Massage - Its Complex But Life-Enhancing Benefits

A good massage is inarguably one of the most pleasurable experiences known to mankind. But, pleasure seekers aside, there are several vital benefits to be enjoyed from receiving a massage from a licensed massage therapist or clinical practitioner. Let's examine them in more detail:

1. The most obvious reason to many would be muscular relaxation. Our world is now full of high-tech marvels that become obsolete at the stroke of yet another advertising slogan for a successor. This faster-than-ever pace with its faster-than-ever expectations for quicker service, quicker income and quicker results is a longterm re ipe for increasing stress. Stress manifests itself in our postural muscles, which are those muscles that maintain our everyday upright posture. They get little relief from constant work and anxiety. Think of your upper shoulders, upper back and the back of your neck. These are the muscles prone to spasm and chronic pain from stress. Those "knots of tension" you may feel are actually the result of repeated muscular contractions often times brought on by nervous tension.

2. Those of us who have been involved in a motor vehicle accident will understand the resultant muscular and soft tissue pain that follow. These muscular spasms are the products of excessive over-guarding that occurs in response to trauma. Often, these spasms occur in several areas simultaneously, especially in the neck and back. Massage is one of the most effective and efficient ways to normalize this spasmodic muscle tone.

3. A lesser-known benefit of massage is improved circulation and lymphatic drainage. The rhythmic manipulation of muscles and their adjoining soft tissue causes increased blood flow and a warming sensation to occur. This improvement in circulation can help decrease localized inflammation and improve the extensibility, or flexiblity, of the tissues.

Lymphatic drainage is a more specialized massage technique requiring a specially trained clinician, called a lymphatic drainage therapist. This type of massage is designed to aid or enhance the movement of fluid or lymph in the body, thus removing toxins from healthy tissue. This can be particularly beneficial to post-surgical patients whose surgery has compromised their lymph system. An example would be post radical mastectomy patients whose procedure includes removing diseased lymph nodes along with breast tissue.

4. The healing properties of massage are well-documented throughout history and literature. One of the most relaxing forms of massage therapy is reflexology, a method of stimulating specific pressure points in the feet (or hands) that correspond to certain body parts. By applying pressure to these specific points, practitioners report being able to heal maladies of the corresponding organs or bodily areas.

5. Lastly, it is only fair to include the psychological benefits of massage therapy. Rhythmic massage helps our brains release endorphins, neurological hormones, which in turn help us to feel happy and relaxed.

In this economic time, one could call this an excellent return on our investment. Where else can you receive such vital health benefits from such a simple, pleasurable experience?