Lower Stress
Massage therapy refers to the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and joints by professionals. It is a clinically-oriented healthcare option which helps alleviate the discomfort experienced and associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular overuse, and many other chronic pain conditions.
Now that you know what massage therapy is, let’s take a look at the general effects of massages and why they are so highly recommended to a point where everyone goes in for a massage therapy.
Let’s take a quick look at a couple of the benefits of massage therapy
To understand the benefits of massage therapy, we need to take a look at the hormones and neurotransmitters that control a person’s mood. There are two sides to the effect of massages similar to the age-old Chinese concept of Yin and Yang.
One of the neurotransmitters in the brain which is secreted by specialized neurons is called serotonin or serotoninergic neurons. Serotonin regulates mood, hunger, and sleep. It also promotes a sense of well-being and contentment.
Massages have been observed to promote the release of serotonin. This explains why people come out of a massage feeling positive. An interesting observation has also been made that serotonin helps people fall asleep during a massage session despite vigorous manipulation.
That’s not all there is to serotonin. In fact, blood platelets contain high concentrations of serotonin. Whenever a tissue suffers any kind of trauma, such as a small muscle tear caused by exercise, platelets flock to the injury site and release their serotonin.
This release of serotonin by the platelets has several effects. The first thing that happens is that the blood vessels become constricted, which minimizes blood loss. The cells involved in the healing process are also attracted, which accelerates the repair of the wounded tissue. This is why people with a low platelet count have a tough time healing wounds.
Let’s take a look at Yang now
The hormone responsible for stress is known as cortisol. Cortisol causes the constriction of blood vessels which leads to the elevation of blood pressure. In fact, cortisol is responsible for the death of NK cells (Natural Killer cells). NK cells are a type of lymphocyte and are the first line of defense against viral infections. Several cells responsible for healing wounds are also inhibited by cortisol. Massage therapy reduces the level of cortisol, which in turn results in a reduction of the physiological effects of stress, thereby enhancing wound healing and also increasing one’s immunity to viruses.
Contact Lymphatic Drainage Massage Clinic
In Home or In Office Massages by Jakki in the Greater Orlando / Central Florida area. Certified for many different massages and treatments. Specializing in Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) post surgery recovery massage.
To schedule an appointment with Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Advanced Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Jakki Bosco LMT, please call (813) 298-5603. We believe nothing is more important than human touch.
Providing massage services to patients in Orlando FL, Windermere, Clermont, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, Kissimmee, Apopka, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs and surrounding areas.