Benefits

Overall

Many of today's health problems can benefit from massage therapy because the manipulation of soft tissues affects so many of our bodily systems.

The benefits of massage are extensive. Massage therapy treatments will have a therapeutic affect and improve health by acting directly on the muscular, nervous, circulatory and lymphatic (immune) systems.

Massage treatments aim to: 

• Develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function.

• Relieve or prevent physical dysfunction and pain.

• Relax tight and tense muscles.

• Improve circulation, recovery time and immune system function.

• Reduce overall stress.

Massage therapy is also effective in the control of pain, chronic or acute, in stress reduction, and in creating a sense of relaxation and well-being.Massage is the manipulation of soft tissue effecting a change in the surrounding tissue and structures. 

• Our bodies and posture are held in balance by the muscular system. In order for you to stand still there are various muscles throughout the body constantly tightening and slackening to maintain the stillness that you desire.

• If one or more of your muscles becomes too tight or slack then your posture will be thrown out and your body will deliberately put other muscles out of their normal state of tone to compensate. If this is not corrected, it will over a period of time be accepted by your body and you will have a permanent imbalance.

• You will become accustomed to this over time and quite probably will not notice that you have a dysfunction until you try to do something which requires a normal full range of movement.

• This is where massage therapy comes into its own for if the muscles being worked are too tight they will be relaxed and stretch, however if they are too slack then they will be toned and tightened. 

• If a joint is too tight causing stiffness then it will be released, or if too slack then it will be tightened, or rather the surrounding tissue that holds it in its proper alignment will be adjusted. 

• This is the main physical property to massage but it does have a pronounced effect on all the systems of your body, as well as relaxing you mentally and reducing emotional turmoil. 

• Massage was used extensively in the national health system up till the 1950s when it was abandoned, not because it was ineffective, rather because it demanded a one to one approach which was deemed too costly in therapists' time. They then taught their physiotherapists to use exercise and machinery which is why there is such a big difference between a NHS trained Physical Therapist and a Massage trained Physical Therapist.

General benefits of massage therapy

• Massage feels good and is a pleasurable experience.

• Massage increases your body self awareness and sensitivity.

• Massage reduces your stress, tension and anxiety levels.

• Massage calms the nervous system and has a centering/balancing effect.

• Massage relaxes, focuses and clears your mind.

• Massage helps to improve and maintain your posture.

• Massage helps to fulfill your need for a caring and nurturing touch.

• Massage encourages a general feeling of well-being.

• Massage increases your awareness of the whole being connection and improves your emotional awareness.

Benefits to your muscular system

• Massage increases the blood supply and nutrition to your muscles. 

• Massage helps your muscles recover more quickly from exertion and fatigue. 

• Massage relaxes your muscles, effectively reducing spasms, tension and cramping. 

• Massage reduces and breaks down adhesions (knots) and fibrosis. 

• Massage stretches your connective tissue.

• Massage helps to re-establish your proper muscular tone. 

• Massage reduces your muscle and soft tissue pain. 

• Massage supports increased work capacity and encourages your metabolism. 

• Massage helps to prevent muscular atrophy (wasting from injury and paralysis).