The Physical and Mental Benefits of Massage

The Physical and Mental Benefits of Massage

What natural therapy can lower your blood pressure, relieve a headache, strengthen your immune system, reduce stress and help you sleep – and all in a one-hour session? If you guessed massage, you’re right on target. Massage can do all of these things and provide many more physical as well as mental benefits. A typical massage session lasts between half an hour to an hour and has been clinically proven to do much more than relax tense muscles.

Massage is the systematic, scientific manipulation of body tissues with the hands to relieve pain and reduce swelling, relax muscles, and speed healing after strains and sprains. Manipulations include light or hard stroking, compression (kneading, squeezing, and friction), and percussion (striking with the edges of the hands in rapid alternation). In acupressure, a style of massage derived from China, pressure is exerted on Chinese acupuncture points for healing effects. Massage has been shown to provide many benefits. Below are some of the physical as well as the mental benefits.

Physical benefits:

Relieves pain. Peer-reviewed medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief. It does this by stimulating the release of endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good hormones. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, back and neck pain, and many others can be helped by regular massage. Because massage relieves pain regardless of cause, it also lessens the body’s need for pain-killing medication.

Improves circulation. Massage improves the circulation of blood in the body and that means an improved supply of nutrients to individual cells of the body, and also improved transport of waste materials from these cells. Moreover, improved circulation promotes clearer, softer and healthier skin as the skin cells become more nourished with nutrients and oxygen.

Improves lymphatic system. When your lymphatic system is healthy, you are less susceptible to various illnesses, plus your body has a heightened ability to heal itself. Massage promotes the stimulation of the lymphatic system, boosting the body’s immunity and natural defense mechanisms.

Relieves inflammatory conditions and promotes flexibility. Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis can be treated using massage to loosen and relax muscles. Frequent massage increases flexibility in the joints and improves a wider range of movements. Fluidity of movement brought about by regular massage also lessens the chances of getting muscle injuries.

Therapeutic abilities. In hospital settings, massage has been introduced to trauma and surgery patients to help them recover and rehabilitate. It has been shown that post-operative massage therapy helps shorten hospital stay.

Weight loss and cellulite removal. There is some evidence that massage helps break down excess fat under the skin, thus aiding in weight loss and removal of cellulite.

Mental benefits:
Mental Benefits of Massage

Relieves stress. Cortisol, another type of hormone, is released during massage. This hormone is responsible for lowering the stress levels of the body. The body is more capable of healing itself when stress levels are low. It also lowers blood pressure, allows the body to breathe more properly and lessens feelings of anxiety. A side benefit is that massage fulfills the body’s need for touch. Regular massage improves emotional well-being by making the person feel nurtured. This lowers stress levels and feelings of anxiety.

Improves concentration. Massage makes one feel relaxed and calm, which promotes focus and concentration. This, in turn, helps the mind to be more creative and productive. Massage also makes one more aware of the body and helps one to identify what the body needs.

Promotes better sleep. A lot of people suffer from anxiety, depression or some other issue that deprives them of regular sleep. Regular massage sessions can relax the mind and the body, which can often be the first step to getting the body ready to shut down for the night. Sleep is the time our body heals, rebuilds and refreshes so a lack of sleep can cause many problems such as irritability, lack of concentration, and fatigue.

Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years and is found in many cultures around the world. It promotes a rebalance of the body and all its systems and helps detoxify. If you’ve never had a massage, try it and see how wonderful you feel afterward!

Testing Your Biological (Body's) Real Age

Biological Age Test

The Biological Age Test can help you find out in moments what your biological age is and how your age is changing. For some, this might mean they are aging too rapidly. For others, good habits may show that their biological age is moving downward, making them healthier and more youthful. It’s never too late to make changes in your life either. No matter what the results, being able to track one’s biological age will help you find out whether you are heading in the right direction for health or if you need to turn around and ask for more directions.

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Using a Stress Relieve Program

Stress Sweeper

If you haven’t been feeling well lately or you know that you’ve been more stressed out than you think, you might want to look into the Stress Sweeper program. By simply attaching a device to your ear and hooking it up to your computer, you can begin to train your body to feel better. The program will show your body responses over time and teaches you to make the necessary changes. By watching and being aware of your stress, you can begin to take steps to slow down and to relax. Sometimes just realizing you are more stressed than is healthy – as the Stress Monitor will show you – is enough to help you learn to breathe in the midst of crazy circumstances.

 

Monitor Your Health with Health Snapshot

Health Snapshot

With Health Snapshot, it only takes five minutes to find out where your health levels are. This computer program is easy to install and to use, with just a sensor being placed on your ear lobe while the test is running. You will see a summary of your health levels on the screen and be able to make health changes based on this report. As you do change your health habits, do another health assessment to ensure that you are making progress. If not, you might want to try some additional health changes – or check with a medical professional for assistance.

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Stress Monitor

Provides all means for continous stress monitoring and alerts on instant stress changes and an ability to treat the stress before it can harm the organism and thereby reduces the negative impact on your body.

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Health Snapshot

Personal health monitor. Tracks daily health changes and alerts on possible health issues (including cancer) on its early stage. Designed for health cautious individuals, wellness centers, health clubs.

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Stress Sweeper

Easy-to-use personal stress management tool for home and office use. Highest ratings from professionals around the world. Designed for people with high blood pressure, sleep disorders, health cautious individuals.

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Biological Age Test

Biological Age Test. Personal tool to evaluate and monitor biological age. Designed for health cautious individuals, wellness centers, health clubs.

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