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There’s no denying the power of bodywork, especially a good massage. It can be pampering, rejuvenating and therapeutic, causing many to believe that massage therapy is a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.

Most experts agree that many diseases are stress-related and that high stress has been linked to faster aging. It’s somewhat unrealistic in this fast-paced world to eliminate anxiety and pressure altogether, but massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:

• Decreased anxiety
• Enhanced sleep quality
• Greater energy
• Improved concentration
• Increased circulation
• Reduced fatigue

After a massage, it’s typical to have a clearer sense of perspective and clarity. The emotional balance that bodywork provides can often be just as valuable as its more tangible physical benefits.

Profound Effects
In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes run throughout the body with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:

• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain
• Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow
• Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and stress hormones
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping
• Preterm infants have improved weight gain

Research continues to show the incredible benefits of healing touch, ranging from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders and injuries to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. The medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat postsurgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.

Source: massagetherapy.com

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