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If you have
never had a professional full body massage, you are missing one of life's
real pleasures that turns out to be very healthful as well. While
chiropractic care focuses on the joints of your skeleton, and various
connecting tissues, massage therapists focus on the muscles. So, for
musculoskeletal aches and pains they are wonderful complements to each
other.
Massage has a
long list of health benefits, which Dr. Reichert believes are too good to
pass up. It reduces fatigue, anxiety, and stress. Considering
that stress lowers your immunity and makes you far more vulnerable to
disease, this alone makes it worthwhile anytime you have a stressful day.
But it also reduces congestion and improves circulation of the blood,
which in turn increases oxygen and nutrient supplies to the muscles as
well as the joints, internal organs, and even the brain while at the same
time stimulating the elimination of metabolic wastes. This often
speeds recovery from injuries and illness. If that were not enough,
it also reduces pain from muscle spasm and inflammation.1
A study at the
University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage to workers
increased productivity and job satisfaction. Subjects reported less
fatigue and clearer thinking. Brainwave measurements showed enhanced
alertness and massage recipients completed cognitive tasks quicker and
with fewer errors.2
All sorts of
people can benefit. Athletes rely on it to prevent and treat
injuries. It relaxes pregnant women for easier delivery. It
reduces crying and colic in babies and helps newborns sleep. Just
think of what it could to for military personnel after a day of training
or the unbelievable stress of real combat. Considering all the
health benefits of massage, perhaps some day the military, was well as
health plans across the country, will offer it as a standard benefit.
Currently it is generally an out of pocket expense but well worth it.
We believe, however, that like chiropractic care, it could ultimately
reduce the overall cost of health care.
1.
Lonny J. Brown, PhD, "Get a Message!" June 12, 2000, America Online.
2.
Ibid.
from
Target Information Management, Inc,
2003, vol. 280 |
