Do you feel that a massage is a luxury and something you should only have as a treat to yourself? Therapeutic massage is certainly a luxury you can enjoy, but it is also a great way of relieving pain and promoting range of motion. This article will help you understand what therapeutic massage is, the benefits and the risks of receiving a massage.

More than half of the body is made of muscle whose main role is to keep the body moving. Muscles give the body shape and help to protect internal organs. The tendons are attached to the muscles and the muscles are connected to the brain with nerves. The brain sends the message to the muscles to move. When the muscle moves it causes the muscle to contract and that motion pulls the tendon.

Massage therapy is manipulation of the soft tissue of the body including muscles, connective tissue, the skin and tendons. Connective tissue is the soft tissues that surround, separate, and connect the different organs and parts of the body.

What can cause muscles and the connecting tissue to become stiff and sore? There are many things that can do that: repetitive motions, too much pull on a specific muscle, stress, bad posture, surgery, injuries, and even doing nothing at all and relaxing on the couch can make your muscles sore and tender. Manipulating soft tissue, muscles, and other connective tissues are massaged by applying pressure to parts of the body.

Researchers and scientists are not sure why massage therapy works for some people but not for others. There is a good deal of evidence that massage has beneficial effects in three ways: physically, physiologically, and psychologically. Physically the pressure of the massage on the skin can loosen stiff muscles. Physiologically it can improve the functioning of the organs. Psychologically it can release endorphins and develop an overall feeling of well-being.

Therapeutic massage can stimulate the body to release certain chemicals that help improve your mood, improve circulation and help your body expel toxic substances that build up in the muscles. Psychologically a massage can feel pampered and taken care of. It gives a person a feeling of self-worth and helps the client connect with another human. The touch and the contact are important ingredients to the psychology of a person's health and welfare.

There are many types of therapeutic massage based on different techniques and focusing on areas of the body that heightens relaxation and relieves stress. Many people use massage therapy as a way to relieve stress and relax stiff and sore muscles. It can help improve the function of the lymph system helping to move waste products out of the body. Massage strengthens muscles and allows the joints to move more freely. Range of motion is improved and therapy promotes recovery from injuries, fatigue and minor pain.

Massage therapy may increase blood circulation and help boost the immune system. It also is great for stimulating the skin and giving it a fresh healthy glow.