Massage therapy is included as a type of alternative health treatment. It has been used in many different forms around the world for thousands of years, and it has become popular in the west as more and more people come to appreciate the many different health benefits that massage therapy can give.

There are many different types of massage therapy that one can experience. Swedish massage, Thai massage, deep tissue massage and Japanese shiatsu are but a few of the different types of massage therapy that are available.

There are many benefits to massage therapy and people who have regular treatment with massage generally experience better overall health. Massage has been proven to be effective as a healing tool and can treat and prevent many different health conditions.

One of the key ways that massage therapy can increase your health and energy levels is by reducing stress. Stress has been linked time and time again by scientists to causing disease. Some estimates put it as responsible for 80 per cent of health conditions. Massage therapy helps to dissipate tension that is present in the muscles and release pent up stress. It also helps to lower blood pressure and relieve anxiety. Massage also releases endorphins in the body, which are the happy hormones that bring on a feeling of well being. Massage therapy produces serotonin and dopamine, which help to reduced stress, anxiety and depression.

Another way that massage therapy benefits health is by increasing blood flow and circulation around the body. Improvement in circulation allows the body to act more efficiently at removing toxins and delivering nutrients to different parts of the organism. Increasing the circulation of the body can also help to bring more oxygen into different body part and this can help with healing injuries as well as reducing recovery time from some illnesses.

Massage therapy can help to heal injuries in half the time that it would normally take by reducing swelling and inflammation, reducing the formation of scar tissue, minimizing muscle spasms and encouraging better muscle flexibility and joint mobility. The endorphins released in massage also act as a natural pain killer.

People who suffer migraines or tension headaches can benefit from receiving massage therapy regularly. This is because it relaxes tense muscles, reduces muscle spasms and increases blood flow to the brain.

Just some of the health conditions that massage therapy can be used to help treat include: stress, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, arthritis, musculo-skeletal problems, chronic back pain, hypertension, migraines, heart conditions and even cancer. Although massage is one of the oldest complimentary medicines in the world, the power of touch remains a great healing tool.

If you experience a lot of stress on a regular basis or you are trying to recover from an injury or illness, then you should consider getting regular massage therapy. Many health funds will now reimburse you for at least part of your massage therapy when it is done through and approved provider. Massage therapy is a great investment to make in your future health and to increase your feeling of well being.