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The Science Behind Massage Therapy: How It Benefits Your Health

Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve overall health and wellness. However, what many people don't know is that there is a significant amount of scientific research that supports the benefits of massage therapy. In this blog post, we will explore the science behind massage therapy and how it can benefit your health.


1: Massage Reduces Inflammation


Inflammation is a natural response by the body to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation by decreasing the production of cytokines, which are proteins that promote inflammation (1).


2: Massage Lowers Stress Hormones


Stress can take a toll on both the body and mind, and chronic stress can lead to a variety of health problems, including high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Massage therapy has been shown to lower the levels of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can help reduce stress and improve overall health (2).


3: Massage Improves Circulation


Massage therapy can improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the muscles and tissues. This can help deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells more efficiently, which can promote healing and reduce pain (3).


4: Massage Boosts Immune System Function


Massage therapy has been shown to boost the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, which are responsible for fighting off viruses and bacteria. This can help reduce the risk of illness and infection, particularly during cold and flu season (4).


Conclusion


Massage therapy has numerous scientifically-proven health benefits, including reducing inflammation, lowering stress hormones, improving circulation, and boosting immune system function. If you're looking for a natural and non-invasive way to improve your health and wellbeing, massage therapy may be just what you need. With the support of scientific research, massage therapy is becoming more widely accepted as a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle. So why not book a massage session today and experience the benefits for yourself?



 

References:

  1. Crane, J. D., Ogborn, D. I., Cupido, C., Melov, S., Hubbard, A., Bourgeois, J. M., & Tarnopolsky, M. A. (2012). Massage therapy attenuates inflammatory signaling after exercise-induced muscle damage. Science translational medicine, 4(119), 119ra13.

  2. Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P., & Bresee, C. (2010). A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. The Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 16(10), 1079-1088.

  3. Tilt, A. C., & Mahoney, T. (2013). Massage therapy. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 113(6), 520-527.

  4. Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P., & Larson, E. R. (2010). Massage therapy for immune disorders: what can we conclude?. Immunology and allergy clinics of North America, 30(1), 41-53.

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