Three Unexpected Ways That Massage Therapy Can Help You
Many Americans turn to massage therapy as a way to deal with various health-related conditions such as muscle pain, headaches and stress. While a skilled therapist can successfully treat these three issues, there are a number of other ways in which getting a massage can help you. Before you turn to medication, contact your local massage therapy clinic and inquire as to whether the clinic's therapists have had success in these areas with other patients. In many cases, the answer will be positive.
Improved Sleep Quality
The American Massage Therapy Association reports that getting a massage can help you sleep more soundly. The AMTA quotes a study in which massage therapists treated patients for five straight days and researchers analyzed the results. The study found that not only were the test subjects more relaxed toward the end of the study but that they also had less cortisol in their saliva. Known as the "stress hormone," cortisol can contribute to you feeling anxious enough at night that you experience trouble sleeping. You don't have to have your massage appointment in the evening, either. The relaxation you experience during the treatment can translate in a deeper sleep, regardless of when you visit the massage therapist.
Immune System Boost
If you find that you're getting sick more than other people, your immune system might need a boost. Massage therapy can be the answer. When you get a massage, your body's circulation improves. In this state, your body increases its distribution of white blood cells. These cells play a helpful role in protecting against disease. Additionally, the stress-reducing nature of a massage is beneficial because stress taxes your immune system. Even if you don't feel noticeably stressed, you might have underlying stress than is making your immune system work harder than necessary. As such, a visit to the massage therapist might mean fewer sniffles during the cold season.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively common medical condition that many people experience, especially if they use the computer day in and day out. This inflammation in your wrists can be debilitating, but massage therapy can provide considerable pain relief. When you visit a massage therapist (such as SpineCare Chiropractic Daniel S. Wright, D.C.) with this complaint, the therapist will work to promote blood supply to the region and lessen the pressure on your nerves. Your massage therapist can also provide you with some self-massage techniques to try between sessions and even suggest some postural changes that can help you manage this issue.
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