What are the benefits of a full body massage?

The Benefits of a Full Body Massage

Jessica Smith | Published September 6, 2018 | Reviewed by Sherwin

In today’s times when our lives are fast-paced and full of stressful challenges, our body and mind are subjected to various kinds of wear and tear. In such a scenario a soothing full body massage is a perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle of the city life. Although massage is an age-old therapy being used to maintain, recuperate or rejuvenate the body, the Gen-EX of this millennium is opting for full body massages as these massages offer multiple benefits, both physically and psychologically.

If you are fortunate to get a massage during the pandemic, do so. This difficult time is causing us to become much less mobile and more prone to joint discomfort such as lower back pain.

Full body massage accentuates muscle flexibility

Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of a full body massage:

Helps in recuperation and healing

After undergoing a medical procedure like a surgery, the next crucial challenge for a patient is recovering from the surgery. Also once the effect of anesthesia subsides, the patient might feel excessive pain owing to an injury to the operated muscle or organ. Massages help relieve the pain by improving blood circulation, which aids and promotes faster healing. Full body massage which focuses on deep muscle and tissue relaxation can miraculously ease pain and ensure rapid recovery. It is by far the healthiest method for healing an ailing body.

Reduces anxiety and promotes sleep

Massages are equipped with the incredible power of touch! Anxiety is usually mounted with the feeling of isolation or seclusion. And full body massage involving soothing touch and calming environment helps reducing anxiety by reducing levels of cortisol in the brain, increasing the production of serotonin and dopamine and lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. This has a calming effect on the body muscles and mind.

It is also empirically observed that massages help people not only fall asleep faster but also experience longer periods of deep sleep, which reduces the neurotransmitter associated with pain and also results in better brain functioning.

Also in a study conducted by the American College of Healthcare Sciences in 2014, it was observed that all the patients who received the aromatherapy body massage reported less pain and relief from anxiety and depression, suggesting that aromatherapy full body massage with essential oils such as lavender oil, rose essential oil, sweet almond oil, Ylang Ylang oil etc is more effective for pain and depression management than mere body massage alone.

Enhances mobility and flexibility

Full body massage accentuates muscle flexibility. Increasing flexibility through massage can help relieve sore and tight muscles. Inflexible or overused muscles results in muscle tightness. A therapeutic full body massage aims to manipulate sore or injured muscles using a wide range of techniques. The manipulation of muscles through massage generates a therapeutic effect, thereby increasing relaxation both physically and mentally. Loosened and relaxed muscles cause an increase in mobility and eventually eases the pain.

For instance, in case of a lower back pain apart from exercises for lower back pain, a deep tissue massage or certain prescribed exercises for lower back pain can help to relax the lower back muscles and ease out the pain. The relaxation effect a therapeutic massage also helps to beat the stress and anxiety caused by the muscle tension and results in mood elevation.

Boosts immune system

In the long run, a good full body massage does have a large impact on the body’s immune system. It will encourage the nervous system to enter the parasympathetic response which results in relaxation. Also, there are studies which suggest that full body massage done in regular intervals can increase the production of immune cells such as natural killer cells and other immune cells that work to prevent autoimmune diseases such as HIV aids, cancer etc. Also, a full body massage improves lymphatic flow that will allow the immune system to function better and achieve equilibrium for various systems in the human body.

Stimulates brain power and cognitive functioning

Full body massage not only improves the mood but also enhances brain activity. It can help stimulate brain functions, improve memory and concentration. As it also helps in anxiety a good full body massage helps to achieve emotional balance. It induces deep relaxation and studies have indicated that people who regularly get full body massages enjoy a clarity of thought and improved mental alertness.

Given the above mentioned health benefits, it is evident that a full body massage is beneficial for several reasons. Yet it is a wonder that many people are skeptics or rather indolent and seldom indulge in full body massage. It is a great investment in health and as studies have suggested that it has an amazing impact on the immune system of human body ensuring that all diseases and illnesses are kept at bay.

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