What happens to your body after a massage? Benefits
Massage therapy is a tool for stress reduction and pain relief.
It's very beneficial when you suffer from anxiety, depression, insomnia, headache, nerve issues, scar tissue, injuries, myofascial pain, autoimmune diseases and digestive and mental disorders.
Massage therapy improves circulation , sleep quality and flexibility.
It decreases muscle stiffness and joint inflammation.
It helps with a quicker recovery in rehabilitation and between workouts and it
strengthens our immune system.
The need for human touch is one of our most basic, primal needs. Touch deprivation is correlated with negative health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and immune system disorders. Ways to address touch deprivation include massage therapy, pets, blankets, ...
Touch can reduce heart rate and blood pressure and help us to feel calmer and less stressed. It reduces the release of cortisol and seems to have a beneficial role in our immune response. Touch can strongly transmit a sense of being accepted and cared for and can reduce a sense of loneliness.
In a massage, a nursing safe touch is an invitation to relax. This, together with pain relief, generally produces a "relaxation response." The relaxation response is a state in which your heart and breathing rate slow, your blood pressure goes down, your production of stress hormones decreases, and your muscles relax.
How often should you get a massage?
It is recommended to be getting massaged at least once every 2 to 3 weeks to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the stress, intensive workouts, labour,... that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress. Obviously ,not everyone can afford that every two weeks, but imagine how nice it would be if we all mastered the basic massage techniques so that we can apply it to each other from home and add it to our well-being habits.
Do massages burn calories?
An hour-long massage can burn up to 230 calories , the same as an hour of light weight training.
Studies also show that deep tissue massage contributes to improved metabolism and fat reduction. Receive a massage in the area with excess fat accumulation and it will break up the fat stores, making it ready for absorption inside the body.
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects associated with massage therapy are rare. However, they can include nausea, headaches, soreness in the muscles being massaged, bruising , fatigue, dizziness, mental/emotional discomfort (anxiety), fainting, and skin irritation.
In most cases this means that certain blocked points / gates in your body have been opened up again . Your body systems (blood circulation, nerves, hormones, ...) start to communicate in a healthier way with each other again and this can sometimes lead to these side effects, which actually makes sense and is not necessarily bad.
Your body wakes up and responds, it begins to adjust itself back to a new state, and it starts to let go of the old conditions that we are familiar with, which sometimes brings inconvenience.
Being sick isn't always necessarily a bad thing, sometimes it means that your body needs a big clean to start from a fresh page . People who have never had a massage in their life , might become sick the day after . It's not something to worry about . When that happens, listen to your body signals. Where are you feeling sick? Where are you feeling the most reactions after a massage. This is mostly an indication that this area needs extra care and attention in your life. Why do I feel so tired after a massage?
Massage is not just work on the body; it is work on the mind too.
It helps to destress and relax you. This in turn may make you feel tired. This is your time to recover your mind and body and it is your body's time to rebalance itself and retune.
Signs you need a massage If you:
Are suffering from headaches
Are undergoing training
Are not getting enough sleep
Have issues with blood circulation
Have any scarred tissue
Feeling pain in the neck , other muscles
Unable to get a general range of motion
Feel that you are under a lot of pressure
Have a feeling of fatigue in your muscles
Had massage many months ago
...
Different Massages Styles Relaxation
A relaxation massage generally covers most areas of the body . It involves slow and rhythmic strokes, gentle kneading, and light pressure on the muscles. A relaxation massage can help to reduce stress, improve circulation, promote better sleep, and boost your overall sense of well-being. It can also relieves muscle tension and eases pain.
Sports Massage
Sports massage systematically targets specific areas in the muscles that are injured or tense from overuse.
Reflexology
Reflexology's purpose is to improve gland, organ and systems functions. It involves applying different amounts of pressure to specific areas on the feet, hands, and face. It promotes a response from the soft tissue stimulated through our body systems .
Trigger Points are sensitive areas in a muscle or connective tissue that become painful when compressed. By pressing them , we can help identify the external area in the body, relieve the muscle spasm and generate chronic pain.
Aromatherapy massage Aromatherapy massage is the type of Swedish massage that uses essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils). Its main focus is relaxation and mindfulness.
During an aromatherapy massage, you both inhale these essential oil molecules and absorb them through your skin. Its main focus is relaxation and mindfulness.
Hot stone massage
A hot stone massage may begin with a traditional Swedish massage technique to prepare your muscles. Your therapist will then place the warm stones on key acupressure points on your body.The stones warm and relax your muscles, allowing deeper pressure to be applied during your massage.
Prenatal Massage
A prenatal massage is a full body massage that is similar to a Swedish massage , except for a few modifications with body positioning that can ensure the safety and comfort for both mother and baby.
Your massage therapist will avoid massaging your certain trigger points in your abdomen, hands, and feet , for the safety of the baby. For example, there is a point on your ankle that can induce contractions and should therefore be avoided at all times during pregnancy.
Lymphatic Massage The lymphatic system is your body’s purifying system, and it’s crucial to your everyday health that it functions normally. A lymphatic massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle massage to relieve swelling from your tissues retaining fluid.
This buildup of fluid can come from a recent surgery or medical conditions. Your massage therapist will use light pressure and will begin the massage away from your most affected area.
You should always consult your doctor to see if a lymphatic massage is the right choice for you.
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