People seek out massage therapy for different reasons. Some athletes for example, find that massage therapy helps them loosen up before a game, while others might use massage to relax and unwind. Regardless of what you hope to get out of your massage, the truth is that you are probably getting much more. Here are four benefits of massage therapy that you may not be aware of.
Improved Circulation
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that massage therapy helps improve vascular function. According to the study, both active and sedentary people benefit from improved blood flow as a result of massage therapy.
Hasten Healing
Athletes find that massage therapy helps them recover faster from injuries and others find that it also helps speed up recovery for a variety of ailments, and may even speed up post-surgery healing. Always let your therapist know if you have undergone surgery recently or if you’re suffering from an injury or illness so that they can best determine if and how you can best benefit from massage therapy.
Everyday Stress
Massage therapy can help with those aches and pains caused by everyday stress, such as tense shoulders, a tight neck, and headaches. While some of us experience these so often that we’ve come to feel that such aches and pains are “normal,” there is no reason to suffer; massage therapy can help immensely.
Lymphatic System
Specific type of massage, such as lymphatic drainage massage, can help drain or stimulate the body’s lymphatic system, which results in improved overall health. Some benefits of lymphatic drainage massage include improved metabolism and removal of toxins.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Check with a local massage therapist to confirm the types of massage are available in your area as regulations vary from state to state.