Benefits of Bodywork
Massage therapy benefits the body in many ways including:
General benefits
- Promotes self-esteem and a feeling of well-being
- Increased awareness of the body-mind connection and emotional awareness, helps clear the mind
Nervous System
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Increases seratonin and dopamine levels (both are linked to decreasing stress levels and decreases in depression)
Circulatory System
- Dilates the blood vessels thus improves blood circulation and helps lower blood pressure
- Helps increase white blood cell count which enables body to more effectively protect oneself against disease
- Facilitates tissue healing through enhancement of circulation
- Speeds the elimination of the toxins (metabolic wastes) from cellular activity
Musculoskeletal System
- Increases blood supply and nutrition to the muscles
- Helps muscles recover more quickly from exertion and fatigue
- Increases muscle tone and helps reestablish proper tone in muscles
- Relaxes muscles, reduces spasms, tension, and cramping
- Help increase joint range of motion
- Reduces adhesions (knots), fibrosis, reduces muscle and soft tissue pain
- Reduces joint strain and compression through releasing tight muscles and tendons
Lymphatic System
- Increases tissue fluid and lymphatic circulation which expedites waste removal and reduces lymph edema (swelling)
Integumentary System
- Improves skin condition by bringing added nutrients to skin and improving skin texture and tone
Respiratory System
- Massage can be used to relieve congestion in the lungs through percussive and compressive movements
Digestive System
- Stimulates motility by triggering peristalsis activity
- Supports healthy digestion through physically helping food propel through the alimentary canal