Getting a massage is a relaxing experience. A massage doesn’t only make you feel good; it also has biological and psychological benefits. It is said that getting a massage helps release toxins from the body, which makes you feel better afterwards. Is this so, or does massage instead help the body produce happy hormones that make you feel good?
This article discusses what toxins are released after a massage and the benefits of getting a massage. If you find this article intriguing, keep reading to know more.
What are toxins?
Several people get massages to help improve their health. It also helps build and stimulate the immune system. A massage can help relieve muscle tension and pain relief, reduce stress hormones, and increase blood flow.
When you hear the word toxin, the first that comes to mind is poison. In a bigger context, a toxin is a harmful substance found in nature, such as the venom of a snake. However, toxins in humans are not naturally produced by the body. Human toxins are substances that are consumed or substances they are exposed to (environmental toxins) in excess.
When you accumulate persistent organic pollutants, these are transformed into body toxins. Toxins can build up and settle around the body. The toxins in the body are not harmful. Getting a massage releases toxins, stimulating the body’s lymph nodes and muscles to expel them.
Through a massage, your immune system works to eliminate metabolic wastes. This helps your body feel relaxed, more energetic, and heal quicker.
There are several types of massages, but three massage types can release body toxins faster. Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage are the three popular massage types that can flush toxins out of the body.
Benefits of Massage Therapy: Toxins Released After A Massage
Massage therapy is being studied as a form of treatment to relieve muscle pain, muscle soreness, lower blood pressure, and improve blood flow. Through massage therapy, professional massage therapists rub, knead, tap, and stroke the skin, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues.
Massage therapy has numerous benefits. It can be an effective support for persons with chronic health issues. Massage therapy helps lower stress hormones like adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol. An increase in stress hormones can impair your immune system. Massage therapy also helps release endorphins to make you feel happy and calm.
A good massage helps reduce nerve compression, helping your muscles and organs function better. Massage helps you relax by allowing the body to produce happy or feel-good hormones, which reduces stress, irritability, and anxiety, leading to better mental health.
Massage can also lead to improved sleeping patterns. Massage can help individuals with insomnia, migraines, fibromyalgia, and cerebral palsy.
Massage therapy releases toxins, not physically and instantly. It is through massage that the body is stimulated to filter and release toxins that have built up in the body. There are three substances released from the body: uric acid, creatine and creatinine, and lactic acid.
Uric Acid
Uric acid is the waste product when the body breaks down purines. Uric acid can be detected in the blood. Gout is a result of high levels of uric acid. Inflammation in the body due to high levels of uric acid can be relieved through massage. Uric acid may dissolve and be excreted through stimulated metabolism and help improve the circulatory system.
Creatine and Creatinine
Creatine and creatinine are not harmful substances. Creatine is biologically found in muscle cells helping the body produce energy during physical activity. Creatine is a metabolic waste of creatinine, a byproduct of muscle use during physical activity. Creatinine is often expelled from the body through urination.
Massage helps and improves blood circulation. When blood flow increases in the body, creatinine levels decrease, helping the kidney function better. Good blood circulation can filter toxic substances in the body and flush them out as body fluids.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is the result of glucose breakdown when cellular energy is generated by the body. The burning sensation you feel when doing sports or any physical activity is due to lactic acid buildup. When there is too much lactic acid buildup in your body, it can lead to a range of medical concerns, from muscle irritation to muscle soreness.
When you decide to undergo massage therapy due to sports recovery or just a simple body massage, the muscles in your body get stimulated, and the build-up of lactic acid is filtered and eventually excreted. Massage may help flush lactic acid buildup in your body and relieve muscle soreness.
Massage Therapists and Different Massage Types
Professional massage therapists are practitioners working either home-based or in a private setting. They can also work in hospitals, wellness centres, nursing homes, hotels, fitness centres, and salons.
An expert massage therapist knows the best way to relieve pressure from your body. Applying pressure on specific body parts releases body heat and improves blood flow. When the body produces heat through massage therapy, the cells, and organs are oxygenated, improving your overall immunity.
