Massage Therapy
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Pain Management
The benefits of increased blood flow
Rehabilitation for muscle injuries
Increased flexibility
Reduced stress
Improved Immune System
The Benefits of Prenatal Massage Therapy
Massage Techniques
There are many different massage techniques. Swedish massage, sometimes called classic massage, works well for tension relief because it can loosen tight muscles, especially in the lower back, shoulders, and neck.
Swedish massage is also very relaxing, making it an ideal introduction to massage for those new to the treatment.
Deep tissue massage, as its name implies, goes after the inner layers of your muscles, tendons, and fascia (dense connective tissue) to increase blood circulation and reduce inflammation. It uses similar techniques as Swedish massage, but the massage therapist applies stronger pressure.
Deep tissue massage is ideal for people with injuries and athletes, as well as those facing fibromyalgia, lower back pain, and other conditions that cause chronic pain.
A sports massage is perfect for helping with recovery after sports and even preventing sport-related injuries.
There are two types of sports massage: pre-activity and post-activity massage.
Pre-activity is all about reducing the changes you’ll get injured by using stretching to achieve a full range of motion.
Post-activity massage focuses on helping injured muscle tissue (and relieving soreness) by removing soreness-causing toxins.
Important things to consider before your massage:
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Let your massage therapist know about the injuries you’ve suffered.
Make sure they understand the severity of your injuries, when they happened, and if you’re in pain. -
Be clear about comfort levels.
Let your massage therapist know if there are parts of your body you do not want touched. -
What are your expectations?
Think about the purpose of your massage. Is for simple relaxation or recovery from injury? - How much pressure?Tell your massage therapist the level of pressure you want.
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Pre-massage prep.
Take a warm shower or soak in the tub. -
Stay hydrated.
Be sure to drink water before and after your massage
What happens during the massage?
Talk to your massage therapist about your problem areas, which is why you are there in the first place. It’s important to note that how undressed you are is up to you. Of course, any areas you need worked on should be exposed.
The massage therapist will work on your problem areas, kneading and stroking as needed. After the massage, the therapist will leave the room to allow you to get dressed.