Therapeutic Benefits of Massage:
There is more to massage than just relaxation and it is not just a luxury. Massage has been studied, continues to be studied and has many therapeutic benefits.
Physical Benefits
Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy
Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
Reduces muscle spasms
Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work
Promotes deeper and easier breathing
Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
Reduces blood pressure
Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
Improves posture
Strengthens the immune system
Treats musculoskeletal problems
Rehabilitation post operative
Rehabilitation after injury
Mental Benefits
Fosters peace of mind
Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
Helps relieve mental stress
Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
Emotional Benefits
Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
Fosters a feeling of well-being
Reduces levels of anxiety
Creates body awareness
Increases awareness of mind-body connection
(Source: AMTA)
Links to websites with articles on the efficacy of massage therapy:
http://www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/research02.html
http://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/research.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/health/research/21regimens.html?_r=3
http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137609072/got-low-back-pain-massage-therapy-may-rub-it-out
Physical Benefits
Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy
Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
Reduces muscle spasms
Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work
Promotes deeper and easier breathing
Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
Reduces blood pressure
Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
Improves posture
Strengthens the immune system
Treats musculoskeletal problems
Rehabilitation post operative
Rehabilitation after injury
Mental Benefits
Fosters peace of mind
Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
Helps relieve mental stress
Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
Emotional Benefits
Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
Fosters a feeling of well-being
Reduces levels of anxiety
Creates body awareness
Increases awareness of mind-body connection
(Source: AMTA)
Links to websites with articles on the efficacy of massage therapy:
http://www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/research02.html
http://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/research.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/health/research/21regimens.html?_r=3
http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137609072/got-low-back-pain-massage-therapy-may-rub-it-out
