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De-Stress, Stay Healthy
Massage may boost
immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called
cortisol in subjects' saliva before and after massage sessions, and
found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are
stressed, kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces
your stress levels and hence the cortisol in your body, it may help you
avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.
 . Blood Pressure Benefits:
Massage reduces hypertension, suggests a good deal of research. This
may be because it stimulates pressure receptors that prompt action from
the vagus nerve, one of the nerves that emerges from the brain. The
vagus nerve regulates blood pressure, as well as other functions. In a
2005 study at the University of South Florida, hypertension patients who
received 10 massages of 10 minutes each over three weeks showed
significant improvements in blood pressure compared to a control group
who simply rested in the same environment without any massage.
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