Massage used to be considered a luxury, but it’s now one of the most popular healing modalities in integrative medicine. It’s known to lower the stress hormone cortisol and boost neurotransmitters that help the brain produce feelings of well-being.

It’s also known to decrease pain, improve posture and increase flexibility. But did you know it can also strengthen your immune system?

Relieves Pain

When you’re dealing with pain, massage can help in several ways. First, it can work on tight muscles or knots that may be causing pain. It can also decrease pain due to stress and fatigue by promoting relaxation.

It can also increase blood flow, relieving joint pain and stiffness, especially when combined with stretching. It can even help those with osteoarthritis, a condition resulting from the breakdown of knee cartilage.

A massage can trigger your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This can help you relax and ease your anxiety, improving sleep quality and overall health.

Increases Flexibility

The stretching and loosened muscles from massage help increase flexibility. Inflexible muscles can pull on other joints, causing injury. Regular massage at massage therapy Cottage Grove MN keeps these muscles limber, decreasing the chance of injury and increasing the range of motion in all joints.

The kneading and friction of massage increase the temperature of soft tissues, which promotes tissue elasticity. This stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, helping to improve flexibility.

The blood flow and tissue elasticity increased by massage also helps the body’s natural immune system work harder. This can reduce the frequency of sickness in healthy people. Massage therapy can boost immunity by promoting the production of white blood cells, which fight disease and enhance general health and well-being. This is crucial for athletes since it can help prevent injuries by putting less strain on the muscles and tendons in the body. This also allows the athlete to recover quickly from hard training and competitions.

Reduces Anxiety

Stress is inevitable, but too much can lead to many ailments, including anxiety. While everyone experiences anxiety, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder if it’s a constant state that interferes with daily life and causes symptoms like panic attacks or sleep disturbances. While some people may find relief with cognitive behavioral therapy or medication (always consult your doctor about any anxiety treatment plan), massage has been proven to be a natural and effective calming tool.

During a massage, your body releases hormones that decrease cortisol and increase serotonin—two neurotransmitters that stabilize mood. This is why you feel relaxed and happy after getting a massage.

A good massage also lowers blood pressure and slows down your heart rate, both of which help relieve stress. The calming effects of massage can last for some time, even after the session. This is why it is essential to drink water after a massage!

Improves Sleep

According to studies, massage causes the body to reset its circadian cycle, leading to deeper, more peaceful sleep by lowering cortisol levels and raising serotonin levels. Massage treatment may be of assistance if you suffer from sleep disorders, including insomnia, migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or other ailments.

During a massage, your heart rate slows, your blood pressure drops, and the production of stress hormones decreases, resulting in relaxation and well-being. This state of relaxation also helps improve sleep, with many people reporting better quality and quantity of sleep after incorporating massage into their regular routines.

The calming environment created during a massage, the soothing touch of the massage therapist’s hands, and the feel-good hormones produced all contribute to this. And the relief of muscle tension, pain, and other symptoms can greatly benefit sleep problems such as insomnia, RLS (restless leg syndrome), and sleep apnea. A good night’s sleep significantly affects your mood, energy, and focus throughout the day.