4 Lesser-Known Benefits Of Massage Therapy

When you think of massage, what benefits come to mind? If you're like most people, you think of massage as providing relief from muscle soreness and perhaps some feelings of increased peace and relaxation. But massage is good for more than relaxation and comfort. Here's a look at four lesser-known benefits you'll experience once you start having therapeutic massages on a regular basis.

Better Sleep

By alleviating muscle tension, massage makes it easier for you to get comfortable at night, which makes for a better night's sleep. Massage also promotes the release of endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that may help put your mind at ease so you can drift off faster. If you suffer from occasional insomnia, massage may help you fight it without turning to medications. When you're better rested, you'll start noticing a wide array of other benefits such as better concentration and fewer bouts of illness.

Reduced Risk of Injury

It's no secret that massage keeps your muscles looser and more pliable. This doesn't just make you more comfortable. It also improves your agility so that if you trip or slip while walking, you're less likely to pull a muscle or suffer another injury. If you're an athlete (or even someone who just exercises casually), massage will reduce your risk of muscle tears and joint injuries since it increases your flexibility and range of motion.

Healthier Skin

As your massage therapist runs his or her hands over your skin, this action stimulates circulation. Blood is encouraged to flow through the skin more readily, and it brings with it various nutrients that your skin needs to thrive. After a massage, you can expect your skin to feel smoother and look more vibrant. If skin improvement is a benefit you're seeking specifically, you can request that your massage therapist uses skin-enhancing oils with ingredients like vitamin E and lanolin. This will leave your skin looking even better.

Less Bloating

Bloating is basically the accumulation of fluids in the body tissue. Massage pushes this fluid around, which encourages it to move back into your circulatory system where it is then filtered out and removed by the kidneys. Thus, when you start having regular massages, you're likely to notice less bloating and less fluid accumulation in places like your ankles and arms.

To learn more about these and other benefits of massage therapy, speak with a certified massage therapist in your area.