Massage Has Many Great Health Benefits
I love to do research for my articles so I can bring you the latest and greatest wellness information available.
At times, it is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. With that said, I want you to know that I have been researching the benefits of massage. Of course, this required me to get a couple of massages to make the whole thing legitimate.
As I suspected, massage therapy is awesome and has so many great therapeutic benefits. Massage therapy is not a new thing for me, but I seem to forget how great it feels and how great my muscles feel after a good, deep tissue massage.
We all get gift certificates for special occasions to our favorite spa or our favorite massage therapist. But have you ever forgotten to use them or put it off until it was expired?
I am here to shout to you, "Dig those certificates out of the drawer and go get a massage!" You will be so glad that you did.
If you do not have a gift certificate, then ask for one for your next special occasion. If worse comes to worse, treat yourself to one. It is a lot less expensive then dealing with an injury or buying medication. Not only does it feel incredible, but the wellness benefits are amazing.
Many professional athletes embrace massage therapy on a regular basis. They are turning to alternative therapies to treat their overuse injuries, prepare them for a big athletic event or just to relax them.
You surely do not have to be a professional athlete to enjoy the benefits of massage. I highly recommend it to all of my clients for a myriad of reasons. Let’s look at a few of the many reasons:
Massage can increase blood circulation. Increased blood circulation flushes out the chemical byproducts of muscle activity, and this can reduce the recovery time between workouts.
Massage can increase the circulation of lymph fluids. The lymphatic system works with the circulatory system to deliver nutrients, oxygen and hormones from the blood to the cells that make up the tissues of the body. The lymph flow aids the body’s natural defense system.
Increasing blood flow can also promote healing in an area that has been injured.
Reduction in muscle tension and pain. This definitely includes low back pain when it is associated with muscles spasms.
Improvement in range of motion in a particular joint.
Stress reduction and general relaxation.
Relieves muscle soreness.
Getting treatment before an event can prepare the body by warming up the connective tissue and help reduce preperformance anxiety.
Massage encourages relaxation of tense muscle. Tense or tight muscles can very easily lead to injury.
Massage helps the client to make a mind body connection of the way their muscles work together and affect each other.
Massage therapy can help alleviate an injury that you sustain due to tight muscles or damage to soft tissue.
As a personal trainer, as you might have guessed that I highly recommend massage therapy to my clients. Massage truly helps them with their overall wellness plan and compliments what I am trying to accomplish.
Once you decide to try this proven alternative method of treatment there are some basic questions you need to ask your massage therapist:
How long have you been in practice?
Are you a certified massage therapist? It is extremely important that they have had training in massage therapy.
What are your credentials?
If you have a particular condition, review this with your therapist. Ask the therapist if they have treated your condition before, and if so, ask what the results were.
I would also suggest asking your friends who they would recommend. Now book your massage and enjoy!
LINDA STOLLINGS is a personal fitness trainer in Bristol, Tenn. E-mail her at info@fitprescriptions.com or visit www.fitprescriptions.com.
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