Massage

by Rachel Landherr CMT

Massage, one of the oldest and simplest forms of medical care, is used to ease pain and anxiety and promote good health. Massage is the kneading and stroking of the body's soft tissues - the skin and muscles - with varying degrees of pressure. Massage helps reverse the damaging effects of stress-related tension, which experts believe accounts for 80% - 90% of disease, by slowing heart rate, respiration and lowering raised blood pressure. Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's "feel good" chemicals, to help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being. Massage provides relief to people of all ages -- from infants to seniors -- and from all lifestyles -- the casual or competitive athlete to the home gardener or overstressed, overworked employee or house person. Massage also provides another therapeutic component largely absent in today's world: tactile stimulation or more simply, touch.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
  • 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 OF MASSAGE THERAPY
  • 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 of 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