Have you tried a dozen of weight-loss diets and techniques but nothing showed your expected results? Here are the 10 ways massage for weight loss can help you achieve your desired shape FAST.
Being overweight is never going to work in your favor. There are many health complications associated with obesity, including diabetes, kidney diseases, hypertension, fatty liver disease, heart diseases, stroke, etc.
Maintaining weight under normal ranges is essential for a healthy life. There are many ways of doing it; medicines, exercise, dieting, and massage.
Dieting can be too hard. Imagine having your favorite mouth watery food in front of your eyes, and you are resisting yourself from eating that food. It doesn’t seem a good idea. There are medicines for weight loss, but they have adverse effects associated with them.
How Massage For Weight Loss Works?
A massage for weight loss can be an excellent way to help you deal with weight loss. Massage heals your body in a thousand ways. The research is still going on on the therapeutic effects of massage for weight loss. Massage also helps you to get rid of excess fat, reduce cellulite, and improve digestion. It is an effective way for obese persons to reduce their weight.
Studies show that combining massage therapies with exercise produces amazing results. Read on to know how massage lowers weight and which messages are helpful.
Massage Improves Blood Circulation
Poor blood flow results in the accumulation of waste metabolites in the body that is associated with weight gain.
Massage for weight loss is known to improve blood circulation. A study published in The Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that massage increases blood flow. There were a total of 28 participants that received a ten-minute massage on the calf area. There was an increase in temperature, which suggested improved blood flow. It can be because of the pressure applied to some areas that move blood through the congested areas.
An increased blood flow carries more oxygen and nutrients to body organs and removes all the toxic metabolites from the body through the kidney as urine. In this way, the increased removal of waste products prevents their accumulation in the body, thus decreasing the chance of weight gain.
Massage Improves Muscle Tone
Many exercises help lower your weight, but sore muscles decrease your performance during exercise. Massage relieves sore muscles; it allows you to perform better during exercise and burn more calories, enhancing your weight loss.
It manipulates your tissues. It improves muscle tone mainly by improving oxygen supply to oxygen through increased blood flow. It also helps tight muscles to loosen, thus decreasing the soreness of muscles.
A study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy suggests that massage therapy improves muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and contraction. Combined massage therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation were given to 20 healthy subjects. The results verified massage effectiveness in improving muscle tone.
Improves Cellulite Appearance
A massage is also known to improve the appearance of cellulite by stretching skin. Cellulite is a condition where lumpy flesh develops on thighs and buttocks. It is subcutaneous fat. Cellulitis results when you eat food with high fats. It gets deposited in fat cells and expands them, which results in weight gain.
If massage is applied to cellulite targeted areas, it breaks down fat and reduces its appearance that lowers your weight, and makes you look slimmer. According to an article published in the International Journal of women’s dermatology, massage may reduce cellulite, resulting in weight loss.
Massage Relieve Stress
Several kinds of research show that increased levels of stress are associated with weight gain. It may be due to an increase in appetite or emotional reactions. An article published in 2009 suggests that increased anxiety and stress level is linked with adiposity, which increases weight.
Massage for weight loss helps you manage an increased weight that is associated with high-stress levels. A massage is well known for promoting relaxation. It does that in several ways. It produces dopamine and serotonin in the body, which produces feelings of happiness. It also decreases cortisol levels that are produced in response to stress.
An article published in the International Journal of neuroscience confirms stress reduction following massage therapy. On average, there was about a 31% decline in cortisol levels, a 28% increase in serotonin levels, and a 31% increase in dopamine levels reported.
Massage Increases Metabolism
A slow metabolism burns only a few calories, which means more fat gets stored in your body resulting in weight gain. On the other hand, increased metabolism means increased energy consumption by your body, helping you burn some extra calories. Massage improves blood circulation. Increased blood flow results in an increased exchange of materials (nutrients) and oxygens between blood cells and body tissues, thus increasing metabolism.
It allows muscles to burn more calories. By having a massage, you can eat your favorite food without being worried about gaining weight.
A study published in the Journal of pediatric supports the fact that massage decreases fat deposition. Twenty-two infants (12 boys and ten girls) received a massage or control care. The results conclude that massage limits fat deposition in male infants.
Massage Removes Toxins From Your Body
The building up of toxins due to poor circulation is associated with weight gain. Toxins may affect hormones like insulin and cortisol that are involved in metabolism. They can also damage your body’s ability to burn fat by damaging mitochondrial enzymes, thus increasing the body’s weight.
They can change the circadian rhythm and increase the workload of the liver. All of these factors lead to weight gain.
Massage improves blood circulation with the use of effleurage and petrissage movements, which help reduce the level of toxins from your body. A reduced level of toxins results in a lower weight of the body. Pacific College of health and science confirms its effectiveness in the removal of toxins.
Increases Range of Flexibility
Restrictive movements and lesser flexibility result in decreased performance during exercise, restricting your calorie consumption and weight loss results. It can be due to many reasons. One of the reasons is muscle tightness. But massage also solves your problem here.
Massages reduce muscle pain and help the body to get rid of waste products. It manipulates body soft tissues and increases body temperature. It reduces swelling and helps break adhesion. It stretches body tissues and relieves tension, thus increasing range of motion and flexibility. Increased flexibility of muscles allows you to do better exercise, which is associated with weight reduction.
An article published in the Journal of Physical Therapy science confirms that massage is beneficial in increasing the range of motion. The study involves 237 participants who receive massage therapy. The findings suggest an improved range of shoulder motion, particularly abduction and flexion.
