Massage Therapy - More Than Just for Relaxation

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dr._Aaron_LeBauer_DPT]Dr. Aaron LeBauer DPT and Andra West LeBauer

Does a massage do more than just feel good?

Of course it does.

Massage therapy is a scientific system of skillful manipulations of the hands upon the body for improvement of health and well-being. The word "massage" is derived from the Greek word masso, meaning "I knead".

Some of the benefits of Massage Therapy are:

Relaxation/Stress relief
Increased Range of Motion or Joint movement
Dilates blood vessels, improving circulation throughout the body
Acts as a mechanical cleanser, stimulating lymph circulation and hastening the elimination of wastes and toxic debris
Relaxes Muscle spasms and releases tension
Increases blood supply and nutrition to muscles
Improves muscle tone and helps prevent or delay muscular atrophy resulting from forced inactivity
Is used for relief of pains, cramps, swelling, strains and many other imbalanced conditions of the body
Provides a sedative, or stimulating effect on the nervous system
Helps reduce edema, decrease pain, and facilitate movement

There is plentiful of research showing that massage lowers stress and it significantly decreases the level of cortisol in the bloodstream. Cortisol is the stress hormone. Chronically high levels of cortisol can contribute to high blood pressure, imbalances in blood sugar levels, decreased bone density and an increase in abdominal fat, which is associated with heart disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Getting a massage or bodywork session as well as any other relaxing activity you enjoy, will help lower your stress level.

Massage Therapy helps athletes:

Reduce the chance of injury, through proper stretching and event preparation, and through deep tissue massage
Improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance
Shorten recovery time between workouts
Maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow
Enhance elimination of metabolic by-products of exercise

Professional cyclists, like those in the Tour de France, receive a massage everyday as part of their recovery process and routine.

Massage therapy is also a proven and effective treatment for people with low back pain, the #1 cause of missed work and disability in the United States. ¨Massage for Low-back Pain: A Systematic Review within the Framework of the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group -Spine 2002 concludes that massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific Low Back Pain, especially when combined with exercises and education.

Massage therapy does not only treat or focus on the muscles in your body. There are techniques, like Myofascal Release, that treat dysfunction in the fascia or connective tissue of the body.

  rel=nofollow [http://youtu.be/qaDldYuvZ3o]What is Fascia and Connective Tissue?

Fascia is a connective tissue in your body that supports and surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel, organ and every cell of your body.  Fascia is the gristle on your steak and the white film between your chicken breast and the skin.  It is the immediate environment of every cell of your body and should be viscous and fluid and move with your body.  Fascia can be damaged by repetitive stress, trauma, injuries and inflammation. This damage can create restrictions in the fascia which can put enormous pressure on pain sensitive structures and can cause pain and dysfunction.  Myofascial Release is a hands-on massage therapy technique that can release restrictions in the fascia and it is applied using sustained gentle pressure and stretching by manipulating muscles and fascia directly on dry skin.

Lower your cortisol level with a massage or bodywork treatment today.

Aaron LeBauer PT, DPT, LMBT is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist. He owns LeBauer Physical Therapy with his wife Andra in Greensboro, NC and specializes in treating people who want to return to a pain free and healthy lifestyle. Visit [http://www.LeBauerPT.com]http://www.LeBauerPT.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Massage-Therapy---More-Than-Just-for-Relaxation&id=6157986] Massage Therapy - More Than Just for Relaxation