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For some of us, massages can be utterly relaxing. For others, they can be helpful in relieving backache. Whatever benefit of massage draws us to it, know that there are lots of advantages of getting massages in the long haul. It is known for relieving stress and anxiety, treating headaches, postural stress, strengthening the immune system, and more. Most of the all, the long-term benefits of massage promote body wellness by soothing the mind and body.
C.G. Funk, VP of industry relations and product development for Massage Envy, says, “Regular massage keeps the body working at optimal levels. It keeps people well-physically and emotionally.” Therefore, the benefits of massage leap into the different sections of mental wellness, physical as well as emotional wellbeing. This promotes overall stability and good health of the body.
On a quick note, you can count off the long-term benefits of massage as a means to easing anxiety and depression, relieving joint pains and arthritis, and easing muscle tension. On top of these, there are more benefits like uplifting mood, eliminating headaches, bettering blood circulation, and improving the quality of your sleep.
Here is an in-depth look at the long-term benefits of massage that will encourage you to have regular massages:

1. It’s a happy relief for desk workers

The number of people who have to sit consistently throughout the day, either intentional or as part of their job responsibilities, has multiplied. Subsequently, the concerned health risks are also climbing the health ladder. But massage counters all the postural stress of all-day-long sitting.
Massage combats the imbalance associated with consistent sitting. Aaron Tanason, registered massage therapist, kinesiologist, and owner at Paleolife Massage Therapy in Toronto explains this. Tanason says, “Most individuals are dealing with some kind of postural stress. More often than not [that stress] tends to manifest in the shoulders and neck.” These areas are typically massaged, thus, massage is able to curtail imbalances that come in the wake of long hours of sitting,

1. Fights the symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is characterized by fatigue, muscles pain, and tenders as per the American College of Rheumatology. Symptoms can be aggravated by sleep disturbances and stress.
Regular fibromyalgia massages assist in stress relieve and alleviates muscular pain, spasms, and discomfort in patients who suffer from this condition. Massages are considered as one of the effective approaches to Fibromyalgia. The National Fibromyalgia Association reports that 40% of the people who suffer from the condition have has massages as part of this treatment.

1. Eases anxiety and depression

The statistics depicted the number of cases of depression and anxiety id soaring to meet the zenith. Roughly 1 in 5 American adult faces a mental health issue in a given year. Of these, anxiety and depression are common concerns. Frequent massages can help deal with this problem.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry concluded that anxious and depressed individuals felt happy and more relaxed after a massage. This depicts how massages are helpful in curbing stress. At the same time, research indicated that women diagnosed with breast cancer who got massage thrice a week reported being less angry and less depressed.

1. Eases muscle pain with improved blood circulation

The long-term benefits of massage extend to include the easing of muscle pain. Regular massage promotes great blood flow to all parts of the body. Moreover, the improved circulation through the hands-on pressure promotes enhanced blood flow to congested and damaged areas of the body. On the flip side, improper blood circulation correlates with stiff, tense, and damaged muscles.
Furthermore, the twisting, squeezing, and more like techniques linked with a massage removes lactic acid from the muscle tissues. Consequently, massage boosts the lymph fluid circulation that transports metabolic waste away from the internal organs. This improves overall body function.

1. Better sleep

Research confirms that massage corresponds with improved sleep as it encourages relaxation. It is also helpful in promoting good sleep among infants. These help them cry less, feel less stressed, and sleep more.
Lisa Marie de Miranda, registered massage therapist and kinesiologist at Paleolife Massage Therapy, points out, “Most RMTs can do infant massage. There’s not really a particular technique. Whatever parents normally do to soothe their baby will be effective.”

1. Eases surgical effects

Massage chips in the advantage of a quick recovery in the aftermath of a surgery. It helps you in recovering by relaxing muscles, improving joint movement, boosts flexibility, and enhancing blood circulation.
The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals also confirms this. As per this source, massage motivates tissue regeneration and reduce surgical swelling and adhesions.

1. Relieves headache

Massages are credited for lowering the frequency and intensity/severity of headaches. Nearly 28 million US adults suffer from migraine headaches. Often these are brought on by poor sleep and stress. Massage helps deal with both of these factors.
A study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine indicated that individuals who received frequent massages reported an improved quality of sleep and fewer migraines. This was in comparison with the control group, which were not given any massages. According to the researchers, the positive effects lasted for around three weeks after the therapy concluded. Additionally, research from the Granada University in Spain learned that even a single massage therapy session immediately helps with pain relief in case of chronic tension headaches.

1. Helps deal with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Experts also claim that massages can help improve the symptoms of ADHD in teenagers. Tiffany Field, executive director of the Touch Research Institutes (TRI) in Miami, came to the conclusion that 10-15 minutes of massage 10 days exhibited a positive change in adolescents.
Field stated that the kids felt happier. Moreover, the teachers reported an improvement in their behavior. More studies highlight that youngsters with ADHD can reap the advantages from massage therapies given twice in a month.

