Flow State Massage is the rubbing or manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. Its therapeutic effects depend on the intensity, pressure and location of the massaged area.
Studies have shown that massage reduces pain and anxiety and increases relaxation. It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system response. It is important to drink water after a massage to avoid dehydration.
Stress is part of life, but excessive stress can cause serious health problems. Massage can help relieve this excess stress by boosting the body’s natural relaxation response. This response decreases the heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels. It also increases the production of serotonin, a mood-enhancing neurotransmitter that boosts feelings of well-being and lowers anxiety.
While a single massage won’t solve all your stress issues, it can help you manage them better over time. Besides improving circulation and removing lactic acid buildup, massage can also increase your melatonin production, which helps you sleep better at night. This improves your overall quality of life and gives you more energy for the day.
In addition, the touch involved in massage can promote emotional wellbeing and improve a person’s self image. This is particularly true in patients with limited social contact, such as those who have physical disabilities or terminal illnesses.
The researchers found that massage activates the body’s principal engine for relaxation, called the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This process causes the heart and breathing rates to slow down, and reduces blood pressure and muscle tension. It also enhances the body’s ability to fight off illness, making it healthier overall.
A study in the journal “Psychosomatic Medicine” found that massage reduces the physiological symptoms of stress in a patient population. The research suggests that massage is a powerful tool for relieving stress, especially in the era of high-stress occupations like nursing and healthcare. The study used a randomized controlled trial that tested the effects of two different types of massage on a clinical sample of adults. The results showed that both types of massage reduced perceived stress, and increased the PNS activity.
Pain relief
Massage is a popular treatment for chronic back pain, and research supports its effectiveness. A 2010 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that stimulating pressure receptors—or nerves under the skin that convey pain-reducing signals to the brain—with moderate pressure led to reduced symptoms.
In addition, massage may help reduce muscle tension in people with a variety of health conditions, including high stress levels, comorbidities and deconditioning from decreased functioning. Tense muscles are one of the causes of pain, and a reduction in this tissue can decrease both local and systemic inflammation associated with pain.
Aside from helping with pain relief, massage can also increase blood flow. This helps reduce inflammation, fight infection, and boost the immune system. It can even help remove toxins from the body, which can improve energy and reduce aches and pains caused by fatigue.
The majority of participants in the study reported improved pain and stress, as well as an improvement in their quality of life. However, the study’s limitations make it difficult to draw concrete conclusions. It relied on self-reporting, and did not collect physiological data (such as heart rate or blood pressure), which would have given a more accurate picture of the results.
While a massage is incredibly beneficial, it’s important to discuss the patient’s current health condition with the therapist. Certain medical issues such as an active infection, phlebitis or a recent skin wound should not be massaged because doing so could cause complications. Also, if the patient is suffering from an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis it’s best to skip the massage for now and see how the symptoms respond after their medication is started.
Relaxation
Relaxation through massage is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. Taking the time to relax can improve focus, sleep quality, and overall mental resilience to help prevent burnout in both body and mind. Regular relaxation massage is a proactive step towards maintaining peak performance, and can even reduce the risk of injury.
The light pressure of massage stimulates the autonomic nervous system increasing hormones that encourage the release of feel good chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters act as natural pain killers and promote feelings of happiness, relaxation and wellbeing.
During a relaxing massage, muscle tightness is reduced and the body’s levels of cortisol are decreased which is known as the stress hormone. When the body is relaxed, stress and anxiety are reduced and replaced with emotions of calmness and contentment.
Incorporating relaxation massage into a recovery routine helps decrease muscle tension and stiffness as well as improving joint flexibility. This increases range of motion and reduces muscle fatigue and soreness allowing the muscles to move more freely. The increased blood circulation during massage also aids in healing injured muscles and eliminating toxins.
Regular massage can also benefit the skin by stimulating cell renewal, reducing blemishes and inflammation, and promoting an even complexion. Some studies have shown that massage reduces the buildup of lactic acid, which can cause muscle soreness.
Incorporating relaxation massage into a wellness routine is essential for both athletes and non-athletes alike. Stress and anxiety are a common part of our daily lives and if not managed effectively, can have negative impacts on both the body and mind. By promoting better sleep, boosting mood and enhancing recovery, incorporating relaxation massage is an easy way to keep your body and mind in top form.
Increased blood circulation
The circulatory system is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood to the body’s tissues, delivering essential nutrients and removing waste like carbon dioxide. When the body experiences problems with circulation, it may manifest as stiffness, fatigue and other discomforts. Fortunately, massage is an excellent way to boost blood flow and support a healthy lifestyle. This blog post explores how massage improves circulation by impacting the functionality of blood vessels.
During massage, the mechanical pressures applied to skin and muscles encourage physiological effects such as vasodilation and capillarisation. The dilation of blood vessels increases the area through which blood flows, thereby lowering the blood pressure and improving circulation. The squeezing and pulling of muscles during massage also facilitates the circulation of lymph fluid that carries metabolic waste away from the muscles and internal organs.
Massage also induces angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels in tissues. This process enhances nutrient delivery and tissue health, making massage an integral part of a wellness routine.
Regular massages can reduce muscle soreness, increase flexibility and promote healing. Improved circulation speeds up the repair of damaged muscle tissue and eliminates lactic acid buildup, which is one of the main causes of pain and fatigue. It also prevents the pooling of blood in the extremities, which can cause cold hands and feet.
Those who take medication to manage cardiovascular conditions should talk to their healthcare provider before receiving a circulatory massage. This is because some of the techniques used in a massage can interact with medications and have adverse side effects such as low blood pressure, dizziness and fatigue. However, you can still enjoy the many benefits of massage, such as stress relief, increased energy levels and better sleep, if you make a few adjustments to your session.
Better sleep
Including massage in your regular self-care routine can help you sleep better by decreasing stress and improving mood. It can also help you fall asleep faster, allowing you to rest deeply and restore your body’s natural rhythm. It is recommended to schedule a massage in the evening, at least an hour before bedtime.
When paired with other sleep-promoting practices like dim lighting and soothing music, massage can boost your sleep quality significantly. Adding regular massage sessions to your sleep hygiene routine can also promote long-term improvements in sleep patterns and overall quality of life.
The human touch releases hormones that help you sleep, notably serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters stabilize emotions and relieve stress, which in turn can improve your sleep. Massage also stimulates the vagus nerve, which is a major parasympathetic nervous system pathway that tells the body to relax and slow down. This results in lower cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone that can interfere with your sleep cycle.
There are many types of massage techniques that can improve your sleep, but those that focus on relaxation and stress relief are typically the most effective. For instance, a Swedish massage uses flowing strokes that help reduce tension and calm the mind. Similarly, reflexology massage involves pressure applied to specific points on the feet and hands, which can balance energy flow and lead to improved sleep.
In addition to these techniques, it is important to create a calming environment for your massage session, such as by using soothing aromatherapy oils. Oils like chamomile and ylang-ylang are known to promote relaxation and encourage sleep. These oils can be applied during your massage or mixed into a carrier oil for home use.
