The Benefits of a Massage Therapy Program in Austin, Texas
Having high blood pressure is no joke. High blood pressure increases the risk of having a stroke or heart attack – both of which can be fatal. Living a healthy and active lifestyle can help you avoid one of the most infamous silent killers: Hypertension.
By eating a nutritious diet, along with regular exercise to keep excess fat off of your waistline, you can keep yourself in top physical condition. However, even when all of these areas have been met, the most important factor in keeping high blood pressure at bay is reducing stress, and this is where massage therapy can help lower your blood pressure.
Risks for High Blood Pressure
With the go, go, go lifestyle these days with meetings, social media, and work, it’s easy to become overcome by stress, and with that comes high blood pressure. It is so common that nearly one in three Americans are known to have high blood pressure according to the Center of Disease Control.
So, how did your last check-up go? Did your doctor tell you that your blood pressure is a little high? Whether you have primary hypertension, or secondary, caused by one-too-many nights out with friends indulging in drinks and trips to the golden arches seeking over-salted fries, your physical health is sitting square in the danger zone. High levels of stress leads to an increase in the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone responsible for increased blood pressure. However, regular massage therapy has been proven to reduce high blood pressure and regulate hormones.
Reducing Stress Through Massage
Several medical studies have repeatedly proven that massage significantly improves blood pressure, thereby lowering the susceptibility or even reversing the effects of hypertension. Massage is commonly known as one of the best relievers of stress, and because of this it has a beneficial cascade effect on other bodily functions and systems. Additionally, the release of tension in muscles and ligaments reduces swelling, which increases circulation and lowers arterial blood pressure, and thereby relieving hypertension.
Precautions for Massage Therapy
As with any from of therapy, and especially massage, which affects the circulation of the patient with high blood pressure, it is advisable to check in with your primary care physician to choose a therapy method that works best for your personal needs. Remember that massages should always lead to improved symptoms and will not exacerbate any pain that you are currently experiencing. Be sure to check in with your massage therapist if you are experiencing any unfamiliar form of pain and he or she will be able to either explain the source, or will stop working in that area.
Want to Become a Massage Therapist?
According to the US department of labor, employment of massage therapists is expected to grow much faster than the national average, with an anticipated 23% growth rate from 2012-2022 creating 30,000 new jobs. Therefore, there really isn’t a better time to become a massage therapist than now. What are you waiting for? Contact us today for more information about our massage therapy program or to schedule a tour of our campus, and jump-start your new career in massage therapy!
