Massage

Massage has both Physical and Psychological effects to the body and can be an important part of your health maintenance plan such as Stress Management, 

Sports Training, Injury Prevention, Reducing or eliminating pain and muscular tension, improving Circulation.

Massage increases serotonin and dopamine levels which may make you feel more emotionally balanced.  Physiologically your body is trying to get rid of toxins so you may feel tired and sleepy afterwards, so it is important to drink plenty of water to help with the elimination of the toxins. It has also been said that one hour of full body massage is the equivalent of 8 hours good night sleep!

Below are just a few of the conditions that can be treated with Massage Therapy: 

· Sports Injury

· Whiplash

· Aches and Pains of muscles and joints

· Headaches

· Anxiety and Depression

· Stress and Stress Related Conditions

· Sleep disorders such as Insomnia

· Gastrointestinal Disorders

· Increased Circulation

· Breathing Conditions such as Asthma and Emphysema

· Inflammatory Conditions such as arthritis

· Parkinson's Disease

· Auto-immune Diseases such as Chronic fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia for example. 

Here is a more in-depth guide to how your body can benefit through the magic of the bodies systems that help to encourage the body back to Homeostasis through massage therapy.

The skeletal system: Bone is affected indirectly by massage. Improved circulation of blood brings oxygen and nutrients to the bones. Joint stiffness and pain can be reduced. As the muscles become more flexible, joint movement increases.

The muscular system: Some massage movements relax and stretch muscles, reducing muscular tension and cramp. Muscles tired by exercise are more quickly restored by massage than by rest.

The nervous system: Soothing massage can provide relief from nervous irritability and stress-related conditions such as insomnia and tension headaches. When used energetically to stimulate, massage may relieve lethargy and fatigue.

Circulation system: Massage can improve the flow of blood, which can help poor circulation. This is especially useful for anyone who is immobile.

Lymphatic system: Gentle massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps clear the body of a build-up of waste products. The relaxing effect of the massage can relieve stress, which in turn can boost the immune system.

Respiratory system: As you become more relaxed during a massage, respiration may become slower and deeper as you are using your diaphragm for breathing and expending less energy. Certain massage techniques can also help to relieve the muscles that have become tense from shortened breathing for example.

Digestive system: Massage aids relaxation and therefore can help to increase the movement of food and waste products through the digestive system. This relaxation can have a balancing effect on the digestive system, especially if the abdominal area is massaged and this can help with aiding the movement of waste through the colon.

Urinary system: Waste products that have been released during massage find their way via the blood to the kidneys where they may be filtered out and eliminated.

Female reproductive system: Menstrual problems such as period pains and PMS can be alleviated by the relaxing effects of massage, as can menopausal symptoms.