Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

Have you ever had a professional massage? If you haven’t had one yet, you are totally missing out. I had my very first professional massage today and I enjoyed it. In the past, I have been kinda skeptical about getting a massage because I have Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was afraid that a massage therapist at Spa in Hua Hin wouldn’t know how to handle my condition. But I was upfront and honest with the massage therapist today and he showed me the amount of pressure that he would be applying before we got started.

Massage not only feels great but it has amazing health benefits too. Learn more about the great Health Benefits of Massage Therapy.

Relax and Let Someone Else Pamper You

I loved that I was able to relax for about 10 to 15 minutes and let someone pamper me for a change. Most of the time, I am so busy taking care of other people that don’t take the time out to focus on myself. I started this blog to serve as a reminder to take moments out of each day to devote to my own health, even if it is baby steps.

Encourages Relaxation

In a stress-filled world, there are rare times that I feel truly relaxed. If you can’t remember the last time that you felt relaxed, maybe it is time to go get a massage. It is a great way to help you relax and it feels great too. I highly suggest that you schedule a massage in a quiet setting so that there aren’t any distractions while you are getting your massage. Skip massages in the mall if you are easily distracted.

Improves Circulation

Did you know that massage reaches far deeper than the skin?  It is amazing how the body responds to human touch. Did you know that a massage can help improve circulation especially if you suffer from a variety of conditions that cause fluid to pool in your extremities? It also helps move blood through your body. Just make sure that you let the massage therapist know if you have any problems with your extremities so that they can massage your problem areas.

Lowers Blood Pressure

If you suffer from high blood pressure, getting a massage can help reduce your blood pressure naturally. High blood pressure is often a silent killer because it doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms. Most of the time people discover that they have problems with their blood pressure during a routine doctor’s appointment. It is important to monitor your blood pressure and alert your physician if you have any problems.

Relaxes Tense Muscles

Most massage therapists are trained to use techniques that are proven to help relax your tense muscles. Sitting is the number one cause of tense muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back. Also, did you know that back pain is the number one cause of missed work and holds the number 2 spot on the disability charts? Getting a massage can help release those tense muscles and help reduce any neck or back pain.

Massage also helps increase the blood flow to your muscles and it helps deliver nutrients and oxygen so that they can properly heal. Before getting a massage, make sure that you tell the massage therapist that you suffer from chronic pain or have a medical condition. This allows them to know how much direct pressure to use so the massage therapist can safely apply. You don’t want them to cause you additional pain. Additonal pain defeats the purpose of using massage therapy to help relax your tense muscles.

The great thing about massage therapy it helps release your body’s natural endorphins(your feel good hormones) which also helps reduce pain and stress. If you feel less pain, you won’t rely on pain medications to help control your pain.  Use massage therapy in addition to any pain management treatment that you receive.

Reduce Muscle Spasms and Cramping

Muscle spasms can affect different types of muscles throughout the body and depending on which muscle group is affected it can have a variety of symptoms. Muscle spasms can be caused by dehydration or injury.  They are very painful especially if they don’t resolve on their own or constantly reoccur.

Improve Flexibility and Range of Motion

Did you know that regular massage can help improve your flexibility and range of motion? As we age, our joints tend to tighten making it harder to do the things we used to do with ease when we were younger. Exercising alone helps keep your joints moving and makes it easier to do things. Add massage therapy to your fitness routine for added health benefits.

Strengthen Your Immune System Naturally

Do you feel like you are constantly getting sick? If so, you aren’t alone especially if you are constantly stressed out. Stress can cause your immune system to take a nose dive especially if you aren’t getting enough sleep at night and not eating a variety of healthy foods. Something as simple as a massage on a regular basis can help increase your immune system naturally. Massage works by reducing stress and increasing your immune system’s cytotoxic capacity.

I got my very first massage today from a massage therapist. I have always heard how relaxing it was to get a massage. However,  I didn’t realize that it had these 8 health benefits of massage therapy too!

Have you ever had a professional massage? If so, did you know that there were health benefits to getting a massage on a regular basis?