Many people don’t take the time to pamper themselves anymore. With a busy schedule and long hours, there is little time for self-care.
The human body works twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, and it deserves more care than just a good night’s sleep. Thankfully, body massage can offer many benefits.
1. Reduces postoperative pain
A recent study reported that reducing postoperative pain with body massage is effective. The massage group showed better pain relief than the control group.
Their daily mean change in pain unpleasantness was 0.60 lower on average than those in the control group. The pain score decreased by 0.4 cm on average in both groups from day one to day four.
2. Improves immune function
Therapeutic massage is beneficial for the immune system because it flushes out toxins. Toxins in the body are called antigens. They include bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and allergens.
Regular massage increases the production of immune cells that fight off disease.
3. Reduces cellulite
Body massage is a great way to reduce cellulite. This treatment improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and decreases the appearance of bulged skin. In addition, it helps reduce pain and swelling.
It is best to consult a professional for massage treatment, but you can also do this at home. Massage creams can also be a great addition to home treatments.
4. Reduces stress
Body massage is a great way to reduce stress. It increases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine levels and can also reduce cortisol levels. Massage also improves tissue elasticity. It is also a great way to reduce aches and pains.
5. Reduces edema
Body massage can be beneficial in reducing the swelling caused by edema. It helps muscles function properly and promotes blood flow through the body. Avoiding long periods of sitting or standing can also help reduce swelling.
Moreover, eating low-sodium foods will help reduce water retention in the body. Using herbs and spices to flavor home-cooked food can also help. Additionally, lymphatic drainage massage can be beneficial in reducing water retention by manipulating certain areas of the body.
Lowers blood pressure
A recent study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies showed that massage therapy significantly reduced blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
In addition to lower blood pressure, study participants reported lower levels of cortisol and lower feelings of depression. This makes a massage a suitable complement to nursing care for individuals with high blood pressure.
6. Removes toxins
Massage is a great way to detoxify your body. Toxins can accumulate in the body through various means, such as ingestion, exposure to environmental pollutants, and even your regular biological processes.
Unless they’re removed through the body’s natural processes, they can cause health problems. Ultimately, toxins can cause chronic illness and damage to your organs.
7. Reduces anxiety
Massage is an excellent way to reduce anxiety and stress. It helps release the feel-good hormones called endorphins. These hormones calm the peripheral nervous system, which relays messages between the brain and the extremities.
The endorphins reduce stress-related hormones and feelings, which in turn help reduce anxiety and pain. Massage can also help alleviate symptoms of menstrual cramps and insomnia.
8. Reduces depression
Body massage is an effective method for reducing depression in a variety of ways. It releases the “love” hormone, oxytocin, which is associated with trust and social bonding.
It also promotes relaxation and calmness in the body. Massage can also relieve the symptoms of anxiety, which can lead to depression.
9.Reduces pain
According to the gate control theory, body massage reduces pain by closing pain gates. This theory is based on the observation that the body’s nervous system contains gates that pass sensory information.
In addition, massage increases the production of the substance P, a neurotransmitter that transmits messages from the brain to the body. The presence of this chemical in the body helps the body recognize pain and respond to it appropriately.
