Massage Therapy for Health – What the Science Says
Among the many benefits of massage, there is an increased level of PNS activity and vagal tone. These increases in activity reduce stress hormones. For example, in a study from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a 45-minute massage reduced arginine vasopressin levels, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and elevates blood pressure. Massage increases white blood cell counts, which aids the immune system in fighting infection, viruses, cancer, and other diseases.
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Low-Back Pain
Although massage has been known to have many benefits, what evidence does science support its effectiveness? A meta-analysis of 25 studies has shown that massage can relieve low-back pain in the near term. But is massage an effective treatment f...