According to the CDC, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. suffer from high blood pressure, which consists of two numbers: systolic (or the top number which describes the maximum pressure happening with each contraction of the heart) and diastolic (the bottom number which describes the lowest pressure happening when the heart is in between beats).
And high blood pressure can cause a host of other health risks including heart disease, obesity, stroke, and kidney issues just to name a few. With so many people suffering from high blood pressure and looking for a drug-free alternative to treatment, research has shown that massage therapy can help to reduce blood pressure in some adults.
Recent research has identified four specific massage techniques that have helped to reduce high blood pressure. Let’s go through each one to see the differences:
- A study published in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that Swedish massage was the most effective at reducing blood pressure.
- There is a large movement of those trained to practice Craniosacral therapy who swear by its ability to lower blood pressure. They claim it can ease high blood pressure by relaxing the subclavian and femoral arteries.
- In another 2006 study, Korean researchers found that aromatherapy was effective at lowering blood pressure. Specifically, inhaling combinations of lavender, ylang ylang and bergamot once a day for four weeks reduced blood pressure. A 2007 study from the International Journal of Neuroscience found women given aromatherapy massage with lavender, rose, geranium, and jasmine for 30 minutes once a week found a reduction in blood pressure.
- And finally, a 2008 study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that those who received 45 minutes to one hour of deep tissue massage had a reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressure.
If you are suffering from high blood pressure and are looking for a drug-free solution, contact your massage therapist today. Massage therapy has a proven track record at reducing high blood pressure without prescription medication and harmful side effects. Don’t wait, make an appointment today!
