February is National Heart Health Month, a time for us to take a look at our cardiovascular health and find ways to improve it. From exercise to a healthy diet, we all have things we could do better for the sake of our heart’s health and longevity, but there are plenty of ways to do this that are not talked about often enough. Studies show that consistent massage therapy may be linked to a healthy cardiovascular system. Hand in Health, located in Syracuse, NY, has gathered some helpful information about how massage therapy can help you reach your cardiovascular goals.
If you are looking for massage therapy in the greater Syracuse, NY area, contact the experts at Hand in Health today to schedule your first appointment.
The Importance of Your Heart’s Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America and has been for many years by a consistently substantial margin. Even in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, heart disease accounted for just shy of twice the amount of deaths as COVID-19. Keeping our hearts healthy is the single most effective way to extend our wellbeing for years down the road.
Compound Healing with Massage Therapy
As stated above, there are many ways to accomplish this, but massage therapy is rarely considered in that conversation. That is a shame because not only is massage therapy beneficial to heart health, but is also great for the skin, bones, joints, chronic pain, and much more.
Massage Therapy & Cardiovascular Benefits
Massage therapy offers patients many benefits for their cardiovascular health. Massage may be beneficial, both for some of the risk factors of heart disease as well as a treatment for those who have undergone some cardiac procedures.
Stress & Pain Relief
One of the more commonly cited benefits of massage is a reduction in stress and pain relief. Massage therapy is centered more around treating existing conditions in a patient and may be a prescribed treatment for those conditions. In long-term patients, the relief of those ailments can also lead to a greater decrease in stress once their condition is under better control and less painful in day-to-day activities.
This assists in cardiovascular health because both stress and pain are linked to cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones cause a rise in heart rate and added tension in the muscles. Regular massage therapy is proven to treat both of these symptoms, meaning that it can benefit you both before you encounter a stressful or painful situation, as well as after during the healing process.
Reduces Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Massage may have a positive impact on reducing blood pressure. Clinical trials have proved a significant lowering of blood pressure for those receiving regular massage therapy for up to 72 hours after treatment.
Massage for Treatment and Recovery
For people with heart disease who have undergone one or more treatment interventions, massage may be beneficial in their recovery. Recent randomized clinical trials reached the conclusion that massage may be beneficial to reduce pain and anxiety for this population as well as improve postoperative outcomes.
Celebrate National Heart Health Month with Hand in Health
At the end of the day, if your heart isn’t healthy, you are at risk of major medical conditions that could have severe repercussions on your future. National Heart Health Month exists so that we are reminded to take a step back and look for ways to do better with our cardiovascular health. Massage therapy is a great way to give your heart the attention it needs to heal.
If you are in the Syracuse, NY area and looking for an experienced, trusted massage therapist, contact Hand in Health today to schedule your first appointment!
