11 Surprising Health Benefits of Massage

by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -

The powerful health benefits of massage include relief from anxiety, diabetes, heart ailments, pain, and nervous problems. Furthermore, it improves the health of the skin, blood circulation, and the functioning of the urinary and digestive systems. It also helps improve growth in infants, improve sleep, and boost immunity. In a nutshell, regular massage sessions are helpful in ensuring physical and mental wellness for people all around the world.

The health benefits of massage have been known to mankind for ages and in the modern world, commercial centers offering such services have enhanced the significance and reputation of this manner of therapy. Apart from offering good physical health, massage sessions are also admired for achieving sound mental health.

The special aspect of massage therapy is that it is capable of nurturing individuals from age groups starting from infants and children to adults and the elderly. Thus, one should count upon various health benefits offered by this therapy to lead a wonderful life.

Health Benefits of Massage

Massage offers numerous benefits that may help transform your lifestyle and result in a positive modification to the way you spend your routine. The National Institute of Health has declared the benefits of massage in cases of children and infants. Here are the most prominent health benefits: [1]

Relieves Anxiety

Anxiety and other such lifestyle and stress-related mental disorders are quickly plaguing a majority of the population, unfortunately becoming their constant companions. To help cope with such disorders, regular massage sessions can prove helpful. They can help you relax and manage stress better.

Infant Growth

Massage sessions for infants are recommended by doctors across the globe. It aids the weight-gaining process in infants, especially in premature babies. It helps in making the muscle tissues stronger than before. [2]

Diabetes Management

It helps in controlling the level of sugar in the blood, especially in the case of children. This is the reason for recommendations of massage as a curative as well as a preventative practice among children suffering from diabetes.

Boosts Immunity

Our bodies require a strong immune system to tackle various types of infections and foreign body attacks. Massage therapy can prove to be an effective practice to help your body develop a strong immune system. It can help in building protective cells in the body to neutralize attackers like infection-causing virus and bacteria. [3]

Supports Cancer Therapy Care

Patients receiving chemotherapy may experience side effects such as anxiety, fatigue, nausea, pain, and even depression. A 2007 study published in the journal Current Oncology [4] suggests that massage may help reduce these symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and may help improve the overall psychological wellbeing.

Cancer Council NSW and Cancer Research UK suggest that massage helps the cancer patient in coping up with pain, headaches, fatigue,  stress, and anxiety. [5] [6]

Note: There are no research studies supporting the benefits of massage in treating cancer.

A young woman undergoing body massage in the spa

A relaxing massage at the end of the day relieves all the stress from the body and eliminates toxins. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Improves Sleep

It brings your body under a spell and lets it fall into deep relaxation. This leads to sound and proper sleep for patients suffering from sleep disorders. A session after a long hectic day is sufficient to eliminate the exhaustion in your body and guarantee a good night’s sleep to replenish your energy.

Improves Heart Health

It is capable of returning your heart to its normal functional levels so that there are no threats to your life due to a malfunctioning cardiovascular system.

Reduces Pain

This increasingly popular form of alternative therapy is recommended by physicians and surgeons to their patients suffering from pain, especially after surgery. Apart from that, migraine pain and lower back pain can are also relieved using massage therapy. [7]

Stimulates Nervous System

It takes away the tension that is dissolved in the human body’s nerves. Thus, our nervous system is recharged by massaging and put back to its normal functionality.
[8]

Skin Care

Consistent use of this form of therapy can result in an impressive glow on your skin. This simple-to-follow practice is considered one of the most effective approaches to take proper care of your skin and save it from early signs of aging as well. [9]

Increases Blood Circulation

If a person is able to indulge in a massage, he or she can end up with improved blood circulation inside the body. The massaging sessions help the blood to carry the necessary amounts of oxygenated blood throughout the body at an improved speed. Also, the healing power and speed of our body are increased after a massage. A head massage can also help increase blood circulation in the scalp and nourish it, helping in boosting hair growth and even reducing greying of hair strands. [10]

Healthy Urinary & Digestive System

The massage of various body parts helps in maintaining the proper working of the digestive system and urinary system. Internal organs like the liver start working properly with an efficiently followed system of massage.

The Touch Research Institute has also deemed massage as a weight-gaining exercise in the case of infants. Beauty spas and other similar places are helpful in offering professional sessions to people. Thus, adoption of this practice may be considered if you are looking to add a relaxing, healthy activity to your routine. [11]

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About the Author

Meenakshi Nagdeve, Co-Founder, Organic Facts is a health and wellness enthusiast and is responsible for managing it. She has completed the Nutrition And Healthy Living Cornell Certificate Program, Cornell University, US. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore and B. Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from IIT Bombay. Prior to this, she worked for a few years in IT and Financial services. An ardent follower of naturopathy, she believes in healing with foods. In her free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

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