Massage is known as the natural stress reducer.

A weekly or monthly massage can help your  body and mind cope with the physical and mental side effects of stress.  Stress is encountered by all of us in varying degrees and by various means.  Stress is an integral part of our lives.  Unrelieved stress, worry, fatigue, long hours, and unaccustomed exercise can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, poor circulation, mental fatigue and exhaustion.  This is how massage works for stress management and to relieve pain.

There are three primary benefits of massage.

1.  Increased Circulation

The chronic tightness that you feel in your muscles as a result of physical and mental tension can be reduced by increasing circulation to the affected muscles.  Massage encompasses a wide range of strokes and techniques.  Many strokes are done in a centripetal direction-toward the heart- they speed the flow of deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs where the blood is replenished with oxygen.

2.  Relaxation

During massage, your body releases endorphins.  Known as the “body’s natural pain killers”, endorphins calm the nerves while relaxing the body’s muscle tissue.

3.  Body Awareness

Massage can help you to “get in touch” with your body.  Many times, when you are experiencing stress, you may ignore your body and its needs.  Through the massage process, you can re-connect your body and mind, helping you to feel whole again.

Since the1990′s massage has made a major medical and social come-back from the “massage parlor mentality”.  Massage healthcare professionals have increased in record numbers and many community colleges offer associate degrees in Massotherapy or Medical  Massage.

Many massage therapist work in athletic centers and physical therapy practices.  Massage now plays a vital role in the reduction of chronic tension and for the treatment of various minor injuries. Tired or injured muscles recuperate much faster by mechanically ridding them of lactic acid, a metabolic by-product.  Massage to muscles helps promote flexibility ad increases the range of motion.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is designed to aid the athlete, dancers, and  weekend warrior in training,  both before and after competition or work-out and the rehabilitation process of injured muscle.

Sports Massage helps to boost athletic performance, prevents injury, prolongs athletic endurance and restores mobility to injured muscle tissue.

Psychologists and counselors are utilizing massage therapist to help their patients facilitate emotional changes and release emotional grief and tension.

This site had good information on it:  Solonmassotherapy.com

Massage is a wonderful for stress relief, you might say a “mini-vacation from the daily grind.