Pain Relief:

The big advantage of Remedial Massage is its ability to reduce the intensity of pain. Typically, people experience significant relief after treatment, reducing overall pain levels. Common issues like injuries, strains, and overworked muscles see a large reduction in soreness. Pain is a complex process that involves the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. When tissue is damaged or injured, pain receptors in the affected area send signals to the brain, which interprets these signals as discomfort. This process is known as nociception.

Massage interrupts the pain cycle and decreases the intensity of the signals. According to a study by Moyer et al. (2011), Massage Therapy can decrease the intensity of pain signals by activating the body’s natural pain-killing mechanisms, including the release of endorphins and serotonin. Massage can also increase blood flow and reduce inflammation, which can help reduce pain (Field, 2014). When muscles are tense, they can put pressure on nerves and contribute to discomfort. Massage can help relax muscles, release tension, and reduce muscle spasms, which can help alleviate pain (Cherkin et al., 2001).

Improved Flexibility:

Remedial Massage has the ability to improve flexibility. When muscles are tense, they are less flexible and have a reduced range of motion (ROM). Through increasing joint ROM and lengthening muscles through Massage, movement is easier when performing daily activities. It removes the restricted feeling due to tightness in the muscles. According to the study by Hopper et al. (2015), regular massage therapy can significantly improve flexibility in healthy adults.

Enhanced Athletic Performance:

Athletes have seen a range of benefits in performance and recovery through Remedial Massage. Through improving circulation, reducing muscle tension, and increasing flexibility, massage assists athletes to experience an array of benefits. Remedial Massage is a reliable option for many specific goals athletes may have, including running faster, increasing flexibility, and quicker recovery time. A study conducted by Weerapong et al. (2005) found that massage therapy can improve athletic performance by reducing muscle tension and increasing range of motion. The study also found that massage therapy can improve muscle flexibility and reduce muscle soreness, leading to improved athletic performance and reduced risk of injury.

Stress Reduction:

Remedial Massage can help promote relaxation, reduce stress, and tension, and improve overall well-being. Massage triggers the Parasympathetic Nervous System response, which is the body’s natural mechanism to combat stress. This response results in a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, and an increase in circulation, relaxation, and feelings of tranquillity. Massage can also help reduce cortisol levels, which is a hormone that is released in response to stress. High levels of cortisol can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other health problems (Field et al., 2005). In comparison to cortisol, serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that are responsible for increased feelings of happiness and relaxation. Massage works through the Nervous System to decrease cortisol levels, whilst increasing serotonin and dopamine.

Improved Posture:

Massage can be an effective way to improve posture by addressing underlying muscular tension and imbalances, increasing body awareness, and promoting healthy movement patterns (Beider & Moyer, 2007). Poor posture often results from tight and tense muscles, therefore when a muscles tension is released it makes it easier for your body to naturally adopt correct body alignment. This also relates to improving your range of motion, making it easier for you to move in ways that promote good posture. Massage can also help you become more aware of your body and how it feels. This awareness can make it easier for you to identify and correct poor posture habits.

Injury Prevention:

Remedial Massage can help prevent injuries by addressing underlying issues and imbalances that may lead to pain or injury. Massage Therapy is considered a potential modality for injury prevention due to its ability to improve circulation and reduce muscle tension (Smith, 2018). Massage can improve blood flow to an injured area, increasing nutrients and oxygen, promoting healing (Bauer, 2019). Additionally, it can reduce muscle tension and increase flexibility, which can help to reduce the risk of injury. This promotes a better range of motion and reduces the likelihood of muscle strains (Coté & Preyde, 2003).

Increased Circulation:

Remedial massage has been shown to increase circulation through various mechanisms, including the mechanical effects of pressure and the stimulation of the nervous system (Field, 2014). The pressure applied during Remedial Massage can stretch and widen blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the area (Holey & Cook, 2016). Additionally, the rhythmic pressure of massage strokes can promote the movement of blood and lymphatic fluid through the body (Weerapong et al., 2005).

Reduced inflammation:

Remedial massage has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This includes the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, the reduction of stress hormones, and the promotion of blood and lymphatic circulation (Crane et al., 2012). Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body, whilst reducing the ‘fight or flight’ activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Through activating and decreasing the nervous systems respectively, Remedial Massage assists in a reduction of stress hormones and inflammation (Field, 2014). Chronic inflammation can lead to pain and tissue damage. Remedial Massage may help reduce it by promoting the clearance of inflammatory substances and the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to affected tissues (Crane et al., 2012).

Headache Relief:

Remedial Massage has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches. Massage reduces muscle tension, promotes relaxation, alleviation of trigger points, and stimulates the nervous system (Chaibi et al., 2014), which are all factors that contribute to headaches. Tight muscles can restrict blood flow and cause pain and discomfort, so massage can release them, increasing blood flow to the affected area. Trigger points can also play a role in causing and exacerbating headaches. Through treating and releasing trigger points, a reduction in the frequency, intensity, and duration of tension-type headaches is observed (Fernández-de-las-Peñas et al., 2008).

Improved Sleep:

Massage has been shown to have beneficial effects on sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, anxiety, and pain (Munk et al., 2018). Sleep disruptions can lead to negative health outcomes, and Massage may help improve sleep quality. Massage increases the levels of serotonin and oxytocin in the body, which promote feelings of well-being and relaxation (Field, 2014). Additionally, massage can reduce the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can interfere with sleep (Munk et al., 2018). Therefore, getting a remedial massage treatment could potentially lead to a better night’s sleep.

References:

Cherkin, D. C., Eisenberg, D., Sherman, K. J., Barlow, W., Kaptchuk, T. J., Street, J., … & Deyo, R. A. (2001). Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for chronic low back pain. Archives of internal medicine, 161(8), 1081-1088.

Field, T. (2014). Massage therapy research review. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 20(4), 224-229.

Moyer, C. A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J. W. (2011). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological bulletin, 137(6), 952.

Weerapong, P., Hume, P. A., & Kolt, G. S. (2005). The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery and injury prevention. Sports Medicine, 35(3), 235-256.

Bauer, B. (2019). Massage therapy: An introduction. In P. T. Ellison & B. S. Singh (Eds.), Handbook of the biology of aging (pp. 275–284). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811907-5.00023-1

Smith, J. A. (2018). Massage therapy: An overview. In J. R. Fuentes & C. R. Hadden (Eds.), Complementary and alternative medicine in rehabilitation (pp. 311–325). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64505-4_20

Coté, P., & Preyde, M. (2003). The potential role of massage in pain management for athletes. Athletic Therapy Today, 8(5), 18–20.

Kibler, W. B., & Chandler, T. J. (2006). Musculoskeletal injuries in the young tennis player. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 25(4), 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2006.06.004

Holey, E., & Cook, E. (2016). Evidence-based therapeutic massage: A practical guide for therapists. Elsevier.

Crane, J. D., Ogborn, D. I., Cupido, C., Melov, S., Hubbard, A., Bourgeois, J. M., Tarnopolsky, M. A. (2012). Massage therapy attenuates inflammatory signaling after exercise-induced muscle damage. Science Translational Medicine, 4(119), 119ra13. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3002882

Chaibi, A., Tuchin, P. J., & Russell, M. B. (2014). Manual therapies for migraine: A systematic review. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 15(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1129-2377-15-16

Moraska, A., Chandler, C., Edmiston-Schaetzel, A., & Franklin, G. (2008). Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(2), 163–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450600784102

Besedovsky, L., Lange, T., & Born, J. (2019). Sleep and immune function. Journal of Sleep Research, 28(6), e12867.