Massage therapy has been shown to improve sleep by reducing stress, anxiety levels, pain reduction, and even by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, as shown in this study.
Secret #13 – Helps HIV/AIDS Patients
For those who are living with HIV or AIDS, life can be a stressful balancing act. Regular massage therapy not only helped to steady immune system function, but it reduced stress levels and improved their quality of life.
Secret #14 – Helps You Have a Healthier Heart Muscle
The American Heart Association warns against the risks of unmanaged stress, which can lead to hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.
A large number of studies have found that there is a direct correlation between regular massage therapy and improved heart health.
One study found that massage therapy helped to control blood pressure in women who were pre-hypertensive, reducing blood pressure for as long as 72 hours after their massage.
Another study found that massage reduced pain levels, muscle tension, stress, and anxiety levels, as well as improved relaxation levels.
Secret #15 – Helps Stop Chronic Constipation
Whether its from IBS, Crohn’s disease, or some other digestive issue, chronic constipation can be very disruptive for those who are afflicted.
Massage activates stretch receptors in the intestines that loosen the intestinal tract. Massage also reduces tension in the abdomen and offers relief from the discomfort and pain of chronic constipation.
Secret #16 – Ramps Up Immune System Function
One study in 2010 found that a single Swedish massage session lowered the stress hormone cortisol while increasing the number of white blood cells while another study found that weekly massage therapy increased the immune cell levels and white blood cells in every single subject involved.
Secret #17 – Better than Pills at Reducing Stress and Anxiety
For 48 patients in ICU, receiving a Swedish massage reduced anxiety levels by relaxing muscles, slowing respiration, and by relieving pain in one study. Massage is known to reduce overall stress and anxiety by reducing the level of hormones that cause sweating, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing.
Secret #18 – Revamps Myofascial Pain Syndrome
The pain of trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles is known as Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Trigger point pain reduction was achieved through massage therapy by relaxing these trigger points, as well as activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain to reduce the overall perception of pain.
Secret #19 – Reduces the Pain of Spinal Cord Injuries
Bi-weekly massage therapy sessions were beneficial to those with spinal cord injuries by reducing pain levels through the release of the natural pain killing hormone endorphin.
Secret #20 – Increases Stroke Rehabilitation
Some stroke patients have been able to recover some of their lost dexterity through acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, and massage therapy. One study found that patients had lower levels of anxiety and pain, an improved quality of life, and improved sensorimotor functions when they received regular massage therapy.
Secret #21 – Reduces Recovery Time after Intense Exercise
Many people suffer from swollen or sore muscles after intense exercise, with some people experiencing muscle tears. Massage therapy has ben shown to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain while improving soft tissue repair for gym enthusiasts and athletes.
The benefits of massage therapy for athletes is very well known, which is why all major sports teams employ massage therapists for their players.
Secret #22 – Beneficial for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a terrible condition that is not well understood. Characterized by all-over nerve pain, it is often accompanied by migraines, IBS, chronic fatigue, and depression. There is no cure.
Massage therapy, however, offers some welcome relief for many fibromyalgia patients. Research has shown that massage can reduce pain, lower anxiety levels, improve sleep quality, and lower fatigue levels. As many as 91% of fibromyalgia patients use some form of massage therapy to reduce their symptoms.
Secret #23 – Improves Hospice Patient Care
Hospice is end-of-life care for those with terminal illnesses. Massage therapy is quickly becoming one of the most frequently offered services for those in hospice. Research shows that massage therapy provides relaxation, comfort, and alleviates many symptoms such as insomnia, pain, and anxiety.
Secret #24 – Perfect for Postoperative Pain Relief
Pain after an operation can delay and complicate recovery efforts. Many pain medications are highly addictive or have unwanted side effects. Massage therapy can reduce postoperative pain and accelerate the rate of decline in the intensity of pain that people experience after an operation.
Secret #25 – Enhances Exercise/Athletic Performance
Whether you are a professional athlete, play on a local team, or are simply a weekend warrior who likes to play with your kids, sports enthusiasts everywhere and at any level can improve their exercise and/or athletic performance through regular massage therapy.
This study found that subjects can maintain maximum performance levels when they allow recovery time that included massage. Even more studies found that regular massage therapy allowed for improved exercise performance.
Secret #26 – Assists with Depression Symptoms
Depression can be a devastating problem that is not easily solved. Most patients take prescription anti-depressants, but these come with their own terrible side effects.
Massage therapy can help! The emotional benefits of massage therapy have been proven beyond a doubt. Multiple studies, such as this one, have found massage can improve mood and reduce depression for a variety of people.
Secret #27 – Better Balance for the Elderly
The benefits of massage therapy for the elderly are many, but perhaps none better than pain relief and improving their sense of balance. Thousands of seniors are injured every year from falling.
This study found that after 6 weeks of massage therapy, elderly adults showed improved balance, neurological and cardiovascular measures.
Secret #28 – Softens the Effects of Dementia
Dementia in older adults is a growing problem. Subjects with dementia are often agitate and upset since they no longer understand what is going on around them.
Massage therapy has been found to reduce the agitation behavior in those with dementia, possibly by reducing their stress levels, according to one study.
Secret #29 – Reduces Chemotherapy-Related Nausea
As of this writing, chemotherapy remains a necessary evil. The side effects of nausea and vomiting are often severe. While there are some drugs that can help stop nausea, these do not work for everyone. Massage therapy has been shown to be effective for relieving anxiety, depression, as well as nausea related to their chemotherapy. One study found that those with breast cancer, who were undergoing chemotherapy, had significantly reduced nausea compared to the control group.
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