Benefits
Benefits and Effects of Massage Therapy
- 15 minutes of massage decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels up to 25%
- Reduces muscle spasm
- Stretches and lengthens tissue
- Stimulates the relaxation response which will slow and strengthen the heart rate
- Increases blood flow to superficial tissues, delivering nutrients to cells and may help to remove some toxins
- Decreases tension placed on bones and joints, which increases joint flexibility and range of motion
- Reduces adhesions
- Assists with faster healing time from pulled muscles and sprained ligaments
- Reduces formation of scar tissue
- Reduces levels of anxiety, interrupts the stress/tension cycle
- Increases awareness of the mind-body connection
- May help reduce superficial swelling
- Stimulates the immune system
- Clients with depression report feeling less anxiety and experience better quality sleep for up to five days following a massage session
- Promotes deeper, more efficient breathing
- 20 minutes of massage reduces blood viscosity, making it more fluid and therefore easier to pump
- Releases soft tissue constrictions on the lymphatic system
- Reduces pressure on nerves caused by soft tissue
- Stimulates the production of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers (However, exercise is more effective.)
- Assists in reeducating soft tissue holding patterns, both postural and movement
- Healthier, better nourished skin
Historical Facts about Massage Therapy
- 2000 BC: The art of massage was first mentioned in writing
- 460-377 BC: Hippocrates was the first person in Greek medicine to specifically describe the medical benefits of massage
- 50 AD: Aulus Cornelius Celsus, a Roman physician, compiled De Medicina, a series of eight books covering the body of medical knowledge at the time. Seven of the books deal extensively with rubbing, exercise, bathing, and anointing.
- Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (1368-1437): The emperor was once asked his recipe for lasting happiness in this world. He replied, “Only do always in health what you have often promised to do when you are sick.”
- Early 1800s: Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish fencing master and instructor of gymnastics, developed an integrated program of active and passive movements which laid the foundations of Swedish massage.
