This is a really good question, “Are massages really good for you?”

And the answer is YES. Not only are they extremely relaxing but there are many health benefits that come with massage.

One of the ways massage benefits the body is it improves circulation in the body. One Australian study found that a 10-minute muscle massage after a workout could reduce soreness by 30%. A separate review study on massage found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped 31% following a rubdown, while levels of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin increased roughly 30%.

And if cost is an issue, there has been research on different forms of self massage such as foam rolling, have found that giving yourself a good kneading can reduce muscle soreness and improve pain symptoms.

In fact, pain reduction—along with depression relief—is one of the benefits that research has most consistently linked to massage, says Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami.

Helps with anxiety and depression.

Human touch, in a context that is safe, friendly and professional, can be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that patients who were depressed and anxious were much more relaxed and happy, and had reduced stress levels after massage.

Improves Sleep

We all know massage helps relieve stress and sore muscles. But did you know that these two things can also affect your sleep? I myself sleep better after receiving a massage. I go to the gym and train one body part a day with weights. Now personally I like to give that muscle one day to repair before getting a massage. Some people like to get a massage right after the workout or the next day. But that’s completely up to you and what your body is telling you.

Candice Reimholz wrote, “Massage therapy has shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone Cortisol. Massage therapy also increases endorphins and stimulates the Para-Sympathetic Nervous system, therefore promoting relaxation. Because of this hormone effect, massage therapy can improve the quality of your sleep. It is a happy little cycle: decrease stress = better sleep = fewer headaches = decrease stress =……and so on and so forth.”

Boosts Immunity

Massage therapy increases the activity level of the body’s white blood cells that work to combat viruses. According to research from Cedars-Sinai, participants in a Swedish massage group experienced significant changes in lymphocytes, which play a large role in defending the body from disease. A lymphocyte is one of the three subtypes of white blood cells in the immune system.

 

Relieves Headaches

I don’t know about you but I get nasty headaches when a spot on my back, neck and shoulders are really tight.

Massage can help loosen chronically tight muscles and taught bands of tissue. This helps with muscle balance and neck alignment. Also, loosening the muscles that attach to the base of the skull can relieve the tension headaches that travel up the back of the head and into the eye and the ‘vice-like’ constricting headaches so many people suffer from.

 

Thank you so much for reading, I hope this is helpful!

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This information was pulled August 12, 2018

Sources:

Article By MARKHAM HEID January 3, 2018 http://time.com/5085140/massage-health-benefits/

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/benefits-of-massage-therapy/

https://www.amtamassage.org/research/Massage-Therapy-Research-Roundup/Research-Roundup0.html

http://www.athletico.com/2011/10/25/massage-therapy-to-relieve-headache-pain/