More Than a Luxury

When our patients begin their chiropractic treatment, I often recommend massage as part of a treatment plan. This seems to trouble some patients and they are reluctant to schedule massages. My only explanation for this is that people fail to see the health and wellness connection of massage therapy as they think of it merely as a spa experience or what I like to refer to as a Jacuzzi effect.  This is something that provides some benefit while you’re doing it, but by the next day, life remains relatively unchanged.  What I’ve come to see is that the people who undergo regular massage even for just once per week for a couple months learn the truth and experience the real benefits.

I did a quick review of the research on massage therapy and while there is too much to report, I made a laundry list of the broader benefits of this age-old procedure.  By increasing blood flow and circulation, research shows that massage often can reduce heart rate and blood pressure.  Similarly, by increasing the flow of lymphatic fluid, massage reduces swelling and strengthens the immune system.  By reducing muscle spasm, tension patterns, and adhesions, massage improves range of motion and flexibility while enhancing athletic performance and helping to prevent sports injuries.  Massage also releases the body’s natural painkillers endorphins, thereby reducing acute or even chronic pain.  It is well documented that massage will increase serotonin levels to help reduce stress and prevent depression.  There are research studies to show that massage can help with more specific conditions such as fibromyalgia, plantar fascitis, carpal tunnel, migraines, arthritis and even asthma and bronchitis.  A study that I kept coming across was one that showed premature infants who received massage gained weight much faster than those who did not.

The point is that massage is much more than a luxury.  Even amateur massage feels good and relaxing while it’s being done, and I’m not certain I’ve heard anyone complain about a “bad massage.”  However, in my experience, the good ones are ones where even after the first couple sessions, you know that something has changed and the results begin to become long-lasting.  There are numerous licensed massage therapists in the area.  If you haven’t tried massage in the past, call for a couple appointments to experience the health benefits of this safe and painless therapeutic approach.