First, make Riktr PRO massage part of your health team. Having massages regularly has been proven to help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of injury, reduce stress levels, improve concentration, and quality of sleep. In addition, massage therapy helps aid in the treatment of muscles. Massages help increase and improve circulation in both.
Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension. While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for Anxiety and digestive disorders.
The Top 5 Health Benefits of Massage
- Lower stress. The long-term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls. …
- Increase immune function. …
- Boost mental health and wellness. …
- Manage pain. …
- Improve physical fitness.
Massage releases toxins and cleanses the body.
There is no medical proof of this, and most doctors agree that it is very unlikely. However, a massage will help to increase blood flow to all parts of a body, which can promote healing to areas affected by an injury.
Here are some myths and some great reasons for you to get massage therapy… with scientific facts and data.
1. Massages are basically all the same.
Certainly not true! There are many different types of massage, and each has its own role. Spa massage focuses on stress relief and helping to diminish general muscle soreness. Sports massage is useful for athletes of any kind, from Olympians to weekend joggers, and helps to keep muscles and joints in top shape. Massage for physical therapy is geared toward healing specific injuries and keeping bodies mobile while they recover.
2. Massage spreads cancer cells through the body.
This is, scientifically, nearly impossible. One would have to smash the tumor directly for it to shed any potential metastatic material. In fact, most oncologists agree that people undergoing treatment for cancer can greatly benefit from the healing touch of a massage therapist.
3. The effects of a massage are only temporary.
A massage therapist is able to help “retrain” muscles’ memory to help reduce pain and stress on a body long after a session is complete. Having a regular massage scheduled can be a great boon to a healthy lifestyle, and can be a lifesaver for those suffering from chronic pain or stiffness.
4. One should feel sore the day after a massage, or it didn’t “work.”
Some people may feel a bit sore the day after a massage, especially if it was for deep tissue manipulation, as the muscles are technically getting a workout while being stretched and worked. But not feeling tender the day after is perfectly normal, too, and is not the sign of a failed massage.
5. Pregnant women can miscarry after a massage.
It was once believed that massage would release hormones that could cause early labor, but this is now known not to be true. In fact, a prenatal massage can help mothers-to-be by reducing their aches and pains, lowering the stress hormones present, and allowing the mother to relax and be pampered.
6. Massage only moves muscles around.
Not true! Trained massage therapists can help alleviate swollen joints by gently moving stagnant synovial fluid. They can also stretch tightened areas of the fascia, the tissue that connects bones, joints, and muscles.
7. Do not interrupt a massage therapist, even if what they are doing is hurting.
Definitely not true! It’s important to remember that pain isn’t “weakness leaving the body,” it’s actually a response to let someone know that something isn’t right. If anything other than a “good hurt” is felt, the massage therapist should know right away. They will not be embarrassed or angry; they will be grateful.
8. You must drink water after a massage.
Some massage therapists may disagree with this, but so long as one’s kidneys, respiratory and liver functions are normal, the body doesn’t need extra help with ridding itself of toxins. However, if you are feeling thirsty after a massage, by all means, drink some water.
9. Massage releases toxins and cleanses the body.
There is no medical proof of this, and most doctors agree that it is very unlikely. However, a massage will help to increase blood flow to all parts of a body, which can promote healing to areas affected by an injury.
10. It will get rid of cellulite.
Sorry, but cellulite is just a fact of life. It’s simply a sign of subcutaneous fat cells and is more connected to heredity than anything else. Cellulite is a completely normal part of one’s body and poses no medical issues. On the other hand, helping alleviate post-workout stiffness and pain can help with keeping up a fitness routine, which may reduce the appearance of cellulite over time.
11. Chronic Pain
People with chronic pain often turn to massage therapy to help naturally improve their quality of life. Massage can increase a person’s serotonin level, which causes the body to reduce pain naturally. Around 35 percent of all people who receive massages experience less pain associated with stiffness, soreness, injuries, and chronic health conditions. Massages have been found to effectively relax muscles and stiff joints. Massages also reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by generalized pain, joint rigidity, intense fatigue, sleep alterations, headache, and muscle spasms. One study by the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage therapy helped people with fibromyalgia feel more relaxed and helped with tender point pain and decreased their levels of substance P (a substance that sends pain signals around your body).
12. Back Pain
When the Canadian Medical Association Journal looked at different solutions for chronic lower back pain, the researchers found that massage was the most effective treatment for reducing back pain.
13. Diabetes
Massage therapy has been recommended for diabetes for over 100 years, helping to restore proper use of insulin, and lowering inflammation.
14. Reduces Depression, Anxiety & Fatigue
Massage therapy has been shown to help lower stress, eliminate depression, and improve fatigue. Studies have found that the presence of depression is often triggered by active and chronic pain and that depression alone leads to muscle tension and pain which can be very painful to live with on a daily basis.
15. Arthritis Pain
A massage that involves applying light pressure to your joints and the tiny pressure receptors under your skin could help ease your arthritis pain. Massage can increase blood flow to your joints and boost your circulation throughout your body, which could help increase your mobility and flexibility.
16. Improves Posture
Sitting in front of a computer all day or standing on your feet enduring hours of manual labor can cause tension in the neck and back. This can result in poor posture. Massages can help the body to reinforce healthy and natural movements. Your muscles can relax and loosen with a massage and allow your body to position itself in a natural pain-free posture.
17. Relieves Headaches
Massage on a regular basis helps relax and de-stress the body. This alternative method reduces the chances of experiencing migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. It can also ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension-related headaches. By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by a migraine or tension headaches.
18. Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure & Improve Blood Circulation
Massages can enhance blood flow, lower blood pressure, and improve body function. Better blood circulation is part of the chain reaction that occurs in the body as a result of receiving massage therapy on a regular basis.
19. Improve Flexibility
Massage can stimulate the production of the body’s natural lubricants to keep flexibility at a maximum. By working on muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and joints, massages can improve your flexibility and range of motion, keeping your joints more fluid and making them less injury-prone.
20. Enhances Athletic Performance
Certain types of massages including sports massages are specifically designed to enhance athletic performance. It’s common today for athletes to receive massages at the arenas or training sites to help establish blood flow and to warm up muscles prior to a game or an event.
21. Improves ADHD
Massages have been found to be effective for treating ADHD. In a recent study, ADHD adolescents who took ten massage treatment classes for two weeks rated themselves as more content than those in comparison who participated in recreation therapy. Researchers found that patients with ADHD were less squirmy, and teachers noticed more on-task behavior when compared with the recreation therapy group.
22. Helps with Insomnia
Massage can increase serotonin levels, which can naturally help individuals to experience a good night sleep.
Massages are becoming increasingly more and more popular as people are realizing the powerful medicinal benefits that massages have to offer. Unlike medications, massages have no long or short-term side-effects. Not only does it feel good, but it can also improve your health and quality of life.
Other Resources:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/massage
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the scope of practice, medical diagnosis, or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company, or specific massage therapy technique, modality, or approach. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.
