Top 10 reasons to get massage therapy in Scottsdale
There is plenty of research available from sources like Mayo Clinic, WebMD, The International Journal of Neuroscience, the American Massage Therapy Association etc. that point to massage therapy as one of the best ways to treat a long series of ailments both physical and mental.
According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), these are a few of the reasons to get a massage therapy session:
- Forty-three percent of adult Americans who had massage therapy between July 2011 and July 2012 received it for medical or health reasons compared to 44 percent the previous year.
- Of the people who had at least one massage therapy session in the last five years, 43 percent reported they did so for health conditions such as pain management, injury rehabilitation, migraine control, or overall wellness.
- Eighty-nine (90) percent agree that massage therapy can be effective in reducing pain.
- Thirty-two percent of massage consumers had a massage for relaxation/stress reduction between July 2011 and July 2012.
Over the years, we have received many questions regarding the benefits of our Serenity Massage in Scottsdale,so we decided to put together a blog on the top 10 reasons to get massage therapy when you visit Scottsdale, AZ.
Today, massage therapy is not only used for relaxation purposes. It also plays a role in the process of relieving pain. The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society now include massage as one of their recommendations for treating low back pain, according to guidelines published in 2007. As you probably know, massage therapy has many benefits and very few side effects. While people do feel a bit drained from time to time after a massage, this side effect is part of the detoxification process and it passes quickly. The long term benefits can last a very long time.
Massage promotes increased blood flow, which reduces sluggishness and reminds you that you are, indeed, alive with better days ahead.
Janet G.
Massage therapy is more than a feel-good experience. Scientific research suggests that massage speeds recovery in many ways. While a massage will not cure depression by itself, it is a wise addition to a regime to treat depression. Massage therapy also decreases the stress hormone, cortisol, and increases the feel-good hormone, serotonin. Research shows that a massage can have a significant impact in your overall well-being.
Here are the top 10 reasons to get massage therapy today from a qualified massage therapist:
Reason #1 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help with back pain.
A manipulation of deep layers and superficial layers of connective tissue and muscles is called a massage. The use of this to bring comfort or to alleviate pain is known as massage therapy. From people especially suffering from lower back pains this therapy is crucial in the healing process. This arises from the fact that a massage helps in reducing the reflex activity of a muscle and therefore promotes an individual to a mood of relaxation.
Back pains come from joints, muscles, joints in the spine , bones, and nerves around the back. The pain could be in one area or could have a wider spread effect on an individual. A massage can help people in pain feel and function better compared to people who didn’t receive any massage treatment. It Improves range of motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain. More than one study has shown the effectiveness of massage therapy for back pain.
One study conducted in 2003 showed that a massage worked better than acupuncture for persistent low back pain reducing the need for painkillers by 36%. Common pains felt are shoulder and back pain. These may be a result of prolonged sitting, standing, carrying heavy objects and/or pregnancy. A massage session helps alleviate the pain you are feeling.
A major cause of lower back pains is overusing of muscles. This leads to strains on muscles around the lower back. This is most common when people do heavy lifting around the house while doing common chores or when engaging in sports training. This pains could be minor but sometimes they could cause a lot of discomfort and pain. The best solution to such back is a deep tissue massage.
Another cause of lower back pains is a slipped disc. When a disc bulges due to pressure, it pushes the cartilage sideways applying pressure on the spinal cord nerves. This causes intense pains for the individual usually creating problems walking. This may need the intervention of a doctor to correct the slipped disc. However, for full recovery and relief from pain a good massage will help in the healing process. It will allow the muscles to relax and calm the nerve down allowing free movement of blood speeding up the healing process.
A fracture is another cause of possible back pain. These fractures could result from a fall either on the head or by the buttocks. Such a fall causes the spine to compress therefore causing a fracture in the spine. This causes intense pain and reduces mobility in a patient. It requires the special attention of spine specialist. Painkillers relieve the pain at first. Specialized care and treatment is given to the patient until they begin to recover. These injuries if not severe are treated by painkillers on the spot. Later however, the clients need to receive therapeutic massages to relieve the pain and tension allowing their muscles to relax.
Reason #2 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help with headaches and migraines.
In the United States alone, more than 60 percent of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches suffer from migraines. The disorder can be debilitating and typically results from high stress levels and/or lack of sleep. This type of pain as shown by multiple studies respond to massage therapy. A massage helps the body release endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
According to WebMD, a regular massage can reduce a person’s number of migraines and/or limit how painful each migraine feels. A 30-minute massage decreased pain for people with headaches and reduce anger and stress usually linked to a pounding headache.
