But there are other very real physiological health benefits from regular massage therapy.
Just a few:
- Reduces the stress hormone cortisol (by up to 50%) and boosts the "feel good" hormones serotonin and dopamine, slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and blocking pain receptors.
- Lowers levels of cortisol provide a boost to the immune system. A 2010 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found massage therapy increased white cell count.
- Improves pain, stiffness, range of motion and overall function, according to a clinical trial of Swedish massage in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. (WebMD)
- Reduces pain, increases headache-free days and levels of serotonin in adults with migraines, as reported in a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.
- Counteracts the imbalances that produce shoulder and neck tension in those who work for long periods at a desk/in a seated position.
- Reduces the need for painkillers to treat low back pain by 36%. (WebMD)
- Provides relief from symptoms of severe PMS, including pain, water retention and mood swings, as found in a small study by the Touch Research Institute of University of Miami School of Medicine.
- Produced shorter labor and hospital stays in pregnant women who had massage from their coaches during labor. (Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology).
- Improves anxiety and depression, as demonstrated through numerous published studies, independent of the source of these symptoms.
Regular massage isn't just an indulgence -- it can be a meaningful part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
The Razor Sharp Fitness Spa is open to the public, but offers discounted rates for Razor Sharp Members. Stop by the front desk or call (262) 321-0200 to schedule an appointment.
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Sources include:
CNN.com from Health magazine, "Massage: It's real medicine."
WebMD health & Balance Center
Touch Research Institute
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