3 Top Benefits of Massage

FIX EAST LONDON, TIPS, MASSAGE

FIX MASSAGE THERAPIST, AMY MOFFAT SHARES HER TOP 3 BENEFITS OF MASSAGE.

Massage is commonly known for its positive effects on the muscular system, but what I really find amazing is how it directly affects the nervous system.

A considered and listening touch at the hands of an experienced massage therapist, not only delivers great soft tissue release but a secondary bonus is the ultimate feeling of equilibrium – when the multiple systems of the body become more harmonious, which in turn leads to healthier muscles.

The nervous system works directly with the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular and endocrine system. So when the nervous system is overactive the other systems are compromised, and when the nervous system is calm the other systems are able to work at their optimum. For example, cortisol is managed from the endocrine system and is one of the stress hormones used to ignite the senses in stressful situations. Cortisol is linked to many stress-related symptoms and illnesses, such as sleep deprivation, anxiety and inflammation. Massage has been shown in numerous studies to reduce levels of cortisol, returning an agitated body and mind, to a more balanced state. We need a balanced nervous system to achieve good health. Massage truly is a holistic treatment.

Massage is great for proprioception, which means it’s good for posture and really important after an injury.

Proprioception is our ability to feel where we are in space; our sensory receptors, known as our proprioceptors, found in our joints, muscles and fascia, communicate with our brains about our joint activity, muscle tension and balance. The proprioceptors and brain are in constant conversation at rapid speed, organising between them how much tension there needs to be in a joint, how much length in a muscle etc to produce an appropriate and coordinated movement. This close relationship allows us to fine-tune our movements, to adapt our balance and to protect our muscles from injury. 

Massage has been proven to enhance proprioceptive perception, especially after an injury, because it loads the central nervous system with sensory inputs. The more sensory inputs we have the more our muscles and our brain connect, bringing improved coordination and efficiency of movement. It is super important for sportspeople as they are always looking to improve the precision of movement, but it’s vitally important for general posture so we can move freely in the world without compromising our joints and soft tissues, carry out daily tasks without injury and age without losing balance.

As a massage therapist, I love working with the shoulders, neck and head.

There’s so much relief to be found from massage and myofascial release techniques; from trapped nerves that limit our movement to thoracic outlet syndrome that causes pain in the arms and hands, tension headaches and migraines, sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) which reveals itself with various jaw issues, head & neck pain symptoms, and of course general day-to-day stiff neck and shoulder tension that affects mobility and in turn our ability to do daily tasks. Often these symptoms come as a package and rarely in isolation. 

I’ve often had clients say the relief they feel from simply having their head held by a massage therapist brings so much release. We carry an awful lot of emotional baggage in this region, hence why age-old sayings such as  ‘she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders’ and ‘my boss is a pain in the neck’ ring true!