The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Ten Good Reasons to get Pampered

Sep 23, 2009 Kimi Bynum

Massage can do more than just pamper and relax a person. There are many other benefits, such as reducing stress, easing muscle tension, and improving muscle tone.

There are many advantages of massage therapy. It can do more than just pamper and relax a person. Below, are ten benefits of massage.

The Benefits of Massage

1. Massage reduces stress. Stress can have adverse effects on the body. When a person is overly stressed, the immune system, heart, muscles, stomach, skin, lungs, and even reproductive organs can be put in jeopardy. Too much stress can weaken the immune system, causing a person to be more susceptible to illness; can cause high blood-pressure or abnormal heartbeat; can cause muscle pain; can make gastrointestinal, asthma and skin problems worse; and can even cause low fertility.
2. It eases muscle tension. Muscle tension can cause chronic pain in the body, leading to lack of exercise, which in turn can cause weight gain, loss of muscle tone, and poor health.
3. Massage therapy reduces waste from metabolism in muscles. Metabolic waste includes nitrogen compounds water, carbon dioxide, phosphates, and sulfates. These are excreted through the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs. Massage can help the body better excrete these metabolic wastes to increase health.
4. It opens blood vessels to knotted-up areas. Blood vessels carry blood to organs in the body, such as the brain. Having enough blood flowing to the brain increases brain power. Without enough blood, the brain will not work as it should. Keeping blood vessels open will also prevent atherosclerosis (atherosclerosis can lead to high cholesterol).
5. Massage enhances the immune system. The immune system is critical to maintaining health. When the immune system is weakened, it is easier to catch a cold, easier to develop an infection, and more difficult to fight off illness. Keeping the immune system in peak performace is the first line of defense to a healthy life.
6. Massage increases nutrient flow to the muscles. The muscles in the body need nutrients, such as calcium (which is essential for bone health) and potassium (which maintains kidney function), in order to remain healthy.
7. It improves muscle tone by preventing or delaying atrophy. The better the muscle tone, the better equipped the muscles will be to maintain movement. The ability to move helps maintain an active lifestyle. And an active lifestyle causes increased activity, which leads to better health.
8. Massage relaxes muscle spasms. Anyone who has had a muscle spasm knows it is painful. Helping to reduce the occurance of these spasms is well worth it.
9. Massage therapy disperses edema (swelling). The swelling of tissues in the body causes pain, discomfort, and difficulty performing normal activities. The relief of this swelling can be quite helpful.
10. It relieves muscle aches and pains. The relief of aches and pains is of great value to a person in pain. No one wants to hurt. Massage cannot only ease these aches and pains, but it can also help a person to feel rejuvinated and relaxed at the end of a massage session.

Schedule an Appointment for a Massage

Massage can do more than just relax and rejuvinate a person. There are many benefits to massage therapy. To increase health and improve well-being, schedule an appointment with a massage therapist in your area today.

The copyright of the article The Benefits of Massage Therapy in Massage Therapy is owned by Kimi Bynum. Permission to republish The Benefits of Massage Therapy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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