Need A Good Reason To Get A Massage? Here Are 10 Great Ones!

Massages Are No Longer Just An Unnecessary Luxury

It used to be that getting a massage was for the wealthy few who could afford such a splurge. Today, we know better and have learned the many health advantages of what a massage can do for you. It doesn’t matter if it is a little back rub from someone at home or a bit of a scalp massage before or after getting a haircut, massages feel great and do the body more good than you may realize.

Thanks to the all the research that has been done on massages, we now know that there is actual scientific support to prove the benefits of massage therapy. So the next time someone tells you that you don’t “need” a massage, you can hit them back with the facts below.

Enumerating The Amazing Benefits Of Massage Therapy

As promised, here are 10 scientifically proven benefits that a proper massage can do for you. Feel free to list these down on your phone to help you remember why you should be getting massages every so often, but you can also use them to help convince others of the great power of a good massage.

1. Massage therapy is a painkiller

Neuroscientists have discovered that brain activity, when touched by a gloveless human, activates opioid painkillers much like how the painkiller codeine affects you. The best part is that you don’t need any prescription medicine in order to receive a massage. If you or someone you know is suffering from physical pain or an injury, simply press your fingers or your hands into the specific area that feels the discomfort for at least 10 seconds with some pressure and find that he or she may find instant relief through the magic of your touch. Some people have attempted this practice before by rubbing their hands over a large area surrounding the point of the pain but though there are benefits with that, it isn’t quite as helpful or effective as targeting directly the knot or where the blood flow was impaired. This direct pressure that should be applied should be done with the pressure that is a tad uncomfortable and intense but not to the point where it makes it more painful than the pain you are trying to relieve. After applying the pressure for at least 10 seconds, release your fingers and breathe. Visualize the knot in your tissues or muscles straightening out as you find that the pain is no longer there.

2. A massage will boost your immune system

This scientifically proven fact is one that is not quite as well known as the others. Did you know that massage therapy not only helps with your blood flow, but that it also adjusts the composition of your blood for better. Tests have shown that after receiving a 60 minute Swedish massage for example, that patients have gained proteins in their blood which have helped in keeping the body free from tumors, infections as well as other pathogens. Imagine that, simply kneading and stroking in circular movements pushing the blood towards the heart help you gain such an amazing benefit.

3. Massage therapy will make you more flexible

It’s true! Receiving as little as 2 massages per week will vastly improve one’s flexibility as well as relieve most pains connected to stiffness in the lower back. So if you have dreams of being able to touch your toes or spread your legs into a split, why not get started by beginning a regular series of massage therapy sessions.

4. Let massage therapy rid you of your stress

Here’s a little secret massage therapists share with some of their clients: get a massage before going on a big date, or an important job interview, or before meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time ever. You see, massages actually rid the body of the physiological markers of stress. In one study, it was concluded that receiving even a 10 minute hand massage was able to lower the heart rate, the blood pressure, as well as reduced cortisol levels which are connected to stress hormones.

5. Got a headache, get a massage

Though there are countless reasons and triggers that cause headaches, it can be agreed that most are a result of restricted blood flow to the brain as a result of tension build up in the neck. That is why massage therapy is helpful. All one would need to do is get a neck massage and you will find that you have boosted your blood flow and that the pain is gone. It is also suggested to receive 2 30-minute massages a week in order to reduce the frequency of your headaches as well as the severity of that you suffer.

6. Boost your mood with massage therapy

Are you feeling the blues? People sometimes wake up on the wrong side of the bed or are simply feeling down as a result of something happening that causes them sadness. Studies have recently shown that massage therapy increases your levels of serotonin by up to 28%, while dopamine levels are awakened by another 31%. Put these two together and you should be pretty good the whole day through.

7. Massage therapy and muscle soreness

Muscle soreness is something that can be very easily acquired through everyday actions. Going to the gym for example can cause muscle soreness. Sometimes, even just playing with your toddler can cause muscle soreness if the play is a little rough. The great benefit that people experience with massages in relation to muscle soreness is that it can be treated easily and even on your own. One would simply need to apply some pressure on the sore muscle and give it a bit of a rub and you may find that you can relieve much of that soreness on your own.

8. You learn about the limits of your body

Speaking of helping yourself to a healthy massage, massaging yourself teaches you about the sore and tight areas around your own body. If you are aware of your body you will then in turn be able to put more work or effort into the different areas of your body that need the work.

9. Using massage therapy to put yourself to bed

Scientists have proven that massaging your own face for as little as 10 minutes will reduce your blood pressure as well as increase how sleepy you are in that time.

10. Using massage therapy to help you get through a dry spell

Yes, it’s true. Oxycontin, the main ingredient found to be associated with orgasms can also be achieved through a hands on human physical massage. This human contact can contribute to the increase of a person’s oxycontin in their blood and even just a 15 minute massage ought to be enough to get you through the day.

There Is No Longer A Need To Make An Excuse To Get A Massage

Thanks to science, which is something that nobody will argue with, massage therapy is now a vital part of one’s health and should be received every so often if you seek wellness. Massage therapy may have started with the wealthy and for completely different reasons then, but today, and with the help of the research that scientists have done for us and information they have provided us with, we all know the many benefits that can be received as a result of getting a great massage. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Find a massage therapist today!