Massage for Physical Pain

While massage has typically been considered alternative medicine, doctors are increasingly prescribing it as part of standard treatment for many different medical conditions.

That’s according to the Mayo Clinic, which cites the effectiveness of massage as a treatment for reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension. The reduction of stress is an essential element of longevity based on the research of Blue Zones, areas in the world whose residents have the longest life expectancies. In these regions around the world, people share nine common lifestyle habits: Physical activity, a sense of belonging, eating a mostly plant-based diet, never overeating, putting family first, enjoying a glass of wine or two per day, having a purpose in life, have faith, unwind from stress and spend time with others who practice similar habits.

“We have so much stress worked up in our bodies — you can’t stay on top of it by just getting a massage every once in a while,” said Karen Taylor, owner of Simply Massage, with locations in Vail, Avon, Breckenridge and Glenwood Springs. “Continually working on the body gives it more of a chance to stay in shape.”

Here are some of the benefits that regular massages can have on overall health, wellness, and longevity.

Focus and mental clarity

Research published in the International Journal of Neuroscience shows that massage therapy increases serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, while serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps relay messages from one area of the brain to another — influencing mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory, and learning. Massage therapy also decreases the stress hormone cortisol.

“Massages are excellent for clearing the mind and turning off that fight or flight response,”  “It helps cleanse those emotions.”

Recent studies have shown that massage stimulates activity in the left side of the brain, which is the side that is most active when a person is pleased, happy, or excited. The right side of the brain, in contrast, is often activated when an individual is sad, stressed, or depressed. When feeling happy and motivated, individuals are more capable of producing their best work, as opposed to when they are sad and discouraged.

Tight neck and shoulder muscles often limit the circulation to the brain, which consequently does not support memory or concentration. Also, when massage relaxes tense muscles, it eases stress, which also benefits thinking and efficient work. Positive emotions typically are related to better thinking and memory, whereas negative emotions are associated with pessimistic thinking and less concentration.

Stress relief and relaxation

Massage can stimulate activity in the left side of the brain, which is associated with pleasure, happiness, and excitement. For occupational stress — the main cause of stress for most Americans — massage therapy has been proven to reduce stress and promote mental health, according to research published by the National Institutes of Health.