The Benefits of Massage for Mind, Body & Soul

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If you’re new to massage therapy, you might be wondering: “What Are the Benefits of Massage?” It’s a good question and in this article you’ll discover that benefits of massage extend far beyond easing sore muscles…it has an effect on all systems of the body including the skin, muscular, lymphatic and nervous systems.

The art of massage has existed for thousands of years and has been used by many cultures to promote good health and well-being. The ancient Chinese, Greek and Roman cultures all valued the benefits of massage therapy as a part of a mind-body-spirit approach for restoring health and stimulating relaxation.

Many experts in the West now recognise that the increasingly sedentary lifestyles that we lead have led to an increase in musculoskeletal disorders including back, neck and shoulder pain. At the same time, workplace pressures have led to an increase in stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety.

The good news is that the use of massage therapy can help with alleviating the effects of our modern way of living because massage works in partnership with the body’s natural processes to help prevent illness. The are many benefits of massage, which have a positive effect on all systems of the body – digestive, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, skeletal, endocrine and nervous – and helps return the body to a state of balance and total relaxation.

In fact, massage therapy is a wonderful and effective way to alleviate a host of physical and psychological ailments. If you’ve never received a massage, you’re definitely missing out on a profoundly pleasurable experience that can benefit you in so many ways.

The Many Benefits of Massage Therapy

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the main benefits of massage therapy are related to relieving muscle tension. And while that’s true, there are numerous other physiological and psychological benefits to including massage into your wellness activities.

Some of the key benefits of massage therapy include:

• increased physical, mental and emotional well-being
• reduced muscle tension, stiffness and joint pain
• a reduction in the physical and emotional effects of stress
• lower anxiety levels and an increased state of deep relaxation
• increased blood circulation, which improves skin and muscle tone
• an increased capacity for clear thinking
• a greater awareness of your body and improved body image

And if that wasn’t enough, receiving a massage will make you feel nurtured, appreciated and valued.

Benefits of Massage on Your Whole Body

As you’ve already discovered, the benefits of massage therapy extend to all the systems of the body so let’s take a deeper look at how massage effects four systems of the body: the skin, muscular, lymphatic and nervous systems.

Benefits of Massage on Your Skin

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? As the largest organ in the body, it benefits tremendously when you receive a massage and consists of 2 main layers:

• The Epidermis ― which is the top layer of the skin that we can see
• The Dermis ―which is the layer that’s underneath the epidermis and contains blood, lymph, nerve vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles and living cells

Massage invigorates the skin by boosting circulation, improving the tone and texture and helps stimulate the regeneration of skin cells. Massage also encourages the production of Sebum ― the skin’s natural oil ― which keeps the skin lubricated and prevents dryness.

Benefits of Massage on Your Muscular System

The benefits of massage on your muscular system are enormous. The muscular system is made up of all your muscles, tendons and fascia, which connect the muscles to your bones and joints and allow your body to move easily.

There are 3 types of muscle in your body:

• Cardiac muscle ― only is found in your heart and helps to pump blood around your body
• Voluntary muscle ― which are the muscles you have control over, such as those found in your arms and legs
• Involuntary muscle ― which are muscles you don’t have any control over, such as those found in the wall of your blood vessels

One of the most obvious benefits of massage is that it helps with relieving tension and knots in your muscles. However, the benefits go beyond that.

Aside from reducing fatigue and stiffness in your muscles, massage aids the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles, speeds up the removal of waste chemicals, which enables your muscles to function optimally and can assist with improving your flexibility and range of movement.

Benefits of Massage on Your Lymphatic System

The Lymphatic system is made up of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic ducts and a fluid called lymph. It supports the circulatory system to remove excess fluid from the spaces around the tissues of your body, helping to improve the removal of waste chemicals, toxins and bacteria.

The lymphatic system also helps your body fight infection through the production of antibodies and white blood cells known as lymphocytes. During a massage, the massage strokes assist the lymphatic system in doing its job of removing fluid from around the tissues and helps reduce any swelling (called oedema) in the tissues caused by too much fluid in the cells.

Benefits of Massage on Your Nervous System

The benefits of massage on your nervous system are huge. The nervous system is the communication centre of your body and it’s made up of 2 parts:

• The Central Nervous System (CNS)― this includes your brain and spinal cord, and controls the functioning of your mind, influences your behaviour and enables you to react to the stimuli from your peripheral nervous system.
• The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) ― this includes your cranial and spinal nerves, as well as the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. It controls your motor and sensory functions, as well as sending information to and from your organs to your brain.

Receiving a massage can either stimulate or relax your nervous system, depending on the outcome required and the techniques that are used. A massage intended to stimulate, will invigorate and ‘wake up‘ the nerves, while one that’s focused on relaxation will ‘calm‘ the nerves and ease tension.

Are You Ready to Experience the Benefits of Massage Therapy?

While it’s true that receiving a is a nice way to relax after a hard day at work, the benefits of massage therapy far exceed simple relaxation and can do so much more for your body and mind. Remember, your body is always working to maintain a state of balance and ease so give it a helping hand by incorporating massage into your regular well-being programme…you won’t regret it.