Sciatica is used to refer to pain along the sciatic nerve which extends from your lower back , through your hip and buttock and down the leg, usually on one side. It can be accompanied by numbness, tingling or weakness. Massage’s main benefit is soothing tense muscles, and when your muscles are tense they can put more pressure on your nerves, including the sciatic nerve. Massaging the soft tissue may also help to increase your pain threshold by stimulating the release of endorphins, endorphins cause an increased feeling of well-being.
Massage therapy can help with depression and anxiety by switching on the clients sympathetic nervous system (rest and digest nervous system as opposed to fight or flight, parasympathetic nervous system). Having a massage can increase the levels of oxytocin and serotonin in your body which makes you feel less stressed.
Massage can help overcome insomnia by directly affecting the hormones that cause insomnia. Massage reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) by almost 30% and increases the secretion of serotonin and melatonin in the body. Melatonin is the hormone that regulates the sleep cycle.
Massage decreases the amount of tension in the muscles, this can help reduce pain and improve flexibility. The increase in blood flow to the muscles can relieve pain and muscle soreness.
Massage helps lessen muscle tension and improve range of motion for runners, it can help speed recovery and make them feel relaxed.
Massage facilitates circulation because the pressure created by the massage technique actually moves the blood through the congested areas. The release of this same pressure causes new blood to flow in.