Remember, this is the only body you’re going to get.  Take great care of it.

Therapeutic benefits of massage have been proven in a wide variety of conditions, and fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are no exception.

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In a study comparing massage therapy to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, the massage resulted in improved sleep patterns, decreased pain, less fatigue, fewer incidences of anxiety and depression, and decreased cortisol levels. In addition to being listed on the Touch Research Institute web page, this study was published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, volume 2, pages 18 – 22.

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The European Journal of Pain published a recent study showing that massage relieved pain, reduced depression, and improved the quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. General studies on massage prove that it lowers levels of stress hormones, increases production of serotonin in the brain, and leads to improved sleep. All of these results benefit fibromyalgia patients. The Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Volume 3, Number 3, 1997 included a study of massage which indicated that patients receiving one-half hour of massage twice a week for five weeks showed less depression, pain, cortisol levels, anxiety, stress and increases in dopamine levels and enhanced sleep. The patient’s decrease in symptoms began immediately after receiving the first massage, and continued to decrease throughout the duration of the study.
 

Generally speaking, massage provides many physiological benefits for every system of the body.

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Massage Improves Skin Tone

The sun, smog, poor diet, and the unstoppable aging process all contribute to the drying, wrinkling, and the general loss of the youthful characteristics of your skin. Massage therapy dilates the blood capillaries of the skin increasing the uptake of vital skin repairing nutrients and speeding the removal of harmful toxins.  This improved circulation helps to moisturize your skin improving skin texture and relieving dryness and itching. 

Massage Increases Blood Circulation 

Like a sponge that is squeezed, a tight muscle can not hold much fluid nor can it allow much fluid to pass through it.  This decreases your circulation of blood and increases the strain placed on your heart.  Among the obvious problems that this can cause, this can leave you feeling fatigued and sore, reducing your precious energy reserves. Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood towards the heart, thus easing the strain on this vital organ.  This increase in circulation brings energy-producing nutrients and oxygen to your cells as well as carries away metabolic waste products that can make you feel listless and drained. In addition, massage therapy increases your body’s oxygen carrying red blood cell count helping to bring even more oxygen to your body’s cells.

Massage Strengthens the Immune System 

The lymphatic system is a major factor in your body’s battle to ward off infection and heal injuries.  The lymphatic flow is usually very sluggish in most people and especially so in those that have less active lifestyles. Massage therapy not only improves the circulation of blood and it’s vital nutrients, but also increases the circulation and lymph in your lymphatic system thus helping your body to fight off infection and speeding your recovery from injuries and illness.  “If you have a massage every week, you will have 2/3 less illness.”(H. Gruenn, M.D, Los Angeles, CA)