Therapeutic Flow State Massage is a manipulation of the body’s soft tissue using various techniques. It can help relieve pain, detox the body, improve flexibility, and boost the immune system.
It can reduce the stress hormone cortisol and increase serotonin and dopamine — neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Research also shows that a massage can decrease anxiety and promote better sleep.
Relaxation is one of the primary benefits of massage therapy. A relaxing massage can help reduce the level of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in the body, which can decrease muscle tension, fatigue and emotional distress. This decrease in physiological and psychological stress is also accompanied by an increase in serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood.
The soothing touch of a trained massage therapist activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down heart rate and breathing, relaxes muscles and tendons and boosts circulation. It can also improve the functioning of a client’s immune system by helping the body to rid itself of harmful substances such as toxins and pathogens.
Studies show that a good massage can decrease the levels of stress hormones cortisol and dopamine in the body. This decrease is accompanied by an increase in the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which help to regulate mood, alleviate symptoms of depression, promote healthy sleep patterns and improve cognitive function.
During a massage, the manipulation of the soft tissue increases the temperature of the area, which helps to relax the muscle fibres and release tension. This helps to increase flexibility of joints, which in turn can help prevent injuries. The increased blood flow can also help remove waste products from the body and enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells.
A good massage can help a person physically and emotionally prepare for a sporting event. It can also relieve stress and tension and promote relaxation which may help a person to perform better during an event.
The human touch during a massage triggers the release of the oxytocin hormone, known as the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone”. This is beneficial to mental health, especially in those who have few intimate relationships or suffer from depression. A good massage can help a person cope with depression and improve their quality of life, but it should be used as a supplement to professional treatment rather than as a replacement.
Pain Relief
Massage stimulates and relaxes muscle tissue, which helps ease pain. For those with chronic pain, regular massage can help relieve the tension and stiffness, reduce anxiety, and boost mood. Massage also stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-killing chemicals in the brain. This boost in endorphins can help reduce the need for medications, which can be addictive.
Massage may also help with joint pain, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders. Studies show that massage reduces the swelling caused by a sprain or strain and increases range of motion in joints. It may also help with myofascial pain syndrome, a condition in which the thin, tough connective tissue that extends throughout your body gets damaged or “bunched up.” This can cause pain in different areas of your body. Studies have shown that massage can reduce the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome, such as tenderness and tingling in your arms or legs, neck or back, headaches, and other problems.
Studies have found that massage can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and it can improve your mood by reducing depression. However, it’s important to keep in mind that massage isn’t a cure for depression and shouldn’t be used instead of medical treatment.
Aside from relieving chronic aches and pains, massage can increase your flexibility, aid in recovery after an injury, prevent soreness after exercise, and help with constipation. It can even help relieve the negative side effects of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation.
While the research on massage’s effectiveness is growing, more high quality, randomized controlled trials are needed to help clinicians translate these findings into effective patient care. The Samueli Institute’s Rapid Evidence Assessment process defines the criteria for a high quality study, and it is critical that these guidelines are followed to ensure the most accurate data is gathered. While there are some issues with internal validity (for example, many studies fail to describe allocation concealment and intention-to-treat methods), overall the research on massage shows a positive trend towards improved health outcomes.
Increased Blood Flow
Almost all massage techniques aid circulation to some extent, but the squeezing and pulling action of some methods is especially good for boosting blood flow. One of the primary ways this happens is through vasodilation, whereby pressure applied to soft tissue causes blood vessels to widen. As a result, blood flows more easily through them, and oxygen and nutrients are delivered to muscle cells in greater quantities and more quickly.
Another major way that massage increases circulation is by improving lymphatic flow. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and helps to detoxify the body. As nutrient-rich blood moves through capillaries, it picks up waste products and carries them away to lymph nodes, where they’re filtered out of the body. As a result, the circulatory system is constantly pushing and pulling on trillions of tiny bottlenecks – which makes it important to keep them functioning properly.
Massage is great for getting rid of toxins, and the improved lymph flow that results from it is a big reason why people feel better after a rubdown. It also helps reduce swelling and promotes faster healing after injury.
Moreover, increased circulation is great for general health, as it promotes good skin tone and gives the body the ability to heal more efficiently. In fact, it’s probably no coincidence that people who get regular massages tend to have better overall health than those who don’t.
A good massage can help boost the immune system and reduce stress hormones, which have been linked to heart disease. It can also decrease anxiety and depression by triggering the release of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. In addition, a good massage can induce a more balanced sleep pattern by helping the body regulate the natural parasympathetic nervous system response, which is associated with relaxation and rest.
Finally, improved circulation can improve athletic performance and help reduce fibrositis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by helping the body eliminate excess fluids. It can also boost the immune system, which is important for preventing infections and reducing the severity of colds and other illnesses.
Better Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is a key aspect of overall wellness. It boosts immune function, improves cognitive abilities and reduces stress levels. However, many people struggle to achieve a restful night of sleep because of tense muscles, insomnia and other conditions. This is where massage comes in, as this therapeutic treatment can help combat the effects of sleep deprivation.
Studies show that getting regular massages decreases cortisol levels and enhances serotonin production, two hormones that play a crucial role in your body’s ability to sleep well. In addition, massage increases your blood flow, which promotes a healthy body temperature and supports the regulation of your circadian rhythms (also known as your sleep-wake cycle).
Tense muscles can make it difficult to get comfortable in bed or fall asleep at night. These muscle tensions are often caused by physical or mental stress, which can lead to a restless night of sleep. Luckily, massage can ease these tight muscles and foster mental relaxation to encourage a more restful night of sleep.
If you suffer from insomnia or other sleeping disorders, massage can also be helpful by promoting relaxation and improving mood. It’s a holistic method to treat these conditions, which can be a lot more effective than taking medication that may cause dependence over time.
The most common types of massage are Swedish, which uses long strokes, kneading, vibration and deep circular movements to help the body relax; sports massage, which is similar to Swedish but is tailored toward athletes to help prevent and treat injuries; and trigger point therapy, which is aimed at releasing tight areas of muscle fiber. These techniques can be combined to create a custom massage that targets your specific needs.
Although not as widely known, cranial massage is another therapeutic technique that can be beneficial for your sleeping habits. This form of massage is a gentle manipulation of the head and neck and is designed to release tension from your nervous system, which can help with insomnia and other sleep-related issues. You can even try self-massage before you go to sleep by rubbing your temples, neck and shoulders or the soles of your feet.