1. Relieve from back pain

The role of massage in relieving back pain is critical. A study outlines that massage therapy is more effective in breaking back pain than other therapies like spinal modification and acupuncture. Massage also helps to lessen the intake of painkillers by 36%.
It also helps with pain management. The therapists can be requested to concentrate on the problem area(s), which amps up the blood circulation in that area. This aids in pain relief including the pain from arthritis, sports injuries, and other like conditions.

1. Lowers blood pressure

High blood pressure is a serious health concern that, if not taken care of, culminates in cardiovascular risks such as stroke. Massage contributes helpfully in maintaining a healthy blood pressure.
A study in the Journal Biological Research for Nursing found that folks who had a massage for merely 10 minutes at least three times a week lowered their blood pressure effectively. These findings were relative to people who spent time relaxing.
Summing up, there are multiple long-term benefits of massage. Not only is it useful for pain management and relief but it also lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. Frequent massage sessions also help you sleep better and combat the postural imbalance caused by consistent sitting. On top of all these advantages, research also shows that massage is helpful in controlling the symptoms of ADHD and Fibromyalgia.
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Massage therapy has already gained a lot of popularity. They are nowadays becoming a complementary therapy and a source of healing for several conditions. A hot stone massage can yield you with several advantages such as:


Relives the muscle pain and tension
Heat is used for relieving muscle tension and pain. The hot stone massage helps in increasing the flow of the blood in the affected area. It also aids in minimizing the spasms and increases the flexibility.
Helps in minimizing the anxiety and stress
A 10-minute good massage from the hot stones improves the cardiovascular responses, which reduces the anxiety and stress level by improving the blood flow in the body.
Improves sleep
Adults having the problem of insomnia gain a lot from a hot stone massage which helps them avoid taking sleeping pills. A good sleep helps in increasing the concentration, alertness, and positive energy.
Reduces the symptoms of autoimmune diseases
Fibromyalgia is a state of condition that leads to constant pain. A hot stone massage helps in reducing the painful conditions in fibromyalgia. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are also benefitted from a hot stone massage. The benefits are improved grip strength, enhanced range of motion, and reduced pain.
Chances of decreasing cancer symptoms
Studies have shown that massage reduces the fatigue, nausea, pain, stress, depression, and anxiety. The study also showed that massage therapy, particularly Swedish massage, can substantially reduce the symptoms of cancer.
Triggered immunity
The immune system is improved with a good hot stone massage. A single session of hot stone massage offers an optimistic and acute effect on the immunity level. The blood samples taken after and before the massage showed reduced arginine-vasopressin.
There are various massage therapies available; each one has its own benefits. Individuals suffering from acute pain and muscle tension should give a try for hot stone massage in order to yield its benefits.

 Massage is not a new therapy; it has its origin from a very ancient time. Previously, the doctors believed in the power of touch as an incredible medicine for various illnesses. It was found that physicians used different types of oils and extracts from the plants for the massage therapy in order to cure people. And the outcomes were unbelievable. There are some interesting facts listed here that will increase your knowledge about massage therapy.


Facts and not Myths

• Around 5 million of touch receptors are present in our skin and interestingly 3,000 of them are present in the fingertip
• A gentle healthy touch can work wonders; it can lower the blood pressure and can minimize the heart rate
• Julius Caesar suffered from epilepsy and he used massage therapy to heal it
• In 1996, it was for the Olympics in Atlanta that massage therapy was legally offered as a core therapeutic service
• To improve your immune system, massage and gently pull your ears – bottom, middle, and top of the earlobes once a day
• Change in the lifestyle has guaranteed lower back pain to most of the individuals. A good massage can lower the intensity
• Benefits of a good massage therapy – reduced pain, aches, and flu symptoms and improved lymph flow through the body
• Endorphins, the natural painkillers of the body, are stimulated by a gentle touch and massage
• The benefit of an hour of massage is similar to that of 7 to 8 hours of sleep
• Bob Hope had daily massage as a part of his health routine and he lived for 100 years
• Funny but yes a complete body massage can also be done with all your clothes on
• The massage therapy is an ancient form of the medical treatment and its evidence can be seen in the Egyptian tomb paintings
• It is not compulsory to have oils and lotions to have a good massage

In this changing lifestyle of ours, we are more prone to allergies, pains, and much more. Instead of visiting a doctor for medication, go to a good massage therapist and have a massage. It will solve half of your illnesses and that too without a side effect.

 Stress, hormonal changes, chronic pain, and many other problems can cause lack of sleep. Owing to this your days are less energetic you feel sluggish which affects your performance. These are not the only problems that are caused due to insomnia but there are other issues such as reduced cognitive functions, increased anxiety and stress level causing depression and memory issues.


