Massage For Your Heart

By Julie Kennedy, CMT

Most people know that getting a massage is a relaxing experience. Most people know that stress is bad for your health. Put those two facts together and the general benefits of massage are clear.

Scientific research goes further into the effects of massage and shows it to have many other specific health benefits. Massage can help premature babies gain weight and increase immune function in cancer patients, among other things.

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among many demographics. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one precursor to heart disease that we know responds well to massage therapy.

The immediate effect of massage therapy is so well known that massage students are taught to pay special attention to clients with low blood pressure or on blood pressure-lowering medications to make sure the client's blood pressure doesn't get too low. Studies suggest that the effects continue past the massage itself and continue for several days.

Massage therapy, with a certified massage therapist, is a safe, effective intervention with little to no side effects. What do you have to lose? Add massage therapy to your wellness program and see the benefits for yourself.

Please note that this information does not replace the advice of your personal physician.