When most people think of getting a massage, they think of the relaxation component of massage therapy. But as deeply relaxing as a massage can be, that’s just one benefit. There are plenty of other pluses that most people aren’t aware of.
Hasan Badday, MD, and our team at Pacific Pain and Regenerative Medicine help women and men in Irvine and Los Angeles, California, tap into the natural benefits of massage, using techniques that are tailored to each patient’s specific goals and needs. Here are seven things you may not know about this time-tested, effective treatment.
1. It can help lower blood pressure
Massage releases “feel good” hormones while also lowering your levels of the stress hormone cortisol — the so-called fight-or-flight hormone. Combined, these effects can help you lower your blood pressure (as well as improve your mood).
2. It can reduce anxiety
Massage is great for relaxation, but it acts a lot deeper than that too. Regular massage can have major benefits for anyone who suffers from anxiety, including people who have anxiety and depression from chronic pain.
3. It can improve sleep
Sleep is critical for giving your body the time and resources it needs to heal, regenerate, and just function the way it’s supposed to. Yet research shows at least a third of us aren’t getting the sleep we need to stay healthy. Massage therapy helps you catch those all-important Zs by relieving tension and relaxing sore muscles that often make sleeping an uncomfortable experience.
4. It helps with digestion
Whether your digestive issues happen on their own or they’re related to chronic pain and immobility, massage therapy helps by promoting digestive tract motility — the motion needed to move food during digestion. Regular massage therapy can help with symptoms of chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, as well.
5. It can improve circulation
Massage stimulates blood flow in your skin as well as the tissue that supports it. By altering the depth of your massage, your therapist can help stimulate circulation that delivers healing oxygen and nutrients, while also helping your tissue get rid of toxins and waste that can contribute to pain.
6. It can improve your mobility
By releasing muscle tension and ramping up circulation, massage therapy can help you move more without pain and stiffness, which means you can get back to the activities you love. It also means less social isolation and the depression that can go along with it.
7. It’s helps treat many types of pain
Yes, massage therapy can work wonders with stiff, sore muscles. But it can also help with other types of pain, like:
- Fibromyalgia
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Lower back pain
- Nerve-related pain
- Jaw pain, including TMJ
- Neck and shoulder pain
In addition to reducing pain, regular massage therapy can also help reduce anxiety associated with these and other chronic pain problems.
Tap into the natural benefits of massage therapy
Massage is completely noninvasive and entirely customizable, making it a great option for just about everyone. To learn more about massage therapy and how it can play a role in your health and wellness, book an appointment today online or over the phone at the Pacific Pain and Regenerative Medicine location closest to you.
