Body aches can be the worst – whether it’s localized pain in one part of the body or just ache in your entire body, sometimes it gets completely unbearable. Moreover, it’s not safe to keep taking pain killers because all they do is relieve pain temporarily – and sometimes do more damage than help your pain. In situations like this, getting a massage often feels great – it reduces body ache, loosens tightened muscles, and helps relax and calm the nerves. Let’s take a look at the science behind massage therapy.
However, massage is much more than you think. For millions of years, humans have known the concept of how massage works to reduce pain, but most people still don’t know the science behind it. In fact, people are still unaware that massage is not just a casual affair that people get done for relaxation and pampering; it is an actual treatment method and is recommended to various patients by doctors to promote healing of pain and injury. And in scientific terms, it is known as massage therapy.
Despite massage being a common treatment technique, most people don’t give the therapy enough respect – even in the medical community. Previously even doctors didn’t treat massage therapy as a treatment method – they didn’t discourage it but also didn’t prescribe it. However, now patients and doctors alike understand the importance of massage therapy and the numerous benefits it can have on a person. So if you are also unaware of the science behind massage and massage therapy, read along!
What is Massage Therapy?
We all know what massage really is – it is the practice of rubbing, kneading, and pressing the body with one’s hand to relieve tense muscles and soothe painful areas of the body. When it comes to massage therapy, it is the practice of massaging the body but it is done in a much more organized way. The difference between a causal massage session and massage therapy is that massage therapy is done by trained and licensed massage therapists who apply strong pressure gently on one’s body to manipulate the soft tissues and muscles. These therapists are educated about the body’s needs and how to ease their patient’s pain correctly.
The Science Behind How Massage Therapy Works?
As we said above, massage therapy is a practice done manually by massage therapists. In medical terms, the manual pressure applied to the body triggers an involuntary yet expected relaxation response from one’s nervous system. The response also triggers your heart and helps slow down breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Furthermore, this stimulation of the nervous system also leads to a decrease in stress hormones that can cause harmful effects on your brain as well as your body. Science tells us that most of the body aches you feel due to physical and mental stress your body takes – and that is exactly what massage therapy targets. The pressure applied to the muscles and tissues of the body during massage therapy helps improve blood circulation, which allows blood to reach the soft muscle tissues and reduces swelling.
What Science Tells us About the Benefits of Massage Therapy
As we discussed above, massage therapy helps relieve physical and mental stress in your body. According to science, massage therapy is not only stress relieving and muscle and body pain, but it also aids in the treatment of some serious and widespread diseases. Let’s learn about the science behind massage therapy as an aid to medical treatment of the following problem:
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis problem which affects the bones and breaks down the cartilage in one’s body – this causes friction in your joints and causes constant ache in joints and bones such as your spine, hips, and fingers. According to various studies, massage therapy can be very helpful for people suffering from this problem. It helps relieve pain and improve functional outcomes. People suffering from osteoarthritis find it difficult to be mobile, but regular massages can make it easy for them to move their bodies.
● Cancer
There is no singular treatment for cancer, but doctors are constantly striving to help cancer patients manage and control their symptoms and side effects. It has been observed that massage therapy helps people with cancer deal with their symptoms by reducing their stress and fatigue and aids them in fighting anxiety and depression. Moreover, it also improves their quality of life.
● Fibromyalgia
It is a condition of widespread pain, which causes pain in the overall body, fatigue, and sleeping disorders. Massage therapy is a great way to help people suffering from fibromyalgia deal with their symptoms; in fact, studies have shown that 4-5 weeks of regular massage therapy can improve pain and decrease sleep disturbance.
Different Types of Massage Therapy
Unlike popular belief that massage is only one type, there are actually many different different types of massage therapies that doctors recommend their patients to get depending on their situation. Some of the most common types of massage therapies are:
- Hot Stone Massage: done using hot stones and best for people with muscle tension and pain
- Swedish Massage: full body massage doesn’t very gently; great for muscle knots and people who want ot release tension
- Deep Tissue Massage: high-pressure massage for injuries, tightness, and soreness
- Reflexology: Gently and firm pressure on a pressure point for people with localized pain and fatigue
- Shiatsu Massage: Japanese massage type helps enhance sleep, mood, and emotional calm
- Prenatal Massage: specifically for pregnant women to reduce stress and pregnancy body aches
Get Massage Therapy!
There is massage therapy for everyone – whether you have severe problems or just looking for a way to relax and calm your muscles, you can get a customized massage therapy plan for yourself. If you think you are tired of popping pain killers, then contact us to book your appointment with a certified massage therapist – learn bout the best massage therapy for you and get rid of regular body aches.
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