burn victims.
Relieve stress: Stress is prevalent in today’s fast-paced world. Massage therapy reduces stress on a physical and psychological level by reducing muscle tension, decreasing stress hormones, and improving the recipient’s mood. The effects are immediately apparent in the form of a lower heart rate and reduced blood pressure.
Improve heart health: While exercising and eating a healthy diet are vital components for heart health, getting a massage can be as well. This therapy has been shown to help control blood pressure in pre-hypertension patients, with the effects lasting up to 72 hours after a massage. Also, since massage therapy is an effective treatment for pain management, anxiety, and muscular tension, the heart health benefits are particularly valuable for cardiac surgery patients.

Effective Integrative Healthcare offers outstanding massage therapy services in our Millersville and Crofton, MD offices. Our knowledgeable, experienced team is dedicated to helping you eliminate chronic pain, treat muscle aches, and improve your overall health. To learn more about the types of medical massage therapy we offer, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.