Mayo Clinic Endorses Massage for Managing Stress, Increasing Immune Function, and Pain Managing Pain
Medical research show that regulating stress (having just enough to make life exciting, but not so much that it overwhelms) is the key to vibrant health. Studies conducted by University of Miami School of Medicine and Duke University Medical School shows that massage can reduce cortisol (the "stress hormone") by up to 50%, while boosting seratonin and dopamine (the "relaxation hormones") by around 40%. Massage Therapy
More doctors today are prescribing massage as a way to help reduce stress, pain, and muscle tension. Massage is a complimentary treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations, and should be an important part of your health regimen.
How Massage Helps
When you get a massage your heart rate and blood pressure slows, and stress and pain hormones decrease. Bottom line: this down-regulation of the nervous system translates to less pain and increased tolerance to stress.
Reasons to Get a Massage
1) Relieve Stress
2) Manage Pain and Muscle Tension
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Low back pain
- Headaches
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
3) Reduce Anxiety
4) Soft Tissue Sprain and Strain Recovery
5) Promote Relaxation