Benefits of massage therapy as a natural healing technique

The benefits of massage have been evident throughout history. Using the hands to massage a specific area or press it lightly is ancient and aimed to relieve pain and tension in areas where they accumulate.

Trained professionals practice massage therapy, which sometimes requires a medical prescription since it pursues therapeutic purposes. The massage therapist, physiotherapist, masseur, or chiropractic massage uses maneuvers such as rubbing, kneading, rolling clamp, friction, vibration, or pressure to achieve the desired effects, which requires a lot of experience and knowledge.

A massage session can have multiple benefits, such as the following:‍

Strengthens tissues

The mechanical forces exerted during a massage session on the patient's area to be treated to strengthen the tissues. It is done to mobilize the superficial layers of muscles and connective tissues, thus improving their function.

In short, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and skin are worked on, and vessels in the many types of kneading are currently identified.‍

Relieves tiredness

Relaxing massage is also very popular today. The demanding rhythm to which many people of professional age are subjected needs effective remedies, and rubbing is one of them. Some people opt for Ayurvedic massage, for example.

The so-called sedative kneading seeks harmony of the nervous system and muscle relaxation, which contributes to good rest that is essential for health.‍

Prevents injuries and improves sports performance

The possibility of preventing injuries from therapeutic kneading explains why many professionals specialize in the elite level of the different sports disciplines. These establish routines to ensure that the patient athletes' muscle groups, especially those directly involved in the activity, have optimum tone and flexibility.  ‍

Stimulates circulation

Nothing is like a good massage, even if you have to do it yourself, to rest well after a tiring day. The massage favors excellent rest, but they also activate blood flow, distributing nutrients throughout the body and eliminating toxins.

Ideally, it should always be done by a professional since we can cause ourselves harm if we need to learn how to do it well.

Alleviate the pain

Many people only realize the benefits of kneading once they feel specific pain, so its potential for pain relief is what massage therapy is known for. By stimulating circulation, damaged tissues are restored, and pain is reduced or relieved.

The contracting massage includes movements to eliminate the involuntary contraction of the muscles. The patient usually experiences relief, although they may feel pain during the session. However, it must be performed by a specialist. The programs focused on achieving this objective usually also have a medical prescription.

Helps burn fat

Massage also contributes to improving the physical appearance of a person. Eliminating what the body does not need is promoted by stimulating circulation, including fat deposits. Massage therapy also helps to recover muscle tone.

Thus, a kneading modality combines circulatory or relaxing kneading techniques to act on any specific area of ​​the body and promote the required changes.

At this point, it should be remembered that massage therapy should not be confused with mesotherapy. This technique is part of alternative medicine and consists of microinjections of multiple pharmacological and homeopathic compounds, plant extracts, vitamins, and other ingredients into subcutaneous fat layers.‍

Promotes mental well-being

Considering the above, it can be concluded that massages also impact the patient's mental well-being. In a relaxing massage session, for example, in addition to the smooth and slow movements carried out by an expert hand, the aroma breathed in a room with the ideal temperature and relaxing music favor moments of inner peace.‍

Summary of physical, mental, and emotional benefits‍

Various studies have proved the extensive benefits of massage therapy, including those of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), which concludes that massages promote relaxation and relieve pain and anxiety in cancer patients. It produces endorphins that encourage well-being and have positive long-term effects for patients with lower back pain.

The Massage Research Institute (MRI) has also shown that massage therapies improve attention, act on the symptoms of depression, reduce pain and stress, and improve immune function. .

All in all, the research condenses the benefits of massage therapy into three blocks as follows;
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On a physical level:

• Relieves stress
• Stimulates relaxation
• Improve joint function
• Reduces muscle tension
• Stimulates circulation
• Reduces pain
• Improves the functioning of the lymphatic system
• Regenerates elasticity
• Promotes intestinal flow
  

On a mental level:

• Relaxation of mind
• Improves the ability to analyze signs of stress and respond to them appropriately
• Thinking calmly also contributes to creativity.
• The practice of meditation or mindfulness is recommended to enjoy an excellent mental and physical state.
  

On an emotional level:

• Increases the feeling of well-being
• Improves awareness and body image
• Promotes body-mind balance