Massage Therapy is a complementary medicine that uses hands-on techniques to manipulate soft tissues of the body. The techniques are typically applied using the hands, elbows, knees, or forearms. They generally help relieve stress and pain in the body. Massages can also be used as a form of therapy for cancer patients.
Massage therapy is a complementary and alternative medicine
Massage therapy has many health benefits, including boosting energy, easing pain, and improving mood and well-being. It is effective for many musculoskeletal problems and may help relieve chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also beneficial for rehabilitating sports injuries and reducing stress. It also increases relaxation and helps with sleep disorders. Massage is also beneficial for the workplace and has been linked to improvements in mental alertness.
Massage therapy is also gaining momentum in health care environments as a result of a cultural shift in favor of preventative medicine. Consumers are less likely to wait for medical intervention and are more interested in resources that prevent illness, according to Dr. Leslie Mendoza-Temple, director of the Integrative Medicine Program at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Glenview, Illinois.
Massage therapy has been practiced for thousands of years, and can be extremely effective in easing stress. Practitioners use kneading, tapping, and stroking to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. It can be very gentle or quite vigorous, depending on the condition of the patient. While there is no scientific evidence that massage can treat cancer, massage is widely accepted as a complementary and alternative medicine.
It is used for pain relief
Massage therapy is an effective way to ease pain. It works by increasing blood flow to the sore joints and muscles. This extra circulation helps to warm up the affected area. It has also been shown that massage can trigger opioid release in the brain. Scientists have yet to prove how a massage triggers this response, but they believe that it is due to the stimulation of oxytocin, the same hormone women release before labor.
Massage therapy has been shown to provide pain relief in people with chronic pain. This type of pain lasts more than twelve weeks and differs from typical pain in that it continues to send pain signals to the brain. It can be sharp, aching, dull, or throbbing and may interfere with daily activities. Common types of chronic pain include lower back pain and injury pain caused by nerve damage. Massage can effectively reduce the symptoms of pain and improve mobility.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have studied massage therapy for pain relief. The results show that the therapy can reduce pain and improve patients’ emotional well-being. In addition, it can also improve sleep and improve a person’s quality of life. Researchers also believe that massage may improve the recovery process in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
It reduces stress
Massage can help reduce stress in a variety of ways. It releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which are hormones that help regulate our moods and promote relaxation. Studies show that massage can decrease cortisol levels, improve our moods, and even improve our memory.
Massage reduces stress by relaxing the muscles and lowering the heart rate. It also soothes muscle fibers, which improves range of motion and reduces pain. Some massage techniques trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help reduce blood pressure. Excess stress causes hypertension, which can lead to many physical and emotional symptoms.
In today’s world, many of us live busy lives and may be suffering from excessive levels of stress. We may not get enough sleep, which can lead to tiredness and joint aches. Chronic back pain is an excellent example of postural stress. Regular massage sessions can help reduce muscle tension, which can lead to a host of ailments, including chronic back pain.
It can reduce cancer symptoms
Massage therapy can help cancer patients cope with the stress and physical symptoms of cancer. Depending on the type of cancer, massage can reduce fatigue, anxiety, and sleep. It may also help a person with cancer reduce their dose of pain medication. There is a small body of evidence to support the effectiveness of massage for cancer patients.
There are a few precautions that should be taken when receiving massage. For example, cancer patients should not be massaged on the site of radiotherapy or on broken or bleeding skin. Additionally, they should avoid massage on swollen lymphoedematous areas (a buildup of fluid).
During a massage session, the patient lies on a cushioned table. Depending on the type of cancer, patients may be placed in a special position. For example, women who have had breast cancer may be unable to lie on their stomach. The therapist should be aware of any pain or discomfort. The patient is free to stop at any point during the session if he or she feels any discomfort.
