Benefits of Holistic Therapies
Massage has many amazing benefits to the body, mind and emotions. The primary benefit is increased circulation, thus helping to increase the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the body tissues whilst increasing the removal of metabolic wastes and carbon dioxide. This helps to improve general health for every body tissue, from your bones and muscles to your organs and glands.
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There are many other benefits however, and massage can affect every body system. Certain therapies, such as Aromatherapy and Reflexology, can even target specific body areas of concern.
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Take a look at the list below to see how these therapies could improve your health and wellbeing.
The Skeletal System
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Massage mimics exercise on the body: both will encourage your bones to absorb calcium and vitamin D, which will not only strengthen them, but help to prevent degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis.
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Massage around joints will enhance their healing, reduce pain and aches, as well as increase mobility.
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Massage and certain essential oils can relieve arthritic and rheumatic discomfort and prevent relapses.
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Massage and certain essential oils can help to reduce joint inflammation and certain types of swelling.
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It is believed that massage can improve a bone's blood-making processes, thus improving the quality of blood that is generated.
The Muscular System
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Massage can provide muscular pain relief.
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Massage helps to warm the muscles, reduce tension and increase circulation. This can help to relax muscles that have gone into spasm or are prone to cramping.
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Massage can help reduce knots, strains and stiffness. Certain essential oils are analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory, helping to bolster this effect.
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Massage can help to soothe muscles which are tight, congested and fatigued.
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Massage is thought to help maintain and increase muscle tone, therefore helping with posture and muscle effectiveness.
The Skin, Hair & Nails
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Carrier oils provide vitamins, minerals, nutrients and hydration.
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Massage and certain essential oils can promote cellular regeneration as well as loosen and stretch scar tissue to regain flexibility.
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Massage helps the skin to remove dry and old cells.
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Massage can help to regulate and stablise sebum production, helping to reduce both eczema and acne.
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Regular massage can help to strengthen hair roots and follicles, protect hair from toxins and weather conditions, as well as reduce greying and certain hair loss conditions.
The Nervous System
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Holistic therapies are well known for providing stress relief, promoting a release from depression and anxiety.
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Massage can be either relaxing, helping with sleep troubles, or energising, helping with tiredness and fatigue.
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Massage can help to relieve trapped nerves and associated pains.
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Holistic therapies increase wellbeing by helping to soothe the nerves and open neural pathways.
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Massage can increase the health of neuromuscular junctions.
The Cardiovascular System
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Massage helps with blood circulation, particularly in the veins, which can slow due to illness, inactivity or injury. This helps to prevent disorders associated with poor circulation such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.
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Massage and certain essential oils can stimulate the capillaries to dilate, increasing blood flow, especially to the extremities.
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A soothing massage can help to calm the body, reducing blood pressure. This helps to prevent disorders associated with high blood pressure.
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By stimulating the blood, holistic therapies assist the body to nourish the cells and tissues.
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Certain essential oils can increase blood pressure, helping those who suffer with sluggish circulation.
The Lymphatic System
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Massage is well known for helping with lymph drainage, thereby reducing certain types of swelling and oedema.
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Certain essential oils can stimulate white blood cells, helping to fight off infections. Many are also antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal.
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Holistic therapies can help with fluid retention and certain essential oils are diuretic.
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Massage can stimulate lymph flow, therefore enhancing the circulation and making the system more efficient at fighting pathogens.
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Holistic therapies can stimulate organs of the lymphatic and immune systems such as the spleen and thymus.
The Digestive System
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Massage mimics peristalsis (digestive muscle contractions) therefore can aid with digestion.
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Massage can help to relieve constipation, as well as soothe IBS and diarrhoea.
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The stress-relieving aspects of massage can help to prevent related disorders, such as ulcers.
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Certain essential oils have antispasmodic properties, helping to relax digestive spasms. Other essential oils can also help to combat wind as well as stimulate the liver and gall bladder.
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Reflexology can help to stimulate the bowels, as well as increase the efficiency of the whole digestive system.
The Respiratory System
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Massage helps to loosen tight respiratory muscles, therefore increasing lung function by aiding proper contraction of the muscles.
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Massage can help to increase lung capacity, allowing you to naturally take longer, deeper breaths. This means more oxygen can be inhaled, and more carbon dioxide can be exhaled.
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Massage can help with fluid discharge from the lungs by loosening phlegm.
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Certain essential oils can help relax the bronchial tubes, and some help to clear the airways by promoting the healthy removal and renewal of mucus.
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Massage can reduce shortness of breath as well as decrease asthma.
The Endocrine System
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Since massage increases circulation, and hormones travel via the blood, they can reach their target cells more quickly and efficiently.
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Massage can lower blood sugar levels as it encourages cells to absorb sugar.
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Since holistic therapies boost relaxation, they help to decrease stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
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Holistic therapies can contribute to stabilising the metabolic rate and homeostasis, boosted by certain essential oils.
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Reflexology can increase energy levels, as well as aid hormonal imbalances.
The Reproductive System
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Abdomen and back massage can help with menstrual cramps.
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Massage is renowned for reducing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and aching joints.
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Certain essential oils are known to be tonics for the uterus.
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It is believed that reflexology can increase the health of sperm.
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Holistic therapies can relieve PMS.
The Urinary System
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Reflexology can stimulate kidney function.
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Holistic therapies can help speed the healing of urinary tract infections and prevent relapses.
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Holistic therapies can bring harmony to the system, making it more efficient with maintaining the body's acid/alkaline and salt/water balances.
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Certain essential oils can help to reduce fluid retention and assist the kidneys with the distribution of water throughout the body.
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Massage is believed to help reduce cellulite.