Some people experience a histamine release after massage therapy, most typically with a sports massage.
Histamine release causes vasodilation, which is when the blood vessels widen and results in an increase in blood circulation.
This has a number of positive benefits, such as healing from wounds faster, thinking clearer, and all-around wellness improvements.
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Histamine Release After Massage
Experiencing a histamine release after a massage is not a bad thing, and is in fact beneficial to many people.
Histamine release can be caused by different things such as:
- Vigorous massage strokes
- Using deep pressure on the muscle
- Working on areas that are tender or inflamed
- Myofascial release
If you experience Histamine Release After Massage, there’s no need to worry. It is a normal response to massage, and your body is simply doing what it should – healing itself!
What Is Increased Vasodilation?
Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels. Histamine is a hormone that helps to regulate this process by causing the smooth muscle in your blood vessel walls to relax, thus widening the vessels.
This dilation allows more blood to flow through and can have a number of positive effects on your body.
Benefits of Increased Vasodilation
There are many benefits to increased vasodilation, including:
- Increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells and tissues, promoting healing.
- Histamine also helps to regulate body temperature, so increased vasodilation can help to cool you down when you’re overheated.
- The increase in blood flow can also help to clear your mind and improve your focus.
- Overall, increased vasodilation helps to improve your wellness and vitality.
A lot of patients recovering from injuries or surgery will experience the benefit of histamine release.
After surgery or sustaining an injury, there is often a build-up of metabolic wastes in the area.
The increased blood flow and circulation brought about by histamine release helps to flush out these wastes and promote healing.
How Myofascial Release Aids Histamine Release
Myofascial release is a type of physical therapy that uses gentle, sustained pressure to release the myofascial tissues – the connective tissues that surround and support your muscles.
This release can help to reduce pain and improve the range of motion by freeing up the tissues that may be restricted due to injury or inflammation.
Myofascial release is often used in combination with other therapies, such as massage, to provide a more comprehensive treatment plan.
When used together, myofascial release and massage can help to increase the benefits of both therapies.
Myofascial release can help to increase the effectiveness of massage by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving range of motion
- Increasing blood flow and circulation
- Stimulating histamine release
When to Have Myofascial Release
Myofascial release can be beneficial for anyone experiencing pain or restriction in their range of motion.
However, it is often used to treat:
- Chronic pain, in particular, myofascial pain syndrome
- Injuries
- Inflammatory conditions
- Restrictions in range of motion
If you think you might benefit from myofascial release, talk to your doctor or physical therapist.
They can help to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and goals.
Related – Benefits of Myofascial Release
Always Consult a Qualified Massage Therapist or Physio
Whether you’re nursing an injury, interested in histamine release, or trying to figure out what the best course of treatment is for you – the best thing you can do is talk to a qualified massage therapist.
They will be able to give you the best advice on how to move forward with your treatment and help you achieve your goals.
A lot of people are hesitant to speak with a massage therapist, but please don’t be.
There is nothing to be nervous or anxious about – you’re going to have one of the best experiences of your life, I can guarantee it.
You’re also likely to get relief for your specific injury or physical issue you’re dealing with.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you want to experience a histamine release or not, you’re going to benefit from having a massage!
Header Photo by Benjamin Wedemeyer on Unsplash
I’m a MA, (CMT) Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Reiki Master — I’m a licensed massage therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.
