What are the benefits of massage therapy?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Getting a massage at a spa or from your loved one feels good and is good for you. One study showed decreased levels of cortisol and an increase in depression-fighting serotonin levels after massage. Another study found an increase of beta-endorphin levels, which is linked with pain relief and the feelings of warmth and well-being.Getting a massage at a spa or from your loved one feels good and is good for you. One study showed decreased levels of cortisol and an increase in depression-fighting serotonin levels after massage. Another study found an increase of... More -
Dr. Linda Lee of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Massage therapy offers you a wide range of physical and mental health benefits including:
- Relieving anxiety and tension
- Relaxing muscle aches and pains
- Providing a sense of calm and emotional well-being
- Alleviating pain and stress
- Increasing blood and lymph circulation
- Aiding soft tissue healing
Massage is even more useful when you add it to more conventional medical treatments.
Helpful? 2 people found this helpfulMassage therapy offers you a wide range of physical and mental health benefits including: Relieving anxiety and tension Relaxing muscle aches and pains Providing a sense of calm and emotional well-being Alleviating pain and stress Increasing blood... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Using light to firm touch, massage therapy is designed to enhance the body's natural restorative functioning. Provided by licensed professionals, massage helps release tension, relax muscles, increase blood and lymph circulation, and impart a sense of calm.
Therapeutic massage offers numerous benefits, especially when it's used as a collaborative, supportive addition to conventional medical treatment of illness and injury, you can find qualified professionals through the associations that certify them. Also see if there's an integrative medicine center in your area; they're often established at major medical centers. They may have their own massage therapists on staff or can offer you referrals.
Using light to firm touch, massage therapy is designed to enhance the body's natural restorative functioning. Provided by licensed professionals, massage helps release tension, relax muscles, increase blood and lymph circulation, and impart a... More -
Debra Fulghum Bruce PhD answered:The many benefits of massage therapy include increased relaxation, greater mobility of joints, decreased muscle tightness, and improved circulation. No matter what type of pain or tension you have, a soothing massage will help you relax and that can help you sleep better and enjoy a more positive mood.
The many benefits of massage therapy include increased relaxation, greater mobility of joints, decreased muscle tightness, and improved circulation. No matter what type of pain or tension you have, a soothing massage will help you relax and that can... More -
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation answered:Massage is a popular hands-on healing method that has been practiced for thousands of years. Limited studies have shown that massage may be beneficial for reducing muscle tension, improving digestion, relieving anxiety and depression, and decreasing low back pain. The effects of massage on the immune system are unclear, although immune stimulation has been cited.Massage is a popular hands-on healing method that has been practiced for thousands of years. Limited studies have shown that massage may be beneficial for reducing muscle tension, improving digestion, relieving anxiety and depression, and... More -
Ashley Koff answered:Treat yourself to more touching through massage. It may seem like a luxury, but it doesn't have to be. If you were to add up the cost of eating dinner out once a week for a month, you'd have plenty of money to get a massage, body scrub, and/or facial and enjoy all the amenities offered at most spas. The healing power of touch is grossly underestimated in our society, yet it's one of the most effective tools for emotional care.
Massage not only benefits the muscles and tissues being kneaded and stretched but also has been found to lower stress levels significantly. It's been shown to increase weight gain in premature infants, alleviate depression, reduce pain in cancer patients, improve sleep patterns, and positively alter the immune system. Research from the renowned Touch Research Institute shows that it's as beneficial to touch as it is to be touched. And, more recently, researchers at the University of North Carolina, alongside scientists in Europe, are unraveling how the body responds to pleasurable touch. They have identified a class of nerve fibers in the skin that specifically send pleasure messages. Called the C-tactile nerve fibers, they send feel-good messages to the brain upon stimulation through pleasurable touch.
