How Massage Helps Pain And Inflammation
Pain is your body’s way of communicating to you and letting you know that you need to rest, slow down and take it easy. Your body has the natural ability to help aid in the healing process.
While there are different levels and types of pain it is important to listen to what your body is telling you. If you don’t take the time your body needs, you will overexert yourself creating more intense pain. However, if you take the time to rest, your body will get a surplus of energy to begin to heal and fight inflammation.
The body will either fight pain or heal. It will not do both at the same time.
How Inflammation Affects Us
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to heal injuries and wounds. Inflammation in the body is a good thing as long as it is not chronic. Prolonged inflammation can cause the body to be fatigued by constantly rebuilding cells and tissues, which won’t give the body ample time to rest and restore into a natural state.
A good example of prolonged inflammation are auto-immune diseases. If that is the case, lifestyle changes are the best thing you can do for yourself. Diet, exercise, and reducing stress and environmental toxins will help minimize triggers that make any autoimmune disease worse.
The Body’s Response to Massage Therapy
When it comes to massage therapy choosing the right therapist that utilizes the right techniques for your body, will work with your body rather than against it. A few different responses on the body are as follows:
Biomechanical
Massage decreases stiffness and increases flexibility and range of motion in the muscles, connective tissues and joints. It also decreases fatigue and reduces pain intensity.
Physiological
Massage has a relaxing effect on the body and also effects external activity on organ systems such as circulatory, muscular, nervous and respiratory by invigorating the function. This helps to heal and regenerate damaged parts.
Neurological
Massage therapy works hand in hand with the endocrine system which govern the hormones by stimulating the brain to produce endorphins. The activated neurotransmitters decrease stress and anxiety. Serotonin is a calming hormone which reduces pain, while dopamine is the happy hormone that gives a sense of well- being.
Psychological
Massage gives the body a sense of well being, and reduces depression and anxiety. It also helps with post traumatic stress and provides an overall improvement in mental state of mind.
Many Systems; One Body
All systems are linked together and help bring the body back to a natural state of health. The manipulation of soft tissue helps to relax muscle tissue and decrease painful muscle contractions. It can help reduce nerve compression and decrease inflammation, helping the body get out of the pain cycle and into the natural healing state. Call Jenna Baker today to schedule your massage and get a good start on giving your body some much needed rest!