Benefits of Soft Tissue Massage
Benefits of Soft Tissue Massage
by Christine Webb RMT
There are numerous health benefits achieved when receiving a soft tissue massage.
It is far more than self-indulgence; it is a brilliant health investment in you.
Soft tissue massage includes a range of massage depths, pressure and duration, working to relieve tension in muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia.
Many health insurance plans cover massage therapy as a result of its recognized benefit to overall health
Even the gentle, soothing nature of Swedish style massage with long flowing strokes and pressure that is “just right” vs forcefully deep, helps to reduce the damaging effects of the stress hormone Cortisol.
Benefits Include:
Decrease Muscle Pain
Soft tissue massage is an effective way to alleviate muscular pain.
When long hours at work start creating pain, regular massage treatments can help counter the effects of stress, sleep loss and long hours on the computer. The good news is the absence of pain makes it easier for you to be productive at work and happier at home too.
Improves Circulation
Massage brings helpful circulation to damaged, stiff or tense muscles, providing them with the abundant blood supply they need to promote healing. Massage also improves lymphatic flow and strengthens your immune system.
Decrease Muscle Tension
Many aspects of current life can be stressful. We often hold that stress as tension in our body, resulting in pain and discomfort which then causes further stress!
Our neck, shoulders and low back are common stress/pain areas. Massage therapy is a natural, pleasurable and time effective way to deal with this.
Relaxation, i.e. absence of muscle tension is essential for one’s well being. Stress in people’s lives is on the rise. With regular soft tissue massage, you can relax your body and your mind.
Reduced muscle tension promotes deeper longer sleep.
Even the Mayo clinic recognizes that sleep quality issues can be helped by massage therapy.
Mental Health
Mental Health has become a topic of global awareness. Reducing stress and anxiety becomes part of the solution.
The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry published a study highlighting that massage decreased depression and anxiety, and increased happiness.
Furthermore, pain can be a trigger source of anxiety, hostility, tension, and depression. Consistent massage sessions can help alleviate this.
Headaches
Headaches are often related to neck and shoulder muscle tension. Massage therapy is a proven way to help relieve neck and head pain. Water intake is an often-overlooked part of headaches as well. Eight glasses a day is the base recommendation
Preventative care is the best way to maintain your emotional and physical well-being.
We look forward to having you become a regular receiver of massage therapy and its many benefits.