Is Massage Effective or Just Hype?
Is massage effective or just hype?
Sure you feel good when you leave a massage session, but why should you go more than once in a while?
A study* conducted by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles would indicate massage is definitely effective. To prove it they conducted a study; 53 healthy adults were involved and 29 of them were randomly chosen to receive a 45-minute session of deep-tissue Swedish massage. The rest received a session of light massage.
All of the participants were given an intravenous catheter so that researchers would be able to easily test blood samples immediately before the massage and afterwards.
The Swedish massage significantly decreased cortisol levels in the blood and saliva and also arginine vasopressin that can lead to increased cortisol. The immune system also received a boost in the number of lymphocytes, or white blood cells.
The light massage group had an even greater increase in oxytocin and adrenal corticotropin than the Swedish massage group, a hormone associated with contentment and a hormone to stimulate adrenal glands to release cortisol respectively.
So what does this mean to you? Just remember that participants felt relaxed and contented when the light session was completed, and the Swedish massage actually promoted healing.
And when you are in the middle of a hectic, overwhelming or stressful day, pick up the phone and call Cade (612-269-2207) and make an appointment for a light massage on your way home. Your body and your family with thank you!
**Note:
The study was published online in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
*The study was sponsored by a division of the National Institutes of Health, The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, sponsored this research that found biological changes in the massaged participants.
Take advantage of the healing power of regular massage treatments. We have special pricing packages to help you achieve your goals!