Is Massage a Medical Necessity?
A recent study shows that massage isn't a frivolous indulgence, but a potential medical necessity, the New York Times reports.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles recruited a group of 53 healthy adults to get massages. Some got a Swedish massage and the rest got a light massage. All of the adults had their blood tested before and just after their massage. The results?
The Swedish massage group experienced significantly lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and an increase in their immune systems' disease-fighting white blood cells. The light massage group also experienced increases in oxytocin, the contentment hormone, and decreases in the hormone that triggers the release of cortisol.
If a massage seems like an expensive way to fight off stress and disease, consider looking up massage colleges in your area, where hour-long massages by masseurs-in-training often cost $25-$30--half the cost of a massage at a spa.
Photo courtesy of thomaswanhoff on Flickr.
Comments
I think massage is growing beyond alternative medicine. Thanks for sharing this post.
Flag ThisThis is a nice article. Thanks for sharing your informative write up. If massages become a medical necessity in the future, then it's definitely great news for people who already enjoy it as a part of their lifestyle.
Flag ThisWonderful idea that massage is a medical necessity. No doubt that stress levels are reduced after a Swedish Massage or even lighter massage and that the corresponding white blood cells help us all be fitter. Well after writing this I might treat myself to (guess what) - a massage!
Flag ThisThis is a very informational blog and i really enjoyed reading this! Massage Chairs Reviews
Flag ThisI don't think people have yet to understand or accept the many benefits of massage. My number one defense against everyday health issues is massage. Whether the start of a cold, minor aches and pains, even tooth pain I get a few massages first and then see how things feel. I had some serious jaw and tooth pain and many would have went straight to a dentist. But as a massage therapist and having seen how connected the body truly is I headed in for a few craniosacral therapy sessions and now the pain is gone. As the therapist was working on my right hip I felt the connection between the tension in my hip and my jaw. The whole body is connected in such a way that a stumped toe or broken ankle can affect the neck or some other part of the body.
Flag ThisGreat article.. Nice post. Thank you so much
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