When we think about the benefits of getting a massage, most people immediately think, “it’s relaxing.” They’re absolutely correct, but the only-recently-explored science behind relaxation during a good massage is fascinating. So how do you “hack the science” to make sure you are going to get a good massage?
Massage therapy is a field rooted in science and steeped in history. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), modern Western massage therapy can trace its roots back to colonial times. These “medical rubbers” as they were called, were usually women hired by doctors to help with the rehabilitation efforts. They didn’t receive much formal education, but they used targeted joint movements and manual rubbing to increase range of motion in patients.
Manual therapy evolved in the 1850s, when formal education was introduced, and again in the early 1900s as therapists began to operate in independent settings. Massage continued to evolve and grow in the 1900s; by the 1990s, massage looked very similar to what we are familiar with today, with many states beginning to pass licensing laws for massage therapists.
Modern massage therapists in the United States undergo hundreds of hours of training in programs that prepare them to make a positive impact on their patients’ health, and many therapists look for continuing education to keep learning about human anatomy and physiology as it pertains to massage. The field is always growing, and a good massage therapist is always learning.
Massage has physical benefits that are often overlooked and at its core massage increases blood circulation in the body. This has many benefits like relaxing your nervous system to reduce blood pressure and slowing your heart rate. The increased circulation clears out overloaded cell receptors and removes metabolic waste. It also brings vital nutrients to the muscle cell to give it the energy it needs to contract or release. This is how massage helps to “get rid of the knots.” Massage may also reduce inflammation from illness or injury by increasing blood flow and encouraging lymphatic drainage. Increasing blood flow is great for your body’s health on many levels – it also helps to improve sleep and digestion. The manual manipulation aspect of massage also helps increase joint mobility, relieve muscle tension, and reduce soreness, making it a great choice for active people, athletes, and people whose work includes long hours on their feet or manual labor.
When you get a massage, neurotransmitters like endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin are released into your body. As these “happy hormones” flood into your bloodstream, cortisol – the stress hormone – is reduced, lowering overall stress levels and increasing the body’s natural balance.
Here’s looking at you, teachers and nurses!
Though holistic medical professionals have been studying the health of the whole person for years, modern medicine is also beginning to approach health holistically, increasing awareness of practices that soothe symptoms and increase health across multiple body systems. Because of this awareness, more people are seeking massage as a way to live healthier. According to the AMTA’s 2024 Massage Profession Research Report, “43% of consumers received their last massage for a health or wellness reason.” In responses from both men and women in the same report, a significant increase was noted in people who sought massage for health or wellness reasons or for pain management from 2023 to 2024.
As a consumer, researching what kind of massage to get can quickly grow overwhelming when the options seem endless: Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, Shiatsu massage, Thai massage, prenatal massage, essential oil massage, and therapeutic massage.
The list goes on and on!
The best thing to do is find a massage therapist you feel comfortable with and talk to them about your needs. A good massage therapist knows the science. Communication is your hack to receiving a good massage. Tell the therapist about your goals for the session. They can design a session tailored to your needs that day. Communicate what you’re feeling during the session, especially if it’s not in line with your goals and needs.
If you haven’t gotten a massage recently – or ever – you should schedule one today.
After all, it’s science.
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