When was the last time you had a massage? If you haven't had one in a while, you're missing out! A massage is one of the oldest and most natural forms of recovery and healing. It has been used for centuries to improve circulation, relieve pain, and promote relaxation. Massages can be helpful for the mind and body, and they offer a variety of health benefits.
In this article, I will discuss how helpful a massages is for your muscles and the whole body. I will also explore the different types of massages available and provide some tips for getting the most out of your massage experience. Let's get started.
Nervous System Relaxation
One of the best benefits of a massage is its ability to relax the nervous system. When the nervous system is relaxed, it can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Massage can also improve sleep quality and increase energy levels. The relaxation that comes from a massage can also be helpful for pain management.
You don't have to attend a full body massage. There are many different types of massages that can be tailored to your specific needs. You can also do the massage at home using equipment like a massage gun. As highlighted by the team behind Hydragun, there are different types of massage guns available in the market, each with different features. Make sure you understand your needs and then choose the equipment accordingly.
Improved Circulation
Good blood circulation is essential for the body and your health. It helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removes waste products from the body. Massage can help to improve circulation by stimulating the lymphatic system. This system is responsible for moving fluids around the body and removing toxins from the tissues.
A massage can also help to reduce inflammation and swelling by increasing blood flow to the affected area. This can be helpful for conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis. Some of the best massages to improve blood circulation are Swedish massages, hot stone massages, and deep tissue massages.
Reduced Muscle Tension
If you exercise a lot, you will suffer from muscle tension from time to time. In that case a massage can be beneficial for your faster recovery. Massages can help to reduce muscle tension and soreness by breaking down the adhesions that form in the muscles. These adhesions are responsible for causing pain and stiffness in the muscles.
You can opt for various types to reduce muscle tension. Swedish massages, trigger point massages, and deep tissue massages effectively reduce muscle tension. Be sure to communicate with your massage therapist about your specific needs so that they can tailor the message to your needs. You can also practice this using a foam roller or massage ball at home.
Another method that is slightly more extreme but incredibly effective is dry needling. It’s similar to acupuncture but it’s more like “acupuncture on steroids.” You can read all the details in another article that I wrote: What Is Dry Needling? The Recovery Technique Athletes Rave About.
Musculoskeletal Benefits
Massages can also be beneficial for the musculoskeletal system. It can help to improve posture and alignment by lengthening and loosening the muscles and connective tissues. Massages can also help to increase joint range of motion. This can be helpful for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. It has been shown that regular massages help to increase range of motion and flexibility.
Improved Bone Blood Supply
One of the major challenges people have nowadays is the sitting position. Due to the nature of most jobs, people have to sit for long hours -- often in front of a computer and not moving or changing the position much. This leads to poor posture and slouched shoulders. This can further result in headaches, backaches, and even pain in the neck and jaw.
There is a lot you can do to improve or avoid these situations. Generally moving more and doing more exercise to balance the sedentary lifestyle is highly recommended. In addition, massages can help too to improve your posture by lengthening and loosening the muscles and connective tissues. This will help to reduce the strain on your bones and improve blood supply to the area.
Lymphatic Detoxification
The lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins from the body. It filters the lymph fluid and removes waste products from the tissues. Massage can help to improve lymphatic function by stimulating the lymph nodes. This supports the removal of toxins from the body and improve overall health.
A Healthy Heart
Do you want to know one of the best things you can do for your heart?
Get a massage!
That’s right: a massage can help protect your ticker. Massage therapy can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety (both major risk factors for heart disease). It can also promote the increased production of “good” cholesterol and improve circulation. All of these benefits combine to make massages good for your heart.
However, if you are unsure, talk to an expert like a massage therapist or even your doctor to find the best type of massage to address any heart related aspects.
Digestive Well-being
Massages have shown to be beneficial for digestive well-being. It can help to stimulate the digestive system and reduce inflammation. Generally, massages help to relieve stress, which can trigger digestive issues. It is an important ingredient for individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other digestive disorders.
Improved Breathing
If you have been around on my page, you’ll know that I am very enthusiastic about the power of breathing. Especially I am a big fan of the Wim Hof Method that combines breathwork and cold exposure. By the way, cold exposure too is an excellent way for recovery and muscle relaxation.
But did you know that massage can optimize your breathing?
Incredible but true, massage improve your respiratory function. It does so by stimulating the muscles and tissues around the lungs. This helps to loosen up any tightness and increase your lung capacity. There are various ways to stimulate your respiratory function. This could mean a massage of various body parts that are involved in breathing. I once, had a massage on the inside of my mouth. During that process it was extremely uncomfortable but after my whole mouth and jaw felt super relaxed and mobile.
Alternatively, you can experiment with various breathing patterns. The Wim Hof Method is one example which I personally like. It’s also a bit extreme but very effective. And like so often, after you did the exercise you will feel great and not regret that you did it in the first place.
A Massage Is Helpful For Your Muscles And The Whole Body
Massages are a great way to improve your health in many ways. It can help to reduce pain, inflammation, stress and can make you sleep better. It can also help to improve your posture, lymphatic function, and digestion. Massage is also good for your heart and lungs.
To get the most out of your massage, be sure to find a qualified therapist to match the massage to your specific needs. Also, if doing it on your own, get yourself good equipment that fits your needs to enjoy the benefits.
A massages is a great tool to improve your health and well-being. In order to help people continuously improve their well-being, I did go a couple of steps further.
Together with a bunch of top coaches I co-created the Live better, not perfect community. Our mission is to empower millions of people to consistently strive for optimal well-being. We only have one life, so we better invest in optimizing our own well-being and happiness.
