The American Massage Therapy Association took a survey recently to find out why people get massage. What they found was that 72 percent of those surveyed claim their primary reason for receiving a massage was because it was medically advised, or to relieve stress. And growing research supports the premise that massage is very effective therapy in this regard, and there are numerous other health benefits to be had as well. Depending on what is needed, a massage can help relieve pain, improve posture, reduce stress and relax muscles.
Here are five reasons why EVERYBODY needs to get a massage:
Massage can decrease and alleviate pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek out massage therapy. Whether it’s everyday aches and pains or chronic headaches or joint pain, a good massage therapist knows what to look for and how to alleviate the pain. Regardless of the type of pain, research shows massage can be very effective at treating pain and many doctors now recommend it.
Massage can reduce stress and anxiety
In today’s society and fast-paced world, there’s more stress and anxiety than ever before. In fact, almost 40 million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety. Regular massages can decrease stress hormones like cortisol, while significantly reducing the daily anxiety we feel.
Massage can lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. Our lifestyles have created more stress and forced us into poor eating and sleeping habits that contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure. However, studies show regular massage sessions can decrease blood pressure, lower stress levels and may be beneficial for our cardiovascular systems.
Massage can improve posture, flexibility and stability
Computers, tablets and phones are part of everyday life, and they are destroying our ability to move, as well as our posture. Regular massage sessions can help in these situations by loosening up muscles and relieving the stress and pain associated with overuse. The use of massage in nursing homes has also shown it can improve posture, increase flexibility and improve overall stability.
Massage can combat insomnia and improve sleep
Insomnia and sleep problems plague 70 million Americans nightly. Lack of sleep can lead to more severe and chronic health problems like diabetes, obesity, depression and heart disease. Sleep studies have shown a strong correlation between weekly massage and fewer bouts of insomnia. This is because massage relaxes the body and decreases stress, which leads to improved sleep.
This list barely touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why massage can be beneficial to everybody. So whether you’re suffering from aches and pains or insomnia, getting massage is important.
If nothing else, you get a few minutes of relaxation and no worries. Who can’t use that?
