20 Reasons Why Massage Can Significantly Benefit Your Health

Massages are much more than just relaxing. In fact, our natural instincts turn to them in moments of need. This is the reason that you self-massage sore muscles, and it has also led to the rapidly growing field of massage therapy. As an added bonus, there are numerous health benefits associated with a massage. Fortunately, massages come in a variety of lengths and styles, which means that even people with truly hectic lifestyles can take advantage of this health-boosting technique.

1. Massages Can Alleviate Headaches

Whether you have a tension-type headache or suffer from migraines, medical research has proven that regular mass

ages can help reduce or even eliminate this painful problem.

2. Massages Soothe and Relax the Body

A Swedish or hot stone massage offers the right amount of pressure, sometimes combined with heat, to soothe your achy muscles. If your body is tight from a tense week at the office, either of these massage styles is a good way to relax.

3. Massages Reduce Joint Pain

Joint pain is a common issue that is experienced by everyone from pregnant women to fibromyalgia sufferers. Receiving a regular massage will relieve this pain. In fact, many medical professionals refer patients with joint pain to a licensed massage therapist.

4. Massages Can Dramatically Reduce Anxiety

Approximately 40 million Americans have some form of anxiety, and this can be borderline emotionally crippling at times. Anxiety is even responsible for almost one-third of the nation’s total mental health expenses. The good news is that massage can cut your body’s level of stress hormones in half, which will alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.

5. Minimize Back Pain with a Massage

Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, but you do not need to live in pain. Studies have shown that massage reduces the need for painkillers by 36 percent, and it is more effective than chiropractic c

are or acupuncture.

6. Neuromuscular Massage Addresses Repetitive Movement Injuries

A staggering 86 percent of U.S. adults have a desk job, and the vast majority of them perform repetitive tasks that can injure their hands, wrists, arms, neck and back. Although a typical massage will help reduce this pain, neuromuscular techniques can actually address the root cause of the muscular problem to provide you with optimal results.

7. Massages Promote Flexibility

Most people are not nearly as flexible as they would like to be, and this often causes uncomfortable stiffness.

Fortunately, a sports massage is tailored toward making it easier to increase your flexibility.

8. Research Shows Massages Help Cancer Patients

Four out of every 10 adults will battle with cancer at some point during their life. Massage is now being widely used as a complementary treatment because it offers a reduction in many of the symptoms associated with cancer, including nausea, pain, insomnia and fatigue.

-Holly Chavez

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