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The human hand contains 27 bones. Our fingers flex at least 25 million times during a lifetime.
Our hands can be used to both detect diseases and, if we don’t wash our hands properly, as a way to spread diseases. We can use our hands to help us convey our thoughts and feelings. And we can use them to push away or harm others.
With all that activity, our hands could benefit from a massage.
If you’ve been contemplating getting a hand massage, keep reading. We’re sharing with you seven fun facts about the hand massage.
1. A Hand Massage Touches on Acupressure Points
Hand massages are typically quick but relaxing. And you may even notice some immediate health benefits such as:
- Increased finger and wrist range of motion
- Improved circulation
- Reduction of trigger points in hand muscles
That’s because your hands contain both reflexology and acupressure points which are directly associated with both your organs and certain parts of your body.
2. It Brings Relief From Pain
Over 10 million children and adults in the U.K. have arthritis or other conditions that affect their joints. Arthritis causes both pain and inflammation in the joints.
Getting a regular hand and wrist massage can reduce your pain while improving your grip strength. Even if you don’t suffer from arthritis, you can still enjoy the pain-reducing effects.
For those who use their hands for repetitive tasks such as typing, a licensed massage therapist can detect and treat trigger points to help you decrease your pain.
3. Hand Massage Improves Range of Motion
Injuries and overuse can decrease our hands range of motion over time. A hand massage can help with the following:
- Loosening tight hand muscles
- Reducing scar tissue and adhesions
- Improving flexibility
A good hand massage can even treat trigger finger.
Trigger finger can happen when you lose some of the ability to move the tendon that opens and closes your finger.
Your finger then locks or catches when you try to extend it. A hand massage therapist can use cross-fibre friction which should then immediately be followed by your finger doing active and passive stretches along with an ice massage to improve your finger’s range of motion.
4. Hand Massages Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) accounts for around 55% of all work-related illnesses in the UK. It’s the leading cause of sick-related illnesses.
Common symptoms of CTS are:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Weakness
Thankfully, regular hand massages help ease CTS symptoms and can even help improve their grip strength. Wrist massage is the main focus to relieve CTS symptoms but those suffering from it can also benefit from a massage of the arm, neck, hand, and shoulder.
5. Helps to Improve Circulation
If you’re someone who suffers from cold hands, especially in the winter, you may be delighted to know that a hand massage can improve circulation. But that increased circulation can also help stop an attack of a condition known as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is believed to be caused by a sharp and persistent contract of a blood vessel. When that happens, the blood flow to your fingers is drastically reduced.
Increased Circulation Is Beneficial After Surgery or Trauma to the Hand
For those who recently underwent surgery or suffered an injury such as a ligament or muscle strain, increasing circulation is important for a speedy recovery because it brings more nutrients to the areas of the injury.
It also removes harmful metabolic byproducts that accumulate in tissues following a trauma to the area.
6. Can Help You Enjoy Better Sleep
One reason people love getting a hand massage so much is that it’s time they set aside where they can let their worries go and just relax.
But there’s more to it than just that. Scheduling regular massage sessions can help ease both depression and anxiety. And it can help improve our sleep quality.
Massages Boost Serotonin Levels
That may be because massages trigger the release of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that helps us feel calm. In fact, studies have shown that serotonin levels are boosted up to 28% by getting a massage.
And it’s not only adults that can benefit from better sleep. Even children and adolescents find their sleep quality improves with regular massages.
7. Helps Improve Neuropathy
Neuropathy is nerve damage. Those with diabetes or is going through chemotherapy treatments often suffer from neuropathy.
Neuropathy can cause the following symptoms:
- Pain in hands and feet
- Numbness
- Tingling
It can also cause other abnormal sensations.
Massage helps improve circulation which increases blood flood to your extremities.
Most people suffering from neuropathy find their symptoms of weakness improves with regular hand massage sessions. Especially if essential oils are also used in conjunction with the hand massage.
Hand Massage Techniques
If your hands are aching but you can’t get to your hand masseuse right away, you can give yourself one using these basic techniques.
Start by sitting in a comfortable position. Place one hand on a table to help you apply enough pressure.
Warm Up Your Muscles
Next, it’s time to warm up your muscles. Using your palm, stroke your forearm from your wrist to your elbow then back again on both sides.
You can stroke up to your shoulder if you wish. Repeat this three times on both sides of your forearm.
Using your palm, stroke from your wrist to your fingertips on both sides of your hand. Repeat three times using moderate pressure.
Cup Your Hand Around Your Forearm
Next, cup your hand around your forearm. Your thumb should be underneath.
Then pinch your skin starting at the wrist and work slowly up then down your elbow.
Use a Circular Motion
Using your thumb and forefinger (or your thumb and all of your fingers), press in a back-and-forth or circular motion. Slowly move up your hand and forearm. Do this on both sides of your hand and arm three times.
Last, press your thumb in a circular motion all around the back of your hand then move to your palm and repeat. Using your thumb, massage the area between your forefinger and thumb.
Invest in the Best
If you’ve been thinking of investing in a little more self-care this year, we can help.
Sitting in a massage chair while you give yourself a hand massage is the ultimate experience in relaxation and stress-reduction. Click here to find the best massage chair to help you indulge and spoil yourself at home.
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