Wednesday, September 3, 2014

It is hardly a revelation that a massage feels fabulous! But did you know that there are many benefits of body massages besides just pleasure? Massages offer many health benefits.

First of all, they reduce stress. When you get a massage, the environment is extremely relaxing. The lights in the room are usually dim. Soft, meditative music is often played during a massage, and aromatherapy is generally utilized for purposes of relaxation. The very act of getting a massage is designed to relax your muscles, and the environment is conducive to a meditative state. Therefore, the benefits of body massages are very similar to the benefits of meditation. Both decrease stress and increase one's sense of well-being.

Another of the benefits of body massages is that it alleviates muscle pain. If you are sore from working out or from manual labor, a massage can help to diminish muscle stiffness. It does this by inhibiting certain proteins that contribute to inflammation, known as cytokines. It also increases the levels of mitochondria, which are cells that produce energy. Both of these biological mechanisms work to decrease pain in the targeted muscle.

In fact, massages seem to stimulate many of your body's natural systems to work more efficiently. More benefits of body massages include increased immunity and increased circulation. They also help rid your body of toxins. They can reduce high blood pressure, help manage headaches, and help alleviate depression.

Though getting a massage may feel like an indulgence and is indeed a very pleasurable experience, you can see that there are many more benefits of body massages. A massage can greatly impact your health and your outlook. And, or course, it feels wonderful!