How massage helps you sleep better, reduce stress and improve muscles flexibility

More people are now recognizing that physiological and psychological changes that occur during a massage can have a multitude of tangible benefits.  However, just like any other therapy, it is important to establish the goal of the massage and making sure you have the right massage therapist.

Here are three such benefits:

1. Improves sleep: If you’ve ever nodded off on the massage table, you are not alone. Studies conducted at the Touch Research Institute (TRI) in Florida have shown that massage increases delta waves (brain waves associated with deep sleep), making massage useful for treating patients with insomnia.
2. Lowers Blood Pressure and Reduces Stress:  Massage Therapy calms the body and relaxes the mind - helping to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels.  As stress levels decrease, many patients also experience a decrease in blood pressure.   Considering the detrimental effect of stress on your body, this can lead to a major difference in your overall well being.
3. Relax Muscle Tension and Improve Flexibility:  Massage Therapy improves blood circulation because the rhythmic pressure pushes blood through congested areas.  The increased blood circulation carries oxygen and nutrient flow to connective tissue and muscles.  This helps remove adhesions in the muscles as well as lubricate joints for increased flexibility.  This is the reason professional and weekend athletes routinely get massages.