I became a massage therapist to specifically help people. I had the opportunity for a masters in athletic training and at the very last minute withdrew from the program. I thought it would be too specific of a population to focus on so I changed to something a bit more broad. I can always work on athletes, but it’s not necessarily part of the job.
Massage therapy has many, many benefits. I have listed 25 here, but of course, there are more.
Here are 25 reasons to go out and get a massage today:
1. It produces better results for low back pain than other therapies.
2. It promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety in patients with varying kinds of cancer.
3. It’s an effective complement to traditional medical care for women undergoing lumpectomy, mastectomy or breast reconstruction.
4. In-patient massage treatment performed after heart bypass surgery helps reduce pain and muscle spasms.
5. It helps relieve depression and anxiety by affecting the body’s biochemistry.
6. It can decrease the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms in adults with migraines.
7. It can help boost immune system strength by increasing the activity level of the body’s natural “killer T cells,” which fight off tumors and viruses.
8. It can help relieve some allergy symptoms by reducing stress, increasing circulation, releasing muscle tension and reprogramming the body’s panic reaction, which can exacerbate symptoms.
9. It can help addicts in recovery by increasing dopamine and serotonin, and decreasing cortisol.
10. It can help with those that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by calming the mind, body, and spirit.
11. It can help calm & center children on the autism spectrum.
12. It can provide emotional and social support for patients in hospice.
13. It can help relieve pain with people who suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
14. It can assist in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
15. It can help improve sleep.
16. It can improve the quality of life for those in hospice and palliative care.
17. It can be a beneficial part of an integrative treatment plan for those who suffer with fibromyalgia syndrome.
18. It can help pre-term infants gain more weight and improve on emotionality, sociability, and soothability temperament.
19. It can be effective for stress relief.
20. It can be used to improve athletic performance, speed recovery, and can be utilized by all individuals who participate in any athletic and/or exercise program to help improve conditioning and maintain peak performance.
21. It can be a valuable component of a wellness program.
22. It can help improve range of motion in children with burns.
23. It is effective in improving pain, itching, and scar characteristics in hypertrophic scars after a burn.
24. It improves balance, neurological, and cardiovascular measures in older adults.
25. It can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health in women who are pregnant.
Why do you get a massage? When was the last time you had one?
For more research on massage therapy visit the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
I agree with all of these benefits of massage therapy. I usually get a massage to relieve stress or to relax. After reading this I feel like I have enough of an excuse to get a massage this week. This was fun to read. Thanks for sharing.
Lol Johnny – go for it! Thanks for stopping by!
Serena, to be honest, I have never had a massage before. Hard to believe, right? Lately I have been thinking of getting one. I have heard good things about them and want to try it out! I had no idea that massages could relieve anxiety and depression. That could really be beneficial for me. I think I will make an appointment!
Yes Emily – go for it!
These are all fantastic reasons to get a massage! I suffer from chronic anxiety, which does not only affect the mind, but it also takes a huge toll on my body. Getting a massage is the most relaxing activity I can do. It calms my nerves and releases all of the tension in my muscles. I thought your reason number 18 was very interesting. I had no idea that massaging could help premature infants gain weight. Massages are good for everyone!
Yes massage does amazing things – I need to get back into getting regular massages myself! Thank you for stopping by!
Serena, what an interesting fact that you mentioned how massage therapy can help out a patient who went through a bypass heart surgery. Would a massage therapy be given for anyone who came out from any type of surgery? If so then it should be something to maybe share to my aunt who just got surgery in her shoulder.
Hi Andre, yes I believe massage therapy can be extremely helpful to someone post surgery. The key is finding a massage therapist that is going to specialize in something like that. It might have to be a medical massage therapist or someone similar. Sometimes it can be a physical therapist who also happens to be a massage therapist. I would definitely look into that for your aunt.
I’ve known about some of the mental and physical benefits of massages, but I had no idea there were so many! I wouldn’t have ever thought that massages could help burn patients. Also, while I knew massages could help you relax, I didn’t realize that it could help with the symptoms of ADHD and autism. I’ll have to recommend massages to anyone who has a kid dealing with those problems!
Yes, massage has AMAZING benefits! Glad you found new ones!
This is some really great information for anyone resisting getting a professional massage. I agree completely that massage can work wonders for depression or anxiety, and I would definitely suggest it if you suffer from either of those. I usually undergo massage therapy at the end of the week, and it really helps me de-stress before my weekend. Thanks so much for writing!
Thank you Paul for sharing about your massage thoughts and experiences!
LOVE getting massages! For me, the top reason is muscle pain after an injury from a car accident. Argh.
Yes, massage can be helpful with medical conditions as well as stress & relaxation. Thanks Karey!
These are all amazing reasons to get yourself an appointment with a massage therapist. Thank you for this! Great article.