Back Pain and Stress Relief: How Massage Therapy Can Help

Imagine if you could remedy your back pain and reduce stress levels naturally. Would you take the opportunity?

The solution to stress and back pain is easier to find than you may think. When conventional treatments have failed, consider trying massage therapy instead. This ancient healing remedy often has more benefits than just providing a relaxing experience.

10 Ways Massage Therapy Can Help

First, it is important to acknowledge that stress and back pain is a bit of a squirrel wheel. One quickly follows the other. Before you know it, you find yourself chasing your own tail between doctor appointments and prescription drugs.

It is easy to get trapped and believe the conventional way is the only route.

When it comes to stress and back pain, this is far from the truth. Alternative remedies often prove to be just as effective.

Let’s find out more.

Eases Muscle Tension

Massage has been a therapeutic tool to ease muscle tension for thousands of years.

Ancient texts prove that cultures such as the Romans and Greeks used massage as a therapy.

They probably gained their knowledge from Egypt - a country where massage is still used as a therapeutic tool.

Today we know massage treatments help reduce muscle tension. While your body enjoys a massage, your mind also gets the opportunity to relax.

Better Circulation

Painful muscles and tendons are signs your body is experiencing inflammation.

One of the best ways to reduce inflammation is to increase oxygen flow to the muscles.

Did you know oxygen is the most powerful antioxidant known to man? It quickly reduces pain and inflammation.

Oxidants also help to reduce inflammation. What are they?
Oxidants are small particles which increase inflammation in the body. When we increase the level of antioxidants (inflammation-fighting particles) we experience less pain.

Massage increases the amount of oxygen-carrying blood to the muscles which reduces inflammation. This is why you experience less pain immediately after a massage. Mentally, you also feel more relaxed.

Alleviates Pain

Can massages help relieve mental pain? More research is needed, however, we know massage increases endorphins. They are the body’s natural painkillers.

Regular massages help boost the release of endorphins. The effect has both immediate and long-term results.

Stress Relief

Stress can lead to muscle pain. When we experience stress, we become more physically tense.

Endorphins are not the only hormones released by a massage. Serotonin and dopamine are two other hormones released by touch. Both help all living beings relax.

One thing leads to another. When we relax, we sleep better which leads to a more relaxed mind. When we sleep, oxygen also gets a better chance to work leading to a better oxygen flow to our aching muscles.

Mood Booster

It has been shown that individuals who have regular massages experience fewer incidents of anxiety and depression.

The feel-good hormones of dopamine and serotonin are key players, but other influencing factors play a role.

When you go for a massage, you can enjoy personal time. Many health professionals believe personal time is as important as the massage experience. Self-care is vital for our well-being.

Better Flexibility

If you are experiencing back pain, you may have been recommended yoga or tai-chi classes.

Yoga and tai-chi are great for increasing flexibility. Your muscles become longer and flexibility improves.

Although you should never replace exercise with a massage, it is a useful add-on to your overall well-being.

Promotes Relaxation

Never underestimate the importance of relaxation.

Our modern lifestyles mean we are often on the go and seldom take time to relax.

During a massage session, you get the opportunity to relax deeply. If you are new to massages, you may find this challenging. But, every time you go for a massage, you learn it is perfectly okay to relax.

The aim is to relax both body and mind. That is how you get the most out of a massage session.

Overall Health and Well-being

Does massage help boost the immune system?

Our lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins and antioxidants from our bodies.

Stimulating the lymphatic system is not something you can easily do yourself. Scientists have learned that massages improve lymphatic flow.

What does this mean? When the lymph system does not work at an optimum level, the body produces more metabolic waste leading to disease and pain.

One of the best ways to stimulate the lymphatic system is regular massages. Scientific studies show massages increase the level of lymphocytes.

Lymphocytic cells remove harmful substances from the body.

Better Posture

Poor posture is one of the main culprits of back pain.

Exercising and wearing support are two of the best ways to improve posture.

In addition to this, consider a massage. Most masseurs recognise posture problems and know small adjustments can make a huge difference.

As our muscles work in unison better aligned muscles and tendons help reduce posture problems.

10 Sleep Quality

Can better sleep help reduce muscle pain?

Serotonin is one of the most important chemicals produced by the body. Our bodies call on serotonin when we want to sleep and regulate our mood.

Not only does an increased level of serotonin aid better sleep. It also reduces inflammation and pain response.

For a long time, serotonin was a much-overlooked neurotransmitter. Today, we know about serotonin. It plays a key role not only in sleep but also in controlling pain response and our mood.

This means that if we sleep better, our pain response is reduced. This leads to a better mood and less stress.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping it all up, it is clear regular massages have many unexpected health benefits.

The sense of touch is a much-undervalued tool for managing and improving our health.

Massages help reduce back pain, but in reality, they provide many health benefits.

Never underestimate the advantages of regular massages as part of a healthy living routine.