In all the years I have been a massage therapist, the thing I am most grateful for is the relationship I have with my clients; the results we have been able to achieve through massage never cease to amaze me. My clients have been able to wean down or stop pain medication completely, perform better at their chosen athletic sport or event, seen improvements in sleep and mood, navigate through grief and illness with less residual trauma, and move with less pain and more efficiency. This tells me more than the benefits as they were written in my theory books or in a pamphlet sitting on a table in the chiropractor’s office. All of the claims have been affirmed over and over again. I’ll reiterate them for you here, and break them down by physiological (physical body), as well as psychological benefits.
Physiological Benefits
Improved circulation. This one we have heard often, but I would like to go into more detail as to how massage improves circulation. The pressure created with massage actually can help move blood through congested or stagnant areas- potentially improving blood pressure. The release of this pressure allows new oxygen rich blood to flow in; aiding in the healing and repair of damaged or stressed muscles. Massage also improves the circulation of lymph which, unlike blood, does not have its own pump (as in the heart). Lymph circulation is vital to carrying metabolic waste (such as lactic acid) away from muscles and internal organs.
Increased range of motion. Working on muscles, tendons and ligaments of joints (particularly complex ones like shoulders and hips) becomes important to maintain fluidity and improve flexibility making them less prone to injury, especially as we age.
Improved posture. A lot of our time is spent looking at screen these days, be it a computer, a television or a phone- and rarely are these in the optimal position for the long term health of our back and our neck. Everything we are tasked to do is in front of us– reaching, lifting, typing, driving, etc. Our shoulders and neck are rarely in a neutral position and our shoulders begin to round forward. Postural deficiencies can also be a genetic issue. Regular massage can ease the tension in these areas, break up adhesion and allow for new alignment patterns that over time, become habit.
Improved immunity. Massage has been shown to increase the immune systems cytotoxic capacity (the activity of the body’s “killer cells”) and enhance the body’s ability to enrich and nourish cells for overall improved function.
Improved sleep. Yes, busy brains and stress can most definitely affect sleep quality, but pain, tension and general muscle restlessness can leave us tossing and turning seeking that elusive perfect comfortable position. Once these are alleviated, restful sleep is possible once again.
Reduced pain. When pain comes from tight muscles, inflammation, adhesion of tissue, compression of nerves (all soft tissue related) , it can take some time and patience, but massage can be a great help in alleviating most if not all of this discomfort. Of course for major strain, tears, or other severe injury, (or anything beyond our scope of practice- not soft tissue related, or things requiring medical care), healing has to first occur, but even then, doing some massage around (not on) the affected area, or on areas where one may be compensating- relaxing the mind, and easing other discomforts can go a long way toward healing. Even pain not related to soft tissue, such as in disorders like endometriosis and neuropathy, can sometimes be reduced due to the release of endorphins (neuropeptides and peptide hormones in the brain that act as an analgesic- or natural pain reliever). This kind of effect can be a cross over into the psychological benefits.
Psychological Benefits
Reduced stress. I talked about the science of stress in a previous post, and highlighted the importance of incorporating tools and techniques in your life that work to reverse the negative effects stress has on the body and the mind. Mental fatigue is one very real effect of stress and it makes us feel overwhelmed and unable to focus. Alleviating mental fatigue can improve focus, concentration, and memory. The “touch” aspect of massage can also stimulate the release of oxytocin (also called the “feel good,” “love” or “cuddle” hormone) which is very good for mental health.
A positive self body image. In a previous post, I mentioned how thanking hard working body parts during your massage can go a long way toward changing how we feel about our bodies. We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others or in self criticizing that we often default into a disassociation from our bodies. Massage brings a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and find new ways to love ourselves.
Easing the symptoms of anxiety and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). I am not a trained mental health expert. I do, however, have a psychotherapist that regularly refers patients to me; never disclosing their personal information, but she often uses EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing- a technique I’ll expand on another time), which is very helpful in cases of trauma and PTSD. All she will share with me is that the patient has a hard time turning off their sympathetic nervous system which means they are in a near constant state of “fight or flight.” It is important to first make sure they feel safe. I ask about touch boundaries and triggers, and move slowly from there. Slow deliberate movements, combined with other sensory implements of the experience like essential oil (scent) and music (sound) can bring a sense of grounding and can often become a scenario they can revisit in their mind as a safe sanctuary. To some extent symptoms of depression may also be affected; a sense of being cared for or “held” may be helpful.
Above all, I would like to emphasize how effective massage can be when it is performed on a regular basis. It would make sense that all of the effects above would not necessarily be achieved in one or two sessions, but to go even further, with regular treatment, the body experiences a side effect called “muscle memory.” When we have areas that we are constantly revisiting, the tissue “remembers” me and what we want it to do, making the process much more comfortable and relaxing, and the benefits lasting much longer.
I hope this information will help you make an informed decision as to whether or not massage is right for you. Or maybe you know someone who would really benefit and can share this with them. I’d also love to know if you have any massage “success stories!” Be well!
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