Benefits of massage

Whether you're getting your first massage or regularly receive massage therapy, the benefits of massage may surprise you.

Five main benefits

Reduce stress. Massage therapy can help to reduce stress by releasing muscle tension, improving circulation, and promoting relaxation. This can lead to a number of benefits, including improved sleep, reduced headaches, and a stronger immune system.
Boost immune function. Massage therapy can help to boost the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, which help to fight off infection. This can help to protect against illness and speed up recovery time.
Improve mental health and well-being. Massage therapy can help to improve mental health and well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. This can lead to improved mood, increased energy, and a better sense of overall well-being.
Manage pain. Massage therapy can help to manage pain by reducing muscle tension, inflammation, and pain signals. This can be helpful for a variety of pain conditions, including headaches, back pain, and arthritis.
Improve physical fitness. Massage therapy can help to improve physical fitness by reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and increasing flexibility. This can help athletes to recover from workouts more quickly and perform at their best.

Source – American Massage Therapy Association

History of massage

Massage therapy has been practiced for thousands of years in cultures all over the world. The earliest evidence of massage dates back to 3000 BCE in China, where it was used for both medical and religious purposes. Massage was also practiced in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and it was mentioned in the Bible.

Around the year 1000 B.C.E., Japanese Buddhist monks, who were training in China, were introduced to traditional Chinese massage. Upon returning to Japan, the monks added their own modifications, which eventually became its own distinct massage modality, known as Anma.

In the 18th century, massage was revived in Europe by a Swedish physician named Per Henrik Ling. Ling developed a system of massage that is still practiced today, known as Swedish massage.

In the 19th century, massage began to be used in the United States. It was initially used for medical purposes, but it soon became popular as a form of relaxation and stress relief.

Today, massage therapy is a widely accepted form of complementary and alternative medicine and is practiced across the globe.