Healing Art Therapy – Benefits of Therapeutic Massage for Anglers

Scott Comstock is a licensed Masseur from Oklahoma who has worked with professional athletes for several years.  He operates his business; Healing Art Therapy, in the city of Chickasha.   Comstock has recently begun working with professional anglers to aid them in recovering from the repetitive strains placed on the body during their occupation, and he understands the demands placed on the body by the sport,

Comstock will be doing a semi-regular column here on Advanced Angler seeking to help anglers understand the potential health risks of the sport; from repetitive strain, jarring boat rides and even exposure to the elements.  Comstock will provide suggestions for dealing with these and make suggestions to anglers looking to avoid them altogether.

In this first column, Comstock explains the benefits of therapeutic massage

**************

In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage and/or bodywork treatments?

– Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.

– Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.

– Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body’s largest organ – the skin.

– Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

– Reduces spasms and cramping

– Increases joint flexibility.

– Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

– Releases endorphins – the body’s natural painkiller – and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

– Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.

– Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

– Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

– Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

These benefits will improve performance in day to day living no matter what the case may be.  Treatment varies with each client depending on the severity of injury and areas affected.  Massage should be a regular routine for everyone because of the healing aspects it offers.

Find Comstock and Healing Art Therapy on Facebook