At the Chiropractic & Wellness Center of Durham, we take pride in being your Durham or Raleigh chiropractic specialists. We are always on the look-out for new chiropractic and other techniques to help our patients feel better using all natural means that don't require surgery or unnecessary pain medication. Today we would like to tell you a little bit about the benefits of getting massage therapy.

You may already be aware that therapeutic massage is a non-surgical, all-natural technique which can help soothe your racing mind and relax your tired muscles.  What you may not be aware of is that getting a massage actually has many additional emotional and physical benefits. Consider this: even though 2009 marked one of the worst recessions in U.S. history, nearly 9% of US adults received at least one massage during the year.  What is causing people to turn to massage therapy in droves? The answer is that massage can have huge benefits for many different types of patients.

Regular massage therapy has many benefits including:

• Reduces lower back pain
• Decreases the need to use pain medications
• May help enhance immunity 
• Reduces symptoms of whiplash and other car accident pain symptoms
• Decreases feelings of depression and anxiety
• Improves circulation
• Helps reduce muscle spasms and cramping
• May help reduce migraine pain
• May help reduce high blood pressure
• Improves condition of skin including scars and stretch marks
• May help reduce symptoms of constipation

In addition to the long term benefits of getting massage therapy regularly, many patients are surprised to experience benefits after receiving only a single massage session. For example,  a single session of massage can reduce feelings of anxiety and release all-natural pain killers called endorphins. Studies have also suggested that immune function indicators may be improved after receiving a single massage session.

So, what options do you have in Durham or Raleigh for massage therapy? You may not realize that the health care specialists at Chiropractic & Wellness Center of Durham also offer massage for their patients as a great way to compliment their chiropractic care. We believe that every patient deserves to try out massage therapy, so we've made it easy for you to get started. If you want to start experiencing the benefits of massage at the Chiropractic & Wellness Center of Durham, give us a call at 919-403-1008 and schedule an appointment today! 

Reference List

Harris M, Richards K. The physiological and psychological effects of slow-stroke back massage and hand massage on relaxation in older people. Journal of Clinical Nursing. April 2010;19(7/8):917-926. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA.

Kalichman L. Massage therapy for fibromyalgia symptoms. Rheumatology International . July 2010;30(9):1151-1157. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA.

Lämås K, Lindholm L, Engström B, Jacobsson C. Abdominal massage for people with constipation: a cost utility analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. August 2010;66(8):1719-1729. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA.

Rapaport M, Schettler P, Bresee C. A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine. October 2010;16(10):1079-1088. Available from: Alt HealthWatch, Ipswich, MA.