Benefits of Massage Therapy:

• Massage therapy and bodywork increases blood circulation thus enabling the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
• Helps in releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
• Is being incorporated into treatment for chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
• Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.
• Contributes to shorter labor and reduced tearing for expectant mothers, as well as lessening the need for medication, minimizing depression and anxiety, and shortening hospital stays.
• Can relax tense and tightened muscles.
• Reduces overall stress by lowering levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.
• Massage therapy could also treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis

Physical Benefit of Massage Therapy:

• Promotes faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
• Reduces pain and swelling
• Reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
• Enhances athletic performance by treating injuries caused during sport or work
• Reduces blood pressure
• Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
• Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
• Improves posture
• Strengthens the immune system
• Treats musculoskeletal problems
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation after injury
• Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness

Emotional Benefit of Massage Therapy:

• Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
• Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
• Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
• Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
• Fosters a feeling of well-being
• Reduces levels of anxiety
• Creates body awareness
• Increases awareness of mind-body connection

Massage has been shown to increase range of motion and flexibility as well as to improve measures of anxiety, depression, vitality, and perceived stress. It can also increase feelings of wellness, calm, relaxation, and a sense of belonging.  Massage helps overcome feelings of fatigue.

In a study of the effect of massage therapy on patients receiving Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT) it was concluded that those who received massage therapy had a better quality of life.  These patients rested more easily, had less depression and anxiety and were more able to communicate with loved ones during this crucial treatment.  Massage can also aid in reducing nausea in chemotherapy patients.

According to the American Psychological Association:

43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.

75-90% of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.

Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration declared stress a hazard of the workplace.

It is logical that if stress is decreased, then wellness will increase.  Massage has been shown to decrease stress; therefore massage will increase wellness and should be included in everyone’s health management plan.