Stress is a common problem that can be difficult to deal with. Some people find that a cup of tea, exercise, or time spent outdoors helps to relieve stress, but for many, a massage is the answer.

Massage decreases stress levels by lowering the heart rate. It also increases the body’s positive hormones, such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.

Relaxes Your Mind

Research studies show that massage decreases the body’s cortisol production, a hormone that can cause anxiety and stress. Additionally, receiving a massage triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, neurotransmitters that improve your mood and reduce stress.

The therapist’s touch also helps relieve muscle tension by increasing blood circulation. This improved flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain, enhancing mental alertness and focus.

Even a short massage can lower your heart rate and reduce cortisol levels in the blood, making you feel calm. Moreover, it is recommended that people with stress disorders take regular massage sessions. However, receiving massage therapy is not a good idea if you have recently had surgery or are taking blood-thinning medications. It is important to consult your doctor to see if this treatment is appropriate for you. The therapist can customize a massage program for you based on your needs.

Relieves Muscle Tension

If you have a physical ailment, such as back pain or neck stiffness, massage therapy Hollywood FL can help. By increasing circulation, massage can bring oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissue and remove waste products, which are key to healing.

A massage also helps relieve muscle tension by breaking down adhesions in tight muscles. These adhesions are fibrous tissues that lay haphazardly across normal fibers, restricting movement and creating tightness. Massage can also increase muscle elasticity, making them more flexible.

Multiple studies have found that massage lowers blood pressure in people with clinically diagnosed hypertension, a condition often caused by chronic stress. In some cases, the reduction in blood pressure was dramatic.

Helps You Sleep Better

Stress is one of the most common causes of sleep problems. It can lead to insomnia and disturb the body’s natural sleep cycle, making it difficult to fall asleep at night. Poor sleep can make you feel tired and irritable during the day.

By lowering cortisol levels in your body, a massage can aid in improving the quality of your sleep. This hormone prepares the body for a fight-or-flight response to a perceived threat by raising blood pressure and mobilizing fuel. However, persistently high cortisol levels can cause many medical issues.

Massage can reduce cortisol levels and stimulate the production of serotonin, which is a natural sleep-promoting chemical. In addition, it can relieve muscle tension and improve posture, which can also help you get a better night’s sleep. In one study, people with high-stress levels saw a decrease in their cortisol levels after five weeks of regular massages. The participants also reported feeling less stressed overall.

Helps You Deal With Pain

Pain can be extremely stressful whether you have an ache or a chronic condition. Studies have shown that massage lowers the cortisol level in the bloodstream, reduces muscle tension, and increases serotonin. It also reduces the body’s fight-or-flight response, easing the stress associated with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

From an early age, we learn that touch is comforting. If a toddler bangs his knee playing, he instinctively rubs it. A woman with sore shoulders may knead them to ease the pain.

Research suggests that a professional massage decreases pain and anxiety in people with fibromyalgia and other chronic health conditions. It can relieve stress-related aches and pains in the neck, back, and joints by relaxing tight muscles. It can also enhance sleep quality and boost the immune system. It also helps with other conditions caused by increased stress levels, such as rheumatoid arthritis and depression.