the healing benefits of massage) We often think of massage as a luxurious way to treat and pamper ourselves. Studies show, however, that massage therapy is more than just a feel-good experience but can contribute to improved health and well-being. Research shows that massage:
- Increases levels of the good-mood chemicals serotonin and dopamine (the same chemicals increased by some antidepressant medications)
- Physically loosens tight muscles, ligaments and tendons
- Causes the body to release food-absorption hormones and decrease levels of cortisol, the stress chemical that makes us feel emotionally and physically tense and hinders our ability to focus; cortisol has also been show to decrease the immune system's activity
This means that people who get regular massages and practice other stress-reduction techniques may better resist or more easily recover from diseases than others.
Studies at the Touch Research Institute, Duke, Harvard and the University of Maryland show that massage can be helpful for a wide variety of problems. Those who have shown improvement through regular massage therapy include:
- Premature infants gained 47% more weight, became more socially responsive, and were discharged 6 days earlier than non-massaged preemies. The savings to hospital: $10,000 per infant
- Pregnant women reported less pain in their legs and back, reduced anxiety, better sleep, and improved mood
- Asthma sufferers breathed more easily and were less stressed
- Autistic children who received massages were more responsive to their teachers and paid less attention to classroom distractions
- Patients with fibromyalgia (achy pain and stiffness in muscles, tendons, and ligaments) experienced less pain, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia
- Bulimic teens had an improved body image and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Rheumatoid arthritis patients had less pain at night, less morning stiffness, and reduced anxiety
- Stressed-out hospital workers who received massage therapy showed enhanced alertness on the job and lower stress and anxiety levels
- Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome reported fewer fatigue-related symptoms, and less pain and difficulty sleeping
In most of the studies referenced above, patients received massages at regular weekly intervals. The length of treatment varied from weeks to months.
If you would like an assessment and our recommendation for a treatment plan designed to meet specific goals and objectives, we would be happy to provide it for you during your first massage appointment.
Metropolis offers a variety of massage techniques to meet your specific needs:
- Rolfing stretches and repositions fascia - the supportive wrapping of the body - to restore normal length and elasticity to the body's deep connective fibers. Rolfing releases the body's segments from life-long patterns of tension and bracing, permitting realignment and balance through gravity.
- Deep Tissue Massage targets specific problem areas to increase blood flow and facilitate the release of toxins within muscle tissue.
- Swedish Massage addresses the entire body including long, gliding strokes and shorter strokes. Swedish massage replenishes our sense of well being and is what we think of most commonly when we envision the relaxation and comfort of massage.