| Massage, the oldest and simplest form of therapy, uses touch through rubbing or kneading of parts of the body to aid circulation, relax the muscles, or provide sensual stimulation.
Massage therapy has so many health benefits, some of these are: relieves stress, encourages relaxation, improves circulation, improves posture, lowers blood pressure, helps manage pain, relaxes muscles, improves flexibility, improves breathing, relieves tension and headaches, strengthens immune system, and decreases depression.
Massage therapy tends to stimulate and helps to release the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands in the regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular function as well as regulation of the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cortisol secretion increases in response to any stress, physical or psychological. With lowered stress levels, the body becomes more capable of healing itself.
Massage also stimulates the release of endorphins, the “natural pain killer”. For this reason, massage therapy is believed to remove and help manage pain. Because massage relieves pain regardless of cause, it also lessens the body’s need for pain-killing medication.
It also aids in loosening and relaxing stiffened muscles. Inflammatory afflictions such as arthritis and tendonitis can also be treated using massage. Tendinitis is inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon, which is the fibrous structure that joins muscle to bone. Alternative names include calcific tendinitis, and bicipital tendinitis. Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints.
Regular massage improves the flexibility of the joints and makes the body more capable of a wider range of movements. Fluidity of movement brought about by regular massage also reduces the probability of getting muscle injuries. It also improves posture.
Blood circulation is also enhanced through massage. Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood towards the heart thus easing the strain on this vital organ. This increase in circulation brings energy producing nutrients and oxygen to your cells as well as carries away metabolic waste products that can make you feel listless and drained. In addition, massage therapy increases your body's oxygen carrying red blood cell count helping to bring even more oxygen to your body's cells. Improved circulation also leads to clearer, softer and healthier skin, as the skin cells become more nourished with oxygen and nutrients.
With massage therapy, the mind is made to feel calm and relaxed. Such a state of the mind is good for enhancing focus and improving concentration, thereby making the mind more creative and productive. Massage also makes the mind aware of the body, allowing it to recognize more quickly its needs and possible afflictions.
Amber College is a holistic therapies centre in Ireland. Its range of services includes Weight Loss, Allergy Testing, Stop Smoking Therapies and Complementary Therapy like Acupuncture, Aromatherapy and Massage. Amber College also offers short courses on Complementary Therapies. |
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