Healing touch therapy can take many forms, not just classic massage. Experiment with what your local spa has to offer. Bring this concept to home and into the bedroom with your partner, too. In between the more elaborate spa visits, schedule brief, inexpensive manicures, pedicures, or simply exchange five minutes of chair massage with your best friend at work. Studies have shown that these can dramatically reduce job stress while increasing productivity and alertness.
Treat yourself to more touching through massage. It may seem like a luxury, but it doesn't have to be. If you were to add up the cost of eating dinner out once a week for a month, you'd have plenty of money to get a massage, body scrub, and/or... More -
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:Massage is a therapeutic technique that has many health benefits. Physiologically, it increases circulation helping to delivery oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. This reduces recovery time for sore muscles and assists in removing waste from soft tissues. Massage has the ability to enhance immunity by promoting lymph flow. Trigger point massage therapy that address the knots, or adhesions, on muscles can help restore muscles to their proper length, and therefore increase joint range of motion and optimal movement patterns. Psychologically, massage is a great way to relieve stress. As stress is reduced, anxiety and depression can be avoided or at least minimized.Massage is a therapeutic technique that has many health benefits. Physiologically, it increases circulation helping to delivery oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. This reduces recovery time for sore muscles and assists in removing waste... More -
Discovery Health answered:Besides helping physically with postoperative care, evidence shows that massage can help psychologically.
Anxiety, stress and tension all take a toll on the body, so it seems logical that relaxation treatments, such as massage, might aid in recovery.
When a body is tense, it tends to feel more pain. Perhaps that is why some recommend that you exhale when you are tearing a Band-Aid away from a wound.
Studies suggest that patients who receive a daily foot or back massage tend to experience less pain than others who are not massaged.
Besides helping physically with postoperative care, evidence shows that massage can help psychologically. Anxiety, stress and tension all take a toll on the body, so it seems logical that relaxation treatments, such as massage, might aid in... More -
Dawn Saunders answered:The benefits of massage therapy have been published with greater frequency in the last five years. The evidence has shown that massage therapy:
- increases serotonin (a happy hormone)
- increases dopamine (another feel-good chemical)
- increases parasympathetic (rest and digest bodily reponse) tone
- decreases cortisol (a long-term stress hormone)
- decreases pain
- decreases depression symptoms
- decreases nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
- decreases hospital stay time in certain populations (cancer patients, pre-term infants).
The benefits of massage therapy have been published with greater frequency in the last five years. The evidence has shown that massage therapy: increases serotonin (a happy hormone) increases dopamine (another feel-good chemical)... More -
Dr. Robin Miller answered:Massage therapy has been utilized for thousands of years for relaxation, relief of muscle tension and pain, joint problems, tendon problems and to improve circulation. There are over eighty different types of massage and they each have their own purpose. Many utilize hands and feet, high-pressure water and others use hot stones.
The point of massage therapy is that it can help do many things including relax you and ease muscle pain and tension.
Massage therapy has been utilized for thousands of years for relaxation, relief of muscle tension and pain, joint problems, tendon problems and to improve circulation. There are over eighty different types of massage and they each have their own... More -
Dr. Mosaraf Ali answered:Massage is a wonderful relaxation technique and just plain feels good. But it also has some surprising health benefits. In this video, integrative medicine expert and Dr. Oz Show guest Mosaraf Ali discusses what you can gain from a rubdown.
Massage is a wonderful relaxation technique and just plain feels good. But it also has some surprising health benefits. In this video, integrative medicine expert and Dr. Oz Show guest Mosaraf Ali discusses what you can gain from a rubdown. More -
National Athletic Trainers’ Association answered:Massage can be used for relaxation or for therapeutic effects. Massage can help increase blood flow, decrease pain, and reduce swelling.
(This answer provided for NATA by the Washington State University Athletic Training Education Program.)Massage can be used for relaxation or for therapeutic effects. Massage can help increase blood flow, decrease pain, and reduce swelling. (This answer provided for NATA by the Washington State University Athletic Training Education Program.) More
