Can Massage Promote Weight Loss?

Massage therapy does not specifically aid in weight loss, but it can help reduce cellulite by breaking the subcutaneous tissue. It can also help in making the skin firm and supple, especially for someone who has loose skin from losing weight. Massage offers great benefits for people experiencing the after effects of losing weight. It is important to visit a trained specialist for any kind of massage, because wrong pressure can cause injury.

Massage Techniques

Many different techniques are used by massage therapists, depending on your condition and what you require, and the prices also vary accordingly. One of the most common kinds of massages is deep tissue massage, which helps heal muscle injuries and targets deeper muscle layers. Swedish massage, the most common form of massage offered in spas, uses movements such as vibration and kneading to provide relief. Trigger point massage focuses on sensitive muscle points.

Massage Therapy

MayoClinic.com reports that massage therapy is quite useful in relieving stress and pain and treating anxiety and depression, although massage therapy cannot replace the medical care your doctor can provide. SlimmingResources.com conducted a study on a test group of 85 women with different body shapes and found that regular massages helped them in losing at least a centimeter from the waist area. However, there was no reduction in overall body weight.

Benefits

Apart from aiding in cellulite removal, massage therapy is useful in treating body pain and muscle cramps. Pregnant women can also take regular massage sessions for healing back pain.

Weight Loss

Massage can help in losing weight in an indirect manner. Regular massage has been found helpful in eliminating cellulite by breaking subcutaneous fat. If you cannot continue with your regular workout routine because of muscle pain and other injuries, a massage can help relieve the pain so you can get back to your regular exercise program, helping you to burn calories.

Considerations

Though massages are generally considered safe if done by a trained specialist, people who have cancer, fractures or osteoporosis should first consult their doctor before visiting a massage therapist. In rare cases, massages may cause nerve damage.