If you’re on the search for “chiropractors near me”, you’ll know that they can provide relief from back pain and improve mobility. But many chiropractic offices, also offer additional services, such as massage therapy.
Sure, we all know that receiving a massage feels great, but did you know that massages have been proven to help treat a range of health problems?
When performed by a licensed massage therapist, massage therapy can be an effective form of care for many health problems. From stress and anxiety to sports-related injuries, massage therapy is a safe, holistic, and non-invasive way to get you back to full health.
Here, we’re taking a closer look into the world of massage therapy and learning more about just what types of health conditions can be treated by this holistic type of care.
Table of Contents
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is much more than just a simple massage. According to the Mayo Clinic, massage therapy is a form of manual therapy that manipulates the soft tissues of the body. When performed by a licensed massage therapist, this hands-on type of therapy can provide various health benefits.
The top benefits include quick relief from pain, reduced stress and anxiety, improved mobility, better blood circulation, and even improved mental health.
Massage therapy uses varying degrees of pressure and specific movements to treat health issues involving the muscles, ligaments, connective tissues, tendons, and even the skin.
While massage therapy may not have always been viewed as a legitimate form of healthcare, as time has gone on, data and studies have shown irrefutable proof that massage therapy can be a valuable type of therapy.
What Can Massage Therapy Treat?
Massage therapy is so common because it can prove to be an effective form of treatment for many different health conditions. From simply needing to relax and reduce anxiety to helping treat prominent health issues like rotator cuff syndrome or hypertension, massage therapy is becoming more universally seen as an effective form of care.
If you’re experiencing one of the following health problems, consider asking your doctor what massage therapy can do for you:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Sciatica pain
- Rotator cuff syndrome
- Chronic pain throughout the body
- Tennis elbow
- Frozen shoulder
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Insomnia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Common cold and flu symptoms
- A range of sports-related injuries
- Hypertension
- Post-surgical recovery
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Fibromyalgia
How Exactly Does Massage Therapy Work?
It comes down to two responses: relaxation and mechanical responses. The relaxation response is where the body begins to slow down and relax.
This is where the heart rate and breathing begin to slow down, the blood pressure decreases, and the muscles can even relax. Some studies suggest that this can also increase the level of serotonin, the happy chemical, throughout the body.
Following the relaxation response, we come to the mechanical response. Here, we’re focusing on manual therapy and the manipulation of the tissue in the body. This has two major effects: improving blood circulation and allowing the soft tissue to relax and normalize.
Massage therapy can improve circulation by encouraging the body to release chemicals as part of the relaxation response. With improved blood circulation, the body can then more effectively deliver oxygen and other vital nutrients to your brain and other organs.
Final Thought
If you’re looking for a safe and holistic way to relieve pain, improve mobility, or even just help you unwind and relax, then you need to look into professional massage therapy.
Massage therapy works with your body to heal and improve your overall health. Since it’s safe and non-invasive, many patients prefer this type of care over more invasive treatments.
Massage therapy is often prescribed in tandem with other treatments, like physical therapy, for patients recovering from accidents like a car accident or a sports-related injury.
But as you can see, that’s just the beginning. Massage therapy can effectively help to treat a wide range of injuries and ailments and leave patients feeling happier and healthier.