The International Journal of Neuroscience tracked a group of migraine sufferers who received a therapeutic massage for a month. Approximately 60% of the participants experienced no pain or headaches. The remaining participants found relief from migraine paint when a massage is applied to lower extremities taking pressure away from the head. When it comes to treating migraines and tension related headaches, a massage plays several roles. In a proactive role, massage treatments are performed on a regular basis to help the body maintain an optimal level of relaxation and stress-relief. This approach reduces the chances of migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. In a comfort role, massage is done to ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache.
By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraine or tension headache. According to the American Massage Therapy Association:
In a 2006 study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quality than the control group. A 1998 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms in adults with migraines
Reason #3 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help improve sleep.
A number of studies attribute the fact that people usually doze off on a massage table, to a massage’s affect on delta waves, the kind of brain waves connected to deep sleep, according to Health magazine. You don’t need to be convinced that a massage can promote healthy sleep. Insomnia and other sleep problems often accompany depression. Massage is proven to help with sleep problems. A restful night will do wonders for your spirit, disposition and state of mind.
Your immune system works at its best when you had plenty of sleep. If the immune system is compromised, your ability to fight illness or get better from one are also compromised. If we are stressed or sleep deprived, our health is seriously compromised. Massage therapy does not necessarily need to be done by a professional to capture all its benefits. You can also give yourself a mini massage or have a partner do so, concentrating on the muscle groups you can reach.
After a massage therapy session, good sleep usually returns quickly. You will feel more relaxed with reduced stress and tension and be able to sleep all night long. You will wake up refreshed and ready to start a new day.
Reason #4 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help with anxiety.
A review of several studies shows that massage helps relieve depression and anxiety. Getting regular massage therapy can help you relax. A simple hour of peace and quiet at a serene spa can make a difference on what direction your day goes. This can help to calm anxiety and improve sleep problems. Some studies have shown that the brain boosts the production of endorphins, chemicals that impact cells in the brain that reduce paint and anxiety and help relax muscles. Massage therapy stimulates serotonin levels, a brain chemical that help regulate your mood and state of mind. In recent studies, a massage has been shown to lower cortisol levels by up to 50%.
When your body is under chronic stress, your cortisol levels remain high, and you can be more susceptible to disease. When the body is relaxed, the mind and spirit feel free to follow suit. A massage can significantly reduce cortisol levels.
According to MayoClinic.com, “as stress levels decrease, many patients experience a decrease in blood pressure. In addition, massage helps improve circulation because the pressure actually pushes blood through congested areas. With each release of pressure, cleansing, oxygenated blood can flow in. In addition to reducing Cortisol levels, massage therapy has been shown to increase dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that activates the brain’s pleasure receptors. After a massage, increased dopamine levels combined with more serotonin and less cortisol means less stress, depression and anxiety.”
Massage works in at least two two ways when it comes to anxiety. It works as a diversion and as a therapy. When you take a massage, you feel relaxed. Sometimes a massage therapist plays a soft music in the background thus making you think of something else.
Reason #5 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help raise alertness.
Adults who were given a 15-minute chair massage in a small 1996 Touch Research Institute (TRI) study were more alert and completed a series of math questions faster and more accurately. Reduction of stress, lower levels of pain, reduced anxiety, relaxation, peace and quiet etc. all play a big role in a person’s disposition and alertness level. When you focus on what’s happening to your body you tend to get preoccupied and distracted. Massage therapy can help alleviate distractions and raise alertness levels.
Reason #6 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help the appearance of your skin.
A massage can help increase circulation, allowing the body to generate more oxygen and nutrients vital organs and muscle tissue. A facial like a Serenity Facial that incorporated facial massage can significantly improve the way you look and feel. Face massage comes with an array of exhilarating health benefits as it helps to reduce stress, increase blood circulation and also helps to cure sinusitis and headaches. The lymph nodes present in the chin and jawline areas need stimulation to release lymph fluid that can detoxify the facial area. Indulging in the luxury of a face massage is a stress-buster and alleviates the mood.
A good facial massage, which ideally lasts up to 20 minutes, can also help strained facial muscles to loosen up and relax, thereby reducing wrinkles. Excessive sun exposure causes premature aging, skin dehydration and stress to your skin’s overall health. From that first sunburn as a young child, UV damage compounds year-after-year. There’s no time to waste to combat the damage already done.
A facial includes a comprehensive deep cleanse, gentle exfoliation, two hydrating masques, anti-aging moisturizers and gentle, gravity-fighting massage. This pampering facial nourishes, hydrates and leaves your skin feeling youthful and radiant. Skin care experts say that regular exfoliation is crucial to skin health. Not only does it rejuvenate skin, it makes it easier for other skin care products such as moisturizers to do their jobs well.
