According to Cindy Stark Reid, a licensed massage therapist at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont in Atlanta, massage therapy can have numerous mind-body benefits. Below she shares the how massage helps the mind, body and spirit, as well as what to avoid when getting or giving a massage in your area.
Massage Benefits:
- Decreases pain and tension by adding pleasure and good feelings to the day.
- Reduces confusion and disorientation by bringing awareness to the body’s physical boundaries and center.
- Increases flow of blood and lymph, helps reduce possibility of bed sores and increases the elimination of toxins from the body.
- Breaks up areas of stress and “energy blocks” in the body. Energy blocks are thought to be areas where the body’s energy gets “stuck” and therefore cannot reach the appropriate muscles, organs and tissues. Blocks can lead to feelings of depression and fatigue.
- Puts a person in touch with his or her emotions and feelings.
- May improve digestion and/or increase appetite.
- Helps relieve chronic body aches.
- Reduces feelings of isolation.
- Reinforces positive body image in individuals with a debilitating injury or illness.
- Gives loved ones an opportunity to touch, hug and stay close with a family member or friend.
- Promotes feelings of love, kindness, pleasure and caring, as well as physical awareness and movement.
Avoid:
- Massaging areas with skin problems or inflammation.
- Deep tissue massage when an individual has a high fever.
- Massaging anyone with blood clots.
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