3 GENUINE REASONS FOR A MASSAGE
We’ve heard in enough movies that there is no such thing as an innocent massage. Indeed, massages from a significant other or a close friend have the power to strengthen the bond between them and us, and can be a true godsend. But not only do massages feel good, they also seem to have real health benefits, if recent research is to be believed. Here is a list of genuine reasons why you need a massage.
It works as a painkiller
This is especially true when the masseur is using his or her bare hands on your skin. Researchers have studied effects of various kinds of touch-treatments on the brain activity of people undergoing them, and they’ve found that bare-handed massages activated the same parts of the brain as did painkillers such as codeine. So if you feel pain in a certain area, ask someone to press their fingers into the specific pain point for about ten seconds with sustained, medium pressure. Rubbing all over – as is the common inclination – is unlikely to be as effective as focused pressing. While the sensation could be described as ‘intense’, it shouldn’t be painful, and it should alleviate some of the original pain.
It improves immunity
It’s common knowledge that massages improve blood flow, but according to a study published in the journal of alternative and complementary medicine, it actually changes your blood’s composition for the better. After a 45-minute Swedish massage, recipients were found to have significantly higher levels of blood proteins compared to blood samples taken from a control group.
It reduces stress
We all know this already, don’t we? Alleviating the tension of your muscles is bound to alleviate the tension in your mind as well. It’s often thought that the brain controls the body, but it works the other way too. Relax the body consciously and the mind automatically relaxes. An overwhelming amount of evidence has accumulated over time that says massages can slash most physiological markers of stress. So go ahead, when you’re feeling a little stressful, ask someone to give you a nice massage. You won’t regret it.
