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Massage Therapy: Integrating Physical, Emotional, and Neurological Benefits
13 Nov
Summary
- 8.5% of Americans used massage for "overall health" in 2022
- Massage can help manage chronic pain, reduce distress, and improve sleep
- Massage may benefit those with limited social interaction, such as those with chronic fatigue or long COVID
According to a recent study, 8.5% of Americans reported using massage for "overall health" in 2022. While the definition of health can vary, massage therapy is increasingly being recognized as a valuable healthcare intervention, offering a range of physical and mental health benefits.
Massage has been found to have a holistic impact, integrating physical, emotional, and neurological effects. It can help re-establish a connection to the body, induce a state of calm, and release natural endorphins that promote well-being. Massage has been shown to be quite beneficial for managing distress, pain, tension, anxiety, fatigue, and improving sleep, particularly for those who may not regularly experience healthy touch, such as individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome or long COVID.
Experts suggest that massage can benefit anyone, regardless of their health status. Those with greater experiences of disability, pain, and impairment are in a position to experience the larger effects of massage therapy. Recent research has found that massage can help with long-term pain reduction for advanced cancer patients and improve pain severity for veterans. Massage therapy has also been shown to enhance blood flow and reduce muscle soreness after exercise, suggesting it may affect the entire body, not just a specific area.
