BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Massage is a system of stroking, pressing and kneading different areas of the body to relieve pain, relax, stimulate, and tone the body. The benefits of massage are many, including increased relaxation, more efficient physiological functioning of the body, and aiding in recovery from trauma. At its best, massage has the potential to restore the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.

Physical Benefits of Massage

• Reduces stress hormones
• Increases Muscle Tone, strengthens weak muscles
• Stimulates reflex effects of the sympathetic nervous system
• Stimulates endorphins that enhance the immune system, relieve pain, reduce stress, and retard the aging process
• Relieves symptoms of PMS
• Reduces and relieves pain caused by adhesions in the tissues of the body
• Stimulates deeper breathing
• Stimulates parasympathetic nervous system response that aids in all of the body's restorative functions
• Reduces and relieves headache pain
• Increases circulation of blood, lymphatic fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid
• Increases the availability of nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Encourages the elimination of waste products from cells
• Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
• Reduces edema (swelling), improves respiration
• Increases peristalsis in the intestines to promote improved digestion and elimination
• Promotes recovery from exercise and sports
• Re-educates patterns of movement
• Promotes healing of injured tissues
• Prevents and softens scar tissue
• Restores normal connective tissue function
• Resets normal resting length of muscle
• Increases the elimination of lactic acid after exercise
• Improves the texture and appearance of skin
• Improves posture
• Promotes comfort during pregnancy

Mental benefits of Massage

• Reduces Anxiety, and stress
• Relieves Fatigue
• Promotes and improves relaxation and sleep
• Increases sense of physical/emotional well-being
• Increases capacity for clear thinking
• Promotes a relaxed state of alertness
• Promotes physiological and emotional self-regulation
• Relieves symptoms of PMS
• Satisfies the basic need for human touch
• Promotes comfort during terminal illness such as cancer

Spiritual Benefits of Massage

On a Spiritual level, massage can provide deep meditation, and gives the receiver the chance to transcend their environment and embrace the deep knowledge that their body and mind is always communicating to them. Massage can provide us the opportunity to tap into our own wellspring of healing and renewal.