Empower Your Health and Feel Your Dazzling Best
Feel Better, Live Fully: The Health Benefits of Massage
Feel Better, Live Fully:
The Health Benefits of Massage
Massage isn’t just about relaxation—it’s a versatile tool for alleviating a wide range of physical and mental health concerns. Whether you’re seeking relief from stress and chronic pain or just looking for a way to unwind, massage therapy offers holistic benefits for a healthier, happier you.
Let’s explore the science behind these massage therapies and how they can empower you to take control of your health.
Massage therapy is a powerful stress-buster. It reduces stress and promotes relaxation by directly affecting the autonomic nervous system, endocrine function, and neurochemical signaling.
Physiologically, massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest response), which counteracts the stress-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response). This decreases your heart rate, increases digestion, relaxes the smooth muscles in your body, and regulates hormones like insulin that regulate blood sugar.
Massage also increases the release of serotonin and dopamine, “feel-good neurotransmitters” associated with mood regulation and relaxation, while decreasing cortisol, the primary stress hormone. The mechanical stimulation of skin and muscle receptors also promotes the release of endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers and mood elevators, reinforcing the relaxation response.
Promotes relaxation and lowers stress levels
How Does Massage Help You Feel Better?
Massage therapy releases myofascial adhesions (stiff connective tissue) and deactivates trigger points, which are hyper-irritable knots within the muscle. Neurologically, massage also stimulates mechanoreceptors, such as Golgi tendon organs, which signal the muscles to relax and decrease the muscle spindle activity that causes tension.
It also stimulates the nervous system in a way that alters how your body perceives pain. According to the Gate Control Theory of Pain, your spinal cord contains “gates” that control whether or not your brain receives pain signals from the body. When a massage therapist applies pressure and movement, they stimulate sensory receptors in your skin and muscles. These signals travel faster to the brain than pain signals, essentially “closing the gate” and reducing your perception of pain.
Decreases muscular tension and pain
Massage can help improve blood flow to muscles, especially when paired with heat, like the application of warmed stones. Blood delivers oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout your body while simultaneously collecting carbon dioxide and other waste products for removal through your lungs, kidneys, and liver.
Improved blood circulation may lead to faster healing, whether you’re recovering from an injury or repairing micro-tears in your muscles from a workout. These micro-tears are a normal response to exercise that helps you build larger, stronger muscles.
Improves blood circulation
A specific massage technique, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), stimulates the lymphatic system to flush out waste products, including metabolic byproducts like cytokines and prostaglandins that contribute to swelling and pain. Massage techniques like deep tissue and myofascial release can also reduce muscle tension, alleviate pressure on inflamed tissues, and further aid healing.
Reduces swelling and inflammation
Meier, M., Unternaehrer, E., Dimitroff, S. J., et al. (2020). Standardized massage interventions as protocols for the induction of psychophysiological relaxation in the laboratory: A block randomized, controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 10, 14774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71173-w
Alderton, M. (2022). The science of stress. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/science-of-stress-and-massage
Sharpe, P. A., Williams, H. G., Granner, M. L., & Hussey, J. R. (2007). A randomized study of the effects of massage therapy compared to guided relaxation on well-being and stress perception among older adults. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 15(3), 157–163. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17709060
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2005). Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115(10), 1397–1413. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450590956459
Adams, R., White, B., & Beckett, C. (2010). The effects of massage therapy on pain management in the acute care setting. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 3(1), 4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3091428
Kennedy, A. B. (2012). Massage therapy can help improve sleep. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/about/position-statements/massage-therapy-can-help-improve-sleep
Baumgart, S. B., Baumbach-Kraft, A., & Lorenz, J. (2020). Effect of psycho-regulatory massage therapy on pain and depression in women with chronic and/or somatoform back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Sciences, 10(10), 721. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10100721
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Hossain, Z., Theakston, H., & Burman, I. (2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4(1), 31-38. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859299901298
Vallet, M. (2023). Updates in research: Manual lymphatic drainage. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/research-update-lymph-drainage
- American Massage Therapy Association. (2018). Massage therapy in integrative care & pain management. [White paper]. https://www.amtamassage.org/globalassets/documents/publications-and-research/mt_in_integrative_care_and_pain_management.pdf
- Meier, M., Unternaehrer, E., Dimitroff, S. J., et al. (2020). Standardized massage interventions as protocols for the induction of psychophysiological relaxation in the laboratory: A block randomized, controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 10, 14774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71173-w
- Alderton, M. (2022). The science of stress. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/science-of-stress-and-massage
- Sharpe, P. A., Williams, H. G., Granner, M. L., & Hussey, J. R. (2007). A randomized study of the effects of massage therapy compared to guided relaxation on well-being and stress perception among older adults. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 15(3), 157-163. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17709060
- Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2005). Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 115(10), 1397-1413. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450590956459
- Adams, R., White, B., & Beckett, C. (2010). The effects of massage therapy on pain management in the acute care setting. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 3(1), 4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3091428
- Kennedy, A. B. (2012). Massage therapy can help improve sleep. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/about/position-statements/massage-therapy-can-help-improve-sleep
- Baumgart, S. B., Baumbach-Kraft, A., & Lorenz, J. (2020). Effect of psycho-regulatory massage therapy on pain and depression in women with chronic and/or somatoform back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Sciences, 10(10), 721. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10100721
- Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Hossain, Z., Theakston, H., & Burman, I. (2000). High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4(1), 31-38. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859299901298
- Vallet, M. (2023). Updates in research: Manual lymphatic drainage. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/research-update-lymph-drainage
Massage for Health: Conditions That Benefit From Therapy
Massage for Health: Conditions That Benefit From Therapy
- Chronic pain (back, neck, shoulder, and more)
- Fibromyalgia
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Osteoarthritis
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Migraine and tension headaches
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Lymphedema
- Post-surgical recovery and cardiac rehabilitation
- Sports injuries (muscular sprains and tears, rotator cuff injuries, and more)
- Job-related injuries and poor ergonomics
Improved Moods
Better Sleep
Faster Healing
Less Stress
Pain Relief
Real Results That Elevate Your Wellness
Real Results That Elevate Your Wellness
Book your massage today and prioritize your wellness! A happier, healthier version of you awaits!
Book your massage today and prioritize your wellness!
A happier, healthier version of you awaits!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions?
Start here.
It depends on your condition and wellness goals. Our therapists can develop a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.
Massage might be contraindicated (or not safe) for specific conditions where increased circulation, pressure, or physical manipulation could worsen symptoms. For example, it’s not recommended for individuals with active infections or open wounds. Individuals with osteoporosis should avoid deep tissue or vigorous sports massage due to the risk of injury to brittle bones, but light Swedish massage is generally safe.
Massage is contraindicated for certain heart conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis or blood clots and recent heart attacks or strokes. Deep tissue massage isn’t safe for individuals with uncontrolled hypertension or high blood pressure. Likewise, massage may not be safe during active cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation unless approved by an oncologist. Always discuss your medical history with your massage therapist to ensure a safe and effective treatment.
SHARE THIS PAGE