Massage Improves Digestion
Digestion of food is the most crucial in maintaining weight. Poor digestion does not properly break down your food and results in the deposition of not properly digested food components in the body, which can cause weight gain. Poor food digestion can also be due to increased levels of stress. Massage decreases sympathetic stimulation and enhances parasympathetic stimulation, which promotes rest and digest condition.
Furthermore, massage over the abdomen increases blood circulation to the stomach, which releases acid that promotes the breakdown of food. Massage also stimulates peristalsis, which pushes the food downward in the body towards the intestine.
According to an article published in the Journal of Intensive care, massage improves digestive function in individuals. The study involved 60 participants hospitalized in ICU; the participants’ gastric residual volume was measured after the intervention and 1 hour of massage therapy for three days. The results suggested less gastric residual volume after the intervention than before, which concludes abdominal massage improves digestion. Massage also improves the condition of diarrhea, bloating, heartburn and constipation.
Massage Reduce Cortisol Levels
Cortisol is usually produced in the body during stress. But its overproduction can affect the body negatively. It increases appetite, which leads to overeating. It is associated with fat deposition in the abdomen area. Both increased appetite and fat deposition are associated with weight gain.
Massage is an effective way to reduce the fat around your belly. It decreases cortisol levels. An article published in the Journal of neuroscience suggests that massage lowers cortisol levels in the body. Reduce cortisol levels, in turn, lowers appetite, reduces fat accumulation and stress, which helps to lower your weight.
Different Massages For Weight Loss
Swedish Massage For Weight Loss
A study reveals that deep tissue Swedish massage has weight-lowering effects in obese patients. Another study published in the New York Times suggests that both deep and light Swedish massage are involved in reducing cortisol levels, which is beneficial in weight reduction.
Swedish massage uses long kneading strokes or tapping on the top layer of muscle. Your massage therapist may focus on particular areas of concern. You can also expect to have a full body massage.
Swedish massage may loosen up your tight muscles. It stimulates your nerve endings and improves blood flow. It also improves your lymph drainage. All these mechanisms collectively enhance your weight loss.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
An article published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology confirms the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage massage for weight loss by decreasing regional fat values of patients with cellulitis. There were a total of 60 participants involved in the study. Twenty received mechanical massage, 20 received lymphatic drainage massage, and other 20 received connective tissue manipulations. Thigh thickness decreased by 3.03 mm in participants who received lymphatic drainage massage.
Lymph fluid is a part of the lymphatic system that helps the body to eliminate toxic materials in the body. If you have lymphedema due to any problem, you can go for a manual lymphatic drainage massage. It helps lymph in your body to move and remove toxic and metabolic wastes by using light and rhythmic movements.
A regular lymphatic massage keeps your lymphatic system healthy, which is associated with a high metabolic rate. An increased metabolic rate means high-fat burn per minute.
Abdominal Massage For Weight Loss
Many studies suggest abdominal massage for weight loss is effective. It treats constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. It helps treat constipation by relaxing smooth muscles. It improves digestive function.
A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice suggests that abdominal massage improves the digestive function of patients with endotracheal tubes. 70 ICU patients with endotracheal tubes were involved in the study. They either received abdominal massage or routine care. Abdominal circumference and gastric residual volume decreased in patients who received massage.
Vacuum Massage For Weight Loss
Vacuum massage is a way to reduce cellulite. It is done by using a mechanical device that is supposed to lift the suction of the skin. The suction makes the skin fold and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. The process also enhances lymphatic drainage and removes toxic materials from the body. It smooths irregular skin surfaces, stimulates collagen and elastin production. It boosts the immune system and allows deep tissues to relax.
A study published in evidence-based complementary alternative medicine suggests that 60 minutes of vibration massage a week reduce cellulite.
The massage is based on the Chinese traditional medicine system. The massage session lasts 45 minutes.
Udvarthanam, An Ayurvedic Massage
It is a popular ayurvedic massage for weight loss. This massage breaks down fat in our body. The massage is also called scrub and trim. As the name suggests, it uses herbal powder; it is a deep tissue massage. It improves blood circulation, strengthens muscles, and combat body stiffness.
There are mainly two types of udvarthanam massage.
- Ruksha: This kind of massage uses only dry herbal powder and reduces fat under the skin and cellulite.
- Snigadh: This kind of massage is done using dry powders and oils. It is suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Aromatherapy Massage For Weight Loss
Research published shows that one hour of aromatherapy with some oils reduces abdominal weight and waist circumference.
As the name suggests, aromatherapy is a kind of massage that involves rubbing essential oils onto the skin. Oils for aromatherapy are mostly obtained from extracts of flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, and barks.
Aromatherapy massage reduces stress and anxiety. It also improves sleep and muscle movement. It is associated with reduced appetite. It boosts immunity, treats headaches and migraines.
FAQ:
Is massage therapy alone enough for weight loss?
Massage improves digestion by stimulating the digestive system, i.e., stimulate peristalsis and stomach acid production. It also burns fat. But you are not lucky enough to get your desired results by only having a massage for weight loss. It is not going to work like this.
Although massage helps weight loss, the effects are not robust. Massage is a complementary therapy and should be done along with any other treatment. According to American Massage therapy, massage compliments exercise in various ways, including improving exercise endurance and performance. So, getting massages with regular exercise may be your way to get your weight in control.
Summary
Being overweight can put your health at risk. Massage for weight loss is an effective way to maintain weight under normal range. It improves blood flow, metabolism, and the appearance of cellulite. Massage is also known to enhance the removal of toxic materials from the body. All of these therapeutic effects are somehow involved in lowering body weight. But remember, massage compliments exercise. So if you are only relying on massage for weight loss, you should keep your expectation a little bit low.
