The health benefits of massage

Massage can relieve stress.

Considering massage therapy? You aren’t alone. A 2007 National Health Interview Survey showed that an estimated 18 million U.S. adults and 700,000 children had received massage therapy in the previous year.

This article by Dr. Joseph Mercola includes the following helpful information about the benefits of massage:

  • Six areas where massage has been shown to produce beneficial results include pain, mental health, inflammation, immune function, muscle spasms and flexibility
  • Specialized receptors in your dermis, the second layer of skin, react to external stimuli such as pressure by sending messages through your nervous system to your brain to stimulate the release of endorphins
  • In the treatment of pain, including muscle and bone pain, headaches, deep internal pain, fibromyalgia and spinal cord pain, massage therapy relieves pain better than getting no treatment at all, and when compared to other pain treatments such as acupuncture and physical therapy, massage therapy still proved beneficial
  • Massage therapy can be helpful for relieving side effects associated with conventional cancer treatment, including pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and depression
  • If you try massage therapy and find you’re not getting relief, you may want to try increasing the dose and frequency. There are other variables that impact massage effectiveness as well, such as the technique used and the skill level of the massage therapist

Waldron Chiropractic offers massage therapy through provider Michelle Burke, LMT. With 27 years experience, Michelle brings to the massage table an eclectic style of bodywork. Her focus in on treatment and rehabilitative techniques including deep tissue, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, and active isolated stretching.

Call 425-778-9600 for a massage therapy appointment.

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