subject: Massages - Occasional Luxury Or Essential Health Maintenance? [print this page] The health benefits of getting a regular massage can't be underestimated, but today the vast majority of Americans overlook them. This is unhealthy, really, in a modern world where 66 percent of all of the symptoms and the signs of sickness that doctors are faced with in the U.S. are caused by stress. The number one power of getting a regular massage is stress reduction and giving one better capability with handling stress.
The benefits conferred by getting a regular massage are mainly stress related, but they are many and diverse at the same time. These include: -Enhanced blood flow, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. This leads to greater vitality as well as an enhanced immune system. -A calmer mind which allows for deeper, more restful sleep, which is a vital key to full health and wellness and maintaining top mental powers. -Treatments of such diseases and health problems as arthritis, chronic back pain, cancer, fibromyalgia, muscle pains, stiffness, and strokes have been clinically shown to be enhanced or accelerated by regular massage (in this case, therapeutic massage). -Increased range of motion physically. This prevents strains and tears of muscles and ligaments. -Enhancement of nervous system functioning and better muscle tone. -Reductions in inflammation. Inflammation causes arthritis and is the root cause of all cancer. -Mental or emotional health problems such as anxiety, depression, grieving, and the effects of too much stress can all be alleviated.
Massage should be a part of regular life for those who are putting in a lot of hours working out or who work in professions that are very demanding on the body, such as construction workers. If you consistently stand on your feet, bend up and down, or lift heavy items, then chances are your muscles are at risk of serious damage. You could find that you have less range of motion or suffer from overuse injuries and stress fractures without the use of a regular massage. Massage can actually reduce soreness and stiffness in the muscles as well.
If you have been in an accident or have some other physic injury, you may very well benefit from regular therapeutic massage. This is usually prescribed by a doctor. Therapeutic massage is used for treating a specific condition or injury. A massage therapist has been trained in advanced medical massage techniques beyond what a relaxation massage performer knows.
Regular therapeutic massage is often used successively to treat conditions including whiplash or in recovery some a severe physical trauma. So, therapeutic massage is a kind of medicine.
Americans are more stressed out today than ever before, and trends predict that stress levels will only continue to escalate. While it's great that we are pushing ourselves to be the best we can be and find new successes in life, there are many negative consequences of heaping all of that stress on our shoulders. That's where the health benefits of massage come into play as routine massages can alleviate many of those consequences.
Think about all of the alternative ways to relieve stress. You could take over-the-counter medications but there are many unpleasant side effects. You could get a prescription from your doctor, but since most of them are addictive they could destroy your life. Obviously, stress is the most effective way to relieve stress.
If you are in need of some drastic stress relief, have recently suffered an accident, or simply want to enhance your immune system so you get sick less often, the power of regular massage cannot be underestimated!
