When you’re stressed, treating yourself to a massage could feel wonderful. It’s a great solution to relieve stress and work out tension in your body. You could even add hot stones or aromatherapy, but a massage can provide instant relief even at its most basic level. While tension relief is obvious, other physical and mental health benefits of massages are essential to know. Our physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy do individual BodyWork sessions to relieve tension and pain for anyone. Even if you decide our services don’t fit your needs, you can still read on for our discussion of how massage therapy can benefit your physical and mental health.
What are the physical health benefits of massage therapy?
- Relieves pain and tension: Massage therapy can help to relieve pain and tension in the muscles, which can help those with daily stress or chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and lower back pain.
- Improves flexibility and range of motion: Massage therapy can help to loosen up tight muscles and increase range of motion, which can be especially beneficial for athletes and those who spend a lot of time sitting, including office workers.
- Enhances immune function: Massage therapy can improve lymphatic circulation and boost the immune system, helping the body fight illness and disease.
- Reduces blood pressure: Massage therapy has been shown to reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension, which can help to prevent heart disease and stroke.
- Improves posture: Massage therapy can help correct postural imbalances and prevent chronic pain and discomfort.
What are the mental health benefits of massage therapy?
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Massage therapy can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels by promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol levels.
- Enhances mental clarity: Massage therapy can improve focus and concentration by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels.
- Boosts mood: Massage therapy can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression by releasing endorphins and promoting relaxation.
- Promotes better sleep: Massage therapy can help to promote better sleep by reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation.
- Provides a sense of well-being: Massage therapy can help improve overall well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving mood.
How is it different from physical therapy?
Now you know more about the benefits of massage therapy for both your physical and mental health. Whether you want to relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety levels, or promote overall well-being, massage therapy is a safe and effective way to achieve these goals. Regular massage therapy sessions allow you to enjoy a healthier, happier, and more relaxed lifestyle. But if you are dealing with chronic pain or mobility issues and need more intensive care, physical therapy might be an excellent treatment option. While massage therapy can complement physical therapy, it is not designed to replace it. You can discuss your options for physical therapy with your doctor.
Massage therapy is a safe and effective way to promote relaxation, reduce pain and tension, and improve overall wellness. It offers many benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. While massage and physical therapy serve different purposes, they can both play a valuable role in helping people achieve their health and wellness goals. We aim to do this with all our clients at EW Motion Therapy, whether they come in for physical therapy or a BodyWork session. If you want to learn more about physical therapy, click the button below to download our answers to 20 frequently-asked physical therapy questions.
