If you’re suffering from anxiety, one study suggests that a massage could help reduce your symptoms. “What we think could be happening is diminishing the sympathetic tone we experience in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, and also increasing this kind of parasympathetic effect,” says Dr. Rapaport who was the lead researcher of the study.
The body has two different nerve systems, the sympathetic nerve system as well as the parasympathetic nerve system. “Your sympathetic is fight or flight,” says Rudy Gehrman, DC, a sports medicine chiropractor who founded Physio Logic in New York. “If you’re pursued by a lion this is your sympathetic nervous system.”
While you are receiving a massage the parasympathetic (or calming) response will increase, which can result in a reduction in anxiety, as per Dr. Rapaport.
Also, what’s equally exciting? Those effects of massage on decreased anxiety may be long-lasting. “We carried out a brief follow-up and found that a substantial percentage of those who were treated remained stress-free between six and 18 months after,” says Dr. Rapaport.
Sleep better and rest more easily
Are you struggling to sleep or suffering from insomnia? Massage is a great way to aid you in sleeping more deeply. “Sleep is all dependent on the level of activity inside the brain,” Field says. Field. And when you get massage therapy, your nerve system actually slows down because of the pressure.
In addition, when you’re having a deeper, more restorative sleep, she adds, that in turn reduces the amount of substance P (a neurotransmitter for pain), which reduces general pain. Therefore, if you’re experiencing any pain, 서울홈타이 can do double-duty.
Fight fatigue
Everyone has been through it: You’ve been twirling and tossing all night, work has been completely draining and you’re exhausted to the point that you don’t even have 5 minutes for taking a deep breath. “Some people are fatigued due to the fact that they’re sleeping too little,” says Dr. Rapaport. “Other individuals are experiencing fatigue due to some biological causes.”
No matter what causes your fatigue, one simple solution is (you guessed it) massage. Indeed, a 2018 study by Dr. Rapaport found that breast cancer patients who had weekly Swedish massages saw a decrease in their fatigue, a very debilitating aspect of the cancer. For the most effective results, based on Dr. Rapaport’s research, try getting a massage once per week.
Aid certain health conditions
Your body is equipped with two immune reactions: Th1 and Th2 and they have to be in balance for your immune system functioning optimally Field says Field. “If the Th2 gets in excess of the Th1 the result is that you are suffering from issues with your autoimmune system,” she says.
But during massage, you’re decreasing stress hormones to aid in maintaining this balance, she says. This can aid in making autoimmune conditions, like asthma or type 1 diabetes or dermatitis more manageable with things like less discomfort or fatigue.
Focus your attention
Have trouble staying present during a meeting that lasts more than 10 mins or taking a nap after reading? Massage therapy can actually improve your attention and ability to concentrate.
In order for you to pay attention your heart rate needs to be reduced. “If I’m not paying attention, it’s usually due to my heart rate being elevated,” says Field. “And when I bring my heart rate lower I’ll be more focused.”
Since massages can slow your nervous system, the heart rate can be effectively diminished, too. After a massage vagal receptors are stimulated by pressure that originates from the brain’s nerve that leads to several different areas of the body including the heart Field says. Field. If you’re experiencing the tension of a massage it can reduce your heart rate as well, which in turn will improve your focus.
Heal injuries
If you suffer from an injury or joint pain (especially in cases where the problem is long-term or chronic) According to Gehrman it’s possible to have what are called soft-tissue restrictions that can lead to knots or trigger points of pain. “Massage therapists are rid of these restrictions, and also expanding circulation” Gehrman notes.
The restrictions may, over time, cause issues such as joint decay or ligament-related issues. So by actively massaging out the tightness of your soft tissues and tendons, you’re not just aiding your current injury but also helping avoid further issues down the line. The most important thing to remember to remember when you’re getting massages for the injury is that you choose an skilled, licensed massage therapist who has extensive experience with injured patients.
“Because any kind of soft tissue work you’re in essence creating damage to the scientific community in the process, and if you’re working in a way that is too deep, the patient won’t recover from the therapy,” says Gehrman. A licensed, professional massage therapist is capable of determining which areas near the injury require massage and which ones are the best to stay clear of.
Are there any risks associated with massage?
There aren’t any documented negative effects of massage, if you’ve got any medical history that involves things like cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes, these are issues you need to make your massage therapist aware and seek out a therapist who has experience with that particular problem.
Women who are pregnant must also find an experienced therapist with pregnancies experience–“For pregnant women you must be really, really careful with positioning,” says Gehrman.
People with osteoporosis should find an osteoporosis therapist who has experience with this, too. “You could easily break bones or fracture ribs If a person’s condition is very osteoporotic” Gehrman says. Gehrman.