Surprising Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has shown to increase serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitters which reduce feelings of anxiety and sadness. Touch is essential to our needs. Massage therapy provides a safe and healthy setting for human contact. This contact nurtures and eases feelings of unease.

We are aware that most ailments root from increased levels of stress. Our increased stress levels leave us prone to sickness and illness. Not only does regular maintenance massage decrease our stress levels but has shown to boost our systems ability to get well and stay well. Massage increases our white blood cell activity which also aids in our body returning to homeostasis.

Our ever forgotten lymphatic system is crucial to balance our fluids and function of the immune system. This system flushes out dead cells, waste products, and pathogens. Sluggish flow in the system contributes to fluid retention and edema. Massage therapy flushes blood through the muscle and tissue and increases the flow of the lymphatic system. There are also a range of techniques aimed specifically for lymphatic drainage.

Regular massage visits have shown to reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels. The vasodilation produced by massage increases our venous return and increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to all our organs. Our entire cardiovascular system relaxes and our parasympathetic nervous system activates the “rest and digest” mode regulating our blood pressure and heart rate.