Massage is nothing new, it has been here for ages. It is a great way to help treat many ailments, aid in relaxation, and help athletes to recover from sports injuries. But behind all that is the benefit that can help many of us that we are not even aware of. It is known to help those who suffer from sleep disorders; since it is known to increase the delta waves that help promote sleep. Falling asleep on the table during the massage will help you for a couple of days afterwards, helping you to keep the deep sleep benefits.

If you are having any memory issues or want to help boost brain activities, massage is a great way to achieve this. There are some companies that actually promote the use of a massage chair in therapy to help their employees get the brain booster massage. It takes only fifteen (15) minutes daily and help them boost their mental alertness and improve awareness.

Since Massage releases natural antibodies in our system, it can help with many physical and mental aliments. It helps to enhance our immune systems and can actually decrease the cortisol levels that are present with stress. Even common ailments like PMS, minor depression and even the well-known common cold can actually be prevented using massage therapy.

It can help you with minor depression and sadness since it is said that a massage stimulates the left portion of our brains that is stimulated when we are happy, pleased or excited. Thus, making us maintain a positive and happy attitude.

There are many positive sides to massage therapy which can include, but not limited to some of the following: it will reduce your stress levels and it's harmful effects that it has on our bodies; it is good for blood circulation and our immune system; heals our minds and makes us feel a sense of well-being; it stimulates production of certain endorphins and helps with pain in injuries as well as in PMS; calms our central nervous system; help to improve sleep patterns; relaxes the muscles and reduces tension; aids in digestion; improves concentration by enhancing our brain activity; and it actually lowers our cortisol production and other known stress hormones.

Massage therapy can help treat and prevent not only sports injuries, but also injuries received during everyday activities such as house cleaning, gardening, moving items, and many more. It provides a number of therapeutic effects that help minimize the chance of receiving an injury. For instance, over time, muscles can tighten and shorten which increases the risk of muscle, ligament, and tendon strains. Regular massage sessions help keep muscles and tissues loose and flexible decreasing the risk of strain and tears. A deep tissue massage will improve circulation so that blood flow carrying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues will be increased. This will optimize muscle and ligament health and relieve muscle stiffness and tension.

It has also been shown that massage therapy on a regular basis can not only help prevent injury, but it also helps extend an athlete's career by maintaining physical health. Ways regular massage sessions help prevent injuries include: improving mobility, joint flexibility and range of motion, increasing circulation, strengthening the immune system, and alleviating musculoskeletal problems which will improve posture.

Seventy-six clinical nurse specialists—all of whom worked in various inpatient and outpatient units in a large Midwest medical facility—were surveyed electronically on their use of complementary therapies for patients and themselves, according to a report from the Mayo Clinic published on www.pubmed.gov.

"There has been an increase in the use and awareness of complementary and integrative therapies in the United States over the last 10 years," the report noted. "Clinical nurse specialists are in an ideal place to influence this paradigm shift in medicine to provide holistic care."

The top therapies requested most by patients were massage, spirituality/prayer, healing touch, acupuncture and music therapy. The top therapies the nurses personally used were humor, massage, spirituality/prayer, music therapy and relaxed breathing.

The results indicated most of the nurses thought complementary therapies were beneficial, the researchers noted.

The results of this study will help determine educational needs and clinical practice of complementary therapies at the medical center, the report stated.

Reuters reports on a recent scientific study where a team of doctors "searched for randomized controlled trials of massage therapy in depressed patients. They identified 17 studies including 786 people in all. In 13 of the trials, massage therapy was compared to another active treatment such as Chinese herbs, relaxation exercises, or rest, while four compared massage to a "no treatment" control group. Investigators also used a range of methods for evaluating mood and depression in study participants.

Overall, the studies, which were of "moderate" quality, showed that massage therapy had "potentially significant effects" in alleviating symptoms of depression, the researchers report in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

It's not clear from the analysis, they emphasize, whether a person would need to undergo regular massage therapy for benefits to persist.

There are a number of ways through which massage could help people with depression, the researchers note, for example, by reducing stress and inducing relaxation; building an "alliance" between the therapist and patient; and by causing the body to release the "trust hormone" oxytocin."

"Pregnancy massage has been growing in popularity due to its healing and relaxation properties to both mom and baby. Prenatal is often a cherished time, and awaiting the birth of a new baby is exciting and exhilarating, however, the effects of prenatal can wreck havoc on a blossoming body. Many pregnant women experience uncomfortable bodily changes including increases in swelling, muscle tension, and other various aches and pains. Prenatal massage can help relieve some, if not all of these unwanted effects. In fact, massage has the power to reduce stress, promote relaxation, stimulate the circulatory system, relieve aches and pains, and prepare the muscles for childbirth."

Here are a few interesting massage facts provided by NCBTMB:

• Today, 39 million American adults – more than one out of every six – get at least one massage each year.
• Massage therapy has been proven effective in:
  Relieving back pain
  Boosting immune system
  Reducing anxiety
  Lowering blood pressure
  Treating migraines
  Decreasing carpal tunnel symptoms
  Easing post-operative pain
  Alleviating side effects of cancer
• Because massage and bodywork directly or indirectly affects every system of the body, it promotes health, prevents illness and injury, and speeds recovery.
• In 1996, massage therapy and bodywork was officially offered for the first time as a core medical service in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, and nationally certified practitioners provided key medical services.