Dr Tom: The benefits of massage
Never underestimate the number of endorphins, oxytocin and other pleasurable chemicals that come from being massaged.
Following on from last week's article about losing bags and sleep through many flights, this week has been just as busy. Only another week then I'll have a few days off to stop and smell the roses and recharge the batteries.
After another early morning keynote presentation in yet another town I turned my phone on for non-stop phone calls, instant messages, texts and emails. I'm sure you know the feeling. While technology was supposed to make our life easier, it seems it just makes it easier for people to track us down. Like a wind-up toy life can wind us up even more.
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That's why it's important to wind down and schedule some time for yourself before you pop. Having an hour spare before my next meeting I resisted the urge to answer all those phone calls and emails and hit Dr Google to find the nearest massage centre.
The Taupo Massage clinic was conveniently located a few hundred metres away and fortunately had a spare spot. Friendly staff and a clean, warm room was inviting and relaxing.
I added some lemongrass balm to help my skin that has dried out from constant flying and hotel air-conditioning. One of the problems I have with getting a massage is that it's so relaxing I often fall asleep and wake to find the session has ended.
My muscles get the benefit but my brain doesn't get to experience it in real time. I had forgotten to turn my phone off so the texts and alerts kept coming.
There are many benefits to getting a therapeutic massage, particularly in improved circulation and realigned strained muscle fibres. The lymphatic system deserves an article in itself but it is essentially the volume of fluid connecting the arteries and veins through our cells. It is estimated we produce 8-12 litres of lymph fluid a day - half returns to the circulation and half is absorbed by lymph nodes.
Massage helps return some of this fluid along the lymph channels and back into the circulation through the immune system. The increased fluid in the system has been suggested to provide more flow to the kidneys, creating more urine output - hence the need to rehydrate and feeling thirsty after massage.
Massage also releases tension from trigger points. I don't think one can underestimate the number of endorphins, oxytocin and other pleasurable chemicals that come from being massaged, not only from the muscle fibres but also the receptors in the skin and light touch nerve fibres.
There are many other suggested benefits such relief of headaches, myofascial pain and even anxiety. Just taking an hour out to get a massage can help relieve stress. You don't just have to go to a massage therapist to enjoy the benefits of massage. There are courses for couples to learn to massage and there is also the DIY approach that many do at home.
Having spent 30 years working in Emergency departments as a doctor I can't recall a single presentation of anyone being hurt by massage from their partner as long as one is sensible. As with anything that hurts, stop it. Be careful of massaging around the neck and the carotid arteries so stick to the back of the neck and don't twist the head. Look after yourself and those you care about by maybe shouting them a massage voucher.
Dr Tom Mulholland is an Emergency Department Doctor and GP with more than 25 years' experience in New Zealand. He's currently a man on a mission, tackling health matters around the world.
- Stuff
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