Massage Therapy Tulsa is a great way to relieve pain, heal injuries, and improve overall wellness. It is also a way to release oxytocin, the “love hormone”!
During a massage, pressure receptors stimulate vagus nerve activity, which slows down your nervous system and lowers your heart rate. This, in turn, decreases anxiety.
Massage therapy can help loosen and relax tight muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, and other soft tissue and improve circulation and flexibility. It can also encourage the growth of new cells and promote healing after injuries. It is considered one of the oldest healing traditions and is now widely practiced by conventional and alternative healthcare practitioners.
Research has shown that massage decreases the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response and increases parasympathetic activity, allowing your body to rest and heal. In addition, it stimulates your endocrine system to produce hormones that balance and stabilize your mood. It can increase your levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that act as natural antidepressants.
A variety of medical conditions can be helped by therapeutic massage, including arthritis, asthma and bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pain, tension headache, insomnia, and many other conditions. It can even help premature infants grow bigger and develop better motor skills. Massage can also ease psychological distress for cancer patients and reduce edema or swelling of the extremities due to chemotherapy treatment.
In general, most people experience few side effects from massage. However, some may feel light headed or sleepy afterward, especially if they have had an intense or deep massage. They may also be thirsty, and it is important to drink plenty of water after a massage.
It is a good idea to tell your massage therapist about any health problems or medications you are taking before the session begins. Some conditions are contraindicated for massage, including advanced heart disease, high blood pressure, phlebitis and thrombosis, unhealed fractures, dislocations and other severe injury, infections, open wounds and some cancers that cause muscle splinting as a defensive reaction.
At the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health, our licensed massage therapists have extensive training in using massage to enhance healing and manage the symptoms of certain diseases. They work closely with your physical therapist or yoga instructor to create a plan that accomplishes your goals of lengthening and stretching constricted tissues. They also communicate with your oncologist to ensure that the massage is safe and appropriate for your condition.
Blood circulation is vital for ensuring that oxygen and nutrients reach all parts of your body. Massages can help boost blood flow by stimulating the muscles and relaxing the arteries and veins. This can relieve pain and prevent injuries. Poor circulation can also cause a variety of health problems, including pain, memory issues, erectile dysfunction in men, digestive problems and blood clots. Improved circulation can reduce the risk of these issues by enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells, and it may also help reduce swelling and excess fluids in soft tissues.
The increased blood flow from a massage can also help your immune system work better. This can increase the number of white blood cells in your body, which can help fight infection. Blood flow is also important for carrying cellular waste to your lymphatic system, where it is eliminated from the body.
A massage can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing down the heart rate and promoting relaxation. This can also improve the cardiovascular system by reducing blood pressure, which in turn can lead to improved circulation.
Some forms of massage, such as deep tissue, can be more effective at increasing blood circulation than others. This is because deeper massages can break down muscle adhesions or “knots,” which can restrict blood flow. Moreover, a massage can also stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a critical role in maintaining fluid balance and immune function.
A study published in the journal “Clinical Interventions in Medicine” found that massage can help improve the functioning of your circulatory system. This is probably due to the physical manipulation of soft tissue and the chemicals that are released as a result of this. In addition, massage can increase the movement of lymph fluid, which is involved in immune function and the removal of waste products from the body’s cells. Massage can also be used to remove lactic acid build-up and prevent adhesion formation, and it can help your muscles work more efficiently. This can lead to improved muscle tone and a faster recovery from injury.
The endorphins that are released during massage therapy encourage a positive mood and reduce the production of stress hormones. This results in reduced levels of cortisol and more serotonin being produced in the body, both of which help to alleviate pain, promote relaxation, increase energy and enhance immune function.
During therapeutic massage, pressure and friction are applied to the muscle tissues of the body in order to release tension and aid in the movement of the lymph fluid that helps clear away waste products and prevents disease from building up in tissues and muscles. The increased blood flow and circulation also help to provide essential nutrients to the muscle fibers, which are then able to heal.
A study done on 12 volunteers that received connective tissue massage showed a significant increase in the beta-endorphin level which is known to alleviate pain and promote a feeling of well-being. These results were found to last for a period of time after the massage was completed.
Another great benefit of massage is that it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to stimulate a healing response in the body and at the same time suppresses the sympathetic nervous system that is responsible for the fight or flight reaction. This results in lowered heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and improved digestive functions, all of which are beneficial to the health of the body and mind.
One of the main reasons people seek out massage is because it provides a natural way to relieve stress. Research has shown that massage therapy increases levels of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin in the brain, all of which contribute to feelings of happiness and well-being. Massage can also reduce the production of stress hormones such as adrenalin, norepinephrine and cortisol.
There are many different types of massage therapy that a person can receive including Swedish, deep-tissue and trigger point massages. Each type of massage uses different techniques to assist with specific muscle groups and injury areas. For example, deep-tissue massage consists of slower strokes using direct compression and cross-fiber friction to break up adhesions or knots in the muscle.
During massage, the body’s stress hormone cortisol is decreased. Cortisol is produced when the body feels stressed and it’s responsible for the “fight or flight” response which helps to prepare the body for stressful situations, but prolonged high levels of cortisol can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and obesity.
Massage is a great way to lower the body’s level of cortisol while stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Studies have shown that a single massage can significantly decrease a person’s heart rate and blood pressure while triggering the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural mood stabilizer.
The increase in temperature from friction against the skin during a massage stimulates an increased circulation of blood, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissues. This allows for the muscles to relax and helps with flexibility in soft tissues. It also flushes the muscles of toxins, which can help with pain management and overall health.
Stress is an important part of our lives, but it can be very hard to manage on your own. It’s essential to make time for yourself and find ways to relax. Whether it’s taking a long walk between classes or setting aside study breaks, it’s important to take care of yourself. Massage is a great way to relax and can be done regularly.
Both Ludwig and Rissolo agree that massage can be beneficial for anyone, but it’s especially helpful for people with chronic pain, those who suffer from depression or anxiety, those with muscle tension or those who are dealing with illness. It can be used as an alternative to pain medications and can be very therapeutic for people who are dealing with cancer or other diseases.
Taking the time to practice self-care is crucial, and both Ludwig and Rissolo recommend that clients continue to find ways to relax in between massage sessions. They both use social media to share wellness tips, and Rissolo has a YouTube channel where she posts guided meditation videos.