Unlike drug therapy, which is often associated with many systemic and long-term side effects,massage therapyis relatively safe and has few contraindications. It also provides many benefits.
There are numerous physical benefits associated with the use of massage therapy:
loosening tight muscles and stretching connective tissues
relieving cramps and muscle spasms and decreasing muscle fatigue
loosening joints and improving range of motion
increasing muscle strength
calming thenervous system
stimulating blood circulation
firming up muscle and skin tone
relieving symptoms of such disorders asasthma, arthritis,carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic and acutepainsyndromes, myofacial pain,headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and athletic injuries
speeding up healing from injury and illness
improvinglymphatic drainageof metabolic wastes
Mental benefits associated with massage therapy include the following:
mental relaxation
improvement in length and quality of sleep
relief of stress,depression, anxietyand irritation