In the past, massages were considered a luxury service only available at high-end spas or upscale health resorts. These days, massage therapy is recognized as a form of integrated medicine and is used to help treat a wide variety of medical ailments. If you’re curious about massage therapy but are still determining if it’s more than just a luxury service, consider these three ways that it can improve your overall health.
- Reduce pain and muscle tension – No one likes to feel stiff and sore, but did you know that muscle tension actually blocks blood vessels, causing restrictions in the flow of blood, oxygen, and other nutrients? That restriction can lead to tendon and ligament inflammation, which only causes more muscle pain. Massage therapy is a great way to break the cycle and help your muscles heal so that you are no longer in pain.
- Improve circulation – Poor circulation can cause issues like cold hands and feet, tingling sensations, numbness, lactic acid buildup in your muscles, and fluid pooling in extremities like fingers and toes. Good circulation helps ensure that all of your body’s systems are functioning correctly, and massage therapy is a great way to improve your body’s circulation. Massage therapy promotes better circulation by creating and releasing pressure, which helps move blood and other nutrients through your body efficiently.
- Improve immune function – The squeezing and pulling motion also encourages the flow of lymph fluid, which is what carries metabolic waste away from your muscles and organs. Massage therapy also increases the flow of white blood cells, which your body uses to fight disease.
While there’s no denying that a good massage can help you relax and ease the tension in your body and mind, it’s also been proven to have significant health benefits. Instead of living with pain, discomfort, and poor health, try massage therapy and see what a difference it can make in your life.