Are you considering becoming a massage therapist, but you’re unsure if it’s a sustainable career?
Massage treatment offers more than just relaxation benefits. It has many uses, both physical and psychological, making it an excellent therapy for anyone’s overall health and wellbeing.
From relaxing muscles and aiding performance in sport, to reducing stress, boosting circulation and even enhancing the metabolism, massage has a myriad of benefits; which means that qualified and skilful massage therapists will always be in demand.
THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR MASSAGE
We all know that having a massage is a surefire way to make us feel good, but many of us don’t really know about the wide range of benefits regular massage can have for our wellbeing. With a history dating back to 5000BC, massage has been used to heal the human body and promote good health for thousands of years.
One of the main reasons you feel an increased sense of wellbeing following a massage is because of the effect it has on our circulation. Massage increases the flow of both blood and lymph throughout our body, which in turn has an invigorating and healing effect on tired, aching or injured muscles, and helps the body to get rid of toxins and waste products.
During a massage, all kinds of physiological changes take place:
- The oxygen capacity of your blood is increased by 10-15%.
- There’s an increase in the amount of gastric juices, saliva and urine that you produce.
- An increased amount of nitrogen, sodium, chloride and inorganic phosphorus is excreted.
- The function of the oil and sweat glands is improved.
- Blood supply to the internal organs is increased.
- Tight muscles are loosened, while weak muscles are stimulated.
- Exercise induced fatigue is lessened.
- Your metabolic can increase.
As you can see, there’s a whole lot more going on than just creating a soothing, relaxing experience.
THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE IN SPORT
Massage is extremely helpful for anyone partaking in any kind of sport or exercise, as it can reduce or eliminate any pain experienced. Regular massage sessions can also help to increase one’s endurance and control fatigue, enabling sports people to engage in longer and more effective workouts and training sessions. This results in better performance and a reduced likelihood of injuries.
MASSAGE TO HELP INJURY RECOVERY
Soft tissue injuries can benefit greatly from massage therapy, particularly as the growth and repair of the tissue is speeded up by increased blood circulation and stimulation.
MASSAGE HELPS MANAGE STRESS
As we make our way through the stresses and strains of daily living, it’s no wonder that many of us suffer from mental tension, headaches and other mysterious aches and pains. When we are stressed, the hormones released by our body can shrink the blood vessels and negatively affect our circulation. Massage can help to counteract these changes, thus reducing the effects of stress.
THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF MASSAGE
While one massage session alone is enough to make someone feel revived and rejuvenated, the best results are achieved through committing to regular massage treatment; it’s a way to invest in your health and wellbeing that is both pleasurable and therapeutic. Qualified massage therapists take into account any injuries or health conditions a client may have, in order to plan a massage schedule that best meets their particular needs.
Massage therapists understand massage to be part of a holistic approach to wellness, and to incorporate massage into a wider program of therapies. Over time, massage can help to lower stress levels, increase someone’s feeling of relaxation and well being, boost the immune system, help manage pain from conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, improve and maintain the elasticity and condition of our skin, and can even help us stay more flexible as we age. It’s also been shown to help with digestive problems such as constipation, and can help us to sleep better.
As more and more people begin to understand the effectiveness of massage therapy, the demand for professional massage therapies grows. Whether someone needs a massage to help them heal from a sports injury, or simply to relax after a gruelling day at work, the appeal of a good massage shows no signs of waning.
For this reason you’ll find that skilful and professional massage therapists are always in demand. Despite the recent recession, more and more people have been prepared to set aside their time and money to invest in regular massage treatments. This means that people who do decide to train as a massage therapist have excellent career prospects and job security, in an industry which shows no signs of decline.
