Benefits of Massage
Relieve Stress and Pain with Massage Therapy

In today’s society, where a stressful lifestyle is the norm, massage therapy is taking its place as an important component in the prevention of illness and disease.

More than 40 million American adults are getting a massage annually. Many people still depend on massage for relaxation, however, the trend is to use massage therapy “for medical purposes such as injury recovery, pain reduction, headache control, and for their overall health and wellness". (AMTA 2007 Annual Consumer Survey)

Massage Therapy can alleviate tension in you muscles, relieve stress and anxiety, and reduce muscle soreness in your body. Massage can also cause your body to release natural painkillers, and it may boost your immune system. As with any form of complimentary medicine, its effects are cumulative.

Massage Therapy can be helpful for:

• Stress Reduction – Massage is a great way to reduce stress in your life. Not only are the physical effects very soothing, but there is often reduced anxiety and increased feelings of well-being. Massage has been proven to reduce levels of “stress hormone” that can have a negative effect on your health.

• Pain Relief – Muscular aches and pains and some joint pains are often reduced by massage therapy. Pain management and relief from conditions such as chronic back pain, neck and shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, migraines and other headaches, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis is common.

• Athletic Health – Athletes who use massage to prepare for or recover from intense training and strenuous workout reap the benefits of increased flexibility and decreased soreness. Massage can reduce the likelihood of injury by keeping the body’s tissue in healthy condition.

• Injury Recovery – The process of healing from an injury frequently benefits from massage. Soft tissue work compliments other therapies, adding the attention to muscles and connective tissue that is sometimes needed for full recovery.

• Immune system health – It is known that massage stimulates the lymphatic system. By contributing to lymph flow, massage supports the body’s natural defense system. Massage also triggers the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killer and which also work to stave off disease.

• Emotional health – Massage is not only calming and soothing, but it also has a positive impact on many people suffering from depression and anxiety.

• Better sleep – Many people sleep more restfully after receiving massage therapy.

• Relaxation – Just taking a break from the pace and pressure of everyday life to relax can be very healing.

- Marie Dahlen Keane, Licensed Massage Therapist, FirstHealth of Andover