Massage Therapy is More Than Just For Relaxation

There are many things that might pop into one’s head when considering massage therapy. Perhaps you are reminded of the massages professional athletes receive in order to treat or prevent injuries, maybe something in the way of traditional Eastern medicine comes to mind or you could very well just be picturing a relaxing day at the spa. In a sense, all of these assumptions are correct. The truth of the matter is that massage therapy is beneficial to your overall health in a number of ways.

How is Massage Therapy Beneficial?

Receiving a therapeutic massage can do much more than help you relax. While we oftentimes assume massage therapists work mostly with athletes and weightlifters, it is in fact beneficial for practically everyone’s circulatory system. With each stroke of the massage, a fresh blood and oxygen supply is permeated throughout the tissue, allowing the natural fluids and nutrients to travel around with greater ease. The reason why a therapeutic massage is still great for athletes however is because the increased supply of blood and oxygen helps to remove built up toxins in the tissue, aiding the repair process for muscle fibers. Naturally this isn’t simply limited to those who work out intensively. Anyone suffering from the likes of a stiff or aching neck by sitting in front of the computer or a desk for too long can absolutely benefit from this form of treatment.

Treating Depression

While bodily injuries and soreness are perhaps the most evident causes as to why a massage can help you, it can be just as helpful in ways that are of a more cerebral nature, and we aren’t only talking about relaxation. It is certainly true that seeing a massage therapist can help you loosen up but there is also one important aspect that accompanies relaxation that is often overlooked. A therapeutic massage is an effective way to help treat depression. The sluggishness and aches that manifest themselves physically when one is feeling low can be rectified via a massage. These very same outward physical manifestations of depression are also accompanied with mental symptoms or difficulties, including headaches and insomnia. For example, one study conducted in Spain at the Granada University has shown that as little as a single massage therapy session can have an immediate beneficial effect on reducing the amount of pain felt by those with chronic headaches.

Mental & Physical Healing

Certainly there are many other less evident ways that massage therapy can help you. As a rehabilitation tool, massage therapy is handy during both the prenatal and postnatal stages of pregnancy. In the former case, it helps with pain reduction and in the latter; it speeds up the healing process. Another incredible way massage therapy is truly effective is from its immunity boosting capabilities. It has even been found that something as simple as a Swedish massage can help boost an individual’s white blood cell count. White blood cells are imperative in protecting the body from diseases. Therefore, this brand of treatment can be especially useful to those with HIV. Finally, in returning to the benefits of a therapeutic massage for athletic individuals, the flexibility that comes from stretching muscle fibers during a massage session is of paramount importance, not only for improved performance but especially in reducing the risk of injury. Yet again, it is important to emphasize that this form of treatment is beneficial to just about everyone. From mental to physical healing, going to a massage therapist is more than likely beneficial to your overall health.

If a therapeutic massage sounds right for you, feel free to call HealthMax Physiotherapy. Our phone number is (416) 431-4000 or you can reach us via our Contact Form.