Massage has been used as a therapy as long as civilizations have existed. Evidence of ancient civilizations using massage has been found in Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Korea, Japan, India, and China, dating back as far as 2330 BC.
Massage therapy includes a wide range of disciplines, from acupressure and shiatsu to reflexology and trigger point therapy. Whereas some alternative treatments found in spas around the world have questionable benefits or limited scientific data to support their efficacy, massage therapy’s many benefits are well documented and backed up with empirical evidence.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the many benefits of massage therapy that have been proven in medical studies, as well as some of the additional reasons you should consider massage therapy a valuable tool in the modern age.
General beneficial effects of massage therapy
Medical research has shown that massage is effective against anxiety, depression, and pain. Injured muscles heal faster when massage therapy is employed. Massage therapy temporarily reduces states of anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the heart rate.
It is thought that massage improves sleep, increases the flow of lymph, prevents scar tissue, and releases serotonin and endorphins.
Massage therapy is effective at alleviating pain due to muscular injury. Some evidence points to massage being of a short-term benefit to those with chronic back pain.
Long-term benefits of massage therapy
While some benefits of massage therapy are transient, multiple sessions can result in some significant advantages.
The pain relief from a massage can last days or even weeks after treatment. Those with subclinical depression receive many benefits from massage, and ongoing massage therapy can reduce your overall susceptibility to anxiety attacks.
Specific massage therapy techniques
Acupressure, a massage technique that borrows much of its art from acupuncture, uses physical pressure to clear blockages in particular points in the body. An ancient art, acupressure has some medical support for relieving back pain, stomach aches, headaches, and nausea.
Swedish massage (known as “classic massage” in most non-English-speaking countries) is the most common form of massage therapy. It uses five styles of strokes that vary from light to vigorous. Swedish massage has been shown to reduce fatigue, joint stiffness, and chronic pain in clinical studies.
Thai massage is a combination of Chinese and Indian massage techniques. The deep, full-body massage aims to clear energy lines throughout the body. While the answer to why the massage works is open to debate, it’s been shown to improve joint movement, body flexibility, and blood circulation. A study showed Thai massage was as effective as a strong painkiller for the alleviation of joint pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Anti-stress
Now that we’ve clearly demonstrated massage therapy’s potent power as a medicinal tool, it’s fair to mention various benefits of visiting a day spa for a massage that isn’t so directly related to health.
Many people value massage at a day spa as a de-stressing tool. Modern life sees us constantly required to perform at 110%, with screens in our face from dawn till dusk. Never before has there been so much pressure on the poor human brain, and we need some downtime to stop us from cracking!
Massage therapy at a spa takes you away from the hustle and bustle. It’s like a concentrated decompression system, allowing you to recover the real you in the space of an hour or two, ready to take on the world again.
Anti-aging effects
Some massage types include essential oils that work to combat the effects of aging or stress. Not only can you come out from a massage feeling fantastic, but you’ll also look fantastic too. If you’re battling acne scars, reducing the visible signs of aging, or just want a pick-me-up, these are the massages for you.
At its core, massage helps to increase blood flow, which makes you look more youthful and feel better to boot.
Social therapy
Private couple rooms and dual massages can be a great source of relaxation and fun with your partner or friend. The social aspect of our lives has been skewed in recent years, and a massage with the people you most love is a wonderful way to reconnect with them and keep your relationship as strong as it’s always been.
Massage therapy is a legitimate treatment for a whole range of maladies, with reams of scientific evidence to back this up. It’s often been treated as a gratuitous luxury to get a massage, but it has clear health benefits, and it’s often prescribed by doctors as a way to recover faster from injury.
