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2010-02-20 16:21:08
Treat Yourself - Why Massages Are Good For Your Health
Billions of dollars are spent each year by people who want to make themselves feel better. Whether this money is spent on beauty, fashion, or gym memberships this money goes towards making our ever stressed out population feel just a little bit better mental or physically. Well now studies show that getting a massage has some great health benefits that will make you want to indulge! In fact, research shows that getting messages can ease insomnia, boost immunity, prevent PMS, and more.
With regular massages you can effectively say goodbye to pain. This may seem like somewhat of a no brainer but rubdowns can be especially effective for back pain. Some researchers have even found that getting a massage actually works better than other treatments such as chiropractic therapy and acupuncture. This happens because get massaged boosts the feel good hormone serotonin and dopamine which blocks your nervous system's pain receptors.
If you struggle for insomnia you can say hello to dreams with massages as well. Studies have found that getting massages increase delta waves which are linked with deep sleep. No wonder you find yourself drifting whenever you are on the table!
It has also been found that getting massaged actually helps prevent you from getting sick. It boosts your natural fighting cells, which is the immune system's first line of defense against invading germs and bacteria. Researchers have known that cortisol destroys fighting cells and since they also found that getting massaged decreases cortisol levels it automatically gives your immune system a boost. In fact, massage has even been found to boost immunity in those people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients.
Decreased levels of cortisol and more serotonin and dopamine also mean less stress, anxiety, and depression in general. This increased sense of relaxation is one reason why some hospitals offer massage to anxious patients awaiting surgery and cancer patients going through chemo.
Finally, it is no big surprise that if you are an active person, massage can cause less cramps and pain due to the improved blood circulation that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells. So when you start to feel guilty about treating yourself to a massage just remind yourself about all of these awesome health benefits you get from them!
For more health holiday tips, go here!
