Massage

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Two of the greatest physiological changes produced by massage therapy are an increase in blood circulation and an increase in lymphatic fluid circulation.  Consequently, there are several benefits from the increased circulation of these two vital body fluids. The lymphatic system is essentially the immune system, consisting of white cells, killer and T cells, among other guardian and soldier cells.  Massage can increase the effectiveness of the immune system by increasing the distribution of lymphatic fluid.

Increased blood circulation will bring about reduction of swelling (edema), faster healing (better delivery of nutrition to cells and removal of cellular debris), lowered heart rate and blood pressure (increased volume of blood), and enhanced overall health (smooth delivery of the body chemical messengers, nutrition and removal of debris to and from all organs.)

In the case of injury, either from trauma such as an accident or surgery or repetitive strain such as poor posture, a massage therapist can physically stretch your muscles, inhibit muscle spasm, increase range of motion of joints, and help break down scar tissue. 

A massage therapist is trained to assess and treat most soft tissues in the human body. Once a pattern of muscle dysfunction is assessed and treated, a massage therapist will provide advice and tools such as specific exercises and stretches to lessen or eliminate your soft tissue problem.

Often touted are the psychological benefits of massage therapy. Massage therapy will reduce stress, which in turn will reduce or eliminate the production of stress chemicals in the body.  Stress chemicals can be harmful to the body over long periods of time.  Physical touch and massage techniques involving slow, soothing strokes to one's back or neck can slow a busy, overworked mind and settle or centre a person.

Health professionals also recognize the communication of such caring touch as an adjunct to pain relief, whether physical or emotional.

If a person's physical or emotional health is challenged, massage therapy can produce benefits whether the situation is acute (immediate) or chronic (long standing.) 

Many people also use regular massage therapy as a form of body maintenance, receiving massage faithfully for the continuance of good health.

Conditions that may be helped by therapeutic massage:

Arthritis
Back pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chronic and acute pain
Fibromyalgia
Gastrointestinal disorders
Headaches
Immune system disorders
Insomnia
Joint strains and sprains
Motor vehicle accidents
Myofascial pain
Pregnancy associated problems
Repetitive strain injuries
Some circulatory problems
Sports injuries
Stress
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction