Hidden Benefits of Massage by Faith Christensen, ND

Everyone loves to get a massage, but most people think its just an indulgence.  New research suggests beyond its deep relaxing effects, a massage can decrease pain, improve sleep, strengthen concentration, reduce tension headaches and migraines, lower blood pressure and lift one’s mood.

Soothe Anxiety and Depression:

Massage helps to relax the nervous system soothing anxiety and depression.  Massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, resulting in improved mood, decreased anxiety and often lower blood pressure. It can also boost the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in depression.

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Decrease Pain:

Eight out of 10 Americans will experience some kind of back pain.  According to a 2011 study, massage helped decrease pain and improved performance compared to people who didn’t receive any massage treatment. The benefits of massage ended up being as strong as medications, acupuncture, exercise and yoga. Beyond back pain, massage can decrease pain and stiffness in arthritis and improve range of motion.

Promote Healthy Sleep:

Several studies have examined this link, and find that it increases delta waves. Delta waves are connected to the deepest levels of sleep. Having disrupted delta waves are linked to fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety.

 

Boost Brain Power:

Want to boost your brainpower? Adults who were given a 15-minute chair massage twice a week for 5 weeks were more alert and completed a series of math questions faster and more accurately. The massage group also found reduction in job stress.

 

Reduce Migraines and Tension Headaches:

Weekly massage can reduce both the number of migraines and the intensity of the migraine. Subjects were given a 30 minutes massage twice a week for five weeks.  A 2009 study found that a 30-minute massage decreased tension headache  as well as decreasing stress and anger arising from the headache.

 

Call now  719-685-2500 to schedule your healing massage with our massage therapist Lori DiPasquale and enjoy the pampering while improving your health.

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