Why a massage benefits your health
Lying on a massage table, slathered in oil, while a candle burns and soft music plays in the background may hardly seem medicinal. But research suggests that those who enjoy massage are reaping a tone of health benefits. From reducing blood pressure to helping with stress management, massage therapy may well be the key to keeping you in good health.
A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Preventative Medicine showed a startling link between massage and blood pressure. 50 people with mildly elevated blood pressure were given a 15 minute massage, three times a week for 10 sessions. Meanwhile, a similar group simply relaxed for the same amount of time.
Researchers found that those in the massage group had reduced blood pressure at the end of the sessions, while there was minimal change in the control group. What’s better, those who received regular massages reaped the benefits of a lower blood pressure for several days after their 10 sessions ended.
Another study gave an even more promising diagnosis on massage therapy as a body-wide healer. Researchers examined eight women with high blood pressure, who received an hour-long massage each week for four weeks. At the end of the test their blood pressure not only fell by 12mm Hg systolic (a great result) but there was also a drop in markers of inflammation, suggesting massage doesn’t just help the heart, it has a whole-body effect.
So, why the link between massage and cardiovascular function? While it’s not completely known why the two are related, some studies have found that massage reduces the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
More research is still needed, but the bottom line is that massage is great for managing stress and keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level. So, next time you feel like you’re being a bit too indulgent for heading to the day spa, think of it as a healthy treat.
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