Reason #7 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help you look younger, combat aging and improve.
Massage therapy and bodywork improves immune system functioning while relieving muscle aches and stiffness. Massage also enhances tissue elasticity and joint flexibility; improves blood and lymph circulation; and promotes healthy vibrant skin. A Massage can improve circulation and reduce muscle spasm and splinting, thus providing a healthier, pliable, nutrient- and oxygen-rich tissue prior to surgery and perhaps improve the recovery potential of the tissues. In the acute post-surgical phase, massage will help reduce edema in the surrounding tissues, improve circulation and therefore cell nutrition, reduce muscle spasm, and provide an analgesic effect. Massaging the injury site during the acute phase is contraindicated. Massage therapy aids the development of healthy, functional scar tissue, which is always a concern after surgery.
Deep transverse friction massage is the most common technique used for this purpose and may help reduce the risk of re-injury or the development of a chronic pain cycle at the site of the scar. Massage promotes increased blood flow, which reduces sluggishness and reminds you that you are, indeed, alive with better days ahead.
Reason #8 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help the body rid of of damaging toxins.
Detoxification is a very ancient healing method.
It is all about cleaning the body, giving it plenty of rest. Rejuvenation begins when we start to remove toxins from our body and provide it with good nutrients. The benefits are endless. By detoxing our body and nourishing it with plenty of oxygen, water and chemical-free nutrition, we activate our own fountain of youth.
Water is important in keeping our cells healthy and flushing out toxins. Failure to flush toxins out of the body by drinking a lot of water after bodywork could result in excessive muscle soreness or nausea, not to mention that you’ve defeated the purpose of getting the treatment in the first place. There is no number of ounces required, but the more water you drink, the better you’ll feel after your treatment.
Consider exercising regularly. Exercise increases blood circulation. This increases our oxygen intake which will aid in the elimination of metabolic waste. Massage Therapy has been found very effective in eliminating toxins. It is through the process of giving a massage that blood circulation is increased. This will also increase oxygen to tissue cells and start the process of metabolic waste elimination. Removing toxins from the body is one of the most important benefits of a massage therapy session.
Here are a few guidelines on what to do before a massage and after a massage therapy session.
Reason #9 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help increased range of motion
Massage therapy is perfect for people who workout, are physically fit, those who are athletes, elderly, and even pre/post surgery. Massage helps improve motor skills. A massage also maintains posture in the skeletal system. A human body that is healthy, flexible and can move easily and freely through natural movements without pain or discomfort is the goal of most. Age can affect many of these factors but can be reduced with those who remain active.
Exercise can delay the loss of flexibility that is due to dehydration and stretching can help connective tissues and fibers. Massage therapy can help with the conditions of inflexibility and promote normal join function, stretches that are dynamic have been shown to be key to improve and maintain joint flexibility. This type of stretch will commonly be implemented after sports massage therapy.
Reason #10 in our list of top 10 reasons to get massage therapy is: A massage can help prevent injury.
Tense muscles pull on and tighten tendons and ligaments, cause rigidity, cut off circulation for proper metabolism, drain us of energy, and pull our body out of alignment. If left unattended this could lead to many other problems. This condition often goes unnoticed until it is too late. A massage could prevent many of these injuries.
The disease that you avoid when you take a massage or the injury that you don’t experience is what makes a massage worthwhile. Under the influence of massage, blood circulation is improved; removal of wastes and toxic substances from tissues is accelerated; metabolic and oxidative processes are activated; central and peripheral nervous system activity is normalized. Massage accelerates resorption of infiltrates in muscles, ligaments and tendons; decreases muscle tension after work; increases functional neuromuscular activity.
A massage is essential to a healthy life style. It help you handle life’s challenges. It has lots of benefits and very few side effects. Done on a regular basis, it can help people cope with day-to-day challenges, prevent injury, increase range of motion, detoxify, combat aging, look and feel better, and handle day-to-day pains and aches. It is one of the best investments you can make on your personal well-being.
Notwithstanding all these very good top 10 reasons to get massage therapy, the real reason why you should get schedule your massage today is that you deserve to be pampered, healed, be pain free, feel younger, happier and healthier. A massage can help you get there very quickly. So, don’t go through life feeling tired, stressed, tense, in pain, anxious. Book a massage now and start changing the way you feel and see the world. A massage has lots of benefits.
If that is not enough, getting a massage in Scottsdale is the perfect excuse to visit Arizona in the Spring and Fall. Here is what Arizona looks like in the Fall and at sunset. Enjoy your next massage therapy session or your visit to our part of the country.
For additional research on massage therapy, facials or yoga, please visit our blog
