Massage involves the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. Flow State Massage promotes healing and reduces pain. It also alleviates stress and relaxes the mind.

Many people find it helpful to have a quiet space and relaxing music playing during a treatment. It is also a good idea to be well hydrated before and after your massage.

The circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients to every tissue and cell in the body. It also flushes metabolic waste away, keeping your muscles strong, reducing pain and stiffness and speeding up healing after exercise. It’s essential to good health and a great deal of the benefit we get from massage is tied to the increased circulation it creates.

Blood flow is controlled by pressure on the walls of blood vessels, and there are several variables that influence it. One of the most important is blood pressure, which can be measured with a systolic and diastolic reading (the first number indicates your heart’s systolic pressure while the second indicates its diastolic pressure). Blood pressure influences how fast and efficiently your muscles move, and one of the most effective ways to reduce blood pressure is through regular massage.

Massage is a physical manipulation of soft tissue, and the directional strokes used in many massage techniques work wonders for circulation. A gentle massage technique called effleurage uses flattened hands and fingers passed in a continuous, rhythmic manner over the skin. It can be applied with varying degrees of pressure depending on your needs. The pressure on the skin stimulates receptors that cause the vessels to dilate, or widen, allowing more blood through and decreasing blood pressure.

Increasing the rate of blood flow to muscles, tissues and cells increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients and helps remove metabolic waste. This process is known as vasodilation, and it’s a huge part of why massage is so beneficial to the body.

Another major way that massage improves circulation is by stimulating lymph flow. This lymph fluid transports immune cells throughout the body, cleaning out toxins and removing waste from muscles and other tissue. It also carries hormones and other substances from the cells to the circulatory system and back again. Massage increases the rate at which the lymph flow moves through the tissues, enhancing the body’s immunity and helping to prevent chronic inflammation.

Relieved Pain

When muscles or tissue is damaged it sends pain signals to the brain which creates a feeling of discomfort. Massage aims to disrupt the nerve signals that create this feeling by encouraging healing and relaxing tense muscles. It also helps relieve chronic pain by increasing range of motion and decreasing stress.

The friction created between the skin and fingers during massage increases blood flow to the treatment area. This increase in blood flow increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the injured muscles. This process, known as decongestion, loosens tight muscles and allows them to stretch to their full length, reducing tension.

Massage also stimulates the release of feel good hormones, including endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These hormones are responsible for increasing mental relaxation and lowering the levels of cortisol in the body, which are associated with stress.

In addition to the benefits of increased circulation, massage decreases pain by stimulating the lymphatic system to remove waste products from the muscles. This process, called lymphatic drainage, involves a network of vessels that transport lymph fluid to glands or nodes where it is removed from the body.

During a massage, the lymph fluid is moved through muscle tissue and joints to reduce stiffness, aid flexibility and improve movement and to help the body eliminate toxins. Massage also helps to eliminate waste products by promoting the removal of the lactic acid that builds up in tired muscles.

One of the most beneficial effects of massage is that it can increase the amount of sleep a person gets. This is because it relaxes the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body, which promotes restful sleep. The reduction of stress and anxiety, which can cause insomnia, is also a benefit of massage.

When receiving massage therapy, it is important to communicate openly with your therapist to make sure that they are aware of any issues that may arise during the session. This includes letting them know if you are uncomfortable, or if the pressure is too much. They are trained to adjust their techniques, and they are more than happy to accommodate your needs in order to make sure that you receive the maximum benefits of massage.

Relieved Anxiety

If you have a tendency to worry or feel anxious, massage may be able to help. Research shows that receiving a massage can decrease anxiety and irritability by lowering the heart rate, relaxing the muscles and soft tissues, and releasing hormones that cause feelings of calmness. During massage, the brain’s sympathetic nervous system (which triggers your “fight-or-flight” response when you are stressed) is calmed by the parasympathetic nervous system (which leads to relaxation and rest). This change in the body’s activity can lead to decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increased levels of the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Massage has also been found to decrease the symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Studies have shown that people with GAD who receive massage twice a week for three months show significant improvement in their ability to control their emotions, resulting in lower levels of anxiety and depression.

The sense of well-being and happiness you experience during and after a massage can be attributed to the natural endorphins, which are produced by the brain during and after massage. Endorphins are a natural painkiller and they can also help decrease feelings of stress and anxiety.

There are many different types of massage therapy, each with its own unique benefits. For example, deep tissue massage targets deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, allowing you to release chronic tension that can contribute to anxiety and depression. Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils with calming properties to further enhance the relaxing effects of your session. Reflexology, which focuses on pressure points in the feet, hands and ears, has also been known to reduce stress and increase feelings of wellbeing.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, it’s important to let your massage therapist know so that they can provide you with the most effective treatment possible. They are trained professionals who prioritize your comfort and safety. Be sure to communicate openly with them during your massage and be sure to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins released by your body during the process.

Relaxed Mind

The stress-reducing effects of massage can extend to the mind. When the body experiences a stressful situation, it releases hormones like cortisol that speed up your heart rate and make you feel anxious. However, during a massage, your heart rate slows, and you experience less anxiety because the muscles in your body are relaxed. Massage also seems to increase the level of serotonin in the brain, which helps you relax and eases tension.

In addition, the deep relaxation achieved during massage may help you sleep better at night. This is because sleep and rest are critical to your health, and the lack of both can contribute to many common ailments such as low energy, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, depression and chronic fatigue.

When you go to get a massage, be sure to discuss with the practitioner your goals for the session. For example, if you have a specific area of discomfort or an ongoing health issue, let them know so they can focus on these areas during the massage. You should also tell them if you have any allergies or sensitivities to oils, lotions or other products used during the massage.

You should also prepare mentally for a massage by finding ways to calm your mind before the session begins. You can practice visualization, a technique in which you imagine a peaceful scene and focus all your attention on this image until the other thoughts fade away. Or, try progressive muscle relaxation, in which you tense and then relax the muscles in your body. The goal is to make the mind as relaxed as the body, so you can be fully present in the moment.

Before your massage, it’s a good idea to shower and remove any clothing that feels uncomfortable or restricts your breathing. You should also avoid eating anything too large or heavy before a massage and drink plenty of water to ensure you don’t dehydrate. Once in the massage room, it’s important to remain comfortable and communicate with your practitioner if you need more or less pressure, another blanket or anything else to make you feel at home.