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Discover the Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage involves the rubbing or kneading of the body’s soft tissues. Techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms or feet.

Massage

Practitioners claim that therapeutic massage helps people feel more relaxed and happy. This is because it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which decreases anxiety. It also reduces depression and lowers the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Contact Massage Therapy Tulsa for professional help.

Stress is a part of life that everyone experiences, and it can have a number of negative impacts on the body. If not managed well, stress can lead to high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, sleeping problems, depression and anxiety. Massage therapy helps alleviate the effects of stress by relaxing tight muscles and triggering the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body after stressful situations.

Studies have shown that just a 10-minute massage can stimulate the body’s natural release of happiness hormones, leading to a lowered stress level. It also improves blood circulation, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure levels. In addition, massage helps reduce muscle tension, which can compress nerves and lead to pain. In addition, a good massage can help relieve anxiety and boost self-esteem.

If you have a condition like cancer, undergoing treatments can add to the physical and emotional stress of your life. This can be difficult for patients to cope with, but research has shown that incorporating regular massage therapy into your treatment plan can significantly enhance your quality of life and reduce the symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and pain related to the disease.

The kneading and compression of the soft tissues of the body, which is the basis of massage techniques, are thought to activate these relaxation response mechanisms in the body. The psychological benefits of massage are also thought to play a large role in stress reduction, as they can provide a safe and nurturing space for you to be in. In addition, massage can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness that often occur during the cancer journey. For example, one study found that people with breast cancer reported a lower sense of isolation after receiving massage therapy than those without the disorder.

Decreases Cancer-Related Pain

Massage can be helpful in reducing pain and discomfort associated with cancer treatment. Studies have shown that massage decreases the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer patients, as well as decreasing the frequency and intensity of cancer-related nausea and fatigue. Massage also helps to alleviate pain caused by cancer-related surgery and chemotherapy, and improves overall quality of life in cancer patients.

In one study, massage was used to reduce cancer-related fatigue and depression in patients who had completed chemotherapy. After receiving therapeutic massage, the patients’ symptoms improved, and they reported increased energy levels. This improvement in mood and fatigue was accompanied by decreased symptoms of stress, such as anxiety and depression.

When using massage to treat cancer-related symptoms, it’s important to talk with your doctor and oncologist first. Often, gentler types of massage are preferred as opposed to deep tissue massages. In addition, there’s no concrete evidence that a massage can cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.

Most oncology massage therapists use only the lightest touch, and will avoid areas of swelling or open wounds. Massage can help reduce the fluid buildup (lymphedema) that occurs in some cancer patients, but if lymphedema is present, massage should be avoided or performed by a therapist trained in lymphatic drainage.

After the massage session, it’s a good idea to be careful when standing up. Some people become very relaxed during a massage, and may feel dizzy when they stand up. If this happens, it’s best to remain seated for a few minutes to allow your body time to adjust. During this time, you can also drink water to stay hydrated. You should be able to feel your normal balance within a few minutes.

Enhances Immune System Function

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that defends the body against pathogens. Massage therapy can positively impact the immune system and potentially reduce susceptibility to illness.

Studies have found that massage decreases the stress hormone cortisol and enhances the production of natural killer cells, which play a vital role in fighting infection. It also enhances the movement of lymph fluid, which carries white blood cells and other immune molecules throughout the body. In one study, a type of massage called lymphatic drainage increased movement of lymph fluid and improved lymphocyte distribution compared to massage that did not stimulate the lymphatic system.

In addition, massage increases levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that promotes relaxation and sleep. A good night’s sleep is important to boosting immunity and a connection has been made between low serotonin and immune function. In another study, researchers found that HIV positive patients receiving regular massage showed reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, which in turn enhanced their immune systems.

Incorporate massage into a holistic wellness plan to naturally support your immune system. By reducing stress, improving circulation, stimulating the lymphatic system, and promoting mental health, massage can provide an all-around approach to strengthening your body’s defenses against winter ailments. However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before beginning any new treatments. Individuals with severe osteoporosis, deep vein thrombosis, open wounds, or other conditions should avoid massage, as it may exacerbate their condition or pose a risk of infection. A professional massage therapist can work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that meets your needs and is safe for your specific condition.

Decreases Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s healing response, but chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia can be wreaked havoc on the body. Research has found that massage decreases inflammation by reducing the production of cytokines, which are proteins that cause tissue damage and increase pain. A small study found that even a single 10-minute session of massage decreased the expression of proinflammatory pathways in the brain and body, suggesting that if you’re living with inflammation, you can rely on a good massage to help tame those fires.

A massage triggers your body’s relaxation response, helping to shift your nervous system from the agitated fight or flight mode into the calm parasympathetic state. It can also reduce your body’s production of cortisol, a hormone that destroys immune cells. In one study, women with breast cancer who had 10 weekly sessions of structural massage experienced improved immune function compared to those who received standard care.

Another reason why you feel so good after a massage is because it stimulates the release of “feel-good” hormones, such as endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin. These hormones reduce pain, improve mood, and promote a sense of wellbeing.

While the research on massage and its effects is encouraging, there is still a lot to learn. In most studies, the samples are very small and it would take a large number of participants to be able to make a substantial scientific claim about the benefits of massage therapy. In addition, a lot of different techniques are used in massages and they affect the body’s reaction in different ways. A skilled therapist will use their toolbox of techniques to tailor the massage to your needs, and they will listen to feedback during the session and adjust their technique accordingly.

Relieves Chronic Pain

Using techniques such as kneading and pressure-and-release, massage therapists stimulate the body to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase serotonin and dopamine (mood stabilizers). By reducing stress levels and tight muscles, massage therapy relieves chronic pain caused by cancer, fibromyalgia, breast pain, spinal manipulation and other conditions. This relaxation response can also help retrain the brain and body to better process the sensations of pain, so that it feels less intense.

Research shows that massage reduces pain by interrupting the chain of events that produce the feeling of pain. The pain pathways in the nervous system become hyper sensitive to messages that indicate damage. When these messages reach the brain, the brain relays them as a painful experience, even when there is no real damage. Massage may interrupt this cycle by stimulating competing nerve fibers that block the transmission of noxious signals to the brain.

In addition to interrupting the pain pathway chains, massage increases muscle temperature, which causes muscles to relax and loosen. This decreases tension and pain, as well as increases range of motion of joints.

A recent study showed that massage reduced the inflammatory molecule, “substance P” in those receiving massage. This neurotransmitter is involved in both sensory and nociceptive pathways which are the pain pathways in the nervous system.