The Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

Some say that a 60-minute massage is the equivalent of 7 to 8 hours of sleep. You can imagine that in the very sleep-deprived world today, just the possibility of it being true could keep a good massage therapist booked solid into infinity and beyond! For those of us who have enjoyed the utter bliss of a good massage, we don’t really need any other reason to enjoy the talented services of a great massage therapist. However, there are people who haven’t experienced the benefits of a good massage first hand and may need convincing before embarking on their first time on the massage table. So, we rounded up some of the health benefits that massage therapy has to offer. After all, it seems only right to help our fellow humans find their way to that utter bliss.
Stop all the posturing – Well, maybe improving bad posture is more accurate. But it’s a fact that many people suffer the negative effects of poor posture, especially in a desk job that has you sitting in the same position for long hours every day. Regular massage therapy can loosen tight joints, relax the muscles and overall help to improve poor posture and the pain that goes along with it.
Back in circulation – Poor circulation can lead to a number of health concerns. Regular massage therapy promotes improved circulation through the physical stimulation of the muscles, increasing the blood flow to areas of the body that need it. It has the domino effect of stimulating the lymph fluid circulation, pulling lactic acid from the muscles to be carried away as metabolic waste. The result? An improved overall body function and in some cases, it can even lower blood pressure.
Tension, tension everywhere – The debilitating effects of stress and tension cannot be overstated and can lead to headaches, insomnia, digestive problems and more. High stress levels can lead to the body producing high levels of the hormone cortisol, which is a big contributor to all of the above. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol levels in the body and can trigger the body’s healing mechanisms. All in all, more massage equals less stress = everybody wins.
Let go of the pain – Whether you’re an athlete, work out regularly or just strained a muscle carrying groceries in, stiff, sore muscles can ruin your day. Massage therapy is a useful tool to ease sore muscles and helps your body release powerful endorphins that boost both dopamine and serotonin levels in the body, relieving pain, promoting healing and just creating an overall sense of well-being.
The numerous health benefits of massage therapy provide plenty of reasons to book your spot on the table in the near future, but probably the best reason to indulge in a massage, is that it feels great! And everyone deserves to feel great. The other part of massage therapy that feels great? Being the one who is helping others feel better with your own two hands! If you’ve always loved helping people feel better and would love to turn that into a career, check out the Massage Therapy Program at Daytona College! Daytona is helping students literally get the hands-on training they need to launch their careers in massage therapy. With a dedicated faculty ready to share their real-world skills and offering flexible schedules – Daytona College can help you put the power of a healing touch into your own hands! Call Daytona today at (386) 267-0565 to learn more or visit our website at www.daytonacollege.edu to schedule a tour of our campus.