Sure, massage feels good but does it really do anything besides stretch and knead my body?  This is an easy one to answer.  YES, YES, and let me be sure I am clear, YES.  Massage and its positive effects have been documented since 2000 BC.  Ancient Greeks and Romans used massage to maintain health and promote healing.  In the 14th Century Charles deChaulic wrote a book on surgery and listed the benefits of bodywork as an adjunct to post surgery recovery.  There are written accounts throughout the ages of the many reasons both physical and emotional that massage are necessary even vital to health and wellness.

Massage has benefits ranging from the physical to emotional body.  Below is a brief list of some of the many rewards of massage. 

Massage can…

• Strength the immune system by stimulating lymph flow (the body’s immune system)
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight muscles
• Quicker recovery from injury
• Relieves discomfort of pregnancy
• Help athletes or regular exercise participants to prepare for or recover from strenuous workouts
• Improves the condition of the skin
• Increases joint flexibility
• Increases body awareness
• Reduces the level of depression or anxiety
• Reduce the frequency and duration of muscle spasms and cramps
• Helps manage pain better
• Release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers throughout the body
• Increases flow of oxygen and  nutrients to tissues and organs, improving circulation
• Reduce scar tissue and stretch marks

One of the most important benefits of massage is stress reduction.  Stress is the main cause of aging, both internally and externally and is also the cause of up to 90% of all illnesses.  Another benefit of massage comes from touch.  The amazing power of touch has been seen in the improvements of pre-term babies who are held on a regular basis and the result is an increase in neurological functioning.  Massage and touch also has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of healing severe burns, high blood pressure, even bloating and cramping associated with premenstrual syndrome.

The insurance community has recognized the injury and illness preventive value of massage and many policies allow for some reimbursement of massage.  The benefits of massage are clearly documented and so although massage is considered a pampering treatment, it also a necessary treatment.  The new massage slogan should be: A massage a day keeps the doctor awa!y

By Christina Leon, Staff Writer