Healthy Habits Massage: People usually think of nutrition and exercise when it comes to healthy habits. No question, eating right and staying fit are vital to your health. However, have you thought about beneficial habits massage? Getting a massage every week or month may offer big health benefits.
Learn below about how regular massages are essential to maintaining good health and fitness. After reading about massages, check out this blog on healthy mental health habits.
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What Are The Different Types Of Massages?
Massage is the general term for rubbing, manipulating, and pressing the skin, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Massage is good for your body, spirit, and health, but what kind of massage should you have? There are many forms of massage, with these being the most common:
- Swedish massage: This is one of the gentlest types of massage. It includes long strokes, kneading the muscles, circular motions, tapping, and vibration. Many people say a Swedish massage makes them feel more energized but relaxed.
- Deep massage: This involves stronger, slower movements to dig into the deeper muscle layers, ligaments, and tendons. Deep massage may be a good choice if you have had a sports or car accident injury.
- Self-massage: This can reduce tension and lower soreness after a workout.
- But it is made for people who are in sports to prevent injuries. For example, you may opt for sports massage if you want to keep your leg and arm loose and limber. It can help after strenuous physical activity to avoid injuries.
- Trigger point massage. It deals with tight muscle fibers that may develop in certain muscle groups after overuse or injury.
Healthy Habits Massage
Now that you know about the basic forms of massage, what are some of the benefits of massage? If you get into the habit of having regular massages, you should enjoy these and other benefits:
Improve Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is pain and swelling in the joints as we age. More blood goes to the joints when the massage therapist massages your muscles and connective tissues. This can provide temporary pain relief.
If you have arthritis, remember to mention it to your therapist. The massage therapist will design the massage specifically for your condition.
Lowers Anxiety
One of the most significant advantages of regular massages is it reduces anxiety. In addition, healthcare professionals say a massage can positively impact the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic nervous system is the fight or flight response you may feel in a stressful situation. But during your massage, the parasympathetic nervous system responds, which calms you and reduces anxiety.
Plus, anxiety reduction with massage can last for a long time if you have regular massages. Some patients say they have lower anxiety for up to a year after having a series of massages.
Relieves Constipation
If you have constipation or other digestive problems, consider having a stomach massage. A recent study in Gastroenterology Nursing said that a stomach massage could help people with chronic constipation. In addition, massage can benefit those who have had surgery and are constipated.
Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain
People with this condition have chronic pain that is difficult to pinpoint. They also may suffer from problems with mood, memory, and sleep. Massage therapy does not cure fibromyalgia but can reduce symptoms when combined with counseling, physical therapy, and medications.
Talk to your doctor about having a massage; they may have specific massage recommendations that can relieve some symptoms.
Sleep Better
Many people have trouble sleeping. When you don’t get enough sleep, your health nosedives. Massage can reduce stress and help you sleep better. Massage can reduce stress and improve your sleep. So if you can schedule a massage a few hours before you plan to go to bed.
Relieves Tension Headaches
A tension headache makes you feel like a band is wrapped around your skull. Why this happens isn’t clear, but evidence shows that regular massages can help.
Experts say massage can relieve head, neck, and shoulder tension.
Improves Certain Health Issues
The body features the Th1 and Th2 immune responses. They must be balanced so your immune system works perfectly. You can have autoimmune issues if Th2 is out of balance with Th1.
During a massage, you reduce stress hormones and improve the balance between the immune responses. That’s why massage has been shown to enhance autoimmune problems, including type 1 diabetes, dermatitis, and asthma.
Summary
Most people think first about eating right and exercise when it comes to good health. Of course, those are important but don’t neglect to have regular massages. Having a massage offers many health benefits that can help you live a better, more relaxed life. Try different types of massages and see which is best for your needs.