All massage therapists are skilled and trained in several massage techniques like Signature Traditional Thai Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Mother To Be - Pregnancy Massage, Focus Point Massage, Hot Volcanic Massage, Foot Massage and Reflexology, and many more.
Deep Tissue Massage
Massage therapists applying Deep Tissue Massage target body parts experiencing chronic tension. This technique involves slow strokes, applying direct pressure across the muscle grain.
Deep Tissue Massage aids in the breakdown of lactic and uric acids that have built up around the muscles. This build-up causes pain, soreness, limited mobility, and flexibility. These are released in the bloodstream and are eventually excreted from the body.
This technique doesn’t focus on relaxation. Instead, it deals with specific body problems causing chronic pain, muscle spasms, muscle crush injuries, osteoarthritis pain, strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD) is a massage technique developed in 1936 for treating swollen lymph nodes and increasing blood flow to the heart. This massage technique uses skin stretching massage to release lymphatic fluids from swollen limbs.
This technique focuses on improving the flow of lymphatic fluid in the lymph vessels. Massage therapists applying MLD initially massage the unaffected areas, decongesting these areas to allow the built-up lymphatic fluid to move out of the affected areas.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a popular form of massage therapy. Not only does it relax and energize you, but it also helps relieve pain from injuries and sore muscles. It also decreases muscle toxins and improves blood circulation and body flexibility.
In performing a Swedish massage, the massage therapist does long kneading strokes, rhythmic tapping strokes, and joint movements. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is reduced and released through a Swedish massage.
Post Massage Care
Indeed, there are several benefits of getting a massage. You can make the most out of your relaxing experience by observing proper post-massage care. Post-massage care is very important to give your body enough time to recuperate from all the movements your muscles and soft tissue have gone through.
If you fail to give your body the post-massage care it needs, you could be at risk of damaging or causing further injury to your muscles and soft tissues. Below are some post-massage care reminders that you should keep in mind.
All body wastes are filtered by the kidney, which is why it is important to drink plenty of water after your massage. Drinking clear water should be the first thing you have to do after getting a massage, for it helps in releasing toxins. The body’s waste products are then released through urination and perspiration.
It is recommended to drink water before your massage session. Drinking water before a massage allows the massage therapist to work on your body more effectively.
If possible, have a nice warm bath or shower. This improves blood circulation and makes you relax longer.
You can re-energize by eating a light snack after your massage therapy. A light snack may include fruits, nuts, or salad.
After a massage, you should have plenty of rest. Avoid doing any heavy lifting, exercising, or any strenuous activity. If you just had a Deep Tissue Massage, it is possible to have micro-tears in your muscles.
It is recommended to give your body time to recover for at least 4 hours. However, if you feel a
little tight, you may do light stretches to loosen up a bit. Post-massage soreness is common, and you may still feel it the next day. It is best that you monitor how your body reacts to the massage.
Enjoy the Health Benefits of a Massage Today
Getting a massage is a relaxing experience that anyone should try at least once in their life. Not only does getting a massage make you feel good, but it also has several biological and psychological benefits.
Massage therapy can help treat and relieve muscle pain, tension, and soreness, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and improve blood circulation. It also helps reduce stress, irritability, and anxiety. Massage can improve your immune system helping the body release toxins such as uric acid, lactic acid, creatine, and creatinine.
Always observe post-massage care. Drink plenty of water before and after your massage. Drinking water helps flush out body toxins through urination and perspiration. Eat a light snack after your massage to regain your energy. A light snack can include fruits and nuts.
Give yourself time to relax by taking a warm bath or shower. You need plenty of time to rest and for your muscles to recover. Do not do any strenuous activities like heavy lifting or workouts or intense exercise after a massage.
Give yourself time to relax and be pampered. Getting a massage is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, which can help improve your mental health, making you live happier and longer. You can speak to a professional massage therapist to help you choose the ideal massage for you. Free up a day in your busy schedule and book an appointment because you deserve it!