What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage Therapy Tulsa is the rubbing or kneading of the body’s soft tissues. This is accomplished using hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms or feet, and is generally used for the treatment of stress or pain.

Choosing the right massage therapist is important. Get recommendations from friends and family or look for a licensed professional with experience in the type of massage you are seeking.

Massage therapy involves manipulation of the soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia) to enhance function and promote relaxation. In addition to reducing pain, massage can also boost the immune system and increase blood circulation. These effects can speed up healing time from injury and reduce chronic pain syndromes such as headaches, fibromyalgia and low back pain.

The human touch is a powerful healer and can provide a sense of well-being and security that can help patients feel cared for. Unfortunately, hospital staff often neglect to use the power of touch to help patients relax and recover. This lack of touch can contribute to stress, which is a leading cause of death in the United States. In a recent study, researchers found that patients in the hospital who received regular massages had lower rates of depression and anxiety than those who did not receive massages.(3)

It is believed that massage works to relieve pain by interfering with pain pathways in the nervous system. Pain signals are sent to the brain via nerve fibres that are ‘gated’ by other sensations, such as pressure or heat. When these nerve fibres are stimulated during massage, they take over the gate, blocking pain messages from reaching the brain and thus reducing the feeling of pain.

Other research has shown that massage decreases levels of’substance P’, a neurotransmitter involved in responses to outside stress. ‘Substance P’ increases in response to pain, causing the brain to interpret pain signals as being more severe than they actually are. In the studies that have been done,’substance P’ has been found to be reduced in those who had regularly scheduled massages.(4)

The results of many of these studies have been very positive and show that massage is a useful tool in the hospital setting to improve patient’s quality of life while they are being treated for illness or injuries. However, more research is needed to determine the effect of massage on chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and lowback pain.

Promotes Relaxation

While massage therapy is most often used to treat specific areas of pain and tension, the overall effect is that it relaxes the body. This in turn decreases anxiety, which can also help relieve pain and improve sleep disorders. It can also reduce stress-related hormones that contribute to a variety of health problems including heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, chronic fatigue and autoimmune diseases.

When the brain senses that the body is relaxed, it sends messages to the muscles and other soft tissues to release “feel good” chemicals called endorphins which act as natural painkillers. The calming effects of massage can be seen in how people respond during a session. It is common for them to feel deep relaxation and a sense of well being that continues after the massage is finished.

In addition to releasing feel good chemicals, massage helps lower cortisol levels which increase the fight-or-flight response. Cortisol is responsible for a host of health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor digestion, anxiety and feelings of depression. Massage reduces cortisol and increases serotonin which is a natural mood enhancer.

Research has shown that massage can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It can also lower a person’s heart rate and improve circulation. In addition, it can help to break up knots in the muscles and ease the tension caused by those knots.

During a massage, the therapist’s touch and movement stimulate the body to produce these positive hormones. As a result, the positive hormonal changes produced by massage can significantly improve a person’s quality of life and overall health.

Most massages take place in a serene setting with calming music, aromatherapy and dim lighting. These elements can help a person to relax and focus on self-care. Taking the time to have regular massages can help you maintain the physical and psychological benefits of this treatment and achieve better long term health.

Enhances Circulation

As the name suggests, proper circulation is critical to our overall health. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, eliminates metabolic waste products and helps prevent blood clots.

Massage therapy techniques are well-documented to increase the flow of blood throughout the body, which can enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues. It also promotes the removal of waste products from these cells, such as lactic acid.

This effect is due to the mechanical pressure applied during massage and the heat generated by the therapist’s hands. The combination of these actions causes the muscles to relax and widen the blood vessels, a process known as vasodilation. These effects are enhanced by regular massage sessions and can be further augmented by other healthy lifestyle choices, such as hydration, regular exercise and a diet rich in Omega III fatty acids.

The physiology of massage’s ability to improve circulation is complex. Blood moves in a circular motion, flowing toward the heart, then back to the periphery. When the veins that bring blood to the heart enlarge, they can carry more blood at a faster rate. Blood then flows back to the periphery, shunting to the muscles as it passes by. This increases the availability of oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissue, which improves the quality of exercise and the appearance of a healthier, more vibrant workout.

Some types of massage, such as effleurage (French for “to skim”), are designed specifically to stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage a more rapid flow of blood through the capillaries near the surface of the skin. This technique is often incorporated into other forms of massage, such as deep tissue and sports massage. Another technique, called wringing or manual lymphatic drainage, involves lifting and squeezing the whole area of soft tissue at once with both hands to improve the elasticity of the connective tissues.

Circulation is a complex and essential function. While it’s tempting to think that relaxing and enjoyable massage can help improve circulation, it’s important to keep in mind that the primary factors in blood flow are blood pressure and major blood vessel dilation, not massage per se. If you really want to boost your circulation, go for a run or do some chest compressions.

Promotes Healing

Massage has been shown to enhance cell repair and increase the speed at which muscles recover from exercise. It has also been found to remove waste products and improve the absorption of oxygen and nutrients into muscles. This is due to both the physical manipulation of soft tissue and the relaxation response which results in increased blood flow and a decrease in muscle toxins.

While stress, pain and sleep problems are the most common reasons people seek massage therapy, emotional and mental well-being is also addressed with this powerful treatment. It is a great way to release pent-up emotions, including anger, sadness and fear, as it creates an environment where these feelings can be safely expressed. For many, this is the first time these emotions are acknowledged in a non-judgmental setting. Adding massage to your wellness routine sends a message that you are taking care of yourself and prioritizing your health.

Those dealing with chronic conditions, like fibromyalgia, find relief from symptoms such as fatigue and lack of energy when receiving regular massages. Studies show that a five-week course of massage therapy can help reduce the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and improve quality of life.

A massage can also ease the emotional and physical toll of cancer treatments. Many who are undergoing chemotherapy report that it helps with fatigue, pain and anxiety. It can also improve sleep, boost the immune system and promote relaxation.

Studies have found that massage can trigger the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, prompting the body to return to a state of biochemical balance and emotional ease after enduring stress. This can be especially important for those who have experienced trauma, injury or surgery.

There are many types of massages, ranging from light to deep tissue and assisted stretching techniques. Some styles include acupressure, which works with the same theory as acupuncture without the needles, and cranial sacral therapy, which uses a light touch to manipulate the cranial bones in the spinal column and the sacrum (a triangular bone at the base of the spine) to balance the body’s energy pathways.