Massage refers to a systematic and scientific manipulation of tissues in the body. This manipulation is done using your hands in order to allay pain as well as reduce swelling. Moreover, massage also works on relaxing tired muscles and speed up healing following sprains and strains. These manipulations count hard or light stroking, compression (squeezing, kneading, and friction), and percussion (hitting with edges of your hands in swift alterations).
Massage, when given to any body part, provides various benefits – physical as well as mental. Besides, massage also plays a vital role in losing weight and body toning. A usual massage session should last for 30-60minutes. A massage session for this duration has been approved clinically to do a lot more than just relaxing the tense muscles.
There are numerous massage types available. Most of the massage therapists suggest that a single massage type doesn’t fit the individual requirements of every person. The correct massage choice depends upon the body type, weight loss objectives, personal preferences, as well as other lifestyle factors. However, all massage types affect your body in one or the other way, specific massage types form the best option for certain goals.
Here are some of the most important benefits of massage explained for your info.
Massage for weight loss and body toning
Massage is, indirectly, helpful in losing weight to a great extent. Regular massage shows proven results in cellulite removal through the process of breaking up subcutaneous fat. Moreover, if it is not possible for you to continue with regular workout schedule due to any injury or muscle pain, massage would help you relieve pain besides enabling you to get back to your regular exercise routine thus leading to calorie exhaustion.
Additionally, massage is considered as the safest natural way towards weight reduction. Massage for weight reduction involves massaging the abdominal area. Besides, abdominal massage also provides improved digestive function. Other benefits of abdominal massage include increased bowel movements, relief from constipation and abdominal pain.
Adding further, massage is also beneficial in making your skin supple and firm, specifically in cases where skin has become lose as an after effect of weight loss. However, it is very important to go to a trained massage therapist as incorrect pressure can lead to serious injuries. More importantly, ensure drinking water after the massage session as the body has gone through a long workout session.
It is not at all difficult to integrate massage in your fitness regime. Dieters can consider including massage in the weight loss regime by scheduling a weekly or bi-weekly treatment. The main aim is improving the flexibility and function of the body thus making the exercise process easier. Besides, massage also provides a safer side to avoid any injury or health problem occurring as a result of exercise and diet.
Moreover, those hitting the gym specifically hard can think about getting sports massage treatment. These short but effective massage sessions aim at preparing your body for physical efforts through warming and stretching the muscles before exercise. Massage, therefore, acts as an excellent resource to be a foil for the weight loss regime.
Physical benefits
Regular massage provides various physical benefits, the most important ones being:
Relief from pain
According to research studies, it has been proved that pain relief is one of the most common benefits of massage. Basically, massage stimulates the secretion of endorphins (the feel-good hormones in the body). Moreover, massage also helps conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, as well as neck and back pain.
Furthermore, giving a massage to the affected area helps relieve pain from the specific area thus relieving tension headaches. Since massage relieves you from pain, irrespective of its cause, it also works on reducing the body’s requirement for pain-killers.
Better circulation
Regular massage helps in improving the blood circulation thus implying a better nutrient supply to specific body cells as well as better removal of waste products from the same cells. Besides, better blood circulation leads to softer, clearer, as well as healthier skin by making the skin cells more nurtured with oxygen and nutrients.
Detoxification
Massage shows quite positive results in flushing out toxins from the body. This implies that the body can concentrate on the intake of healthy foods rather than environmental toxins which get accumulated in body over time.
Improved lymphatic system
A healthy lymphatic system indicates lesser susceptibility to many diseases. Also, the body experiences an increased capability of self healing. Adding further, massage encourages stimulus of your lymphatic system thus improving the natural defense mechanisms as well as immunity of your body.
Alleviate inflammatory conditions
Inflammatory conditions like tendinitis, arthritis, and bursitis are easily treatable through massage performed for making the muscles loose and relaxed.
Promote flexibility
Regular massage promotes flexibility in joint areas besides improving a wider array of movements. Flexibility of movement resulting from massage also works on reducing susceptibility to muscle injuries.
Therapeutic abilities
Massage also features numerous therapeutic abilities. This has led to including massage as an integral part of post-operative care to shorten the stay at hospital.
Mental benefits
Allays stress
Cortisol, a hormone working on reducing the levels of stress in the body, is released generously during massage sessions. This leads to better self healing of body if stress levels are low. As a side benefit to massage therapy, the body’s requirement for touch is fulfilled through the process. Besides, frequent massage also improves the emotional health as it makes you feel nurtured. This also reduces the stress levels in the body.
Reduces anxiety levels
With lower levels of stress, anxiety automatically takes a lower place. Stress and anxiety form the most ubiquitous, however curable grounds for health problems in this modern world. Relieving yourself from anxiety not only makes you feel better but also increases the life span.
Improved concentration
The massage process makes you feel calm and relaxed thus promoting your focus as well as concentration. Furthermore, the increased focus and concentration result in a more productive and creative. Besides, massage also performs the function of making you more aware about your body as well as helps you to identify your body requirements.
Better sleep
There are numerous people suffering from depression, anxiety, or some other ailment which is a cause for improper sleep. Improper sleep is one of the major causes of various problems like lack of concentration, irritability, and fatigue. Frequent massage sessions provide a relaxed body and mind which forms the primary step towards making your body ready for a sound sleep. Sleep is, actually, the time when your body restores to health, rebuilds as well as refreshes up.
Controls blood pressure
According to a study conducted by experts, it has been observed that a short and simple touch can result in an instant fall in the blood pressure levels. When combined with improved circulation, reduced anxiety, and relaxed muscles, it forms a great way towards maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
Improved mood
Massage has come up as a helping hand in many of the aforesaid health problems. Additionally, massage just work wonders on mood improvement. Massage has been used as a treatment therapy for those going through depression. This indicates the therapy’s capability of lifting a bad mood.
Solicitous benefits of massage
As a result of the massage process, there are certain chemical and physiological changes occurring in the entire body, through solicitous massage benefits. As per research studies, massage produces the following positive effects in the body:
- Arthritis patients experience reduced aches as well as lesser stiffness and pain.
- Kids suffering from asthma show up improved pulmonary function besides increased peak air flow.
- Patients for burn injury have reported with lesser pain, anxiety, and itching.
- Patients with high blood pressure show lower diastolic pressure, reduced anxiety, and improvement in stress hormones.
- Those suffering from premenstrual syndrome demonstrate lesser water retention and contractions.
- Pre-mature infants have shown improvements in weight gain.
Research studies have shown great benefits resulting from touch. These benefits vitiate treating neurological and chronic diseases and injuries to tensions related to modern lifestyles. As a consequence, massage is becoming an essential part of sanatorium care as well as neonatal intensive care units. Besides, there are numerous hospitals which are including on-site massage experts as well as spas for post-surgery and pain patients as an integral part of recovery process.
Considerations and Precautions
The massage therapy differs according to the area of the treatment as well as the therapist providing the therapy. Massage does not form to a part of an exact modality. Although it is easy to learn the basic strokes for different massage types, the results may vary to great extent with the capabilities of the therapist and the specific needs of your body. However, difference in the technique of lymphatic massage given by two different therapists does not imply that the results are not effective.
Well, to be on safer side, make sure that the hired massage therapist is licensed, well-trained, and well-qualified for the job. Confirm if the therapist has had his training in sports massage, mobility, and stretching. If you are on a weight loss regime, remember informing your therapist to concentrate on the areas requiring massage for weight reduction, like legs and arms, shoulders and back, and abdomen and neck. This massage approach for the entire body would provide best fluid and blood movement besides relaxing your entire body.
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