Many people know a massage session is a great way to soothe and relieve stress. However, they may not know that a therapeutic massage can also be an effective way to alleviate specific ailments.
If you are looking for a holistic method to boost your wellness and health, massage therapy may be the answer.
You want to make sure the therapist you choose is qualified, and if they studied at the Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy & Myotherapy, it is even better.
So, here are seven ailments we now know through study and experience that massage therapy can help.
Tension Headaches
While headaches may not be life-threatening, they can impact one’s quality of life. And, in cases where it is recurring, they can get in the way of one’s ability to focus on tasks or even lead a normal life.
Tension headaches are because of stress, emotional distress, depression, lack of sleep, and anxiety.
Its symptoms include intense pain and prolonged muscle contraction in the jaw, face, neck, and scalp.
Undergoing therapeutic massage can help relieve these stresses. Your therapist will often employ specific craniosacral massage techniques to help relax the neck and head muscles, thereby easing your discomfort.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs due to the inflammation of the nerve endings on the wrist. The effect is that sufferers experience tingling sensation, numbness, pain, and in severe cases, difficulty to grasp objects.
Massaging the wrist, forearm, and shoulder can help improve blood and lymph system circulation, which helps patients feel better.
Recurring Back Pain
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness, about 4 million Australians had back pain in 2017-18.
Out of this number, 181,000 people were hospitalized. While there are medications to manage back pains, they often do not address the problem’s root cause.
Taking a holistic approach that involves lifestyle changes, healthy living, and regular massage can help alleviate the pains.
The study has also shown that massage therapy can help ease various types of pain, including back pain.
Massage is a widely accepted non-invasive method to treat back pain and underlying issues. By working the inner muscle tissues, therapists can increase blood circulation, which boosts healing.
Insomnia
If you often find it challenging to get a good night’s rest, regular massage sessions can help you relax and improve your mood.
Aromatherapy and valerian root massage has been known for ages to encourage the body to switch to a regular sleeping pattern by calming the body.
When you are relaxed and in a better mood, you can easily have a restful night of sleep.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a silent killer, a situation that often goes unnoticed with no apparent symptoms.
According to data from the Bureau of Statistics for National Health 2017-18 indicates that 1 in 3 Australian aged 18 and above have high blood pressure.
While it is normal to experience high blood pressure during rigorous physical activities, if you notice your blood pressure is consistently high, it may lead to stroke or heart disease.
Thankfully, numerous studies have shown that massage therapy can help decrease high blood pressure.
So, if you are hypertensive, undergoing regular massage sessions can help reduce your blood pressure.
Anxiety
As mentioned earlier, the benefits of massage extend well beyond stress relief. If you worry excessively and persistently about things, you may be suffering from anxiety.
Even though there are several treatment options available to you, massage therapy can effectively treat your anxiety.
According to a Depression and Anxiety journal report, massage can reduce anxiety symptoms by up to 50 percent in people who undergo 12 weeks of massage sessions.
Diabetes
When combined with regular medication, massage has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Massage therapy is an effective method to stimulate the lymph system, boost blood circulation, and remove toxins from the body.
As the blood circulation improves, oxygen and nutrients are transported to cells more efficiently, which bolsters the absorption and utilization of insulin.