Why massage therapy

Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certification requirements. Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever.

You can even learn how to do self-massage or how to engage in massage with a partner at home. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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Healthy Lifestyle Stress management. Products and services. Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Massage is perhaps one of the oldest healing traditions. Many ancient peoples — including the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese and Indians — were convinced of the therapeutic properties of massage and used it to treat a variety of ailments.

It is a form of manual therapy that includes holding, moving, and applying pressure to the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins — the brain chemicals neurotransmitters that produce feelings of wellbeing.

Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system.

Typically, massage practitioners use either oil or talcum powder to allow their hands to slip over a person's skin. Sometimes, a sheet or thin piece of cloth might be used for the same effect.

There are some instances where massage and myotherapy may not be recommended, or a GP or specialist referral should be obtained, including but not limited to :. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The Alexander technique stresses that movement should be economical and needs only the minimum amount of energy and effort. The different smells and chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils can produce different emotional and physiological reactions.

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system from India that uses a range of techniques to treat illness and encourage wellbeing. Bowen is a holistic remedial body technique that works on the soft connective tissue fascia of the body. Bowen therapy can be used to treat musculoskeletal or related neurological problems including acute sports injuries and chronic or organic conditions. It is gentle and relaxing and does not use forceful manipulation. The best way to experience the benefits of massage is to try a half-hour or one-hour massage session for yourself.

The NUHS Whole Health Center in Lombard offers relaxing therapeutic massage in its integrative medical clinic by experienced interns at an affordable cost. Schedule a session today by calling