There are medical treatments for treating insomnia but there is a natural way to treat this ailment without the intake of any medications. Massage therapy can bring a slow but gradual difference in insomnia.
The massage therapy for treating sleeping disorders is different and hence while booking a session for massage you should address the therapist about your problems. There are studies that prove that regular massage therapy reduces the anxiety level and increases relaxation in individuals which, in turn, helps in restoring the sleeping patterns.
Lack of sleep not only has physical problems but also causes emotional disturbances. Depriving yourself of a good deep sleep releases certain kind of pain chemicals which is not good for the body. Touch therapy can yield increased flexibility and relaxation. An effective massage increases deep sleep and also releases anti-pain chemicals which are naturally produced in the body known as serotonin.
Aromatherapy massage is more effective in treating sleeping disorders. Essential oils play a good role in uplifting the mood and relaxing the mind. Studies prove that aromatherapy massage yielded better results than normal massage therapy. It was also found that lavender oil helped in improving the sleep and reduced stress.
There are also additional benefits gained from the massage therapy such as relaxed muscles, lower blood pressure, increased blood circulation in the body, reduced stress level, and much more.
Thus this natural treatment helps to deal with insomnia and also comes with other additional benefits. Having regular sessions of massage can help you deal with your problem naturally without any side effect.

Marsh & McLennan Workers Comp Coverage Workplace Safety



The U.S. workforce has steadily gotten older over the past two decades, which has both positive and negative connotations for workplace safety, experts say.
In 1994, people ages 55 and older represented 11.9% of the labor force – a number that is rising and is expected to reach 24.9% in 2024, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This has major implications for the injury potential in the workforce, experts said during a webinar called Managing Aging Workforce Risks hosted by Marsh's Workers' Compensation Center of Excellence on Wednesday.
“I would argue that the same risk factors exist for employees regardless of age,” said David Damico, Atlanta-based vice president and senior ergonomics consultant with Marsh Risk Consulting. “That said, certain risk factors such as force, repetition (and) environmental concerns can become more prevalent as we age.”
Significant changes are seen starting around age 55, including the accumulation of comorbid conditions such as diabetes and obesity – trends that can be costly for employers, said Gary Anderberg, senior vice president – claims analytics, Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. in Itasca, Illinois.
“What might be a simple injury for a 30-year-old might turn into permanent total disability for a 70-year-old if not handled properly,” he said.
However, older workers as a group tend to have fewer injuries and comp claims than younger employees, according to the experts.
“They are simply more experienced in their tasks,” Mr. Damico said. “They are probably more careful. Unfortunately, the severity of injuries to older workers often eclipses the total incurred cost of injuries to younger workers.”
Older workers “know what they’re doing,” Mr. Anderberg said. “They know what to avoid, where not to put their fingers and their toes, for example. The most dangerous time for any employee is generally the first year on the job when they’re still learning to work safely. But when they do suffer workplace injuries, for older employees, the medical indemnity costs can be higher, the cost of treatment can be higher in part because the comorbidities older workers tend to have can complicate recovery.”
But older workers have advanced skills and valuable experience, said Corinne Towler, senior manager for the industrial athlete program at Boeing Co. in Edmonds, Washington.
“We recognize it’s more critical than ever to keep those workers healthy, productive and with us for as long as possible,” she said. “If those older workers become injured in large numbers and miss work, we would be in trouble from a production perspective.”
In 2005, Boeing launched the health and productivity program, which focuses on injury prevention and improving the physical resilience of the company’s employees, she said. The program features job conditioning – similar to physical therapy but conducted prior to injury with healthy workers – via one-hour classes twice a week for seven weeks.
The job conditioning is open to all employees, but the company does pay attention to age, particularly with jobs that require more senior mechanics who have spent more time with the company and have developed technical expertise, she said.
“We focus more on marketing to them because they might present a more significant risk than younger employees from the impacts of injury on time loss and the severity of injury and also (because) of the importance of keeping that skilled population available for productivity,” Ms. Towler said.
Symptom intervention is another core element of the program, she said.
“What we want to offer is a place for people to go when they first have an indication that something might be going wrong, when they start to feel soreness anywhere in the body,” Ms. Towler said.
For example, the employee can get an assessment from an athletic trainer or a massage therapist, she said.
The job conditioning and symptom interventions have been successful, leading to double-digit decreases in recordable injuries and lost work days, with 97% of employees remaining free of injury to the affected body part for one year after participating in the program.
There have been implementation and other challenges for the program, including the ongoing need to make the business case for the program and scheduling issues at the start, she said. Keeping the program voluntary was another unexpected challenge because some company leaders looked at the outcomes data and questioned why the program wasn’t mandatory, Ms. Towler said.
“Our answer is that if we make it mandatory it could counteract some of the program’s benefits,” she said. “If people are forced to participate or feel like they’re being forced, we end up getting dissenters in the program. When that happens, the people who actually want to be there are prevented from fully engaging.”










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