Massage Therapy - Support in Heart Health?

Several studies indicate that Massage therapy can serve as a powerful complementary treatment for heart health. How? Some studies show that it can help Reduce Blood Pressure, Heart Rate & Stress. A 2008 study, examined 263 volunteers who were given a regular cadence of therapeutic massage. The study followed subjects and recorded an average blood pressure fell by 10 mg Hg, and heart rate by 10 beats per minute—after just one treatment. "That's about as much as you might get from prescribing a new blood pressure medication for life!" says cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn.

Another study in 2013, 50 people with elevated blood pressure received a 15-minute massage three times a week for 10 sessions, while a similar group just relaxed for the same amount of time. By the end of the sessions, only blood pressure of the massage group participants had fallen, and remained lower for several days.

Since regular massage also helps eliminate stress, it can reduce its associated risks. One of these risks, known as cardiac arrhythmias, causes the heart to pump less effectively, so less blood reaches the brain and other vital organs. Massage also releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood toward the heart, easing strain on our most vital organ.