From the very first day that I entered massage therapy school, I was bombarded with lists of benefits of massage. If massage therapy could help with anything from lowering stress to lessening wrinkles, then why do more people not know about it?? Your guess is as good as ours. In this article we’ll cover some basic benefits of massage therapy, as revealed by the latest research. And in the coming weeks, we’ll take some time to dive into specific studies with you!

What is massage therapy?

Used in cultures as old as ancient Egypt, Greece, China, and India, massage therapy is the act of manipulating the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. It is done with the intent to soothe the body and the mind, and improve conditions of the body, such as tension, anxiety, and pain.

What are the benefits of massage?

While some may make some pretty hefty claims about massage, the Mayo Clinic has confirmed that the five main benefits are:

Reducing stress & increasing relaxation

Reducing pain, muscle soreness, and tension

Improving circulation, energy, and alertness

Lowering heart rate and blood pressure

Improving immune function

Other potential benefits:

New research is always emerging, but from the studies we do have, the following benefits may be associated with massage therapy.

Reducing anxiety

Improving digestive disorders

Treatment & prevention of headaches

Fibromyalgia management

Stress-induced Insomnia

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Reducing nerve pain

Treatment of soft-tissue sprains and injuries

Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ syndrome)

Try it for Yourself!

I’ll admit, that even after hearing of ALL the benefits of massage, I was definitely skeptical at first. But even a few weeks into receiving regular massage, I was sold. Now, I rely on massage on a daily basis to help my clients, my family members, and even myself to treat and manage stress and pain. So what are you waiting for? Book your session today and see the benefits firsthand.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743