Tulsa Massage can have a profound effect on the whole body. It is an instinctive form of comfort and care, similar to a hug or pat on the back.

Typically, practitioners use oil or talcum powder to help their hands slip over the skin. Stroking movements called effleurage are used to stimulate the flow of blood and stretch tissues.

The gentle stroking and kneading movements of massage are soothing to the muscles and soft tissues. These techniques increase the surface temperature of your skin and stimulate blood flow through friction, which results in an overall physiological relaxation response in the body. This reduction of tension and stress hormones can have long term benefits on your wellbeing.

Relaxed muscles also allow your joints to move more freely and decrease the risk of injury. The techniques in relaxation massage also encourage muscle stretching, which can help to improve flexibility. This can be especially beneficial for athletes who want to enhance performance.

When you receive a relaxation massage, it stimulates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system to regulate your heart rate back down and to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. As a result, your body releases feel good hormones that contribute to a feeling of happiness and contentment. This emotional boost is why many people choose to make massage a regular part of their wellness routine.

The deep breathing that occurs during massage helps to improve circulation. This is because a good flow of blood nourishes the muscles, aids in the removal of toxins and supplies your cells with essential nutrients that promote health. When paired with other wellness practices, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, relaxation massage can lead to a sense of well being that can last all day.

A good night’s sleep is essential for many aspects of our health. It supports cognitive functions, mood regulation, and energy balance. Regular massage can be used to relax the nervous system and improve sleep quality. Many individuals find that when they incorporate relaxation massage into their bedtime ritual, they have a more restful night and are able to wake up with more energy.

Another benefit of a massage that contributes to a better night’s sleep is the release of oxytocin. This is a chemical that is produced in the brain, and has been linked to feelings of love and euphoria. The release of this hormone can also aid in regulating your metabolic processes.

Pain Relief

Massage helps reduce pain by increasing blood flow and decreasing tension in the muscle tissues. When muscles are tight they restrict the circulation of oxygen and nutrients causing irritation, numbness, tingling and pain. By easing tension and increasing blood flow, massage helps to decrease pain by increasing the flexibility of the muscle tissue and allowing the muscle tissue to stretch further than it normally can.

Pain relief is a primary reason for many people seeking massage therapy. The physical and mental benefits of massage help to ease pain for the patient and also can decrease the need for over the counter or prescription medication. Using these medications can have a number of negative side effects over the long term. In addition, many of these medications mask the underlying issue and are only effective for short periods.

Another benefit of massage is that it promotes the release of feel good hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. These hormones decrease stress, anxiety and depression which can often exacerbate pain and other health issues. In addition to promoting the release of these hormones, massage can decrease levels of cortisol in the body which is a stress hormone.

There is also a theory that massage may be able to “close the gate” on pain signals from the skin to the brain. This theory works by suggesting that massage stimulates larger nerve fibres near the skin’s surface and causes these to take priority over the pain signals which are then blocked, thus closing the “gate”.

Some of the best pain relief treatments come from deep massage techniques such as acupressure, trigger pointing, kneading and myofascial release. These types of massage help to release deep knots and tense areas in the muscle that can cause chronic pain and reduce inflammation by increasing the flow of blood to these tissues.

The numbness and tingling that often comes from these areas is decreased as well. The increased blood flow also causes the lactic acid to break down and the nerves are then less sensitive to it. This is known as depolarization.

Increased Blood Flow

The circulatory system transports blood and oxygen around the body, delivering nutrients to all cells and removing waste products. It’s a complex network of blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) that includes the heart as the pump. Oxygen-rich blood is pumped out from the heart to the rest of the body via the arteries, and deoxygenated blood returns to the heart through the veins to complete the cycle.

The manipulation of soft tissues during massage triggers a number of physiological reactions that improve circulation. One is the widening of the blood vessels, called vasodilation. This gives the blood more space to flow, especially when the tissue is warm. The pulsing and friction techniques used in massage, such as cross fiber friction, achieve this effect. Vasodilation also increases the speed at which nutrients are carried to muscles from the blood stream, and helps to remove waste products.

Another way massage improves circulation is by increasing the number of capillaries surrounding a muscle. This increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients available to the muscles, which promotes cellular health and energy.

A surprisingly beneficial result of improved blood circulation is the decrease in swelling caused by injury. When muscle tissues are injured, they tend to swell up with metabolic waste and fluids that block blood flow. This can cause pain and inhibit healing, but lymphatic drainage, a part of the massage process that occurs throughout the body, reduces this swelling by improving lymph flow.

When the lymphatic system is working properly, excess fluids and metabolic waste are drained away from the site of an injury into the lymph flow and eventually pushed towards glands for disposal. Lymph flow can also help to remove toxins from the body, decreasing the risk of infection and promoting faster recovery after surgery or injury.

There are a few conditions that massage should not be used to treat, including some types of cancer and active tumors. However, generally, massage is safe for most people when used by a trained professional. Massage has also been shown to increase levels of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which is important for good health and a healthy immune system.

Better Sleep

Getting a good night sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, depression and anxiety. Fortunately, massage has been shown to promote healthy sleeping patterns. In addition to soothing achy muscles, relaxing the mind and improving circulation, massage can help with sleep disorders such as insomnia. Here’s how:

Research has found that massage improves sleep by stimulating the vagus nerve, which is a key part of your parasympathetic nervous system. This stimulation causes the body to relax and lowers your heart rate, which helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. Additionally, massage decreases cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone that can cause sleep disturbances.

The human touch, which is used during massage, also releases certain neurotransmitters that aid in the production of melatonin and other chemicals that help with sleep. This can be especially beneficial if you suffer from insomnia or sleep disorders like narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome.

Massage therapy has been shown to help with a variety of sleep issues, including obstructive sleep apnea and chronic neck and back pain. It can also reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia and migraines, as well as help with anxiety, mood fluctuations and menopause.

Insomnia and sleep deprivation can leave you feeling groggy, irritable and even more stressed out. However, regular massages can boost the quality of your sleep, helping you wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

There are many different types of massages, but some of the best are Shiatsu or traditional Chinese tui na. These calming massages use kneading, long strokes and circular motion to help you relax. For best results, try to schedule your massages later in the day so that you can go to bed relaxed and ready for a restful night’s sleep. Additionally, you can do some self-massage before bed to get the same benefits of a professional massage. For example, rubbing the outside of your big toe can stimulate the release of serotonin and melatonin, which can help you fall asleep more easily.