Massage Therapy

Massage therapy had become increasingly popular as more and more people discover its benefits. Massage creates a relaxed state which increases your capacity for clearer thinking, enhances functions of joints and muscles, improves circulation and body tone and relieves mental and physical fatigue. While the immediate, feel-good effects of massage have rarely been disputed, its potential long-term health benefits are more controversial.

Physiologically, massage stimulates blood circulation, pumps fresh oxygen into muscles and releases muscle tension. These effects translate readily into relaxation, reduced anxiety and relief from minor physical complaints.

Some studies suggest massage also may hold promise for long-term health benefits. There are indications that massage may help reduce heart rate and blood pressure, lower stress hormones and boost production of serotonin, a mood-elevating brain chemical.

Consequently, massage therapy may offer relief from depression, insomnia, muscular aches and tension, sports injuries, rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders. Researchers also propose that massage may serve as a kind of “touch therapy,” fulfilling an emotional need for individuals who lack physical contact with others.

Ever have one of those days when life’s little tensions make you feel all tied up in knots? The answer could be a soothing massage.