Pain Relief
If lower back pain is making life, well, really painful, a little massage may be just what the doctor ordered. Massage has been used throughout history to relieve pain. While it can help muscle pain and tension, research has also shown its benefits for pain associated with fibromyalgia, cancer, and migraines. This is largely due to the endorphins released during massage.
Increased Energy
Studies show that massage works to increase blood flow in the body, which delivers oxygen to all of the body’s cells. This in turn can seriously increase our energy levels, and also help with those all-too-familiar energy dips and spikes.
Improved Immune System
One of the most impressive benefits of massage is its incredible ability to boost your immune function and help you stay healthier throughout the year. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles did a study that found that those who received a 45-minute massage saw a significant increase in the white blood cells that protect the body from disease. It also reduced the participant’s cytokine levels, which help to reduce inflammation.
Decreased Stress, Depression, Insomnia, and Anxiety
You know that relaxing feeling you get after a massage? Studies also suggest that regular massage can improve symptoms of generalized anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia.
Lessen the Symptoms of PMS
Research on female participants found that common symptoms of PMS such as irritability, moodswings, cramping, anxiety, headaches and bloating were improved with massage therapy. So, getting a monthly massage around that time of your cycle could make a big difference in how you feel.
While these are five primary benefits of regular massage (and reasons that massage is much more than just a luxury), other considerations are that massage can help with muscle spasms and recovery, relief from arthritis pain, joint flexibility, and even a shorter labor and reduced tearing in birthing mothers.
Never underestimate the hard work that goes into both the training and delivery of a high quality massage, and know that you usually get what you pay for.
When all else fails, get a massage!