Massage Tulsa encourages the body to circulate the good stuff, oxygen and nutrients, while getting rid of waste products and toxins. This increased circulation also helps with muscle flexibility and range of motion.
Therapeutic massage can lower the stress hormone cortisol and increase serotonin, which is beneficial for the overall health of an individual.
Stress is one of the biggest causes of chronic and acute illnesses. It is estimated that 80% of diseases are linked to stress. Massage decreases the level of cortisol in your body, improves mood and releases serotonin. These neurotransmitters are your body’s natural feel good chemicals that improve the immune system and alleviate stress, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
During massage, your heart rate slows and blood circulation increases, thus causing an overall calming effect on the body. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, your body’s natural pain killers and a key factor in relieving stress. In addition, massage promotes sleep and reduces feelings of tension, thereby making the nervous system calm and relaxed.
Massage therapy can help lower the levels of cortisol in your body, a hormone that rises during stressful times and helps prepare your body for fight or flight situations. It has also been found that massage can decrease the levels of epinephrine in the body, which is another stress hormone.
It can also increase your levels of dopamine, another hormone that makes you feel happy and boosts the immune system. In fact, people who receive regular massages are much less prone to illness than those who do not get massages.
Stress can lead to tense muscles that restrict movement and cause discomfort. Massage stretches the tightened muscles and improves their flexibility, which in turn can ease pain and discomfort caused by stress and anxiety. In addition, massage can reduce the levels of lactic acid, which causes muscle fatigue.
The effects of stress can vary from person to person, but there are many ways you can combat it such as exercising, getting enough rest and relaxation and having a regular massage. In fact, many patients in a stressful condition such as cancer, say that the most helpful treatment during their time of illness was regular massage therapy.
A study done by the American Psychological Association found that receiving a massage reduces heart rate and blood pressure, relaxes the muscles and soft tissues of the body, increases endorphins, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming and promoting rest, and decreases the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. In addition, it has been found that massage increases frontal delta brain waves, which are slow loud brainwaves that suspend external awareness and encourage a state of calm and relaxation.
Improves Circulation
Whether it’s a remedial or relaxing massage, the physical manipulation of soft tissue increases blood flow and improves circulation. It also enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells, decreasing swelling and promoting healthy, strong muscles.
In some cases, such as in claudication (muscles in which the arterial supply is pinched by other anatomical structures) it may be possible for massage to alleviate the condition by reducing the muscle tension that reduces blood flow and increases pressure on the affected arteries. But in most instances this will not be enough to prevent claudication, especially if the underlying cause is a chronically contracted muscle.
What’s more likely to happen during a massage is that the body’s natural vasodilation process will be activated through the heat generated by the friction applied to the skin and muscle, as well as from the mechanical pressure of the strokes themselves. Vasodilation causes the blood vessels to widen, reducing blood pressure and allowing more blood to flow through them. This improves the body’s ability to transport blood around the entire body.
One of the most interesting ways that massage can improve circulation is by increasing capillarisation. This is where the number of small blood vessels surrounding a muscle increases. This makes it easier for oxygen and nutrients to pass from blood to the muscle, and allows the muscles to use more of their own energy.
In fact, a simple form of massaging, known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, involves firm and rapid chest compressions that passively pump the heart by squishing it repeatedly to simulate a heartbeat. This is very effective at improving circulation, and has even been shown to save lives in cardiac arrest patients.
If you are taking medications that affect circulation, it’s important to inform your therapist so they can take appropriate measures. For example, if you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), massage that targets the deep connective tissues is unlikely to be safe for you. Similarly, those with hypertension should avoid very deep or powerful strokes as these will increase their blood pressure. This can lead to dizziness, fatigue and drowsiness.
Increases Endorphins
The euphoria you feel after a great massage is due to endorphins being released. These are neurotransmitters that inhibit pain signals to the brain and are the body’s natural narcotic. They have a similar chemical structure to the opiate class of drugs such as morphine. The release of these hormones during and after a massage increases your overall happiness and can also help you sleep better at night.
It’s also been proven that massage reduces cortisol levels, which is the hormone released when you are under stress. These stress hormones are not only harmful to your health, but they can suppress your immune system and cause you to feel down and depressed. Massage is known to decrease the production of these negative hormones, and increase the level of positive hormones including oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine.
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers and they affect a variety of physiological processes, including mood regulation, blood pressure and even bone density. In order to keep your body functioning at its best, it is essential to achieve a hormonal balance. Having high levels of cortisol and low levels of serotonin, or vice versa, can lead to various physical and emotional problems including high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, digestive issues and weakened immune system.
A good massage can improve your overall mood by boosting your happy hormones, and the oxytocin and serotonin produced by a professional will make you feel warm and fuzzy, and may even cause you to cry (this is why it’s called a “feel-good” experience). The stimulating movements of a Swedish or deep tissue massage, such as cupping, hacking and beating, are a great way to clear the airways too, as they stimulate the lungs to expel more carbon dioxide and promote deeper breathing.
When you’re in a nervous or anxious state before an event, massage can help by increasing the levels of your “happy hormones”. This will make you feel calm and relaxed, which in turn will increase your confidence and performance level. So, next time you have an event coming up, book yourself in for a massage!
Improves Sleep
For people with insomnia, a good night’s sleep can be elusive. Many try all manner of things to help them fall asleep, from exercise and supplements to sleeping aids and specialist teas. But one thing that often gets overlooked is massage. Research has shown that massage improves sleep.
The reason is that therapeutic massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body’s autonomic nervous system that promotes relaxation and rest. During massage, the body’s cortisol levels decrease while serotonin is increased, causing a calming effect on both the mind and the body.
As the brain becomes calmer and more relaxed, it also releases chemicals that help you fall asleep. Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, which helps you fall into a sound sleep. Researchers have found that just 3 minutes of massage can increase serotonin levels and make it easier to fall asleep.
If you’re not getting enough sleep, you can’t function optimally and your quality of life suffers. That’s why it’s important to incorporate sleep-promoting habits into your routine. This includes getting regular massages, relaxing before bed and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before sleep.
Massage can be especially helpful for insomniacs. Studies have found that it can reduce anxiety and stress levels, as well as promote better circulation, which can help you relax and fall asleep. It can also reduce tense muscles, which can cause insomnia and disrupt your sleep cycle.
The best types of massage for promoting sleep include Swedish, deep tissue and sports massages. These techniques involve long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements and vibration. Acupressure, which is a form of Chinese medicine that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, may also be beneficial. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, but does not involve needles and can be done at home. It can be particularly helpful for those with chronic pain or injuries, as it can relieve tension in the muscles and joints. It can also be used to treat conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis and back pain. In fact, a study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine found that acupressure reduced symptoms of depression and insomnia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.