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Can Massage Therapy Help Me?

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Generally, people use massage for either general relaxation and wellbeing, or to address a specific complaint, such as pain or limited range of motion. Research suggests massage therapy may contribute to both goals.

Some of the general benefits of massage therapy may include:

  • Physical relaxation
  • Improved circulation, which nourishes cells and improves waste elimination
  • Relief for tight muscles (knots) and other aches and pains
  • Release of nerve compression (carpel tunnel, sciatica)
  • Greater flexibility and range of motion
  • Enhanced energy and vitality
  • Some clinical styles may help heal scar tissue as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle tears

What specific conditions can massage therapy help?

Massage therapy may help the body in many ways.  Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased nerve compression, increased joint space, and range of motion. This may lead to reduced pain and improved function.

Massage therapy may also improve circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products. These circulatory effects of massage may have value in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or edema (an excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues, which may be reduced using manual lymph drainage).

Massage therapy is also thought to induce a relaxation response, which lowers the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure; boosts the immune system, and generally decreases the physical effects of stress.

These effects suggest that massage may be helpful for a wide range of conditions.  Some of these are listed below.

Decreases pain and increases functioning in these conditions:Helps treat and manage symptoms or complications of:Other psychological,  emotional, and physical benefits:
Carpal tunnel
Sciatica
Tension headaches
Whiplash
Scoliosis
Torticollis
Tendon and muscle tears
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Varicose veins
Pregnancy-related back pain and other discomforts
Myofascial pain
Sore or overused muscles (prevents and treats)
Muscle injury (offers rehabilitation)
Gout
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Muscular dystrophies
Raynaud’s Disease
Diabetes
Hypertension and congestive heart failure
Reduces risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes autoimmune diseases
Improved mood
Reduced anxiety
Lower stress levels
Lessening of depression
Reduced anger and aggression
Improved sleep patterns and decreased sleep disturbance
Reduced fatigue
Enhances immune system
Improves athletic performance and enhances recovery

Massage & Allergies

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If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you are not alone – Research shows that over 50 million Americans battle seasonal allergies.

Allergies have many symptoms – from nasal congestion, sneezing, ear congestion, postnasal drainage, sore throat, urticaria (Hives) and itchiness, headache, coughing and wheezing can also occur. Your immune system feels threatened by a specific environmental substance, as a result, your immune system will react by releasing Immunoglobin antibodies to ward off the observed offender.  The release of these antibodies tells the body to produce chemicals like histamines, which causes an allergic reaction.

Massage is one of the best natural remedies for relieving allergies and asthma symptoms.  Reflexology has been used to battle seasonal allergies for centuries in Chinese medicine, and recent medical research measuring massage effectiveness showed that massage therapy has a significantly positive effect on asthma patients, improving their pulmonary function.

Relieve Sneezing:

If you are sneezing and coughing, you may consider requesting a lymphatic drainage massage.  Manual lymphatic drainage massage is especially effective in relieving nasal congestion, one of the most unpleasant allergy symptoms. If you have hay fever, your immune system goes into overdrive.  Causing your body to react to harmless environmental factors like pollen, mold, and pet dander. If you opt for a massage, your therapist will concentrate on opening your nasal passages – expect to get your face and neck massaged.  This will improve your lungs’ oxygenation.

Alleviate Headaches:

Massage improves your blood circulation. Good blood circulation gives immediate relief for migraines, sinus headaches, and rhinitis (hay fever-induced headache). Lymphatic drainage massage can help boost the circulation fluids (lymph) in the body. This massage technique helps empty the sinus cavity and help you recover fully.

Ease Stress:

Stress triggers allergies and can also worsen the symptoms.  Massages stimulate the release of hormones that help calm the body and decrease body tension. Reducing stress and anxiety with massage, allows your immune system to function normally due to a decrease in blood cortisol (a stress hormone) levels.  This can aid in programming the body’s response to allergens and ease the related symptoms.

Muscle Relief:

Every sneeze or cough is similar to a mini whiplash, causing tension, even pain, in your neck, shoulders, and upper back.  By relieving this muscle tension and helping you relax, your sinuses will relax and encourage drainage.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils can be used along with massage to create long-lasting pain relief.  Your massage therapist can recommend the best essential oils that you can apply to congested nasal areas.  These oils boost energy and help relieve allergy symptoms.

Massage should be seen only as a complementary therapy for allergy symptoms and is in no way a replacement for required medical attention. It’s a combination of all the good things that will get you through the spring. Schedule your massage today with Precision Wellness and start to feel that sweet relief!

PRECISION WELLNESS

Therapeutic Massage, Esthetics and Yoga

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