Normally, wellbeing is linked with big things of life like perfect health, loads of money, career success, recognition, happy family life, fulfilling marriage, social acceptance, loyal friends, safety, security, utilization of talents, unleashing potential, busy proactive life, having goals and aims, spirituality and religious devotion. No doubt, these matter the most when it comes to wellness. But what about the smaller things which can make a huge difference. For example, music, poetry, literature, movies, sports can also change your misery to happiness. Similarly, another activity in this important yet secondary list is shoulder massage. This may come as a surprise to some but is true nevertheless.

Science and Massage

Shoulder muscles can become tight and painful resulting in body not being relaxed. A shoulder massage ensures relaxation, physically and mentally. It creates friction and increases the temperature of the muscles. It helps improve the elasticity within the muscles resulting in less muscle tightness and tension helping the body relax as pain is decreased. During it, the relaxation hormones serotonin and dopamine are increased which help the body be calm and relaxed. A decrease of the hormone cortisol takes place too which increases stress within the body. Stress can be treated by a shoulder massage. It can affect the body in every way. Tension in the muscles is one of the most common signs of stress. Shoulder massage decreases levels of stress hormone, cortisol. A decrease in muscle tightness and tension also occurs. It increases the temperature of muscles, loosening tightness, relieving tension and physically reducing stress.

Benefits

A shoulder massage decreases tightness of muscles that cause pain and discomfort. The most common reasons of tight muscles include poor posture and injury resulting in high levels of pain and discomfort that negatively affect everyday life. A shoulder massage increases the temperature of muscles resulting in the improvement of tissue elasticity and flexibility. This results in reduced muscle tightness. Injury can have many negative effects on the body which can be alleviated by receiving a shoulder massage. After an injury, muscles become tight and restrictive causing pain. It helps ease tension, stress and pain. It breaks down and reduces scar tissue formed around an injury site. This results in improved muscle function. Tissue elasticity increases therefore improving flexibility and range of movement around a joint. Benefits of massage are decreased pain, improved circulation, prevention of injury and improved posture.

Muscles

Muscles in the shoulders can turn sore and painful due to various reasons. The most common are poor posture, injury and overuse. Muscles become tense and tightened resulting in increase in soreness as receptors in the body detect when something is wrong. Then a signal is sent to the brain. It tells that there is pain. When this message is received, then we feel pain. A shoulder massage reduces pain by stopping the signals that go to the brain. It means that the body cannot detect pain any longer. It also helps to loosen muscles and relieve tightness. It increases temperature of that muscle which results in increase of capillarisation on vasodilation. This increases amount of oxygen used by the body and size of blood vessels so blood flow is increased. This leads to improvement of muscle elasticity and reduces tightness and tension, decreasing pain.

Blood-flow

A shoulder massage improves the circulation of blood. It encourages more nutrients and oxygen to be delivered to the muscles which keeps them healthy and prevents injury. An increase in cellular exchange occurs too where waste products and toxins are removed as healthy nutrients and oxygen are given. This helps keeping the muscles healthy and preventing circulation from decreasing. Prevention of injury is another advantage of a shoulder massage. Due to blood and lymphatic circulation, there are less harmful products and toxins within the muscles that can damage them. An increase in oxygen and nutrients are also circulated in the muscles. This aids in stronger and healthier muscles. An increase in muscle temperature improves the tissue elasticity and flexibility around joints. This means that during strenuous activity, muscles move with less restriction, thus preventing injury.

Posture

Posture can improve a lot with a shoulder massage. When muscles become tense or tightened, they stir pain and discomfort within the body. They restrict the range of movement causing poor posture. A shoulder massage helps loosening tight muscles by increasing temperature, improving elasticity and flexibility of muscles. Increased range of movement and decreased pain allows the posture to correct itself without causing any pain or discomfort.

So what?

Thus, the next time you go to a shopping mall and want to buy all those things that make you happier, more fulfilled, more active and more at peace, do not forget to collect the best massager for neck and shoulder pain as well. Do not underestimate the power of little things in life that bring big positive changes. Happy massaging!