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3 Ways Massage Therapy Can Improve Your Health & Wellness

sethtkintigh

Updated: Feb 22, 2023

In the age of self-care, many people are turning to massage as a way to relax and pamper themselves. And while a massage does feel quite luxurious, a clinical massage can actually have major positive impacts on overall health and wellness, especially when paired with regular chiropractic care. Performed by a licensed massage therapist like Julie, a professional massage can greatly benefit three of our major body systems.


Let’s start with one of the most obvious body systems that massage can treat: the musculoskeletal system. For the purpose of this blog we will be referring to general muscular tension as well as muscular knots and trigger points. Many people complain of muscle tightness, but what’s actually happening beneath the surface? Simply, our muscles can become sore for many reasons including exercise, mental stress, overuse, poor posture, and being out of alignment.


A professional massage treats sore muscles by repeatedly passing over the areas that are the most tense. This repetitive moving pressure works by strategically generating heat to aid with flexibility; relaxing specific muscle knots and trigger points; increasing blood flow; and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to put the body into a relaxed, healing state. In as little as 30 minutes of massage, the muscular system can reap these incredible benefits.



Second, a well-performed massage treats the fascial system. The fascial system is a network of tissue throughout your body that is found between muscles, joints and bones. The tissue of the fascia is multi-layered, with liquid called hyaluronan between and around each layer. In a healthy state, this liquid is responsible for smooth movement of each of the connected body parts. However, if the liquid becomes dry or stuck, it can restrict movement, cause pain and stiffness and even pull your body out of alignment.


Massage helps release this stiffness by targeting those myofascial adhesions. A Licensed Massage Therapist is well trained and well practiced in identifying the restricted fascial areas and trigger points that need to be treated. The therapist will then perform gentle repeated application of pressure to help release the tension and help the fascia return to its relaxed state. This is called Myofascial Release (MFR) therapy. Common target areas for MFR are jaw, neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, glutes, calves, and feet. Although this type of massage therapy can be more painful and cause more soreness than a typical Swedish massage technique, it is incredibly effective. A few days after your fascial release massage, you should feel increased range of motion, reduced soreness, and an overall relief of stress.


The third bodily system that massage therapy can benefit is the lymphatic system. Like the fascial system, the lymphatic system relies on the flow of a liquid called lymph. Lymph is a liquid that is found inside of a network of lymphatic vessels throughout the body. The lymphatic vessels carry fluid away from the tissues, supporting the immune system by removing waste, toxins, and other pathogens. If the lymphatic system is stagnant or blocked, it can cause lymphedema, or swelling, as well as immune issues, pain, infections, and more. Massage does a great job at helping the lymph system get moving. Applying long, repetitive moving pressure creates a "milking" motion, forcing lymphatic fluids to continue moving along their intended path so the body can process them properly


If you are one of our chiropractic patients and believe you could benefit from massage therapy, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Seth for his recommendation. And if you’re not yet a patient but would like to experience the relaxation of a clinical massage, we encourage you to reach out as well! Start your wellness journey and book a massage for 30, 60, or 90 minutes today.

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