“Most individuals are dealing with some kind of postural stress,” says Dr. Michael Black, registered chiropractor at Armadale Massage Therapy in Melbourne. “More often than not stress tends to manifest in the shoulders and neck.”
Desk workers, beware. More advanced forms of postural stress “show up as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteals caused by prolonged periods of sitting.” Luckily, massage can counteract the imbalance caused from sitting, which means you can keep your desk job—as long as you schedule it regularly.
Massage works by soothing soft tissue and encouraging relaxation. Modern studies shows it can successfully treat a range of disorders, including back pain, anxiety and high blood pressure. Different types of massage include aromatherapy massage, massage for babies, reflexology, shiatsu massage, remedial massage and relaxation massage.
One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins, the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of wellbeing. Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system.
Some of the physical benefits of massage include:
- reduced muscle tension
- improved circulation
- stimulation of the lymphatic system
- reduction of stress hormones
- increased joint mobility and flexibility
- improved skin tone
- speedier healing of soft tissue injuries
- heightened mental alertness
- reduced anxiety and depression.
Massage therapy is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:
- Anxiety
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Insomnia related to stress
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Paresthesias and nerve pain
- Soft tissue strains or injuries
- Sports injuries
- Temporomandibular joint pain
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist. You can feel better with massage!